GeoSnippits Make Your Own PVC Hydrant Geocache

The latest GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Video went live on You Tube.

This episode entitled "GeoSnippits Make Your Own PVC Hydrant Geocache" is a How To tutorial which gives you step by step instructions on making your own geocache out of some PVC pipe and other knick knacks found at your local hardware store.

Also featured in this episode is the introduction to Emily the GeoPuppy who tests to make sure the hydrant geocache is up to puppy snuff.

You can see the video via YouTube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1YCbcphy7E

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

Read This If You Get Ticked Off About Ticks

Straight out of our list of cool gadgets, gizmos and useful geocaching thing-a-ma-bobs...

If you live in a state that is prone to ticks you may be interested in this little invention.

It's called Ticked Off and claims to be the simplest tool for removing the pesky pests.

I know in North Carolina we are supposedly the buckle of the tick belt which stretches from Virginia down through South Carolina. Ticks a major issue and you do not have to be a geocacher to know it. All you have to do is wander through any grass higher than a couple of inches and you will become a giant walking dinner.

In my opinion, this is a must have type of tool to keep with you just in case. Like the next time you take a walk.

Here is a link to their website. http://www.tickedoff.com/



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

A Really Sweet Article About Little Ole Me

How did that country singer put it? It's all about me, all about I, all about number one....

Well as much as I like blogging, twittering and gabbing with everybody about some of my accomplishments in the geocaching universe. I REALLY enjoy giving helpful information out to the world and hopefully make geocaching easier for those who would like it. That's the whole reason I started GeoSnippits.

I must be doing something right because in just a few months I have over 26 thousand views on the You Tube videos. My blogs and the GeoSnippits website is seen literally all around the planet. I am featured on the Find Me The Movie and Trimble Outdoors Geocache Navigator websites and I am talking to Barry Stutesman from Michigan Magazine TV, among other interesting upcoming things. Who knew?

But I digress, enough about me. Let's talk about... me.

If you read Monday's post I talked about a very nice interview with Darcie Gudger from the Denver Examiner. Below is Darcie's actual article. Take a moment and give it a glance won't you?

Darcie Gudger's Denver Examiner Article Here.

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

Find Me The Movie Coming Out May 30th, 2009

Well with only a week or so away from the Geocaching based movie Find Me coming out. We thought we would direct one section of their website to you.

If you click the Geocaching 101 link in the lower left you will see several GeoSnippits Video Tutorials which we made at the request of the Find Me folks and a few of our regular episodes.

Please be sure to check out all of the Find Me website and see the rather slick looking interface for Geocaching 101 too.

Find Me comes out May 30th, 2009! Check out their website here: http://www.findmethemovie.com/

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

Thanks For The Interview Darcie Gudger

I had just the nicest talk with Darcie Gudger of the Denver Examiner this last Friday. The kind of pleasant conversation one would find when friends meet at a coffee house and you can just kick up your feet and talk.

This was the first time Darcie and I have been able to talk over the phone. I originally found out about her when she put one of my GeoSnippits videos into an article she had posted. Then shortly after that I watched her introduction into geocaching via Twitter. Yep she is a geocacher and out walking the trails of Colorado searching for tupperware in the woods just like the rest of us. It was fun to read as she progressed from geocache to geocache and we talked about the likes and dislikes of the game. I would talk about finds that I had recently found then she would talk about the trails in the back woods she had hiked and back and forth we gabbed.

One of the more interesting experiences actually happened to her earlier that same day. She had been walking the trails towards a rocky geocache ground zero when she almost stepped onto a rattlesnake. Quite a thrill for sure but she shrugged it off like a champ and said those encounters can be quite common. You just have to be careful. Hmmmm, sounds like something I would say in one of my videos. Oh yeah, that is what I say in my videos....

We talked some more and next thing I realized that a whole hour had just vaporized and it was getting late. Before we ended the conversation though I did have to chuckle a bit and I told Darcie straight out. "You're hooked on geocaching Darcie, I can tell it in your voice."

She laughed and said she knew but it's too late now.. Another welcomed into the obsession.



