Cold, Rainy, Lunchtime GotD Fun.

It was 70 degrees out yesterday but only 39 right now. Did I mention it's raining ta boot but that is all part of geocaching. This lunch time geocache of the day took me down a cement path and into a patch of woods. A quick find which is great cuz my fingers are numb. On to a nice hot sub sammich. -HHH
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

GeoCaching with Animals - How Do You Do It?

If you have ever seen my GeoPuppy Emily in either my GeoSnippits Videos or on the blogs you know that she loves to walk the trails while I geocache. She is not too keen when I actually stop and start searching for said geocache but loves to walk.

I have found that when I take my geopooch geocaching it changes the experience quite a bit. I have to pay way more attention to her as we drive from geocache to geocache making sure that she doesn't jump out of the car before she is supposed to. I make sure that she frequently has water, food and potty breaks which takes time. Depending on the geocache situation there are other factors such as can she be hurt somehow or run into a critter or other nasty. All in all I feel that I cannot relax as much in my geocaching adventures when my canine best bud is with me and I wondered if other geocachers had the same issues. So of course I asked them on the Geocaching.com forums.

Within a week I received many really nice replies from the forum and below is a summary. I hope you find it helpful.

DOGS

Ticks - When it comes to our canine cachers it is extremely important to make sure they are current on their flea and tick meds. If you geocache in an area where you have to do regular tick checks for yourself then your pooch is more than doubly so. The most common places to look is their paws, groin, leg pits, neck, ears, eyes and nose. Many suggest using repellent instead of the spot-on pesticides. Just watch those vital areas.

Burrs - Same as for ticks. They can be extremely painful and also can transfer into your house after you get home.

Critters - If your geopooch is off the leash be sure to make sure you keep an eye out for snakes and other animals that could hurt your best friend. Skunks, porcupines, snakes, spiders and other pests are out there and you need to be aware of them.

One geocacher wrote in telling about how their dog ran into a porcupine recently. It was off leash and scampering through the woods when it had the encounter. $450.00 dollars later at the vet...

Hunting Vests - Lets face it, when hunting season rolls around wearing an orange vest, hat and possibly hand flares is not a bad idea when geocaching. Same goes for your dog. There are orange vests you can get for your dog to help the Elmer Fudds out there from taking a pot shot at your pooch. Be extra careful geocaching during hunting season.

Doggie Boots - Not the greatest fashion statement but it can make the difference to and a lot less pain for our dogs. You can get shoes or socks for dogs feet. Check your local Pet supply store and save some paws.

Water and Cheeseburgers - For sure water is an absolute must when taking your geodoggie out on the hunt. They get thirsty just like us and keeping a bottle of water and that portable bowl is always a good thing. As far as the cheeseburgers go, my Emily demands them before we head out and I read several other posts saying the same thing ;)

Horses

While investigating animals while geocaching I was pleasantly surprised about the number of geocachers who go out via horseback. The more I thought about it the more I really liked the idea. From what was stated many of the horses love to just go up to the cache area and graze while we are off looking for the geocache. It gives them needed rest breaks and a place to munch.

I can imagine you can have a complete backpack setup to carry more equipment if needed as well.

Snakes or other Dangerous Places -

Just like dogs you also have to be careful of the critters out there when on horseback. Snakes are always a threat on the trails and also are areas where your horse may fall.

CATS

Okay No, I didn't actually receive any posts of people taking their felines geocaching but I did receive several really cool photos of their kitties helping them at home with their geocaching stuff. So honorable mention for the puddy cats.

Summary - Using common sense when taking an animal with you while geocaching is always a good thing. Keeping our pets safe should be our number one concern when out on the trails.

Well I hope some of these suggestions prove useful to you and help your pet have a long and fun time out geocaching.

Oh and if you want to see the actual forum posts which include more photos. You can go here: http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=235372

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 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 :

http://www.geocachingpodcast.info/2009/09/episode-121-caching-with-blackberry.html

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

Summary of this Weekends Geocaching

This last Saturday Miss Geoness and I went out for the good part of the day to do some geocaching. We have been so busy lately attending CITO Events and filming GeoSnippits Episodes it was nice to just go out and do some caching.

