buckyd's Geoblog

Dec 31, 2004

And the rest

By: bthomas Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

At my "clean area" borders, and this cache seemed to just sit there and taunt me for doing all the things I do besides go caching during daylight hours. Finally got a good day to get down here, and had some help from WalruZ in staying focused despite the things that distract me when I do caches in this sort of location. The area was fairly well-visited today, but the final hide location was a nice break from the "crowds". Thanks for the smiley!

1870 Art Center

By: Billspursuit Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

This one was on the way to somewhere for us today, so we stopped by to see what all the DNFs were about. It was buried rather than hidden, and I returned it to its likely non-buried hiding position. Thanks for the quick one!

Harbor Patrol

By: TBD D Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Quad is starting to heal nicely now, and so I revisited the area on the way to more southerly places. Not the first place I looked, either visit. Coords seemed to want to zero out in a couple different areas, so I investigated them all today. Thanks for the cache!

Highlands Park

By: NavySparks Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

Nice little park. There were a group of people shooting off rockets nearby. I think they lost one while we were there. Quick find, and nice of someone to put the seating area there so we could sit down and sign in comfort! TFTC!

The Explosive Neopet Cache

By: Caylie Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

We musta used the same trailhead that Marky and Joani did. We really enjoyed the walk to this one -- not much of a strain on the ol' pulled quadricep muscle that's kept me off the mountains recently. I think I'm finally healing -- whoopeeee!!! It was an expedition to find and agree on exactly which trail we should ascend, but we got there just the same. What a great, simple hide! We also had a nice view and treated to some great impromptu mini-streams after the recent rains. No bikers to contend with today -- too muddy for them I guess. I don't think I've ever had a neopet before, so I couldn't make a good trade for this cache, TN. I left Sockmonkey TB to enjoy the location -- he's like a proto-neopet... Sorta. Thanks Caylie, for a great caching experience!

911 Police Department

By: F.C.P.D. Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

This was quite a nice cache, and really easy to find, but I guess there's little worry about plundering at this particular location... We enjoyed looking through the contents, as very few other caches sport the collection that this one has. Recognized a name on one of the cards from my distant high school past! Dropping a few TBs here. Thanks for the smiley!

Dec 30, 2004

GeoDice

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

Got some help from WalruZ on this one. Quick find, thanks!

Taylor-Made

By: The Owl and the Pussycat Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

Woops, wrong direction. It was a very unique way to see the park though, from under umbrellas on a rainy day. The water was spectacular, which is one reason to not try and cross it! We'll be back.

The Gate Promenade

By: bthomas Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

This one has been at the back of my mind for a week now, wondering what all the colors were and how I was going to get some rappelling gear together and avoid all the Homeland Security personnel at the site while I procured the required information from the coordinate location. After a few days of living some James Bond-like (the female version) fantasies when I should have been working, I realized exactly what each alternative meant -- only I couldn't tell which alternative went to which terrain/difficulty/color scheme. Enlisting the help of my trusy cache-mate, WalruZ, and making sure I had my cachemate with me, we set out to see what could be seen from wherever we were allowed to see it (I had not gotten the full set of rappelling gear together, as REI is a madhouse these days). We ended up at Orange on this Thursday. We had some issues with the numerical transformations (see WalruZ's log). We had some interesting possible locations to investigate at the site of the final coords. We stopped to chat about these, and lo and behold, came up with the actual location of the cache. Mission accomplished!

Edward's Nonsense

By: The Owl and The Pussycat Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Other

Since I finally got myself to the last cache that I needed to do for this puzzle yesterday, I figured that the thing to do was finish this cache off. I mean, its been something like a 6 month journey for me, which included a couple re-visits because I managed to either not pick the clues up or lose them along the way... Lo and behold, WalruZ also wanted some company on this particular hunt, so off we went. It was rainy and just a little windy, but we huddled under a couple of umbrellas for the search of the area. Thanks for the adventure!

Dec 29, 2004

Shark Fin Slough

By: The Owl and The Pussycat Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

Left work just a *little* early to grab a couple caches (withdrawal, you know). This was the last before dark fell and the sprinkling started. I really enjoyed the area just prior to the rains, its a real hidden gem of a park. Left a TB. TFTC!

Harbor Patrol

By: TBD D Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I was starting to get frustrated, what with contorting on my almost-healed pulled quadricep muscle, so I decided to move on. Thanks anyway.

Dec 25, 2004

Here It Is, Deer!