Darcie is a freelance writer, author and toddler tamer. You can see her articles online in papers like The Denver Examiner.


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

GeoSnack'in - What Geocachers Eat While Geocaching

Went to my favorite source of geocaching goodness Geocaching.com and asked what type of geosnacks geocachers take with them whilest out on the road. The results may surprise you.

Note: If you click on the pie chart graphic you can get all the details as they unfolded.

Here is what I found out:

Water above all other liquids chosen for was by far the most popular. The least was tea and milk. I think alcoholic beverages would have a higher rating if included AFTER the geocaching was done for the day.

Out of the more healthier geosnacks the winners were Energy/Health/Granola Bars and Jerky. Least favorite was Bagels, Chex Mix, Greek Foods, Sunflower Seeds and Vegetables.

The junkfood isle favorite I'm going to give a mixed result. The most popular talked about food was GORP which has a combination of healthy and non healthy goodness. So many people intermixed trail mix and gorp I am putting that as the winner in junkfoodiness. The least faved carb coated power trip was a bit of a jump ball but I am calling Cookies, Krispy Kremes and Pretzels.

So how does your geosnak'in compare on the charts? I'd be interested how many people didn't include Krispy Kremes in the morning and they types of alcoholic libations after they get home.

Thanks to everyone at Geocaching.com's Forums for all the great feedback. You are the best!

Water	12.00%
Energy/Health Bars	9.33%
Jerky	9.33%
Candy	7.33%
Nuts	5.33%
Dried Fruits	4.67%
Gatorade	4.67%
Chips	4.00%
Crackers	4.00%
Soda / Pop	4.00%
Trail Mix	4.00%
Gorp	3.33%
Cheese sticks	2.67%
Fruit	2.67%
Sandwiches	2.67%
Alcoholic Beverage	2.00%
Fast food	2.00%
Licorice	2.00%
Meats	2.00%
Cookies	1.33%
Krispy Kremes	1.33%
Pretzels	1.33%
Raisins	1.33%
Tea	1.33%
Bagel	0.67%
Chex Mix	0.67%
Energy Drink	0.67%
Greek Foods	0.67%
Juice	0.67%
Milk	0.67%
Sunflower seeds	0.67%
Vegetables	0.67%
	100%

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

GeoSnippits Videos Featured On Find Me The Movie Website

We are just absolutely ecstatic to have GeoSnippits featured now on the website for the upcoming indy Tracy J. Trost film Find Me. This mystery thriller is based around the activity of geocaching.

We were asked by the film's marketing director Joe Jestus if we could make a three part introduction to geocaching and also use some other existing GeoSnippits videos. The rest is as they say history and you can see the results on their website.

The movie will be coming out May 30th, 2009.

If you go here: http://www.findmethemovie.com and click on the Geocaching 101 link. You will be taken to their introduction to geocaching page which has a handful of our GeoSnippits videos.

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

The Power of a Travel Bug - Cancer Awareness

You see I start writing this article - again and I can already feel my throat tightening up and a some what unsuccessful fight to hold back the tears ensues. One or two manage to make it through. I push through the millions of images that well up like some broken water main but it is important to get my feelings as they emerge. It's important for you to understand that some things in life have a deep impact and to me, this is one of them.

Travel bugs are usually a fun filled trinket that has a special silver tag and id number attached to let you know they are not swag but special geocaching travellers. They are not to be kept but to constantly be moving and follow specific goals as they go from one geocache to the next. Similar to geocoins but different because they literally can be anything. I have seen stuffed and plastic toys, car parts, posters, some things unidentifiable all with the purpose of being free spirits in the geocaching playing field.

All are to be enjoyed yet some have a distinct and sometimes not so cheery purpose. Some give a message of hope or to allow the finder an awareness of some useful meaning. For example my very first travel bug found was from a series of Diabetes Awareness travellers. It was nothing more than a small blue circle of enamel and metal with the familiar silver tag. When you went to the travel bug page you then learned about the Diabetes information and where you could get more. I thought of it as a great way of getting the word out without being pushy.