We found 28 out of 30 in all, not bad for a lazy summer-like day. The key though was once again our intent was to really go for the numbers and once again it ended up us taking leisurely walks down shaded green ways and trails. I absolutely love being able to talk with Daughter Geoness who is pushing thirteen in the next couple of weeks. We make each other laugh and love sharing the moments of fun while geocaching, a blooming flower that caught our eyes or the inevitable fast chirping squirrel.

One of our highlights was Daughter Geoness finding a geocache we were unable to find in past tries known as a Did Not Find. I remember spending almost an hour with nothing to show for but some scraped up shins. This time she walked right up to it and happily exclaimed "Found It". I didn't have time to find ground zero and she was already signing the log. Heavy Sigh...

The geocache that impressed me today was a very well camouflaged rubber ducky. This was attached to a medium sized Lock and Lock boxed which was completely covered by a Camouflage Military Cloth. The cloth worked very well for hiding such a large geocache. I am going to look into this stuff for future use of one of my geocaches. ***Note I did some research and you can purchase camouflage cloth in just about any army surplus or hunting supply place.


One bitter sweet series of three geocaches included a very scenic joy to walk but the geocaches themselves were in terrible shape. We walked three miles total for three very soggy geocaches. The owner used very poor quality plastic containers that all were full with moldy water and everything inside was completely ruined. Wish they would have watched one of my GeoSnippits videos showing what NOT to use for a geocache.

When we realized that the day was coming to a close we packed up and headed for home. Knowing that we did a job well done. Can't wait for the next time we go out with GPS in hand. Always a good time will be had by all.

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

Geocaching CITO Events: Taking Out The Trash

(Photo Above LtoR - Miss Geoness, HeadHardHat, Obxnomad and my bud Andrew)

One of the many cool things about geocaching is the ability to help clean up the environment. Something we call CITO or Cache In Trash Out. For the true geocachers who take this game, sport and obsession to heart will go from geocache to geocache and pick up trash and garbage. It is one of our ways of giving back to the environment which is our game board.

In this latest episode of GeoSnippits we attend two separate CITO events and show you a brief glimpse into how we help take out the trash that litters our parks and cache areas. Usually GeoSnippits is a tutorial where this episode is more of a documentary. So sit back, relax and enjoy the show.




You can also see this GeoSnippits episode on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMKtnb6ydSs


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

From Our Bag of Geocaching Thing-O-Ma-Bobs

From Our Bag of Geocaching Thing-O-Ma-Bobs:

You might want to bring this along when you are out geocaching. Especially if there are creepy crawlies where you might not expect them.

2" 'snake' mirror (so-named for more'n one reason!!)

You can get them here:

Harbor Freight Tools....got one nearby?
Or you can order by web.
And the item....only ~$3:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=97217
And the telescoping one, only $2 if you still want:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...Itemnumber=7361



Thanks to Star*Hopper for the suggestion!


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

HeadHardHat Must Say Big Thank You To PodCacher

It never stops amazing me the vast and wondrous community that geocaching creates. People just down the street or across the ocean and to places one can only dream about, yet we are all connected through the love of a game, sport and obsession known as geocaching.

I was Twittered yesterday by a whole host of fellow tweeple who listen to a special podcast series called PodCacher. Here Sonny, Sandy and 11 month old Sean from San Diego, California give weekly entertaining information about fellow geocachers like you and me. In fact they mentioned yours truly in their last episode Show 213.0: Kayak Caching. Now I do not want you to just go to their site because they were kind enough to mention GeoSnippits and the videos you have come to know and love but because they really do present a show worth listening to and it is my hope you become a fan of their show as much as I am. Where else can you hear commentary from a Kayak or anywhere else geocachers go? I have space on my blackberry saved just for their shows so please give them a try.

Oh and a special shout out to Sonny who I want to meet someday (same for Sandy and Sean) and help pronounce my geocaching alias. That would be Head HARD Hat... say it with me now... ;p Listen to the show and you will know what I mean.

If I had a nickle for every time somebody called me headhardhead...... but I digress.

Oh and be sure to become a member to Podcacher too. Take it from someone who uses a Canon Sure Shot to shoot video. It costs more than time and effort to put out quality entertainment so buy their special podcacher geocoins and become a member to help them out.. hokay?

Tell'm the HeadHardHat sent ya.


