John Green Wins The Brazos Walking Stick GiveAWay!

www.brazoswalkingsticks.com

We had our Brazos Walking Sticks GiveAWay drawing last night during the live recording of Geocaching World (RVNN.tv).

And the winner is:  

John Green

We want to thank Brazos Walking Sticks for donating an amazing Traveler walking stick to our Geocaching World Cache Stash and to John for sending in his entry and winning this amazing prize.


If you are a company who would like to participate with our Geocaching World Cache Stash Sponsorship Program and donate prizes for our show please email geocache@rvnn.tv for more details.

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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Behind The Scenes: Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) Meet and Greet - Smartphone Geocaching Apps and Tools

What a fascinating show we had tonight on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv).  It is only a few days before Halloween and to do the show in costume I decided to wear a suit and tie. This of course terrified the crew and the members in the chat room. Way too much fun.

We started the show discussing Producer Courtney Wallin's first geocaching finds. Not only did she go camping in a Northern Michigan Forest but it was in rainy weather and at night! We are so very proud of her and it looks like both Courtney and her boyfriend are now hooked. Love it.

We talked a lot about many different apps and tools that geocachers can use on their smart phones. Everything from flashlight, coordinate converters, documentation apps, location tools and navigation programs. This and a whole lot more.

Our prizes for the Cache Stash came from GxProxy.com and CoinsAndPins.com. Had some really great questions which of course the chat room had no problem answering. Then we had our final drawing for the winner of the Brazos Walking Stick giveaway. One lucky viewer won a Traveler Walking Stick for their very own. Thanks as always to all of our Cache Stash Sponsors. We could not do this without your support.

Tonight's episode was simulcast on The TechPodcast Network and if you want to see the uncut version you can go here: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/18148972.  The cleaned up version will be out most likely early next week but it really is a fun episode and if you want a good laugh check it out now.

Geocaching World is recorded LIVE each and every week on Thursday at 6:30pm EST. We meet up in the chat room here: www.ustream.tv/channel/rvnn-live.

If you are a company who would like to participate with our Geocaching World Cache Stash Sponsorship Program and donate prizes for our show please email geocache@rvnn.tv for more details.

See you next week. -HHH

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Behind The Scenes: Geocaching Podcast Ep. 226 - Canine Consideration

I am sitting here listening to my recorded track of tonight's Geocaching Podcast which is kinda weird in a way. We just finished recording the show that I am able to hear completely while we actually talk and then to hear just my track which is used for the final cut misses everything but what I actually say. It does though give me enough information that I can write this post. But I digress...

Tonight it was just Darrylw4 and myself Andy HeadHardHat Smith. XpunkX was out doing family stuff and could not make it. We and more precisely Darrylw4 missed him lots because not only did he have to mind the board he had to say a lot of the meta-content that XpunkX normally does as well. You never know how difficult it can be until  you actually have to do it.. Great job Darryl.

This was a fun episode on several levels for me personally. Our guest for the show is North Carolina based geocacher NCBiscuit. This is a geocaching team where Linda (NC) pairs up with her partner Biscuit who happens to be a fun loving Golden Retriever. I have been friends with Linda and Biscuit for many years and it was a real pleasure having her on.

Over the course of the show we discussed many things our viewers have asked about geocaching with your pets. Things like the amount of training that may be needed for your pooch - and you. Safety and First Aid tips, helpful hints and a whole bunch more. You will have to listen to the whole show to get all the information but you will be so glad you did.

If you listen you will actually hear my dog during the recording. How fitting is that when discussing our pets while geocaching. So as I wrap this post up my dog Emily gently rests her head on my knee and looks up at me. Tail wagging and then that gentle but routine doggie fart, her tail wags a bit faster. Boy, what we do when dealing with our pets, but hey we wouldn't have it any other way.

Time to let the pooch out the back door. You can hear the entire episode in the next day or two. Be sure to give us a listen - phew Emmy - OUTSIDE!

We record the Geocaching Podcast each and every week on Wednesdays at 9:30pm EST. The recorded episode for this week will be available any time now via iTunes and the Geocaching Podcast website.