Shortly after finding that travel bug I also had a wish to send out information about another awareness and that was for cancer. The reason for that was due to the passing of my first wife Sharon from that dreaded disease. Sharon was a shining beacon of life and was the type of person who insisted on helping others including her 13 years of Sunday School teaching. She was the quintessential farmers daughter and constantly gave tails of her adventures on her parents farm. In 2001 Sharon died at age of 42 from ovarian cancer.

So in her memory I created a travel bug called "Farmers Daughter - Cancer Awareness" (TB21K6F) and sent it out 13 months ago to this day. It has travelled to this point over 3900 miles from the east coast and is currently buzzing around Utah somewhere.

During it's travels there have been times where I noticed that it would be picked up by someone and held, sometimes for several months. At first I did not understand what was going on and I would send a quick email saying hey, how's it going and would you mind moving it along. Then I would get a response back. Each time someone either knew someone who has or died from cancer. That or is going through therapy and wanted to know if they could hang onto a bit longer because it gave them comfort or hope to keep going (more tears welling up). I don't ask anymore.

So when you do see a travel bug or geocoin that has a little more meaning behind it besides wanting it to go to another country or a different part of the world. Please pause and take a moment to reflect. I have always said that geocaching is so much more than just a game. Sometimes pieces of our lives and a connection we do not always understand are woven into our world of a game board.

We miss you Sharon.

-HHH


If you would like to see an update on this travel bug you can check out this post here:

http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/2009/08/travel-bug-farmers-daughter-makes-goal.html


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

Printable Geocaching Brochure / Pamphlet To Give To Others

Fresh out of the You Tube Email Bag.

One of our GeoSnippits viewers asked if there was a way of explaining geocaching to a person (a.k.a. muggle) without sounding like you were crazy?

My answer is well, "yes".

I do not intend on stealing anybody else's thunder out there. There are several geocaching brochures made by people who have been with geocaching since the beginning and have put out some really professionally made documentation. I am merely giving the links to their fine works.

There are two that I really like and have used many times when approaching a business owner to get permission to place a geocache on their property, been approached by authority figures like the police, or the just plain curious.

They give you a bit more credibility because you have something pre-printed and ready to show right their in your hot little hands.

This one is from the fine folks at Geocacher-U and not only does it have it in English but other languages as well.

http://www.geocacher-u.com/resources/brochure.html

Here is the other which has almost a business look and feel to it.

http://www.gpsmaze.com/uploads/files/GEOCACH_F2.pdf

If you have any questions about geocaching please do not hesitate to ask. If I don't know the answer I know a whole lot of geocachers who do.. So ask away!

Oh and by the way. You don't have to be crazy to do geocaching, but it sure does help ;p

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

Tweezers, It's Not Just For Plucking Eyebrows Anymore

There are key essential items that you absolutely must keep on your person when geocaching.

One of my top five would have to be a good pair of tweezers. Not only are they great for getting that unwanted thorn or splinter out but they are fantastic to get log books out of nanos.

So remember to always keep a pair of tweezers nearby.

-HHH


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

So Close But No FTF

It's a gorgeous sunny afternoon in Northern North Carolina. I had a pretty hectic morning workday and decided to clear my head by doing some lunchtime geocaching. A FTF was just on the outside of my driving limit so I took the chance and went for it.

It turned out to be a P&G nano hide. So as I pulled up I was all smug and everything. This particular cache out in the middle of nowhere. Wasn't I the surprised FTF Hound to see that Zuni had once again been two steps ahead of me. Ahhh well it's a pretty day to be outside and I really needed the down time...

Oh and Curse You Zuni.... ;)
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GeoSnippits - The Introduction to Geocaching

I had been wanting to do an Introduction to Geocaching video for a long time now. The issue of when to actually do it was in direct correlation of how many suggestions we were getting from our GeoSnippits viewers. Which turned out to be more than plenty. So the episode storyboard sat on the shelf, until now.