By: Just a Short Walk Along for the Ride Iron Che Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

bug swap!

Wherewolf?

By: CWeeks and HPaul Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

Its always nice to find such an old cache in such good shape. This is one of my favorite places to go for a walk, and now it is one of my favorite areas to find a cache in. Hmm, perhaps more caches are in order? Thanks!

Compagno's Cache

By: Pinky B Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Mmmm, a Christmas drive-by. Too bad they weren't open for a beverage. Their sandwiches are great! TFTC.

Life at the top

By: Pinky B Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I really liked this multi -- nice statue, easy arithmetic and a clever hide at the end. It was beautiful here this Christmas Day, and although there were lots of folks around the area, there were plenty of breaks in the foot traffic to grab and retrieve. Thanks!

Cache Creek Coin Exchange

By: Pinky B Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

Had a little help this time around, and so was able to get the Find. These structures always mess with my geo-sense, I believe. Thanks for the neat tour of PG!

Peek of the Course

By: Pinky B Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

Nice!! This is a favorite area of mine, for the nearby food, beach, and grounds. Thanks for bringing me back. Left Dr. Seuss stickers and a TB.

Monterey Lighthouse in PG

By: Pinky B Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

This was a quick find for me. Christmas services were just getting out nearby, so we sat down to enjoy the nice weather as I looked around. Thanks for the stop!

A Refuge By The Sea

By: Pinky B Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

Some bikers had to finish resting before I could get in there and do my thing, but they decided to leave just as we were sauntering up. Nice hide, and nice little rest stop on the boardwalk. Thanks!

Hoffman Hyde

By: Pinky B Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Brought a previous finder with me this time, and he couldn't find it either. We think its gone.

Tide Poles

By: Pinky B Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

There were a few items to look at, but it was a quick find anyway. The cache is okay, just lost a little bit of its ooomph. Still effective, though. Thanks!

Greenwood Creek Cache

By: Pinky B Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

I had never seen this little area before, with a little help I was actually able to get the cache -- these sorts of hides I just don't seem to do well on. Traded TBs and keychains. Thanks!

Dec 24, 2004

The Gate Promenade

By: bthomas Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

So, does that mean that there are an alternate set of starting coords? Or perhaps I require special equipment to get the info from the first stage when the Fort is closed?

Dec 23, 2004

Coyote Creek Pigeonhole

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

So, I pulled my left quad muscle a couple days ago while hiding some caches, and my leg had been killing me ever since. I'm talking no real range of movement for like 24 hours. Because of this horrible condition I found myself in (on a University holiday, no less), the intense hiking trip on Pleasanton Ridge that was planned had been abruptly cancelled. So, off to hunt some urban micros that I could actually hobble to without hurting my leg further. Unfortunately, I'm just not used to having physical limitations, and so we didn't read the terrain rating on the cache page before setting out. Gee, at first it didn't seem so bad -- there were hardpack trails and gravel roads and all sorts of relatively flat terrain to contend with. Then we figured we needed to head for the creek, hmmm, maybe across the creek, then. Well, there's a nice log over there that *almost* goes across, and hey, my feet aren't that big anyway. I could just do a little jump to get over there. My left leg just didn't quite make it across to the embankment. I ended up caching in soggy cold socks for the rest of the day. After tweaking my left quad again in some sort of animal hole near the cache site, WalruZ had to finish this one off for the both of us. Now to get back across the creek, which entailed a longer walk around and another wet shoe and sock. I really ought to wear my hiking shoes when out hunting urbans I guess... I'm not sure how much of this adventure was our own fault, for assuming a park in the middle of San Jose would be relatively low terrain, but I can surely say it was an adventure!

"We Live Here"

By: Jim and Jeanette Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

It seemed like an *interesting* area for a cache. At first I wondered if there was a significance to the vehicular residence nearby given the title of the cache, but we did note the island and strange thing sitting on it as well. Too much traffic to go ogle at it, though. TFTC.

Sister Cities: Fremont

By: WalruZ Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

A nice little walk in the park today, with just a little wind to keep it interesting. This is a very nice area, and a great place to watch the seagulls, ducks, and geese. Swapped some Dr. Seuss stickers for a neat ruler, and left Tailgater TB who would like to visit the professional sports coliseums in the East and South Bay. TFTC.

Secret Walkway #6 - Los Gatos Creek Trail?

