Saturday, September 26, 2009

WWGD (What Would Geocachers Do?) Question.

Just recently I put out a GeoSnippits tutorial video called GeoSnippits How To Make Your Own PVC Water Main Geocache and the response has been very good.

The biggest conversation that has come from it is how the best way would be to get the bison tube back into the central mechanism of the geocache itself. Several viewers have sent in suggestions but now I would like to post as many ideas to solve this back into the original posting.

So if you did not see the video you can go here and then come back and send me your suggestions. If we use it on the post you could win a GeoSnippits pathtag!

Comment below to this post.

Thanks,

- HHH


GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

Thursday, September 24, 2009

I'm Going To Take This As A Sign

There are times when God's beauty takes your breath away. I opened the shades to my bedroom window this morning for a few moments of wonder.

This double rainbow was there to greet me and lasted for about a minute. If I had not opened my shade at that very moment I would have missed it.

Was just one of those things that filled my heart with happiness and a appreciation to the Big Guy Upstairs. Thanks Lord for starting my day out right.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Geocaching on a bicycle - What is your tips and tricks? Send us your videos.





























I was recently asked by a GeoSnippits viewer what are some of the best tips and tricks for geocaching on a bike. Now if you have ever seen a GeoSnippits video you will know that I am a rather large man and that means my bicycling days are a thing of the past. I know there are bikes out there for individual of my size but they are extremely expensive.

So if I can't give direct accounts on geocaching from my favorite chain driven vehicle, maybe you can. I am looking for videos from any geocachers out there that geocache while bicycling. They can be from anywhere around the world. I need to see you in action while geocaching and also any tips, tricks and advice for the safest and best practices. What makes riding a bike while geocaching so great? What are some of your best experiences or worse? I want them all.

The best examples will be used to make a GeoSnippits episode and if selected you will win an official GeoSnippits Pathtag!

Email me as soon as possible with the details about your video and I will contact you with the instructions on how to send it to me. Contact me at headhardhat@gmail.com.

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Sneek Peek to Michigan Magazine TV / GeoSnippits Segment
















I had so much fun making this multi-cameo geocache and you are going to be able to make one too. This episode and more GeoSnippits segments are shown each week on Michigan Magazine TV.

Watch Michigan Magazine TV found on the RFD-TV and Sky Angel Networks. Michigan Magazine TV seen in all 50 states is shown several times a week. Check your Direct TV and Dish Network for the channel and times near you.

Look for this episode scheduled in October.


GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

Saturday, September 19, 2009

GeoSnippits How To Make Your Own PVC Water Main Geocache

You can get all the details about this amazing and evil geocache by going to my Ingenious Cache Inventor blog here:

But we just had to show you this cool video straight out. Enjoy.




If the viewer does not show above you can click the link here:



GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Everything You Want To Know About Geocaching Swag

Ahh Swag, in the geocaching world it is the "treasure" in treasure hunting but what is it really?

When a geocache gets initially "hidden" many times the owner places trinkets, knick-knacks and treasures inside for other geocachers to find and trade from. The idea is that the "finder" opens up the geocache, signs the log book and trades items they are carrying for the swag found in the geocache. The rule of geocaching states that if you trade an item from the geocache you should replace it with something of equal or better value. The idea is to keep geocaches stocked with rotating supplies of swag-like goodness. Does that always happen, no. Many times some geocachers just take for the sake of the moment but it is still best to replace with equal or better stuff. Keep in mind that the majority of the swag found in a typical geocache usually ranges from $1.00US to $5.00US in value.

What are some examples of swag?
Basically anything that will fit in a particular geocache that fits your budget.

Like:
Store bought items as: Toys, Tools, Jewlery, Electronics, CDs, DVDs, etc.
Handmade items
Coins
Bags of Polished Stones
Books


Where is some of the best places to get swag for geocaching?
Listed below are some suggestions from actual geocachers. It is not the end all beat all but it sure will give some things to think about when looking for swag. The list is not in any particular order.