Until Next Week.

-HHH


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Sneek Peek For Our Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) Geocaching Routes Episode

Wow, RVNN.tv is really cranking out all those Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) episodes we have recorded earlier in the year. Here is a sneek peek at our Geocaching routes episode we did back in May. The entire episode should be out later this week.

Enjoy!

We now have over two dozen Geocaching World episodes available to you right now to watch by going to our RVNN.tv Geocaching World Website -> http://rvnewsnet.com/category/shows/geocache/




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Brazos Walking Sticks Giveaway Ends Tomorrow (10/26/2011)

That's right geocachers. You have until end of day tomorrow Wednesday October 26th, 2011 to get your photograph of you holding a sign that says "Geocaching World" and email it to geocache@rvnn.tv.

The drawing for the Brazos walking stick will be given away in a drawing to one lucky Geocaching World viewer.

We want to once again thank Brazos Walking Sticks for the absolutely wonderful donation to our Cache Stash sponsorship program and making this contest possible.

Good Luck to everyone!

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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My Geocache Creations Are Coming Along...

Had just enough free time this last weekend to continue on my geocache creations which will be donated to the NCGO Fall Fling 2011 Silent Auction.

These are all made with flare tubes. All have been primer-ed and repainted. The grey ones are done with stone textured paint and then coated in clear coat for durability.

They are about a foot long and have an O-ring seal. Seen above the first three are pretty much done. They will fit very nicely on the end of a fence (note the fence cap). The bottom of the flare tube is where you open them. Since the tube fits inside the post it will stay nice and dry.

The other two brown tubes will be covered in artificial plants which should be completed tonight. The concrete tubes in the back may or may not get cammied.

Had a lot of fun making these and I would like to thank the Dirtbag Geocaching Society for donating the tubes.

The finished photos should be out sometime tomorrow.

-HHH

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Behind The Scenes: Geocaching Podcast Ep. #225 - Caching Devices for All Levels

Tonight's show started out with it's usual quirkiness. This time not TalkShoe related which is surprising in itself was weird. Things like the recording software I use failed to start when it was supposed to. I like using the AVS4YOU brand of editing software and for Windows 7 it has been working exceptionally well. Except tonight when I hit record and it would not record. Always fun when everyone else is ready to go and you are sitting there going, umm, it no work... Anywho, I shut down the program and restarted it and everything worked just hunky dory.

In our early show banter I pretty much had the geocaching conversation piece this week by attending the Geocoinfest 2011 US in Rock Hill, SC. Where I attended the three day Mega geocaching event.
Special Note From HHH: I really wanted to say thank you to all the really great listeners of the Geocaching Podcast who came up and said hi while I was down there. It was so great to meet all of you and thanks again! 

Neither XpunkX nor Darrylw4 was able to get in too much geocaching this last week but the weather has been pretty ugly in the northern states. Of course I say this while listening to the trees blowing and the rain coming down in sheets here in Raleigh. Sigh.

Tonight's episode dealt with the different types of geocachers out there and the possible GPSr units that we felt would work best for them. Now this is not saying XpunkX, Darrylw4 and HHH said you must go out and use these types but if you are in the market of getting a GPSr these would be some you might want to consider. We pretty much ran the gammit from the very beginner geocacher to the one who wants everything. If you want to gather all the information we discussed you are going to have to listen to the entire show which will be coming out in the next day or so. So stay tuned.

We record the Geocaching Podcast each and every week on Wednesdays at 9:30pm EST. The recorded episode for this week will be available any time now via iTunes and the Geocaching Podcast website.

Until Next Week.

 -HHH

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Watch "Geocaching World: Photography" on YouTube

I had forgotten how good this episode was about photography. Here is a teaser before the entire episode goes live.
Enjoy.

