buckyd's Geoblog

Sep 27, 2004

Joani's Prize

By: ChrissySkyking + Blaze (adopted by Team 5150) Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I had a good eyeline while I was walking up to the cache site, so I made quick work of this one. There were a few people nearby, enjoying the squirrel nature preserve in this area of the park, but I managed to avoid too much attention. Thanks!

Barely Secret Walkway

By: katiecacher Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Found fairly quickly on a quiet Monday morning. This park has changed a lot in the last 30 years. I remember hiding under the palm leaves of the trees -- which were as tall as I was at age 3. They've also recently replaced the playground equipment, which is too bad since the "big kid" swings were very tall and very fun to jump off of. Not many cherry trees left to climb on the SW end of the park either... Oh well, all in the name of progress I suppose. TFTC.

NORTH MCLAREN

By: Kevin K Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

This was really a matter of interrupting Kevin K on his maintenance visit rather than a find, but I did help with the updated placement. It is always a pleasure to meet a fellow geocacher in the wild! TN Left a couple of toys for the kids. Thanks!

It's Easy To Be Organized...

By: beck1980 Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

[11:25a. Looked around where the coords were taking me and had in mind what I should have found. But I didn't.] The hardware on one of the signs looks new. [ Went into the store to see what they had that I might be able to use, then decided I probably don't want to be that organized anyway. I'll stop back another day.]

Save the Film Canisters!!!

By: EMC of Northridge, CA Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Was passing through after a visit to the dentist, and appreciated the easy parking. Thanks.

3 strike rule

By: Bodster Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Area was empty this Monday morning; I could feel the baseball hangover in the air from the weekend. Neat little area and well-kept-up. Thanks for showing me this hidden park!

CalTrain - Hayward Park

By: normanb Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Just grabbing some micros this morning between a dentist's appointment and going to work. Planned the route back to SF around this one, as Weekend Trains has been on my nearest page forever, and I don't travel the CalTrain corridor often enough to finish it. TFTC.

Genial Gene

By: Marky Joani Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Not much going on here at 11:30 on a Monday morning, so I was able to perform spinal contortions, pace back and forth muttering, and run up and down stairs. I didn't need to do any of that for very long, however, since the GPSr settled down after about 5 minutes of supernatural influences... Easy find after that, and I was thankful for the clean, unlocked restrooms nearby, thanks!

Kiss the Dog!

By: Marky Joani Difficulty: 4.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Took a bit less than a half hour for this one late on a Monday morning, and I had even plugged an hour into the nearby meter. I sorta ended up kissing the dog anyway, but that's another story (and no cameras were around to record it). Thanks for the evil hide!

Sep 26, 2004

Zen and the Art of the Sea Lion

By: Erickson Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I'll just add my DNF here as well. I didn't have web access over the weekend, so I didn't have the new hint. If I'd a had a hammer on Sunday afternoon, I think I would have used it during the search because what I wanted to search wouldn't budge. Since the owner has verified that its there, I guess I should try a different approach. Maybe next time...

Sep 22, 2004

Old One

By: jef Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Regular

Today was a spectacular day to walk around the western SF shoreline -- very clear with just enough clouds to make the sunset a treat. I took the beach route and found a fairly reasonable path up the hill to the cache site without any real cliff climbing, then tried the path route back to where I parked about 1.5 miles away. It was the path route that gave me problems, since it was pretty dark by the time I got back and I wandered a bit more than I might have normally. I always seem to cut things close when I try to cache after work, at least when substantive beauty and hiking is involved. Traded TBs and a Jack's Peak trail map for a Barry Bonds keychain. Thanks for the great evening!

Take me out to the...

By: cyan_blue Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Small

I've been out of the area for a few days, so I didn't notice when this one popped up. It just seemed too lonely for it to remain unfound for more than a week, so I worked on it last night and swung by not-on-the-way to work this morning. Technically I wasn't FTF, since someone had written in the log already. I found it in strikingly plain view, so that might have had something to do with the noncacher find. I TNLNSL and replaced it in a more hidden manner about 6 inches from where I found it. Thanks! Oh yeah, my favorite team is my softball team, The Rookies, who have a really good chance of making the playoffs this month! Alternatively, I like any team that Jerry Rice is playing for. Historically, I've been an A's/49ers/Knicks/Liberty fan, but since I've been caching I haven't followed spect ator sports much -- except to know when Giants games are going to mess up my parking situation at work.

Sep 21, 2004

Travel Bug Coffee Break

By: Kreebelle (maintained by WalruZ) Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

Was passing through the area (sort of) and felt really lonely without a travel bug companion (left my last one in Monterey this weekend), so I decided to stop by and grab one (or two) since there were so many listed! Took clothespin TB and a set of coins TB, both untagged (as of now).