The Dollar Store - Can get oodles of swag for a buck. Sort of the common man's swag store.
Garage Sales - You never know what kind of stuff you can find for trade.
Target: Dollar Wall - all sorts of bargain items.
Ebay: Wholesale lots - you never know what is out there for a great deal to trade.
Ebay - Vintage coins and arrow heads
www.orientaltrading.com - Multitudes of swag items for a small amount of $$$.
Claire's bargain area - kids love jewelry, purses and other dressup stuff.
Joanne's - tons of craft stuff for making swag items or to trade.
Craft stores - see Joanne's
Fast Food Chains - Kids love wrapped or new happy meal toys

Some final things to keep in mind about swag and geocaching. The big thing is you do not HAVE to trade. If you do not have something to swap then don't. Sign the log book and earn your smiley.

Also Travel Bugs and Geocoins are NOT swag. They are personal items owned by someone else. These specially ID'd travelers are handled differently than swag and move from one geocache to the next. They are not swag and not trade items.

Is there REAL treasure in Geocaches?
The answer I will give in my humble opinion is YES. Sure there is a ton of playing cards, happy meal toys and chip clips waiting for you when geocaching. I asked a bunch of geocachers what the most expensive items they found and here were a couple of answers.

One geocacher heard of someone finding car keys but only felt that was 10% true
Two separate geocachers have found real 1oz gold kruggerands.
A harmony ball. The geocacher didn't know what it was at the time but they value around $40.00.
A brand new Gameboy Micro with game included.
A $35.00 chunk of Citrine
A bolo tie placed in honor of another geocacher. It had a rare jasper stone worth over $300.00.

Of course there are the stories of championship game or box seat tickets, new Rolex watches and other gold, diamond and other treasures. Whether true or not you never know what you are going to find until you open the geocache up and look for yourself. There are currently 901,962 geocaches around the world waiting to be found. What treasures do you seek???


GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

HeadHardHat Talks About BlackBerry Apps on Geocaching Podcast

Podcasts in general are a really entertaining and informative way of expressing interest and information about a subject. It takes an individual or a group of individuals some serious dedication to get known and to keep a level of excellence on a regular basis. Many times these shows are created, produced and hosted without any serious budget or incoming monies. Yet they continue to be of a high quality and professionalism.

When it comes to geocaching podcasts I have either been on or mentioned on several. A month or so ago I had the delight to have a face to face with the Cache-A-Maniacs Podcast. Last night I was asked to come on the Geocaching Podcast Show hosted by XpunkX and Darrylw4 of the Cache-A-Maniacs. The discussion was geocaching applications used on the BlackBerry. I won't go into too many details but we talked pretty extensively about Trimble's Geocache Navigator and CacheBerry.

So sit back and relax to another fine performance from the Geocaching Podcast Show folks with a little help of myself. Be kind the slightly nasally voice of yours truly is due to a slight sinus infection and I was trying to keep from coughing to death by sipping hot tea. So be nice, hokay?

Here's the link to Episode 121 :


Be sure to come back and give your comments. I am always glad to hear from you.


GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Geocaching CITO Event in Smithfield, NC

Had an absolute blast at the Smithfield Saturday CITO event today. Not only did I get a chance to rub elbows with an amazing group of geocachers but one in particular who lead this event. The event itself was hosted by Team Black Weasel who did a great job including some very cool drawing prizes. You can check out all the details at geocaching.com and using the waypoint GC1WXK5.

Together we helped clean up not one but two Smithfield park areas and there was plenty of trash to be found. It was a glorious day weather wise and the entire experience was very enjoyable. I personally want to thank Cameron and his mom for giving another reason to come back and visit Smithfield, NC.

Below are the photographs that I took today at the event and some geocaching before and after.
Twelve of which were used in my September 12 of 12 presentation. Enjoy.





If you cannot see the viewer please go here to see the photos and slide show.