Behind The Scenes: Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) - Meet and Greet GPSr FAQs

On my way home from my computer based employment I had RVNN LIVE streaming through my Android phone. It was kind of humorous to me when Creative Director Dave Dufour was talking with Managing Director Andy McCaskey and letting the viewing audience know they were on their own today. Apparently Producer Courtney Wallin was out for the day and Dave would have to do all the switching. Now on a Tuesday that was not directly impacting to me because Geocaching World is normally recorded on Thrusdays. The issue was due to some scheduling issues RVNN.tv asked me to tape tonight instead of Thursday. Well goody.

It really isn't THAT bad when Courtney isn't at the helm. Though it is noticeably different and let's just say we really like it when Courtney is in but hey, it couldn't get worse - could it?

So setup time came around and my Skype session kicks off as usual. I expected to see Andy McCaskey smiling back at me when the video started but instead there was my friend Dave Dufour. Turns out that Andy had to leave as well so the entire production crew consisted of ... Dave Dufour. Hmmmm, this should be interesting. Poor Dave, not only did he have to do all the production switching but also be in front of the camera as well while we did the show and to top it off he had to stay behind the production board instead of being in the main studio like we normally do. Oh yeah, loads of fun.

Because the show was on a different night and we had to make the schedule change at the last minute neither of us really thought there would be that many people if at all in the chat room. WRONG it was filled up as usual and I was really pleased to see that. It's amazing how Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and word of mouth can get the message out. It was a really lively chat room and both Dave and I were struggling to keep up with the discussions going on and do the actual show. In fact in one part of the show I believe Dave made a funny comment on how he would rather just keep up with the chat room. What can I say we have a bunch of really great people there each and every week.

As far as the actual show goes I think it went fine. Since Dave had to switch between me on Skype and him behind the control board it looked more like a RVNN LIVE show than Geocaching World but hey you have to make due with what is presented to you. In short we did just fine.

The show generally turned out to be about FAQs for how to consider purchasing a GPSr unit. We were extremely thorough in the discussion and covered all the major aspects that you should consider before forking out some serious coin. During the show we gave out two really cool prizes. One was a very nice wrist bracelet from GeoSurvivalGear.com and an excellent Grand Canyon Benchmark geocoin from CoinsAndPins.com. Not to mention that the BRAZOS Walking Stick giveaway has been extended to next week so you now have until October 26th, 2011 to get your entries in and we will have the drawing live on the show on October 27th, 2011.

So it turned out to be another great Meet and Greet episode of Geocaching World despite Dave losing his mind doing basically everything production wise. The chat room was awesome as usual and I had my usual crazy fun as well. A fun night all way round. Be sure to see the entire episode as it comes out in the next few days. Also be sure to check out the other 20+ episodes ready to be viewed at your leisure on the RVNN.tv website or any distributors like iTunes, the Tech Podcast and so many more.

Geocaching World is recorded LIVE each and every week on Thursday at 6:30pm EST. We meet up in the chat room here: www.ustream.tv/channel/rvnn-live.

If you are a company who would like to participate with our Geocaching World Cache Stash Sponsorship Program and donate prizes for our show please email geocache@rvnn.tv for more details.

See you next week. -HHH

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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This Traveler Had Some Bite To It.

Taken at Geocoinfest 2011 US

Geoness, My Daughter and Video-Sound Crew

Couldn't do it without you kiddo.

The First Geocoin.

Photo Taken at Geocoinfest 2011 US

Another South Carolina Geocache

Geocoin Designer Chris Mackey and Headhardhat

Discover this from Geocoinfest 2011 US. They came from the Netherlands.

Meeting up with some of Geocoinfest host.

Behind the Scenes: Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) Meet and Greet #907 - The Positive Side of Geocaching

Tonights episode of Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) put the spotlight on the positive aspects of Geocaching. Dave and I of course started off by talking something almost completely off subject right from the start. How we went from talking about geocaching goodness to suddenly discussing the Andy Griffith Show, Pilot Mountain and what Barney's favorite drink was. I just don't know but hey, it's how we role.

We had some great photos from Pingvoyager kayaking and a Brazos Walking Stick Giveaway Contest photo from Warren. This led to a perfect segway to tell everyone that because of some scheduling issues we are going to record the show next week on Tuesday instead of our regular Thursday. That also means that the Contest has been extended an extra week to now Thursday October 27, 2011 where we will have the drawing live on the show.