By: Marky Joani Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

It was just starting to get dusk-y around San Jose when we figured out where to park to get to this one. The lines of pink were fighting with the dark blue sky coming out for the evening. We grabbed the flashlight, but ended up not really needing it for a nice stroll out to the cache site. Only a few bikers rode by, and didn't pay us much mind at all. I had pul led my left quad muscle placing some caches yesterday, so I stayed on even ground while WalruZ looked around for the cache. TFTC.

Happy Birthday JoeSpaz #25

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

Had the place to ourselves, and a previous finder with me, and still couldn't come up with it. Gonzo, I say.

Los Gatos Creek Trail - Hamilton Ave

By: Marky Joani Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

We had planned on two more tonight, before going to eat, but this actually was the last attempt. People can get grumpy if they don't eat, ask any one of those high-number cachers [;)]. Anyway, we really did a job on the places that one might hide a regular sized cache here, but couldn't come up with it. After a while, my aching leg wasn't really an issue, and I climbed on up to violate various foliage in the area just to get the find.

Brenda Allcia Lopez Plaza

By: Tammie the Dog Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Nice quick find on a day caching in the lesser travelled (for me) areas of San Jose. Thanks!

I can't chase Hummingbirds

By: Tammie the Dog Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

For some reason, WalruZ planted himself on the bench to talk on the phone, so I grabbed this one when he wasn't looking. Thanks for the cache!

Indy's Hideout

By: Geo Indy Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

Nice walk in the dark, complete with moonlight and gurgling creek sounds. We parked a bit farther than was necessary, but that made it all the more fun! TFTC!

Sly Dog's--Up Yours!

By: Marwagsalot (Maintained by nostrada) Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Quick find, WalruZ made the grab. The neighbors must all be at holiday parties tonight -- no one to worry about! Thanks.

Emma's Park

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

I wasn't quite expecting to have chickens run up to us while we walked through the grassy knoll to the cache site. It is definitely a unique area in San Jose, and gives a sense of what the area was like, say, 50 years ago. Chickens run fast, by the way. TFTC!

Way to Ebay

By: cc Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

I think we short-cutted on the parking for this one, but it was a nice quick grab that way! Thanks.

Dec 22, 2004

The Gate Promenade

By: bthomas Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

Hmmm, I should pay more attention to signs the first time around. The Fort is accessible only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5 pm. I enjoyed my bagel at the warming hut this morning, though...

Dec 21, 2004

The Gate Promenade

By: bthomas Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

Came by with Woof! after picking her up at the airport tonight. Since the description didn't mention the info was inaccessible when the Fort is closed, we thought we'd be able to get this cache from the info that was outside. Needless to say, the find wasn't going to happen after hours. Funny thing was, the patrol car sitting outside didn't ask us what we were doing there, we came and left at our leisure!

Randall Museum

By: WalruZ and BuckyDef Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

I had proofed the placement when it was hidden, and tonight I came back with Woof! to find it officially. The hide area was surprisingly busy at night, with "campers" and view-seekers alike peppering the dark area. We went around back and also encountered the locked gate, so it may be best to save this cache for a daytime run if you aren't comfortable hopping a 4' fence. When WalruZ and I were there (and the museum was closed), the gates were unlocked, so I guess its a nighttime issue. Like when originally placed, that view (and perhaps those stairs) takes my breath away, day or night. Thanks.

Jacobs Rock

By: Pinky B Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Small

This is a place that I've driven by umpteen times, but never bothered to stop. I only had the waypoint with me, and at first I was worried that my GPSr wasn't going to cooperate, what with all the rocks around, but I spotted it easily. I think that noncachers have been able to spot it as well, but all was okay inside. Things appear to have dried out since the last visit, but the next finder might want to bring some new ziplocs (bigger size) to hold the log and protect the cache contents in case of another rain. When I was finished, I rehid the cache so that it can no longer be easily seen when someone happens by. I left Beckerbuns' Bitty Blue Bear TB to enjoy the ocean and bring happiness to whatever future cacher picks it up.

Dec 19, 2004

Enchanted Moss

By: johnnyb5 Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

This cache was all about canvassing the area, as the GPSrs only got us so far. Several decoy items later, I found yet another area that matched the hint, and was able to spot the cache. I wasn't sure where WalruZ had disappeared to; it turned out he was tunneling downroot in one of the other decoy areas... It looks like some sort of critter has taken a meal from the tupperware lid, but otherwise the cache is in good shape. Thanks!

