mjp303's Geoblog

Mar 31, 2009

Bay Area Quadrangle Challenge

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 4.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

Bug drop.

Mar 28, 2009

Lunch Break

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

I've always wondered who put these stumps here. Very considerate of whoever it was! TFTC. mjp303

Coast View From Irish Ridge

By: CKayaks Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Small

Out for a hike with not2b, scpet. and kids. It was a great day to be outdoors! After fishing about in a lot of places, we finally found the well concealed cache in a very accessible place. Thanks for giving us an excuse to stop and enjoy the view, even though it was a bit hazy. TFTC. mjp303

Saluting General of Lobitos Creek

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

After several trips down here, I finally snagged a cache at this magnificent tree. My timing with respect to muggling has been poor in the past, but I think your hiding spot will last. The distance and elevation change make it a challenge to get here, but it's well worth the effort. TFTC! mjp303

Semi-Secret Trailhead

By: Woof! Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Replaced. Send me an adoption request if you want.

Mar 19, 2009

Saprolite

By: The Scout Master Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

It doesn't look like a special rock...oh, wait, let me correct that since I did find a cache nearby...yes, most definitely, a very special rock! Thanks. mjp303

A Rite Xylem Wall

By: The Scout Master Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Thanks for placing the cache in a location that allowed some privacy! mjp303

Cami's Cat Cache

By: SYJC - GeoTeam Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Small

Tonight was the last chance to cache before returning to CA tomorrow. As usual, I was out and just following the arrow. Geo-roulette, and I hit the jackpot. The hike to the falls was well worth the effort, and I appreciated a little reward in the form of your cache along the way. Thanks for pointing out a remarkable place! mjp303

OLD FRIENDS

By: blueberryjoy Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I haven't converted any of my old friends to geocaching, but I sure have made a lot of new friends through the activity. Thanks for giving me a chance to reflect! mjp303

...Redworm's Cache

By: OzGuff Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Small

Straight up the hillside was tough today. The fallen leaves were slick from the rain. Going up was okay, but traversing over to GZ and decending were a challenge. Fell once on the way down. TFTC. mjp303

Between Caesar Head and Table Rock

By: Polar Fleece Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Not chosen

Wow! Nice twist. I've seen this hide location (of course!) and cache container (pretty unusual actually), but never together like that. Very enjoyable hunt. TFTC! mjp303

Parietis Bellicus

By: Polar Fleece Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Everyone but one fellow focused on where they were headed. So I had to wait him out. TFTC. mjp303

MTP TR

By: The Scout Master Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

Hey! It's not a Rite-Aid. What's up with that? TFTC! mjp303

Behind the Rainbow

By: The Scout Master Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

The establishment was quiet and dark despite the fact that a sign in the window said that it should be open. After finding the cache, I noticed the sign along the street out front saying 'Thanks for 50 years of memories!' I wonder if the owners have decided to retire? TFTC! mjp303

On the Way to Keowee

By: jratzlaf Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

The log was completely soaked, but fortunately I had a fine point sharpie to make my mark. Sorry I didn't have a replacement. TFTC. mjp303

Bear Island

By: FASTFRANK & WANDA Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I had to dodge the fishermen, but otherwise it was a quick find. There were several other much more challenging hiding spots nearby, so I was glad to find the cache were I did. Thanks. mjp303

Always # 33

By: firefrog69 Adopted by FASTFRANK & WANDA Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I think this cache's days are numbered. They're building some shops behind the object that conceals the cache, and pretty soon they'll take it down. I spent some time watching the workers install an overhead support beam. They used a forklift and a single chain to get it in position. Looked a little dicey to me! Glad they didn't drop it. TFTC. mjp303

High-end Cache by the Lake

By: The Animator Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Regular

With recent rains, the lake is really full. That made for a little excitement as I crossed the 'spillway' area. I had to pass a trio of no tresspassing signs to find solid ground to walk over to the other side. Then it was a bushwhack up. This is the third cache in a row where I've had to do the same thing. There are plenty of good hiding spots down low, but no...ah well, that's what you told me you were going to do. Pretty spot. TFTC. mjp303

Kayaker 007's birthday cache

By: kayaker 007, kayaker 1967 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

Went to the wrong spot. Cursed my misfortune after realizing that the coordinates are wrong. Slipped and fell on the way down. The leaves were wet, and that made things a lot worse. Eventaully got it. Suprised no local has put an SBA on this cache with the owner obviously AWOL. mjp303

Heritage Green

By: FASTFRANK & WANDA Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

First of this afternoon's run. It looks like a potentially busy spot, but I didn't see anyone outside. The widget was pointing to the wrong side of the driveway, but I spotted the cache quickly. Thanks. mjp303

Trust Me!