Once we actually started talking about the topic of the show we discussed what I feel is a major impact to places all around the world in regards to geocaching. So which meant were talking about CITO events. That is Cache In and Trash Out. Geocachers take great pride in how we keep out game board (basically the world) clean. CITO events get multitudes of geocachers together to clean up a particular area. This goes above and beyond the standard practice of picking up trash we normally do.

As for prizes we gave away a Cache-A-Maniacs geocoin and a CoinsAndPins.com gold ingot traveler tag.

There is so much more positive things Geocaching does and I don't want to spoil the show so be sure to check it out once it goes into distribution. We might have a sneek peek early and I will let you know when that happens.

Don't forget next week only we are recording Geocaching World on Tuesday at 6:30pm EST. We meet up in the chat room here: www.ustream.tv/channel/rvnn-live.

If you are a company who would like to participate with our Geocaching World Cache Stash Sponsorship Program and donate prizes for our show please email geocache@rvnn.tv for more details.

See you next week. -HHH

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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Behind The Scenes: Geocaching Podcast - Ep. 224 - Hosting Geocaching 101 Events

Well for me at least,  the build up for tonight's show was not necessarily because of the content for the show which was about what to do to Host a Geocaching 101 Event. No that was a given for me. Especially since I specialize in creating videos (GeoSnippits Videos) for said subject. What had me going was even before doing the show itself. You see I am almost happy with my Blue Yeti microphone when it comes to doing recordings. It is amazingly sensitive and can pick up a flea breaking wind ten feet away. The problem is that IT IS so sensitive that you can pick up a flea breaking wind ten feet away. I know I need it for when I record Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) because it gives me the freedom to move around in front of the camera and not have a big mike in front of me. What could I do to get a little more mike control? Well I ended up purchasing a M-Audio MobilePre and a new standard dynamic microphone. Now while I do pod-casting I can have a better sounding voice and not have to worry about picking up any more flea flatulence.

Long story short (too late). I purchased everything yesterday and put it together on Computer Number Two. The surprising thing to me is that it all worked the first time. Even when it came to hooking into the show's chat room venue TalkShoe.  I set up the hardware, loaded new software, tested it and bingo-bongo I had a working mike on a boom. No one was more surprised than me but I love it when a plan comes together.

Tonight's show we had the usual suspects of XpunkX, Darrylw4 and myself Andy HeadHardHat Smith with special guest TheBadCop. To start off the show Darrylw4 talked about his heavier than usual set of geocaching activities which included a 5/5 cache along with TeamLegend4. XpunkX discussed all the great weather they had so they could go out geocaching and I discussed the soon to be Geocoinfest 2011 US which is coming up this weekend and the NCGO Fall Fling which is coming up the end of October.

After the News and Geocaching Question of the Day all four of us had a grand time discussing the finer points of presenting a geocaching 101 class. Including the high points and thing to avoid if at all possible. Each of us have hosted these types of geocaching gatherings and had useful thoughts based on the experiences. There was plenty of great discussions that you really should hear the entire episode.

We record the Geocaching Podcast each and every week on Wednesdays at 9:30pm EST.
The recorded episode for this week will be available any time now via iTunes and the Geocaching Podcast website.

 -HHH

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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But Will There Be Geocaches Along The Way? - Routes

Well it is now less than a week before my trip to Geocoinfest US 2011 (GC2G6QR) in Rock Hill, SC.

I am excited about this adventure for a bunch of reasons. One I am taking my daughter Geoness along to help document the event. Even though she is an active 15 year old with much more time being with her friends now a days. We do love doing the trips together. ROAD  TRIP! Next this geocaching event is in South Carolina and even though I have been close I never actually found geocaches there so I am looking forward to that. Finally this particular geocaching event is all about geocoins! Oh yeah baby, those wondrous bits of treasure that never fail to get my heart pounding when I find them. I can't wait.

