mjp303's Geoblog

Sep 26, 2009

California DeLorme Challenge (Northern)

By: KCSearcher (adopted from Haicoole) Difficulty: 5.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

A fantastic adventure that I ignored for a long time, thought I'd never finish, finally got tantalizingly close, and then finally pushed over the finish line. Many thanks to bthomas who shared a common goal for many pages, and especially my family who were forced to vacation around the pursuit of far flung places and seldom travelled roads. After missing each of my 3 previous thousand milestone caches with common finds, I got #4000 right with a memorable achievement. Thanks for providing the inspiration for my own Bay Area Quadrangle challenge, and for the opportunity to visit many beautiful and interesting places in Northern California! mjp303

Sep 25, 2009

Bridge Over Troubled Water 4

By: E Ticket Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

Found on my visit to the area. Lots of canals around here. TFTC. mjp303

End Of The Road #96 -- Elkhorn Drive

By: jerryw38 Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

Lots of golfers around. They probably thought I was lost! TFTC. mjp303

Jolly Old..... Stockton??????

By: Uncle AL Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Virtual

Interesting theme! I wonder how it affects resale value. Thanks for pointing out this spot. mjp303

Windmill Cove

By: E Ticket Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

Pretty quiet as I parked and started my search, but man did it get busy! Lots of people coming and going, including a herd of gardners waiting for their invitation to enter at the gate. TFTC. mjp303

Ethan's Cache #2

By: FJ JAY Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Passing through the area, and needing a few caches for my DeLorme challenge. I felt a little awkward lurking near the school fence with a PE class going nearby, but fortunately no one noticed my presence. Thanks! mjp303

No Camo #3

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

Passing through the area, and needing a cache or two for my DeLorme challenge, this cache was a quick an easy solution. Page 97 is in the books! Thanks. mjp303

WWTD #3

By: Plantpeddler Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I've seen this type of hide before, but it still took a moment for the light to switch on. TFTC. mjp303

Sep 23, 2009

Nanu Nanu

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

Nada

Sep 22, 2009

Bridge Banter

By: WhyFi Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

A lot more quiet at this spot than my previous three finds. Warm sun, cool shade and pleasant breezes. Perfect for a lunchtime caching adventure. Thanks. mjp303

City Park

By: WhyFi Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

Again, lots of folks both big and little about, but no one paid me too much attention. Nicely hidden! TFTC. mjp303

Millbrae Center

By: WhyFi Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Quick find under the watchful eye of the guy in the computer repair kiosk. When I asked for help, he said, 'Oh, no, you're going to have to do the work for yourself.' TFTC. mjp303

Village Park

By: WhyFi Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I slipped in before the end of lunch hour. Another 10 minutes and a find would have been impossible due to the start of a pre-school soccer class. Even so, I had to contend with several eagle-eyed moms. TFTC. mjp303

Sep 18, 2009

Find with "Ease"ment

By: Maplover1 Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

Easy to find, but tough to retrieve with fat fingers! Fortunately I had a little tool! Don't push it back too far. TFTC. mjp303

PROFESSOR COLDHEART

By: CNDGIRL1 Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Small

Second visit, and found the cache in the geological spot. Thanks! mjp303

Down To The Sea

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

They're still manning the entrance booth, so I had to park at the golf course and walk over. An enjoyable stroll through the eucalyptus trees. TFTC. mjp303

Sep 11, 2009

Have a Seat

By: Harleyman1 Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

My widget put GZ in the swamp, but I knew what to do. A sytematic search found the cache in a geo-logical spot. Thanks. mjp303

William's TB Hotel and Emporium

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

This looked like an interesting place, but alas, I didn't have the time to browse. I was tempted to take a TB, but I didn't have one to trade for, so I respected the rules and TNLNSL. Thanks. mjp303

Downtown Oasis

By: Chickahominy Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I like downtown pocket parks. Thanks for pointing this one out. Easy searching since it was deserted, in spite of pleasant lunch-time weather. TFTC. mjp303

Waitin' on a Woman

By: SCrebel Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

This one had me going for a few moments, as my geosense was drawn to another closeby object. Eventually I reconsidered and spotted this tricky hide. Thanks! mjp303

Challenge 7: Muggle-Mart (ALWAYS a 5/5!)

By: Team Tigerz Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Lord Thor spotted me on approach, and we chatted while waiting for a break in the flow of people. Nice to meet you, and thanks for providing cover! mjp303

Temptation Returns ... Do Not Log This Cache!

By: Team Tigerz Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Picking up a few on my way to the airport for my flight back home. Sorry, I'm addicted with no hope of reform. [;)] mjp303

Lake Wally

By: Team Tigerz Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

That tree is looking a little parched! Perhaps they could siphon a bit water from the lake to give it a drink! TFTC. mjp303

Ninja on the Twisty Tree Trail

By: Brainy Ninja Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

I thought I could loop around to this cache from 'Have a seat', but that was not to be. Backtracked for a quick find in a pretty area. TFTC. mjp303

FLAT #1

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

Yeah, the log book is a total loss. I signed with a sharpie on one of those plastic thingies that they use to identify plants at nursery, which happened to be on the ground closeby. The cache is totally exposed right now, very easy to spot from the trail. I was reluctant to put it back in a better spot for fear that it might get swamped again. Interesting trail; thanks for bringing me here. mjp303

The Beginning of the Trail

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

Thanks to local cachers, I have enjoyed quite a few of these trails. Hardly any bugs, despite prevalant warnings to the contrary, which is a very good thing. Thanks! mjp303

