I can't tell all of you what a wonderful week I had. This was a fantastic group, eager for the fun, adventure and learning opportunities that geocaching has to offer. I hope this blog serves as a source of information and review as each of you enjoy geocaching in a way that suites your lifestyle and enhances your travels.
If you need any help, be sure to email me. If you're ever in NEFGA territory geocaching and would like a companion on the cache trail, let me know.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Day Five - Caches along a route/Pocket Queries/GSAK
Congratulations to AnnapolisMG for scoring the last of the Bonus caches!
Today, Hostelers delved into the software that can help them plan there caching trips as well as add some geocaching to their other travels. We downloaded and installed Google Earth. This online mapping tool can be lots of fun for getting a birds eye view of our world, but it's primary use in geocaching is creating a route we can use to generate a list of caches along a route.
Hostelers used Google Earth to plan a route to there next destination, then we used that file to run a "Pocket Query" on geocaching.com. A pocket query is generates a .gpx file of gecaches which is emailed to our own email account. That files is then opened using GSAK.
We discussed the differences between EasyGPS and GSAK, primarily that GSAK is a more powerful and versatile program. We also discussed the differences between the .loc files we used on Tuesday when we when to Live Oak, and the .gpx files we were working with today. The .loc files contain only the waypoint name and number and the coordinates, while the .gpx file contains all of the information on the cache page.
We then set up GSAK to load Waypoint in our GPS with more useful information. On the GPS menu in GSAK, select "Send Waypoints". On that window, "Use Defaults" should NOT be checked. Under Waypoint name, the following text should be entered - "%drop2%typ1%con1%bug". Under Waypoint Description, enter "%smart/%hint" (do not enter quotes). Click here for an image.
This configuration will cause GSAK to drop the "GC" at the beginning of every Waypoint number and add information at the end that will tell you what type of cache you are looking for (T=Traditional, M=Multi, etc) and what size the container is (M=micro, R=regular, s=small, L=large). It will also shorten the cache name and add the hint to it in your GPS. This why you already have most of the useful information about the cache in your GPS without referring to the cache page.
Following our discussion of some of the other capabilities of GSAK, we explored some of the variations of geocaching, such as Waymarking, Benchmarking, and Terracaching.
Today, Hostelers delved into the software that can help them plan there caching trips as well as add some geocaching to their other travels. We downloaded and installed Google Earth. This online mapping tool can be lots of fun for getting a birds eye view of our world, but it's primary use in geocaching is creating a route we can use to generate a list of caches along a route.
Hostelers used Google Earth to plan a route to there next destination, then we used that file to run a "Pocket Query" on geocaching.com. A pocket query is generates a .gpx file of gecaches which is emailed to our own email account. That files is then opened using GSAK.
We discussed the differences between EasyGPS and GSAK, primarily that GSAK is a more powerful and versatile program. We also discussed the differences between the .loc files we used on Tuesday when we when to Live Oak, and the .gpx files we were working with today. The .loc files contain only the waypoint name and number and the coordinates, while the .gpx file contains all of the information on the cache page.
We then set up GSAK to load Waypoint in our GPS with more useful information. On the GPS menu in GSAK, select "Send Waypoints". On that window, "Use Defaults" should NOT be checked. Under Waypoint name, the following text should be entered - "%drop2%typ1%con1%bug". Under Waypoint Description, enter "%smart/%hint" (do not enter quotes). Click here for an image.
This configuration will cause GSAK to drop the "GC" at the beginning of every Waypoint number and add information at the end that will tell you what type of cache you are looking for (T=Traditional, M=Multi, etc) and what size the container is (M=micro, R=regular, s=small, L=large). It will also shorten the cache name and add the hint to it in your GPS. This why you already have most of the useful information about the cache in your GPS without referring to the cache page.
Following our discussion of some of the other capabilities of GSAK, we explored some of the variations of geocaching, such as Waymarking, Benchmarking, and Terracaching.
Fun and Games
Congratulations to the Bears on their narrow victory in "Pursecaching". MVP goes to their runner, Don "Refrigerator" Pinto. It was an exciting competition and a dead heat right to the end.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Day Four - Hiding a Cache/Cammo
Today, Hostelers were exposed to a wide variety of cache containers and learned the proper application of cammo paint. The containers turned out beautifully. Be sure whenever you're painting plastic that you use paint that bonds to plastic, such as Krylon "Fusion". Otherwise, you risk your work of art flaking off. Between coats of paint, we reviewed the guidelines for hiding a cache as well as the form for listing a cache.