Uvas Cache

By: The Waite Family, adopted by Nazgul Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

This was a really neat spot, with raging waters at this time of year. On this section of the trail, we ended up seeing more natural water features and a few really nice waterfalls. All in all it was quite refreshing to be out in the area, and it felt like we had the place all to ourselves even though it was a beautiful day for everyone to be out hiking! WalruZ spotted the cache as he meandered across the steep slope, while I was hanging on to trees and trying to stay righted on the hill! I dropped Little Foster TB here, and swapped a few things for a GC.com thingy.

Contour Cache

By: Just a Short Walk Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

We attempted this cache by hiking up via the southern section of the trail. Between this one and Mc B on Pointe, which we sidetracked to later, I'm sure that my quads are going to be toast tomorrow. Compared to the last two caches we had attempted near the parking area, this area actually had sat signal and so we were able to easily figure out where to go. Camera is done, so no photos -- we TNLNSL. Thanks!

Waterfall Cache

By: jmartine Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

This was a nice time to come to this area, as the water was a-flowin' today. Strangely, for a place so close to the Bay Area, there were very few people in this park taking advantage of the great hiking weather and nice natural water features! This cache was the first of 5 today, and we were afraid that there wouldn't be any need for our GPSrs in this park after doing this (and the nearby) cache! Followed the hint and finally spotted it. Thanks!

Mc B on Pointe

By: Team Mc B Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Regular

Ouch my quads!! The trail just kept going, it seemed, up and up and up and up and -- oh, there's a switchback, gotta level out there. Nope. Up and up and up... Luckily, once we got to the cache area it was nice -n- flat, and someone very thoughtfully put a picnic table here which we put to good use before braving the downhill trip. This was the last cache we could fit in before losing daylight, and it was quite fulfilling to actually get to the top. Thanks!

Dec 18, 2004

Harmony of Shapes

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

Nice nighttime find, with the water flowing. I always like cache maintenance runs! Thanks WalruZ.

Dec 12, 2004

Peace Point Five

By: Bric Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Regular

I suggested an early start to today's Peace Points adventure, because after our PP4 excursion I was certain that we would need it. Ended up with a great little stroll out to #5 and I had tons of energy to continue afterwards. The rolling hill section of the hike reminded me of The Sound of Music a little bit, so I let loose with some sort of Julie-Andrewsish-NOT-sound and did some jumping around. The weather was calm here, and even though it was early I ended up in shirtsleeves about halfway through. As Bloo wrote, we needed the hint at the cache site, but it was one of those areas that you don't mind spending some time poking around in. Took some photos with the cache camera, as well as our own. Thanks, and onward!

Peace Point Six

By: Bric Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

Wow, we had allocated today for PP5 and PP6, but after finding this one we decided we were also up for PP7. The fog and wind made an interesting contrast with the last few caches that we were at, and also made driving to and from a little more interesting! Onward!

Peace Point Seven

By: Bric Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 4.5 Container: Regular

Dropping some bugs for Woof! to take...

Peace Point Seven

By: Bric Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 4.5 Container: Regular

Thanks so much for the series, Bric! This has been some of the most fun adventures I've had while geocaching thus far. This hike was definitely a challenge, and on more than one occasion my energy seemed to be zapped by the nearby (wo)man-eating bushes, the alien abductors that made off with my sweatshirt (but it mysteriously reappered at some point on the way back), and two (or was it one?) large black beings that ran amok on the trail. We crossed, then crossed back, then decided to ford the waters again, but finally prevailed to find the cache. I don't think we were even on deer trails for a while, and I know that the path I made Bloo and Woof! follow on the way back wasn't any sort of trail at all. But it was going toward the track on my GPSr, which is what counts in the end... Took the dollar, left a hawaii keychain. Took some photos with the cache camera, and all was peaceful in the world. Thanks again!

Bivouac on Tam's Mountainside

By: Seapork Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

Came back to the site today with Kablooey and Woof!, and took a ton of photos while they hunted. They found the cache in a not-very-hidden location, and certainly not where I had found it in August, so I put it back where Seapork had indicated after my DNF. I really like this vista -- fog or no fog!

Stinson Stash Coastal Cache

By: BooBooBee The Girls Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

Re-visited this cache with Kablooey and Woof! today. This is one of my favorite winter spots in Marin -- the lighting is different, the ocean is more active, and there are less folks around. Dropped a TB. Thanks.