Now I don't want people to think I make it a habit to put some suggestions to the front of the line but when a movie director of marketing asks to have an episode done..... I can be encouraged to do some shuffling. Yep the people of the up coming geocaching based movie FIND ME asked if we could make a small series of Geosnippits episodes so people who do not know what geocaching is will have enough information to understand the movie. So that is just what we did.

It's basically a 15 minute tutorial broken into three five minute episodes. Combined, all three episodes revolve around two geocaching hunts sprinkled with valuable nuggets of information throughout. When finished you will have a well rounded understanding of what geocaching is all about without being overwhelmed with too much lingo and dry facts.

So lets begin:

Introduction to Geocaching: Part One

Learn where geocaching began and how it works. Find your coordinates on geocaching.com then it's off to our first find of the day with the help of Miss Geoness.



YouTube Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvWBOPxHBnM

Introduction to Geocaching: Part Two

Miss Geoness shows you how it's done finding a micro in the woods. Next, HeadHardHat tells what you should bring while geocaching as he heads off for a regular sized geocache.



YouTube Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRbBjJcErjI


Introduction to Geocaching: Part Three

The final episode of this three part series concludes HeadHardHat's geocache hunt and then gives you a visual explanation about SWAG, Geocoins and Travel Bugs. Plus how to be aware of Muggles and a final wrap up of the entire series. A must see.



You Tube Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqLfH3htBcQ

It is our hope that you find this three part tutorial interesting and fun to watch. Then go to geocaching.com and become a geocaching member. While your at it, keep an eye out for Find Me the movie coming out soon.

If want to learn more about geocaching we have oodles of other GeoSnippits Video Tutorials to look at and enjoy on our GeoSnippits Website or on You Tube. You can also go to the Geocaching.com website for all the indepth information about this amazing game, sport and obsession known as Geocaching..

Hope to see you on the trails folks,

-HHH

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

Going For Some 4+ Geocaches

Went for a nice hike with Dflye's family and Miss Geoness to find some geocaches. It was sunny and the temps in the low 90's.
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Irony... I Won FTF of Airborne Event!!!

I cannot believe I won in a raffle the right to FTF for the 5th Airborne Event in Fayetteville, NC. Shown here with the geocoin included. You would not believe the laughter when a FTF hound like me getting this.
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35mm Hide

Now this is how you hide a film canister. This was hidden high on an abandoned sign post. Great Hide.
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Let's Go Geocache

One of the more interesting finds so far in Fayettecville, NC. This is before the big Airborne Event.
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First Find For Today

Daughter Geoness holding a nano and the first find of the day for the 5th Annual Airborne Event. More to come as the day goes on.
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Three Lunchtime FTFs

Well somebody started a county line series and unloaded about 12 micro geocaches around Henderson, NC. I found the three closest and made it back in less than an hour and snagged some grub. Might take the LONG way e and get some more tonight.
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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

Co-FTFinders

This cache sat unplaced for three weeks before reopening today. So Miss Geoness and I snagged it. Traded a first aid kit for Clifford the Big Red Dog.
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GeoSnippits - What NOT To Use As A Geocache

We had so much fun creating our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Video - GeoSnippits - Where Not To Hide A Geocache that we decided to take it to the next step to discuss What NOT To Use As A Geocache.

The idea is simple, if you show examples of what NOT to do then maybe newer geocachers will learn the basics and not repeat them out in the field.

This particular video is quite fun to watch with some great tips and some down right funny slapstick humor. Learn how heat, cold and moisture can effect geocaches and which ones are the worst to hide. Host HeadHardHat shows you the most obnoxious and also demonstrates the "dunk test" to see if the geocache in question is really waterproof.



See On You Tube Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgCzzGu2oHo



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.

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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

Sun Is Going Down, Time To Get Off The Trails

Well the springtime sun is heading towards the evening horizon. Have Miss Geoness is manning the GPS and following the tracking bread crumbs back to the cachemobile. She needs to learn that sometime and we should not get in too much trouble over the two mile hike back. Bet we walked six or seven miles per the saved tracks. Phew that's quite a bit for a 300+ pound fat guy. I am not tired but my dawgs are REALLY barking. More later in the summary.
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