Honor Roll

By: DavidT21 Fisherwoman Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Other

When I used to work for Sunnyvale Parks & Rec an eon or so ago, I actually managed this field for the adult softball league on weekday nights. Unlike the park in those days, few people were around to worry about today after the lunch hour. Unfortunately, I had to get on to work after about a half hour of looking without success...

Don't Bark Up the Wrong Tree

By: 47russ47 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I waved. Did you see me? Nah, you were probably doing what I was supposed to be doing -- working! TFTC.

Or take... ah...

By: The Petoskey Stones Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Nice easy find with some good hiding material! I know this park well, as while in high school we used to hang out at the picnic tables drinking on Saturday nights for lack of anything better to do. Thanks for bringing me back to the 'hood!

Sep 20, 2004

Skyline Cache

By: Just a Short Walk Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

I was here with BKT today, and since she hadn't found it yet I came along for the ride before moving on to Jumpin' Jack's Cache. After a while of her poking around the area, I looked in the spot that I had found it in last April/May and it wasn't there. The area it was hidden in has been severely disturbed and the original cover was strewn about...

The Last Leg

By: Just a Short Walk Iron Chef Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

BKT and I were hanging out on the Monterey peninsula for a work retreat at Asilomar and decided to forgo the "planned activity" for our afternoon off. Instead, I thought it would be nice to show her the best hiking area to cache in. It was a gorgeous day to be on Jack's Peak -- views all around. We pretty much had the park to ourselves today, and this was the first stop rather than the last leg -- just to be different I suppose... TNLNSL and the cache is in great shape, Thanks!

Cache De Canyon

By: Just a Short Walk Iron Chef Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

Revisited this one with BKT. Great day for a walk at Jack's and the cache was in great condition right where I had found it in April! Thanks for another neat walk.

Jumpin' Jack Cache

By: camnpete Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

BKT and I were hanging out on the Monterey peninsula for a work retreat at Asilomar and decided to forgo the "planned activity" for our afternoon off. Instead, I thought it would be nice to show her the best hiking area to cache in. It was a gorgeous day to be on Jack's Peak -- views all around. We used falconpilot's coords (the first time of 2 today) to nab this one, which were about 50' SW from at our original search point. The foliage in the area is getting sparse so the cache was an easy spot as soon as we got to the right area. Took a Big Sur marathon medal (mmm, I see TB potential there) and left a brand new mini line level. Thanks!

Doc's Geo Cache VIII

By: docshop Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

Well, BKT and I found it, but it was just good fortune that falconpilot had included jpp's coords in his log, because I wouldn't have had them on cachemate otherwise. For the unfortunate like me that only load the last 3 logs, I'll write them again -- N 36 33.754, W 121 52.857. These got me within 8 ft of the cache with 15' EPE. Otherwise its about 90' off! Like AltDotAir, I was also leary about going more than 500 feet off the official trail, and the last time I was in the area caching I had a hiking companion that would not hunt this for ecological reasons. There are also the rattlers and mountain lions that would hang out this far away from the tr avelled path to be wary of. We did not see any today, thankfully (too cool for the snakes and too early for mountain lion dinner hour I suppose). There is somewhat of a trail to the cache, but it is not a marked trail and so te rrain should be adjusted accordingly. Took the guitar picks and left a neosporin travel kit. TFTC!

Sep 19, 2004

Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Kid

By: Touchstone Difficulty: 4.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

I had a great time with this puzzle, although I did it over the course of two nonconsecutive days. I suppose enticing Touchstone with a nearby FTF to replace stage 3 was sorta shady, [:P] but I wanted to finish my walk in the park and I've never been any good at that patience-thing... [:D] Very manageable and thought-provoking clues at each stage, with a nice challenging hide at the end. Caching in shorts today, so I should have brought some mosquito-stuff. I found it, signed 2nd spot in the logbook, and dropped Little Foster TB. Thanks!

Braly Park

By: CTomGeo Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Many moons ago, when I worked for Sunnyvale Parks & Rec, I was a "Tiny Tots" daycare leader in the rec building at this park. I don't think I've been back to the location in at least 15 years or more, and there are *a lot* of condos now! Today the building was being used for some sort of church services while I was there, but no one was in the park. Quick find, took digitalfish and left a quarter. Thanks!

Sep 18, 2004

Take-a-Peak

By: Surfcal Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

I wouldn't mind putting a cache or two up on the mount, maybe even a multi, but waiting to see how this one plays out... It has been a a couple of months now, Owner?