This Cache is Mine

By: Bric Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Micro

This one goes down on my "unique experiences" list. I figured out just about what we were to do, and then where to do it, but a part of me still said "you're not going *there* are you?" to the other part of me. Caching always trumps phobia, particularly when there's an audience, so in I went -- first even. It was I that spotted the creatures.

They looked like the bugs from Starship Troopers, only slightly smaller. But I continued. The creatures seemed to multiply as we delved further for the search. As my trusty minimag approached the cache, whaddya know, a creature was less than 2 inches away from the cache. I tried to coax it away from its spot with the flashlight but it was having none of that. Not wanting to raise the ire of the potential (wo)man-eating whatever-it-was, I set my flashlight down to come at the cache from a different angle. Woof! jumped, I flinched, but the creature stood its ground. Finally I finessed my fingers around the opposite end of the cache from the creature, and we did the geocacher thing -- TNLNSL. Woof! was apparently paralyzed with fright from the experience, but a stern word from me got her moving again.

After I got a safe distance, I let loose all my pent-up heebie-jeebies, which probably scared the bikers whizzing-by.

Bloo got some photos of the things, so hopefully he'll post them here.

Cascading Dreams of Infinite Canyons

By: Erickson Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Small

What an awesome place! I would have never found this nature preserve (or where to park for it) if it weren't for caching. This is definitely the season to come see this one -- the water was moving! Having been a dunce and leaving my palm at home, we were going on waypoints alone, but found relatively quickly. We took lots of photos on the way to the cache site, and again at the cache area. Thanks!

Dec 11, 2004

Honor Roll

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

I must have really been on drugs from the dentist last time I was here -- basically walked right to it and signed the log tonight. TFTC!

One More

By: WeBeDnD Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

This was one, wait no two, more for me on a gas break while travelling from Monterey to San Francisco. Thanks!

Cache Creek Coin Exchange

By: Pinky B Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

I must not be at the top of my game today, but I did spend a fair amount of time looking... Nice park, anyway, that I didn't know about beforehand.

Krazy for Keychains

By: Pinky B Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

My first and last find of the day, apparently. I always enjoy parking on Holman and walking around this area, and the weather today was perfect for it. This walk did my brain some good, and I'm now thinking I should've stayed away from the micros I attempted later. Such a nice day, straightforward hide, and a great place to leave a few TBs. Swapped a Cricket Wireless LED keychain for a clear Hawaii keychain. Thanks PinkyB!

Hoffman Hyde

By: Pinky B Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I half-heartedly tried this one after striking out at Creek Cache, but by this time my head wasn't really into it. Thought I looked and felt in all the 1/1 places, but I could have missed something...

Who's Lyon?

By: WalruZ Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Micro

I came by tonight to visit the cache, since I was in the area and remembered there were a few DNFs. Managed to interrupt two people enjoying the view tonight (ahem), but found the cache intact and in the location it was in July.

The Little Easy

By: MotorBug Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I didn't have a problem with sprinklers, but random walkers silently creeping up the path in the dark - managed the grab and sign anyway. Thanks!

Dec 10, 2004

Wooden Brother

By: ChrissySkyking + Blaze Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I guess I needed an extra push from a prevous finder, and I can't believe I didn't spot this one the two times I came before. Of course the dead squirrel on the second try sort of ended that search prematurely... Anyhow, as I was in the area tonight to run an errand at the reasonably nearby Jeep dealership, I thought I'd try again in the dark. This time it worked. Thanks for the cache!

Dec 7, 2004

Wood over Iron

By: GoToStJoseph Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

Nice hide! WalruZ made the grab on this one, but we both enjoyed taking some time to see the view. TFTC.

Cache of Catan

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

I don't think our way was quite the way cyan_blue had in mind for solving the puzzle, but it did bring us to the area -- which I will definitely devote some time to and go through the nearby attraction on another visit. I'm sure there is some neat history there which WalruZ and I missed by going after work. TFTC!

Dec 5, 2004

Alum Rock Overlook

By: WalruZ Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Regular

Today was a nice, if not slightly hazy, day to be up in Alum Rock, and this cache pulled me up the mountain a lot faster than I might have previously gone. The spot is perfect for a cache-stop, and wonderfully hidden to boot. The inner-child in me wanted to explore the cache site in more detail than was perhaps required for the find, but my initial attempts to do so sure were fun! Thanks, WalruZ for a great day in the park, and a fabulous milestone find (500).

Alum Rock Overlook

By: WalruZ Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Regular

Waypointing a few TBs I took on the hike for mileage.