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

The Art of a Geocache Hiding is Camouflage

Why did my geocache get muggled? This question can bring grief to both the cache owner and all the finders that try to seek the missing container. One of the secrets to a good hide is to understand camouflage.

Not all geocaches need to be as well cammied as the little guy in our photo but the greater the possibility of muggles around the more likely you may need camouflage.

There are a few things to consider and here is a helpful quick list:

- Environment colors. Where is your cache going to be hid. In a plant or bush? Between some rocks? Near brick, wood or concrete? Then ask what colors would blend best?

- Textures. There are all sorts of textured paints to simulate concrete, stone, wood, etc. Be sure to verify you choices before you hide your cache.

- Size. A large factor with hiding a geocache is placement size. Let's face it, in a highly populated area a smaller geocache would be much harder to be discovered by a muggle then the 300 pound gorilla that everybody would notice. In wide open wooded space you can open up the size.

So keep in mind before you decide to just drop that Glad container with it's bright blue top in a shallow bush. Be sure to think who is around the hide and how protected it needs to be. You are not only safe guarding your geocache but other cacher's travel bugs and geocoins as well.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Lookie Who Made The Denver Examiner

If people keep this up I'm not going to be able to live with myself...

Found this in the Denver Examiner...

http://www.examiner.com/x-2614-Denver-Outdoor-Recreation-Examiner~y2009m4d11-Planting-your-own-geocache-nonos

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

Finally Some FTF Respect

(RESPECT patio stone on top of regular sized geocache)

I had tried this easy and quite inventive geocache late last week and had to DNF it. Mainly because the cache wasn't hidden at time of publishing. Little details. For some magical reason it remained unfound all weekend so I swooped in this morning and snagged it.

If anything I have a great motivation to make a GeoSnippits video on guidelines for how NOT to hide a geocache.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Tutorial Video on Loading Waypoints and POIs onto a Garmin 60CSx

HeadHardHat got himself a new toy and boy is it fun for Geocaching. I have in my hot little hands a brand spanking new Garmin 60CSx GPS. Some of you with the more up to date GPSs may just go "big deal", but I have done my research and pound for pound I have found that the 60CSx is the work horse's work horse. I know it has been on the market for several years now and there is a reason why it is still the most popular handheld GPS to date.

When discussing what Geocachers like about their 60CSx units the top three faves is accuracy, durability and ease of use. As of this post I have had mine for three weeks and I couldn't agree more.

The shear size of memory for maps and POIs with the addition of an SD card (I upgraded from the factory 256Meg to 2Gig) is quite useful. I currently have my standard 1000 Geocache waypoints and the addition of the 20,000 - yes 20,000 additional geocaches loaded as Points of Interest (POIs). The kicker is that has barely scratched the memory surface and there is tons of room for custom maps.

Okay I just know you are asking yourself why would I bother with keeping 20,000 geocaches on my GPS? Go ahead ask, I'm right here... The reason is it takes almost no time to load and maintain that many when you use an application like GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife). GSAK stores all my .GPX files that I receive from geocaching.com which is also known as Pocket Queries. You simply drag and drop them onto GSAK and it loads them automatically. Then I run a filter to clean up the geocaches the way I want and download them to the Garmin. That's it, and I can do the whole thing in about 15 minutes. Now I can know the whereabouts of pretty much every geocache in my state. Tell me that's not helpful.

So speaking of geocache waypoints and POIs, interested in having multitudes on your GPS? Glad you asked so lets get to it.

GeoSnippits - Load POIs and Waypoints to Garmin 60CSx Part One
Part One shows you how to get the necessary .gpx files via geocaching.com's Pocket Queries. Then how to load them into GSAK which will then load the geocache waypoints onto your Garmin 60CSx GPS.



Go To Video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPgfyX9nArA


GeoSnippits - Load POIs and Waypoints to Garmin 60CSx Part Two
Part Two shows you how to load all those thousands of Points Of Interest (POI)s onto your SD card in the Garmin GPS. One complete you have the latest and greatest information for potentially thousands of geocaches. So what are you waiting for? Lets Get Started...



Go To Video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iyxZDLUOR0

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and feel free to let me know your comments and suggestions. If fact 90% of all the GeoSnippits tutorials we make are from suggestions by geocachers and people like you.

