eCache

Cache-A-Maniacs Questions

Ever since I received the iPod, I have been listening to far more podcasts. I had listened to some of the Cache-A-Maniacs podcasts previously, but I am not comfortable listening to them on the laptop. Nevertheless, the last month or so my iPod has been filled.

Today while I was out and about it dawned on me I should answer the questions that DarrylW4 and Firefly03 ask their guests each week. Hey, why not?

How did you choose your screen name?
Batona

How long ago did you start geocaching and how did you find out about it?
Webfoot is responsible!

Rapid Response Questions
Micro or ammo can?
Ammo can

Traditional or unknown?
Normally traditional, but there are unknowns that top my favorites list (which doesn’t really exist)

Virtual or Earthcache?
Having never completed an Earthcache that has particularly interested me, I guess virtuals. Frankly, virtuals pale compared to shutterspots.

Placing or finding?
I find more than I place, so finding, I suppose. But when I am in placing mode, I will eschew finding as I am so focused on the hide. So really, whatever it is I am doing is what I prefer. Otherwise, I would be doing the other.

Urban or woods?
Woods, without hesitation.

Number runs or challenging caches?
Errrr . . . challenging caches. I was surprised that this week’s guest actually answered number runs.

Geocoins ot Travel Bugs?
Neither.

Paper or paperless?
Paperless

Favorite GPSr?
Well, I use a Magellan Meridian Gold. It is my favorite as that is the only one I use. Until recently, I had been contemplating updating to a Garmin 60CSx. I am now holding off on that. The new Colorado intrigues me. Yet, it seems riddled with issues right now from the geocaching POV, so presently, I am not looking to purchase anything unless I can find an inexpensive PPC with a GPS.

Caching alone or part of a group?
Almost all of my caching is completed solo. My son or daughter occasionally join me. I explore with others and sometimes divert the exploration to include a nearby cache.

Any signature items or trademarks?
Not yet. I figure there’s no hurry. For years I have pondered this to no avail. I was this || close before the geocoin craze hit to minting a coin. I decided not to and have been very happy that I did not. I have sought a unique item that isn’t going to break the bank. I recently came up with such a thing and will begin working on the prototype here within the next month or two.

Any learning experiences that you would like to share with others?
I do not know how to answer this concisely. Um . . . read this blog.

Anything you would like to see improved in geocaching?
Wow! An opportunity to do it my way. The only thing I can think of is to remove find counts. This one thing appears to be the root of most angst that occurs.

Of the many slogans and taglines for geocaching, what is your favorite?
I used to use hiking with a purpose. I always liked that. Recently, I have heard of G.U.I.L.T (grown up idiots looking for Tupperware). That’s cute. I describe it as hide-and-seek for adults to my students. That conveys the activity somewhat.

How do you classify geocaching: sport, hobby, or game?
I don’t. Well, I refer to it as a game, but when inspected, game doesn’t really hold up to scrutiny. I do not like sport. I do not think it holds up in today’s environment of park-and-grabs. Hobby makes me think of models, baseball cards, etc. While there are similarities I have noted, I do not think it really fits well there either. Maybe it’s a recreation.

What other hobbies besides geocaching do you do?
Keep reading this site.

Do you have a favorite movie, television show, or musical group you would like to share?
I have been claiming my favorite movie is The Deer Hunter for decades now. But there are others I like too. Other than a couple reality shows I watch with Gert, I do not watch much television other than the news and sports (primarily baseball). Older shows I like(d) are All In The Family, Seinfeld, and early Law & Order. Musically, I like what is called classic rock, with an emphasis on Grateful Dead, Neil Young, Derek Trucks, and Roger Waters.

Posted in Bob, Concerts, Entertainment, GPS Games, Geocaching, Movies | No Comments »

What is Ladow?

A friend of mine e-mailed me last evening. He had stumbled across the name Ladow in an old issue of South Jersey Magazine. He recognized the name from my domain and asked if there is a relationship.

I am sure there is, but there is no relationship with me . . . at least not a familial one.

Long ago I lived in an apartment that was on Ladow Avenue here in Millville. In September 2004 I had all sorts of domain issues with my previous host. They were not able to resolve the issue without setting up a new account. I decided to retire that domain name (frolickin.com). I felt under the gun to select a new name. Gert signed off on this. The blog was re-named briefly from eCache to 28J, which was the apartment number I had at that complex.

I’ve never been thoroughly satisfied with the name, but it is where our (virtual) home is now.

Posted in Web Site | No Comments »

What GPSr do you use?

I purchased a Magellan 315 on 16 November 2001. The first waypoint I set was for my lounger in the apartment I lived in at the time. I found my first geocache the following day.

On a trip to Florida a few weeks later, I dropped the GPSr on my parents’ floor. The unit seemed fine until I tried to find a cache. I could not lock in on any satellites. Upon my return to New Jersey, I returned the unit while it was still under warranty.

It was then that I got a Magellan Meridian Gold. I have used that unit ever since. It is well worn. I enjoy looking at the newer models, but am not disappointed at all with my MeriGold.

Update
In February 2008 I purchased a Garmin Colorado 400 T.  While there was nothing inherently wrong with the MeriGold, I was itching for a new unit.  It seemed like the Colorado had features that would be good for me and since I tend to be an early-adopter, it was a nexus of a few things for me.

The unit has had some glitches early on, but the more I use it, the more I love this unit.  The most significant improvement for me is that bringing a PDA on a geocaching trip is superfluous at this point.  I have all the information on hand.

The Garmin, unfortunately, is tied to the Groundspeak namespace for GPX files.  That means loading terracaching, navicaching, or homebrew caches is a chore.  I am working on a workaround, but there shouldn’t need to be one.  This influence of Groundspeak’s is far beyond a listing site.

Posted in GPS Games, Geocaching | 2 Comments »

Welcome Fritz

Fritz was born today. Both he and Gert are doing very well.

God shone his light on our family today. Praise the Lord!

BTW, Twitter had it first.

Posted in Bob, Family | 9 Comments »

What do you take caching with you?

It was asked (reg. req.):

What do you take caching with you?

Most cache hunts include my Mountainsmith Rapid lumbar pack. It is from an older line. The Rapid II replaced it and that is now discounted to sell.

In it I have three compartments. The front pack is for swag. I try to have a variety of small items to swag along the way. Hitchhikers hang out here as well. I toss my spent batteries in here too so I can keep them away from the charged ones.

The middle compartment is padded and protected. That has the digital camera (Elixim EX-S600).

The back compartment is the largest. It holds the PDA, compass, reserve tp, pen, cell phone, stamp and ink pad, notepad, a good supply of charged as well as standard alkaline batteries, and my flags.

If I know I’ll be hiking, I bring my hydro pack (Cabelas-brand CamelBak. I can’t find it online.). If I am going for an extended hike, I’ll use the hydro and the lumbar.

Of course, I dress according to the weather and the season. Blaze orange is always in the truck. I keep a duffle bag with change of clothes, towels, and other warm items in case I become wet in the cold weather. I also keep a spare pair of boots back there. During the warmer months, my farmer johns are in the trunk. All this also allows me to cache without preparation, if I am so inclined.

Also in the trunk is an ammo box that I use as dry storage when I paddle. During paddle season I try to keep that stocked so I do not have to play the rotation game. Otherwise it’s like my wife when she changes pocketbooks.

Posted in GPS Games, Geocaching | No Comments »