The Secret Park

By: E-T Explorers Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I was close after getting Bald Spot, so I swung by around noon on a Saturday. Bad idea -- a kid's birthday party was taking up most of the viable search area. Since I didn't have any good searching cover -- like a kid of my own (or a borrowed one) -- I figured I'd come back another time.

Bald Spot

By: payakoi Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

Very few people in the park, for a Saturday. Maybe its because the weather was a bit colder than it was last week. I found the cache quickly and made my way through the winding streets back to 280. What a nice neighborhood for the Stanford-types! It seems that some of the native foliage is starting to thin for the winter... TFTC!

Cottle Station

By: Stacy Jerry Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Tried again on the way to Morgan Hill to celebrate my nephew's 9th birthday; had more time to look on a Saturday morning. Sorry for the late log, festivities distracted me from the DNF in the morning... Is it still there?

Stanford Hospital Parking Lot

By: kablooey Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

What a difference doing addition correctly makes! I guess I was just thinking about other things last time I was here, because I had an incorrect longitude for the final step (and I can't figure out how I would have done it that way, either...). I was doing an errand at Stanford this morning, on my way south, and decided I had time (and a new tool added to my caching bag recently) to swing by and work on this one. Found quickly, although not in the hinted location (which I had pored over in July to no avail), so I replaced it according to the hint. TFTC!

Sep 17, 2004

Little Fellows

By: bthomas Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

After pulling into the parking lot and doing the arithmetic, I decided to make things more difficult for myself by not breaking out the flashlight for the search. It wasn't in the first place I stuck my hand, but I eventually found it. Thanks!

De Anza Camping Favorites

By: Sierra Hikers Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Was doing some caching in the dark tonight after work, and the GPSr led me a little bit astray. After bouncing around a little bit, I ended up back where I thought it would be in the first place! Nice little area, although I think I'll come back and see it in the daylight sometime... Traded a San Mateo County trails map for a Point Lobos map, Thanks!

CalTrain - San Mateo

By: normanb Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Got legal rockstar parking and took a short walk in the dark. It was fairly obvious after a first pass what I was going to do to get the cache, but just as I started to do it I had to abort and wait out some pedestrians. I wandered back to my car and then wandered back. TFTC!

Sep 16, 2004

Dam the Barbed Wire!

By: Woof! Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

Took a nice little walk after work to grab this one -- and holy hiding spots! -- that takes the cake! Thanks for the unwind.

Jepson Laurel

By: Woof! Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

I knew I was pushing my luck with the daylight by going to nab this one after doing Dam..., but I couldn't resist. I had a nice little walk and also saw the 2 deer-ettes, and then daddy deer and mommy deer just down the trail. They weren't all that concerned with me, or any of the speeding bikers for that matter. Easy find, and then I got to be spooked by the sounds of the deer crunching in the leaves just off the path while I was walking back. Even saw several bats starting their night. T: Chronic's CD and a digitalfish, L: picture frame and a toy mini compass. Thanks Woof!

Sep 14, 2004

Secret Trailhead #2 - Burlingame

By: Marky Joani Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I needed a distraction after (between?) work tonight, and had thought I left the City in plenty of time to hunt in the light, but alas it was not to be. Luckily I had my flashlight in the car, and the neighbors weren't tipped off by the moving beam. TFTC!

Sep 11, 2004

River Valley Run Cache #1: Boone and the Boonies

By: Squeamish(adopted by fishpounder) Difficulty: 4.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Regular

Came back to finish the multis today, and go to the nearby Pufferbilly Festival in Boone. After a short walk on what BuckyHef and I thought was a public path, we easily spotted the ammo can (it definitely won't be travelling anywhere on its own now). The mosquitos were out in full force, and we conveniently left our spray in the car, so we TN and left Lil Boy Blue TB to watch over the cache.

R. V. Run Cache #2: Haunted Hamlets in the Hills

By: Squeamish(adopted by fishpounder) Difficulty: 4.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Regular

So once you've got RVR1 done, it seems a waste not to do #2 while you're there... This was a fun drive around to some offbeat areas. I particularly liked the story at stop #9,while the other half of TeamBucky enjoyed taking photos at stop #8 and was amazed at how much traffic was in this rural area! Both of us really enjoyed our walk to the final cache site. The cache itself needs some help, particularly before the winter weather hits (but you knew that already). Thanks for a neat couple of days around Boone!

Sep 10, 2004

River Valley Run Cache #1: Boone and the Boonies

By: Squeamish(adopted by fishpounder) Difficulty: 4.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Regular

Got to the end of the steps with BuckyHef today, only to have to return to Des Moines before hitting the prize! I hope to finish this before this weekend ends.

Our Little Zoe