Thanks in advance -HHH


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

My Early Morning 1/1 Geocaching Nightmare

In the geocaching world there is a rating for how difficult the terrain surrounding the cache site (or getting to it) is and another for how difficult it is actually hidden. The range for both is from one to five. So if you ever look at a geocache listing you will see references like D3.5/T2. The easiest of geocaches to find is a 1/1. Normally a cache of this ease is accessable by wheelchairs and usually is wide open or has obvious where-a-bouts like flashing neon arrows and the like.

So when I saw two 1.1's publish last night my first assumption was - cool, piece of cake. Ever see the comedian Benny Hill talk about the word ASSUME. The punch line is how assuming makes an ASS out of U and ME. Well hee-haw for me cuz that's what I felt like by the time I got home.


Geocache #1. Drove into the parking lot near ground zero and after reading the description I walked over to the geocache site and immediately noticed that the terrain was not correct and anybody with a wheelchair better have 4x4 mode to get there. Not completely terrible but definitely not a 1. That little .5 makes all the difference. Started looking around and was greeted by a host of dense bushes. Thought sure no problem and started looking for the small container, and looked and looked. Bush after bush with nada, zip, nothing. Expanded my search even though there was nothing else around and still found nothing but a good soaking from the well rained on bushes.

Well shoot. Checked out the hint that said "Under RESPECT" which made no sense. I figured a sign or some other clue to point me to this simple park and grab..... and bupkis. Okay fine, I wasn't pleased with myself but hey there was a second FTF prospect and so I would go check that out and come back for a second swing. Little did I know that my temporary grief was going to get worse.

Geocache #2. The second geocache was about ten miles away and even though the early morning traffic was increasing it was not all that bad as I pulled into the parking lot. The ground zero was about 140 feet from the parking lot across a grassy yard and pointed to a large tree. Now again the difference in terrain is only slight but would need to be adjusted in my humble opinion and no biggie.

Walked to large oak tree which had a nice crown in the center and nothing else. Looked around and found nothing. Looked in all the reachable places and nothing. This was another small hidden by the same hider as my first geocache today. A pattern was forming in my head. I looked around one last time and expanded to the fence that was about twenty feet from the tree. Nothing. Eventually I figured that maybe the geocaches were posted before the hider realized that they needed to be in place. Didn't know at that point and started walking back to my car. That's when I saw the blue lights and heard the quick "whoop!" that told me the law was behind me. I turned around and smiled while walking over to the car.

The officer was very nice and asked what I was doing there. I informed him about the geocache and that I was just leaving. He then pointed out the white No Tresspassing after hours sign that was on the outside of said wooden fence. I told him I didn't see it from where I came from and that I hoped the hider had permission from the business owner to hid it here. He said no problem and promptly left but it was just one other thing to have to deal with this disaster.

When I went home I wrote to the first time hider and explained a few things including what had happened. For me I am just going to put it behind me and if anything it once again makes for a good story. I do know though that in the not to distant future I am making a GeoSnippits tutorial on some tips for first time hiders. I am hearing more and more about geocachers who have almost no experience and then trying to do hides without knowing the proper procedures and etiquette's. All part of the fun of the game I guess. Then again I have a twisted idea of what fun is.

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

Really on the Fence With This One

Fence post hides are like a box chocolates. No not full of ooey gooey confection filled goodness but they can have some sweet hides. Also yes you never know what you're gunna git.

This early morning find was a 35mm container Velcro'd to the inside of a 4x4 plastic post cap.

When You Gotta Go...

Rare snow geocaching in North Carolina. Interesting specimen of a geocache choice. Where's my hand sanitizer? Yeah I know the owner of this little guy and if you notice he didn't bother to even take off the label... Yuckie... At least it didn't have a name etched on it and yes I know the rule about eating yellow snow...

The Potty Talk Series Continues

This was number one of number two FTFs in the Creedmore, NC area. But I digress...

This morning brought a laugh and for a Monday that is saying something. I had read last night of three possible FTFs (First To Finds) on my route to work. The first which was closest to my house would have been the target to go for if it weren't for the two other FTF possibilities up by where I work. So I decided to go for the two near work and somebody else can snatch the close to home. Anywho about halfway to work I get a phone call from a fellow geocacher asking if I went for the FTF near my home. I thought it quite humorous that they wanted to know if it was worth going for the early morning find based on my actions. I'm not THAT obsessed am I? Oh who asked you ;)

As I approached Creedmore, NC I had everything ready for me to pounce on the first of two. Sure enough I made the quick park and grab with little effort yet still noted the unusual geocaching container. That TML sure is one sick evil dude! He assures us that the "container" is not a retread but I still want to wash my hands after putting it back. Icky.