So of course I had to see if I could make a route for the road trip. In doing so this would allow me strategic times I can stop and stretch my legs plus get some geocaching in. Below is my route which was made into a pocket query. I think there will be a few to choose from...

(500 Route Geocaches .5 miles from route T2/D2 or less)

The biggest issue I am going to have is to NOT geocache too much on this route. WHAT? You heard me, the normal driving time from start to finish is three and one hours. Now add 15 to 20 minutes each time you stop and find a geocache. How much time can I actually take to get to Rock Hill? Do I want to hit many geocaches at all until I reach South Carolina and then do some geocaching? I will decide when I actually get started on Friday. Any way that I do go I will be sending photos, tweets and posts all weekend. So stay tuned.


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Behind The Scenes: Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) Episode #906 Puzzle Geocaches - Meet and Greet

One of the advantages of writing my Behind the Scenes posts for Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) is usually I can replay the show right away (because it gets recorded) and I can then type while watching so I don't miss anything. Welllll, the show was recorded on RVNN.tv's side so you will get to see it early next week but it didn't get recorded on the Ustream side. So I am going to have to wing it. Here goes.

Had a really jam packed show last night with our special guest Michael Weiner from geocaching team TeamDotOne. We asked Michael to come on because our show was about Puzzle Geocaches. TeamDotOne has over 9000 finds to their credit with a bunch of them being Puzzles. In fact they had just traveled that day from Ohio to Arizona to complete several puzzle series and power trails.

Speaking of power trails, a large portion of discussion with Michael discussed power trails. Creative Director, Dave Dufour was intrigued by the fact that a geocacher could obtain the number of geocaching finds from a power trail in one day. Michael went on to explain that they planned on doing the Route 66 power trail and get over 800 geocaches in a single day. Was neat to see Dave light up like that with those types of geocaching prospects.

After we finished out Meet and Greet talk with Michael we gave away two prizes from one of our Cache Stash sponsors CoinsAndPins.com.  The first was a top end Lanyard and the second was a really nice Angel geocoin.

During tonight's episode we officially kicked off the Brazos Walking Sticks Giveaway contest where any of our Geocaching World viewers can enter to win one of Brazos "Traveler" Walking Sticks. Details if you go here:
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/2011/10/get-your-geocaching-world-signs-ready.html.
The contest goes from now until the end of day October 18th. The drawing will be done live on our show October 19th, 2011. So get your entry in soon!

Oh yeah, we had a theme to tonight's show which was Puzzle Geocaches. We discussed the two basic types which are either the ones where you have to figure out the coordinates to find the geocache or once you found it you had to get the logbook out. Tons of information but you will have to see the entire episode to get it all!

Again a packed show with a full chat room of geocachers and a whole lot of fun throughout. Again the show should be released to iTunes and all our distributors early next week. Stay tuned!

You can join us each and every week as we record Geocaching World on Thursdays at 6:30pm EST. We meet up in the chat room here: www.ustream.tv/channel/rvnn-live 


If you are a company who would like to participate with our Geocaching World Cache Stash Sponsorship Program and donate prizes for our show please email geocache@rvnn.tv for more details. 

See you next week. -HHH



GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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Get Your Geocaching World Signs Ready To Win A Brazos Traveler Walking Stick

www.BrazosWalkingSticks.com

Okay I have read out in the Geocaching World that not everybody goes geocaching with a walking stick. To each, his or her own I say. Yet even if you don't normally use one or maybe you do, wouldn't it be cool to have a hand made one for your very own? Have it standing next to the fireplace or in that special corner in the den, it makes a great conversation piece. That or you can walk it down to a nub if you want to use it for it's actual purpose. Either way it is just too cool!

Well we are giving a Brazos "Traveler" Walking Stick away on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv). They were kind enough to donate one for our Cache Stash and we are in turn happy to give it away as a prize to a lucky viewer of the show.

So how do you win it? Great question.

You make yourself a picture stating at the very least the words "Geocaching World" on it. You can print it off, make it yourself, be as creative as you would like. Note creativity does not get you extra points but it will more than likely get your photo on the show!