After doing a fantastic job of painting the lock and lock containers, they were filled with swag, a log book and a pen. Everyone hid a cache and everyone found one of the caches that were hidden, giving all participants a "ready to hide" cache when they get home.
We also took a group picture.
Congratulations to Jester! for scoring another BONUS cache.
After doing a fantastic job of painting the lock and lock containers, they were filled with swag, a log book and a pen. Everyone hid a cache and everyone found one of the caches that were hidden, giving all participants a "ready to hide" cache when they get home.
We also took a group picture.
Congratulations to Jester! for scoring another BONUS cache.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Day Three - Logging/Caching Stephen Foster State Park
Hostelers got some experience logging both travelers and caches today, and picked up some nice icons for the stats page. We managed to install GSAK, in preparation for Fridays class, when we will learn some of the capabilities of this great software.
Though there were thunderstorms forecast, it turned into a beautiful day and we enjoyed a nice lunch at Nelly Bly's.
Though there were thunderstorms forecast, it turned into a beautiful day and we enjoyed a nice lunch at Nelly Bly's.
All the caches in the park were found. Our group was able to pick up some local history, enjoy some of the offerings of Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park.
Congratulations to Jester! for scoring her second Bonus Cache! Remember, there is a reason they call them SAW Palmettos.
Congratulations to Jester! for scoring her second Bonus Cache! Remember, there is a reason they call them SAW Palmettos.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Day Two - Intro to Software/Caching Live Oak
With our internet connection finally established we launched into setting up our Geocaching identities and loaded EasyGPS. We got off to a rocky start but perseverance paid off and we soon all had our waypoints loaded. Prior to hitting the road for our excursion into Live Oak, we discussed ways of being a positive member of the Geocaching community through appropriate trading, cache maintenance, CITO and environmental awareness.
After a fine Pasta lunch, we were off to Live Oak for some urban caching. All nine caches were found, though not be all.
Congratulations to team fdpoland on scoring BOTH Bonus Caches!
After a fine Pasta lunch, we were off to Live Oak for some urban caching. All nine caches were found, though not be all.
Congratulations to team fdpoland on scoring BOTH Bonus Caches!
Day One - Caching Camp Weed
Congratulations to Jester! and Marsh Bunny on finding the Bonus cache. The correct answers to the questions leading to the were Bill Clinton, clock, Rubicon, L attitude, 38th, and 0.
I believe everyone struggled with Question 2, choosing sextant over clock. The sextant was a navigational tool that had been around for many years before there was an accurate clock, and without an accurate clock, the sextant is inaccurate as well. A sextant determines the angle of the sun in the sky, but without a clock to fix time, knowing where the sun is doesn't tell you where you are. Only with an accurate clock providing a fixed time for a fixed location could you then translate the position of the sun into longitude.
Many Hostelers were able to find all the caches in Camp Weed and many found their first published cache, Camp Weed, located at the entrance. Once we all have geocaching identities set up on geocaching.com, be sure to log this cache.
I hope everyone enjoyed the Geowoodstock 5 video. This years event, Geowoodstock 6, is already scheduled for Memorial Day weekend near Sacramento, California.
I believe everyone struggled with Question 2, choosing sextant over clock. The sextant was a navigational tool that had been around for many years before there was an accurate clock, and without an accurate clock, the sextant is inaccurate as well. A sextant determines the angle of the sun in the sky, but without a clock to fix time, knowing where the sun is doesn't tell you where you are. Only with an accurate clock providing a fixed time for a fixed location could you then translate the position of the sun into longitude.
Many Hostelers were able to find all the caches in Camp Weed and many found their first published cache, Camp Weed, located at the entrance. Once we all have geocaching identities set up on geocaching.com, be sure to log this cache.
I hope everyone enjoyed the Geowoodstock 5 video. This years event, Geowoodstock 6, is already scheduled for Memorial Day weekend near Sacramento, California.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Welcome To Camp Weed
Welcome to Camp Weed. This Elderhostel program is designed to provide an introduction to the sport of Geocaching, including the tools available, applying those tools and using them to select and locate geocaches. In addition, the program will help participants understand ways to be a positive member of the Geocaching community.
We will explain the origins of Geocaching and the written and unwritten rules of the game. We will explain the use of a variety of hardware and software and incorporate its use into additional activities.
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