Number two of this morning's FTFs was only another mile or so away and I made quick work of it and signed the clean sheetz.

Doing geocaching really perks me up in the morning and gets the juices flowing. See now all I can do is think about TML's geocache... Gotta go wash my hands again... yuck.

Meet Anson and He's a Geocacher - Hi Anson!

One of the very nice things about Geocaching is how very much of a family style network it can be. You call someone to go on a Cache Raid tomorrow, someone else calls you with a PAF (Phone A Friend) asking for help on a geocache you found a month ago. Someone else wants to hold an event so we can get everybody together to party and well... party some more. Throw in random instances of caching and you can see pretty much how this community works and what a great community it is to belong to.

So when I received and email from Anson and his wife Donna to stop on by and go over some geocaching basics I jumped at the chance. That and I found out he literally lives about two miles from my house - the more the merrier - except when it comes to FTFs but we won't bring that up right now - now will we ;)

Anyhow, I really did get a kick out of going to Anson's house and to chat with him for a while. I explained a bit on the basics of a GPS which I believe he already new quite a bit about. Not that would keep me from talking. I also asked for him to check out NCGO which is North Carolina's Geocaching Organization. We discussed geocaching events and that I would tell him the next time I know one is coming up so he can meet even more of us. All and all a really nice guy and I can't wait for the next time we can go geocaching together... Except of course when it comes to FTFs and all bets are off, huff, huff, huff... but I digress.

If you are interested in finding more about geocaching in North Carolina here are some need to know links.

Geocaching.com

North Carolina Geocaching Organization

GeoSnippits: Geocaching Tutorial Videos

GeoCache:I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?

Early Morning FTF on the Way To Work

Imagine if you will a 300+ pound fat guy climbing up an eight foot tall 80 degree angled berm, with evergreens, at night. What could happen?

Granted the large semi nearby made for good cover so security didn't have to come a looking and that is always a good thing.

Overall I had a great time scurrying in the dark and chilly temps whilst climbing on all fours up the rather steep and dirt covered hill. The exhilaration is really something in situations like this. While I am going through it in my head I am calm yet excited to make the find. My hands shake a bit and I'm not sure if it is because of the cold or the thrill of the hunt. Either way I am smiling ear to ear in early morning dark and would be hard pressed to want to be anywhere else at that moment. After a quick search I was able to add another FTF to my ever increasing collection.

Signed the log and headed off to work. Good Times.

That Would Be Number 500

Looking like the coffee finally kicked in. I managed geocaching finds numbers 499 and 500. Note the micro geocache between my index and middle finger. My goal is to find 1000 by the end of the year.

Next To Last of LunchTime Geocaches

Ever go to a geocache site and it was so quiet the silence was deafening? This little key holder cache was on the far side of Henderson, NC off a little known highway in the middle of nowhere. The white noise of in my head made me feel I like I was under water, almost a pressure of sorts. Weird. When that subsided you could hear all sorts of birds scurring around in the nearby briers.

Anywho, this is next to last of the geocaches within lunch time reach. Heavy sigh. Here's hoping for more placements soon.

After Four DNFs - Found! Devin Lake #2

After four attempts I finally can take the Lake Devin geocaches off my list. Yes the stars aligned, wind blew in the right direction and it was Friday the 13th. I was given the opportunity to leave early from work and take a fifth crack at this pesky geocache called Devin Lake #2. So after crossing the rickety old bridge I took a quick walk up the trails into the well known geocaching area.

A sigh was heard by me as I once again started looking for the needle in a haystack like so many times before.


Time slipped by and just when I thought all hope was lost I saw something out of place. It was secluded in the rocks but something did not look like it should. The expression on my face had to resemble a retriever pup who after running full bore slams on the breaks. Looks at the object and cocks his head to the side going "Unhhhhh?"

There it was, my prize after almost a year of searching. So I signed the log and put everything back for the next hider. No sense crying over spilt sweet tea. There are other geocaches to find ya know....