Once a bridge

By: Team feline Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

A fun find as the light waned. It was even more fun trying to ford the stream in the twillight! Thanks for the cache.

Spring Time

By: WalruZ Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

To riff on a oft-quoted movie line, I love the smell of fresh sulphur in the ... Well, nevermind, you get it. I just about toppled this one to alert some nearby noncachers, but I kept my cool and ended up with a cache. I seem to be collecting TBs today, so took the Mustang TB. Too bad the mineral baths are long gone, TFTC!

F.A.M.E. #1

By: DavidT21 Fisherwoman Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

I came to hike around in Alum Rock Park with WalruZ, starting at the high point and working down, and so was able to grab this one on the way out. It was not quite dark yet, and I had to time the retrieval around several walkers headed back to their cars. Took the TB, thanks for the smiley!

Penitencia Covered Bridge View

By: GeoBrowns Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I was still giddy from getting the car out of the parking lot to Alum Rock past dusk when WalruZ had stopped the car for some unknown reason. I instinctively looked at the GPSr and gasped! Another cache to find! This is just too convenient, TFTC!

Woodland Trail

By: GeoBrowns Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Small

Hunting this cache was hilarious!! There were no fewer than 4 tom turkeys and about a dozen (probably more) female turkeys that wanted to call this little spot theirs. Consequently, there was lots of squak and gobble around here late this afternnoon, which we didn't help to reduce since my geo-sense was leading me right into their fold. Thankfully they moved, rather than charged (do turkeys charge when provoked?!?) and I was able to investigate a logical place for a cache hide! TFTC.

Railway Bridge

By: GeoBrowns Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I thought this was a very nice hide, particularly since I've not seen something quite like this -- not having done many caches in the geobrowns home area -- but it really needs to be rated a higher difficulty, say 2.5 or 3. I would have given up my search long before if WalruZ hadn't told me that it was underrated. I normally match my method to the expected level, and so once I adjusted my thinking, the find came in a matter of time. Thanks!

Rustic Lands Hollow

By: GeoBrowns Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

Nice hide, I looked in the normal cacher place(s), then had to stop and think. Then get a flashlight from WalruZ because these darn winter days are getting so short! TFTC!

Horse Chestnut Trail

By: GeoBrowns Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

As WalruZ noted, it was dark by the time we made our way down from the ridge area to this cache, and we were operating with a mini light since the big flashlight was in the cache (and I'm never prepared for night caching, it seems). Following the glow from my GPSr backlight and WalruZ's mini light, we made our way gingerly to the site and were so pleased to see the big light there! How cool is that?!?! Driving out the in gate, priceless...

Rock Junction

By: geobrowns Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Small

I somehow managed to backtrack to do this one, then proceed forward, then realize that I wasn't paying attention to my caching (something about good hiking company will do that to me), and had to backtrack again to get some more numbers. At the cache site I felt like throwing my GPSr somewhere, when WalruZ assured me that I wasn't nuts and all was well in cacher-land. All-in-all a fun cache -- Thanks for the smiley!

Inspiration Point Hitching Post

By: GeoBrowns Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

This was a fabulous little area to sit and think/rest/wait out the non-cachers. Thanks for the stop!

Alum Rock Bay View

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

WalruZ and I had stopped and read the sign for quite some time on the way up, but didn't happen to memorize its contents. Someone has attempted to vandalize the sign, which was kinda depressing [:(] , but it was still readable. I'm actually sort of glad that we sauntered up the hill and missed the first leg of the multi, because it was pretty fun to go down the switchbacks we had just gone up. Call me weird, but these are some nice trails... Not much of a view here today with the haze, but a very pleasant morning on the ridge nonetheless. I spotted the cache as we got close to the final area, and WalruZ replaced it so that I couldn't when we left. Thanks, M & J for a nice cache experience!

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

By: CDNinCA Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

This should almost be a DNF for me, because I was following my GPSr entirely too closely! After WalruZ got in on the act, the search expanded "just in case" and there it was with a nice new sticker, compliments of the ranger. This cache is certifiable, apparently! Thanks for the smiley!

Dec 2, 2004

(#6) Rest Stop on the Hill

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

Wow. This one is straightforward, with the new hint. I had about 46-53' (~32ft EPE) at the cache site on my last few visits, zeroing always within range of the neighbor's eyes. Cache is a little smaller than advertised, so I couldn't make a trade with what I had with me, but a nice find nonetheless. TFTC!

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