Viewer Dane Morgan's Entry

I have my picture of Geocaching World now what?  Take that grand creation you made and have a photograph of you and your picture of Geocaching World taken while geocaching.




Email your photo to geocache@rvnn.tv.

• Include all your contact information
• A brief description of where abouts you were when having the photo taken 
• What you like about our Geocaching World show and/or what else you would like to see on the show.

This will get your entry into the drawing. Remember one entry per person please.  Please put "Brazos Contest" in the subject line of the email. We will be accepting entries until End Of Day, Wednesday, October 19th, 2011. Again one entry per person please.

More details on this week's show. So stay tuned.

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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HeadHardHat Reviews A Brazos Walking Stick

When geocaching, hiking or just going along for a nice walk, many people rely on a walking stick. I personally find great comfort having one with me as I go on my geocaching adventures. Why you ask? For one, a walking stick provides balance and stability for many of the situations geocachers may face. How many times have we found ourselves walking across a log which spans a stream or while climbing up or down a steep slope? Walking sticks not only help us while we travel they are great for protection purposes. There has been several occasions where I was confronted by animals or critters while geocaching. Having something in hand to keep yourself safe makes them ideal.

Let's not forget HeadHardHat's Number One Rule: Before reaching into any area that you cannot see, "Poke It With A Stick!". A walking stick makes a perfect tool for probing unseen areas which may contain an animal or critter that could cause you harm.

Travelers Walking Stick comes in three well build pieces
for easy transport.  Note the Combi Spike for  indoor/outdoor use.

So when Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) was approached by Brazos Walking Sticks with a prize donation for our viewer Cache Stash we were very excited with the news. In turn, we wanted to do a review of this prize so you can decide if Brazos Walking Sticks are something you might be interested in having for your very own.

Right out of the shipping container I could tell that this walking stick was well made. The Travelers Walking Stick comes in three pieces. Which is really handy if you do not have a lot of trunk space in your geo-mobile.

My first concern with it being in three pieces was how strong the connection points would be. Much to my relief the screw in points are large and very sturdy. Because of the extra deep connectors, once they are put together there is no feeling in your hand other than one of a sturdy waking stick. Being made of oak there is a good weight to them as well. Put completely together the Travelers Walking Stick is about 55 inches long. The version that we were given had a very nice dark brow stain with a smooth shiny finish.

I took our Cache Stash prize out for a little walk and was quite pleased with it overall. I really thought there would be an issue of it being in three pieces but there was no odd feel to it as I walked on asphalt, packed dirt and concrete terrains. It comes with a leather hand strap which I really did not need to use but would be great in those "might loose it" situations.

One thought did come to mind with this particular stick while in use. I would love the option to have a leather grip area. The smooth finish is nice but would be nice to have a more solid hold. Just saying.

Hey speaking of options, there are a bunch for you to customize your own personal choice. For example, you have choice of colors like brown,  tan and red. Then there are different tip choices as well. You can have the Combi Spike like the one we have for multiple terrains, the Spike Ferruel used for grass or picking up trash and the Lee Valley Spike with a slightly less spike than the Ferruel. If you want a compass you may add it to your selection which fits on the top of the walking stick. There is even a custom engraving of your choice and optional Leather case. Finally did I mention that the Travelers Walking Stick is TRACKABLE? There is a Geocaching.com tracking number laser etched right into the wood.



Keep in mind this is one style of many walking sticks that Brazos Walking Sticks makes. Everything from Walking Sticks, Walking Canes, and Collectors editions.

They truly are the Quality of American Craftsmanship and would make a fine addition to anyone's collection. Of course the hardest part for me will be giving this baby away.

Speaking of which we will be holding a drawing on the Geocaching World (RVVN.tv) show sometime in the next few weeks. We will be giving details of how YOU can qualify for the drawing sometime this week with the final details for our episode on October 6th, 2011. Stay tuned to this blog for more information coming very soon. 

You can see all of the Brazos Walking Sticks products online here:
http://www.brazos-walking-sticks.com/


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