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

HeadHardHat's Geocaching 12of12 For September, 2009

In case you are not familiar with the term 12 of 12, it is a photographic presentation of the photographer and in my case geocacher that every 12th of the month you take a zillion photos and widdle them down to your top 12 picks. It is kind of making a visual representation of yourself as a geocacher on a monthly basis. This was my first 12of12 and I had a blast.

This month's edition shows an attention to a CITO (Cache In and Trash OUT) event where about 20 of us went to two parks in Smithfield, NC and well, took out the trash.

Here is my 12 of 12 photos for September, I hope you enjoy them.




If the viewer does not show for some reason you can go here:

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

Friday, September 11, 2009

GeoSnippits: Beginning Season Two

Holy cow, has it really been an entire year since the very first GeoSnippits Video?

Yeppers.

On September 12, 2008 I put out my first You Tube video entitled HeadHardHat's Introduction to Geocaching. It was 4:47 minutes long and was basically a slide show with a music background and some tid bits of information. It's still one of my more popular videos. I find it a bit humorous because at the time there were only about 700,000 geocaches compared to the 897,380 today.

Since that first endeavour, GeoSnippits has grown into a full blown video show. It is viewed by people all over the world. In season one there are 36 video episodes ranging from the very introduction to Geocaching to it's more elaborate applications and techniques. There are how to episodes for making your own geocaches and how to and how NOT to hide them. You have met people who are heavily involved with Geocaching through their show suggestions and also interviews like the Cache-A-Maniacs.

GeoSnippits is and has been featured on websites like Trimble Outdoors Geocache Navigator and the very cool indy film FIND ME.

Starting September 22nd GeoSnippits will be a weekly segment featured on Michigan Magazine TV (RFDTV Network) which is shown four times a week in all 50 US States.

So look how far we have come in one short year. What amazing stories, friends and adventures wait for us in Season Two and the years to follow? All I can say is thank you for being a part of this fun filled ride and please continue to hang onto the bar. The best is yet to come!!

See you out on the trails....

-HeadHardHat

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

The Great HOOHAA Travel Bug Race In Home Stretch

Hard to believe it will be one year this October 16th when nine brave travel bugs set out on a race that would take them to all corners of the globe. Some placed amazing amounts of miles under their belts while others not so much. A few seem to be missing and we have not heard from for a while. All travel bug racers to the end.

Below are the current standings for all of the HooHAA racers as of today. You can see all the information and the final conclusion this October 16th at the bottom right of my blog:
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/

The Great HOOHAA Travel Bug Race

GCName: softball29 Name:P.J. From:Upstate, New York TB: HooHaa Race: Champion Quilt Miles To Date:1157.8mi Last Location: MAINE

GCName: golfgunny Name:John From:Okinawa, Japan TB: Gunny's HooHaa Race Electric Bug Miles To Date:6517.7mi Last Location: MISSING???

GCName: HeadHardHat Name:Andy From:Raleigh, NC TB: Just A Nut Miles To Date:3729.3mi Last Location: Northern Scotland

GCName: Hicks at Heart/ Name:Josh From:Temecula, CA TB: HooHaa TB Race: Hick's World Miles To Date:3934.1mi Last Location: Maryland

GCName: EMC of Northridge, CA Name:Elin From:Northridge, Calif. TB: EMC's Chocolate Chip Cookie Miles To Date:1619.4mi Last Location: Wyoming

GCName: o0jonna0o Name:Jonna From:South Carolina TB: Kiss My Cache's Peace Luv and Travel Bugs! Miles To Date:2457.7mi Last Location: MISSING???

GCName: Go_Man Name: From:Nova Scotia, CanadaTB: GoGo T. Urtle’s Miles To Date:135.2mi Last Location: Nova Scotia, Canada

GCName: Tonka_Boy Name: From:Central Minnesota TB:HooHaa TB Race: Geocats Racer Miles To Date:669.4mi Last Location: MISSING???