Wallace Woods

By: donorgirl Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

I enjoyed the cabins and the historical plaques, and then wandered down the trail to find the cache. Very nice! Thanks for bringing me to this spot. mjp303

Beware of the Wolves

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

Hidden in plain sight! Nice. TFTC. mjp303

Francis Would Be Proud

By: Mvillian Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I like historical markers! Thanks for helping me learn about this area. Next stop the airport for my flight back to California. TFTC. mjp303

Sep 10, 2009

Robin Hood's Cache

By: Harleyman1 Difficulty: 3.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Not chosen

Visiting from California. That cache camouflage really blends in! Pleasant walk along a pretty trail. Thanks. mjp303

Lee Bug Hotel

By: Postoak22 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

Visiting from California. I really enjoyed this area. Getting a coin to take back home was a nice bonus! TFTC. mjp303

A Chunin Mission

By: Brainy Ninja Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

Visiting from California. Found the cache quickly, assuming my work was done. Doh! Nice twist. TFTC. mjp303

Poncho Is Watching You!

By: Lord Thor Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

Studying local caches, I had come across the nearby quartet in Lee State Park. The cache owner had suggested this one as well, so I decided to make the trek from Florence. Fun hide, which I found as advertised under the watchful eyes of 5 lamas who came trotting over as soon as I arrived. There was also the fellow in the driveway of the house beyond the trees, who returned my wave. I was happy to notice that the lamas had a Summer haircut. I imagine that it might be pretty uncomfortable around these parts with a normal coat! Thanks for sharing this interesting spot with me. mjp303

The Billy Goats Gruff Geocache

By: Lord Thor Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

That's quite a bridge! I found the cache in good shape and didn't even have to pull out my flashlight. I did see a huge Garden Spider though! Oh boy those things creep me out! TFTC. mjp303

A Genin Mission

By: Brainy Ninja Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I really enjoyed walking along this trail. There was some sort of insect sac glued on the side of the cache container. Never seen that before! Thanks. mjp303

Fun with LOGarithms

By: Brainy Ninja Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

Visiting from California, and staying in a hotel nearby. Thanks for pointing out this trail, and giving me an opportunity to relax and find a few caches! mjp303

James Jenkins

By: donorgirl Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

Visiting from California. Thanks for a quick find along my route. mjp303

Pin - Up

By: jon & miki(adopted by coupleofcards) Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Small

3 for 3 in the park this afternoon, although I had to work a bit more for this one. Thanks for the chance to experience SC nature up close! mjp303

Well, Well, Well

By: jon & miki(adopted by coupleofcards) Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

Visiting Florence from California. Browsing the cache map, I spotted this park and its caches placed in 2002, which gave me the chance to apply my caching motto: when in doubt, go with the oldie. Thanks for pointing out a very nice area, and opportunity to explore! mjp303

Spring Chicken

By: jon & miki(adopted by coupleofcards) Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

Visiting from California. I parked in the deserted campground and made the short walk to this cache. Very nice. I must admit I've never seen soil as sandy as what I walked across during the journey. Very interesting. TFTC! mjp303

Sep 9, 2009

Florence Veteran's Park

By: Lord Thor Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Visiting from California. This was a very interesting location! Thanks for pointing it out, and TFTC. mjp303

Brother, can you spare an Euro?

By: Lord Thor Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Small

Visiting from California. A nice little stroll in the woods. TFTC. mjp303

Happy Anniversary!

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

Visiting from California. Thanks for pointing out pleasant area for a walk after work. mjp303

The End of the Trail

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

Visiting from California. Yeah, I'd say it's about 5 downed trees past the end of the trail. [;)] Coming from the euro cache, I was suprised to find that there was no easy access, but backtracking around the pond did the trick. Thanks for the walk and the cache! mjp303

TRU FLORENCE MICRO

By: raemtu Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Visiting from California. I could see the hide location from my hotel room, so it was pretty much mandatory that I give it a try. Probably not a one star difficulty back home, but the cache page gave plenty of leading hints once I bothered to read it. TFTC. mjp303

The east end of I-20

By: LDeanL / JoshW Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

Visiting from California. Ack! Lots of huge garden spiders! Thanks for the bushwack, and TFTC. mjp303

Sep 7, 2009

In Sam's Right Pocket

By: Dragons West, Mini Cacher & AirSax Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

On the way to the Franklin Point beach for a Labor Day outing, this cache was along the less travelled path. Got boxed in by a horse trailer, but made a quick find. Thanks. mjp303

The Lost Village of Bellvale

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

Found on the way back from the beach. We had to wait for a couple who were picking up trash along the road to pass by. They wondered if we were lost. Heh! mjp303

Relax and Drift Away

By: HMB Lipripper Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

I've been to the top of this trail before. Thanks for the excuse to hike it again. Great views in the late afternoon sun! mjp303

Beth Jeans Memorial Childhood

By: sheriff and the outlaw Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

We stopped along the way to the beach. This looks like a lovely area for a picnic. TFTC. mjp303

Soggy Log Saloon

By: GeoWomyn_SF_CA (with L-grl) Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Retrieval was no problem, but replacement became problematic. I needed a human screen who made a show of admiring the cute and free puppies on a flyer! TFTC. mjp303

Sep 4, 2009

Green Hills Park

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

I signed a blank log sheet at 2:40pm. Nice park, and good placement away from where the kiddies play! A great way to start out a holiday weekend. Thanks. mjp303

Excalibur's Home

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

A nice little hike from free parking down below. I loved the views! Thanks for introducing me to another side of this overlooked county park! mjp303

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