By: NC_Ron & Dianne Difficulty: 3.5 Terrain: 4.0 Container: Regular

I was out playing geo-roulette on my last night in SC before returning to California tomorrow. Randomly following the arrow from cache to cache, what were the chances I would end up here! What a jackpot! A tough hike along a steep trail, but well worth the effort. Thanks for showing me a little bit of the natural beauty of this area. There's now a mansion on a little knoll just below the falls. What a view from those windows! Jealous. I was really sad I didn't have my camera to capture the moment, but I'll treasure the memorie s. Thanks for the cache! mjp303

Mar 17, 2009

Cache only

By: rods & ropes Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Not chosen

Due to recent rains, the log is now soaked. Fortunately I had my fine point sharpie to sign with. I'm not a fan of those cork stoppers. Thanks for a creative hide that brought a smile to my face though. mjp303

Education in Motion

By: shadowrider03 Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

Thanks for placing a cache for me to find! I'm visiting the Greenville area from the San Francisco Bay Area in California for a work assignment. It was great to get out and enjoy the sunshine after all the rain that's come down recently. TFTC! mjp303

Under A Dollar

By: The Scout Master Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Thanks for exposing me to everyone coming and going! I studied this one for a few moments from about 50 feet away. Once I knew where the cache was, I approached and made the grab without stopping. Thanks! mjp303

Westside III

By: FASTFRANK & WANDA Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

Everyone who leaves the parking lot has to pass by this spot. In my neon yellow t-shirt, I really stood out. I suspect everyone in the dozen or so cars that passed by thought I was quite strange! Good fun. mjp303

Welcome Welcome

By: FASTFRANK & WANDA Difficulty: 3.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

The camouflage on this cache is painfully worn. I'll bet the boys down the street who watched me leave examine the contents of the cache on a regular basis. I'm glad they're respecting the game. Thanks! mjp303

Little Black Box: 8

By: Firefrog69 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Got it. Had to dodge a guy on his smoke break. TFTC. mjp303

Little Black Box: 7

By: Firefrog69 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

On the first pass I'd forgotten my flashlight. On the second pass I didn't need it. Sigh. mjp303

Little Black Box: 6

By: Firefrog69 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

The prickers on those bushes are sharp! TFTC. mjp303

Little Black Box: 5

By: Firefrog69 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

The prime parking space was taken, so I had to walk a few extra feet for this one! TFTC. mjp303

Up a Tree

By: Five Cache-ka-teers Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

Out for a St. Patrick's day cache run, this was the first cache I was able to search for. The previous two were in parks packed with people enjoying the weather after several days of rain. TFTC! mjp303

My name is Earl

By: rods & ropes Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Not chosen

I don't understand the name of the cache, but I did find it. A sheriff drove by while I was extracting the log sheet. He hesitated, but didn't stop to ask if I was ok. Late for dinner I suppose. TFTC. mjp303

Dead

By: Five Cache-ka-teers Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

The owner of the adjacent business was packing up for the day, and gave me a double take. I quickly raised the widget to my ear cell phone style and started an animated conversation with the WAAS satelite. He was none the wiser. TFTC. mjp303

Hickory Trickery

By: FASTFRANK & WANDA Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I wandered around aimlessly, attracting idle attention others in the park until eventually stubbing my toe on the well concealed cache. By then, the muggles were bored, so I was able to make the grab. Thanks! mjp303

Cache Road

By: FASTFRANK & WANDA Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

I've now gotten a thorough tour of this area. Thanks for pointing out the routes that have been passed up by 'progress'! mjp303

Mar 14, 2009

GeoChess ? White Bishop 1

By: Cache Attack Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

An interesting discovery there in the bushes! A couple of ladies over in the grocery store parking lot accross the street glanced at me suspiciously, but I smiled and waved. They looked away, embarrassed that I had caught them in the act of being busibodies. TFTC. mjp303

GeoChess ? White Knight 2

By: Cache Attack Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I can confirm that the knight is still at his post. However, he is nearly overwhelmed by worms that are storming the keep. I had to remove about 5 of them in order to open the lid of the container. This is a tricky hide! TFTC. mjp303

GeoChess ? White Knight 1

By: Cache Attack Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

What a cool place to play if you're a student at the school! I was glad that classes weren't in session though. It made parking and access much easier. TFTC. mjp303

GeoChess ? White Rook 2

By: Cache Attack Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

There was a dance in full swing at the community center near this cache when I arrived. Fortunately I was able to find a parking spot though. Also fortunate was the fact that the lid of the cache container has some reflective property, and my headlamp picked it up right away. TFTC. mjp303

GeoChess ? White Rook 1

By: Cache Attack Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I think my brain was starting to get a little addled with all the letters and numbers. I had to go back to the cache a second time because when I got to the car, I couldn't remember what the code was! TFTC. mjp303

GeoChess ? White Queen

By: Cache Attack Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

I figured the coordinated of this cache over a burger in the front seat of the car. I was a bit nervous about whether the coordinates were correct. Did I make a mistake? Copy down an incorrect code somewhere? Approaching GZ, things looked somewhat promising. I saw an access road, but thought it was a driveway, so decided to park in the nearby church lot. Approaching around the lake, I was suprised by a dark car that suddenly roared to life and headed out. Some sort of lover's lane back there? I guess they were suprised by me too. Soon I realized that I was going to have to go down in a low, swampy area. I stumbled around in the dark, and finally spotted a likely spot. Hmmm. Nothing visible. So I jabbed in there with a stick and heard the satisfying clunk of metal. It was completely covered in mud and branches, but everything inside was clean and dry. Taking the code sheet, I happily moved on. TFTC! mjp303