GCName: TripCyclone Name:Jeff From:Missouri TB:HooHaa TB Race - Easy Flyer Miles To Date:9672.8mi Last Location: Arizona

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

GeoSnippits - Taking The Family Geocaching

Recently when I visited the Great Lake State of Michigan I had an opportunity to take my brothers Scott and David plus my nephews Zachary, Aaron and Noah geocaching. It was really a thrill because I do not get that many chances to have everybody together at one time let alone doing something as cool as geocaching.

We went to the Holly Recreation Area and ventured down one of the State Park's many nature trails. The trail itself was almost ten miles long and had around 60 caches sprinkled all away around. We ended doing about 4.5 miles of the trail and had an absolute blast with each and every find.

Please take a gander at our fun filled adventure and enjoy some helpful hints and wondrous expressions of my nephews. It's very much worth the watch.



If the embedded player does not show above please use this link to see the video:


GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
-------------------------------------------------------
Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

When Was The Last Time You Checked Your First Aid Kit?

Summer is coming to an end but for many geocachers like myself that means it's time to crank up our geocaching efforts.

If you live in a more southern climate summertime is sweltering hot and even though we do geocache it is not as much fun. Now that Labor Day has past and cooler weather has kicked in we really can't wait to hit the trails.

Here's just one thing you may want to keep in mind before you start tearing into the woods, deserts, mountains and other interesting terrains. Make sure you replenish your first aid kits you take with you while out on your adventures. Over time we seem to use up those band aides and alcohol swabs. Not to mention the poison ivy balms and bug wipes. Other items in your first aid kit can just plain expire over time and can even hurt you if used. We may not realize that simple medicines and pain relievers can loose their effectiveness after time and sitting in hot vehicles.

So before you jump into your vehicle and start looking for that ultimate geocache. Restock your first aid kit and make sure you are prepared for the unexpected. You will be so glad that you did.

Another helpful hint from the HeadHardHat to you.



GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Send in a Suggestion and Win a GeoSnippits Pathtag!!!

























Did you know that over 90% of the GeoSnippits videos we produce are based off of our viewer suggestions? That's right which means you are the ones in a sense controlling the show. So keep those ideas coming.

Just to help get those creative juices flowing we are going to add an incentive. If you send in a GeoSnippits video suggestion that we end up using on the show you will win an official GeoSnippits Pathtag.

So if you think you have a winning geocaching idea email it to headhardhat@gmail.com with the subject of GeoSnippits Video Idea. Not only will you get a free pathtag but will be mentioned in the GeoSnippits video you suggested.

Get them in now and don't hesitate we are planning Season Two right now.


Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

Friday, September 4, 2009

Geocacher HeadHardHat As Seen On WRAL News

Greetings all,

Yes this is your self proclaimed "Geek" HeadHardHat to tell you about a geocaching segment that was just aired on WRAL News. It was the last segment of the WRAL's series entitled Summer on a Budget. A few days ago I was fortunate enough to show around photojournalist Richard Adkins to several geocaching finds. It was rather cool having a person with a full sized film camera sitting next to you as you gab about a subject you love. Now all that film and conversation gets jam packed into two minutes of prime time TV goodness.

I would like to thank Richard Adkins, Stacy Davis, Anne Johnson and WRAL News for allowing me to tell others about geocaching and taking me on a little adventure as well.

Enjoy!

-HeadHardHat



You can go to the full web page dedicated to this segment here for more content, video and links: http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/travel/story/5938965/

If you do not see the embedded player above you can see the video by clicking here:

Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Taking WRAL's Richard Adkins Geocaching







Here's a quick news flash! I had a great time today taking Richard Adkins from WRAL out geocaching. He is doing a special interest piece about our great game, sport and obsession and I had the pleasure of showing him some of the local finds.

We spent the late morning going to several geocaching sites and I answered all his questions about what geocaching is and how it makes a fine family activity. By the time we were finished he had seen a bison tube, 35mm, cameoed regular and a well stocked medium ammo box.

The segment airs Friday at 5:55pm! If you miss the actual airing, do not fret. I will will have all the links so you can see it online. Be sure to check in regularly to get all the geocaching goodness.


Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com