January 2, 2008

Coast King

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

A family outing to Natural Bridges SP to see the butterflies (not so many right now) led to lunch at the French Bakery. Our food was much, much better than brussel sprouts! TFTC.

Whale, you're here

By: skylanth Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

On a family outing to see the butterflies nearby, we happened upon the Marine Science Institute because of this cache. What a great find! After listening to a docent talk about the whale skeletons, we went inside and the kids got to hold a bunch of sea animals. Thanks for pointing out the spot.

Dam Hicks! (Nazgul Secret Trailhead #2)

By: Team Nazgul Difficulty: 3.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Walked right up to it, but only because I've found a couple of more recent variations by a certain cacher that lives up my way. Thanks for a fun hide.

Alien Rover

By: ProTechCC Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Small

Nice hike under clear skies. Cache container gave me a split-second shock! TFTC.

Marine Science Earthcache

By: Team Nazgul Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Not chosen

We came to Santa Cruz to see the butterflies at Natural Bridge SP nearby, but the Marine Science Institute was the real find of the trip! We really enjoyed our visit, and appreciated learning about the marine terraces through this earthcache. We estimated the distance from the bluff to the terrace to be about 50 feet. Thanks!

Chemistry: Chapter 11

By: ProTechCC Difficulty: 5.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Small

I've solved this puzzle twice before, losing the solution since I never got around to making the find. Finally though, I knew I needed it for my matrix, so I got serious about making the trek way down south. At ground zero my widget was pointing a little bit off trail, and I was tempted to follow it. Then I turned around...Oh. [;)] The signature on the log above mine mentioned that (s)he had found it without a GPSr, but couldn't understand which waypoint it was! Heh. [}:)] Thanks for a fun puzzle and a pleasant hike.

Above the Mine

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

In the park for another ProTechCC cache and had to grab some others nearby. Loved the views. The reservoir is quite low, but I expect that will change soon. TFTC.

Secret Trailhead #12 - Natural Bridges

By: Marky & Joani & Woof! Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

I made a quick diversion to find this cache during a family outing to see the butterflies. It was fun to look through all of the old log books. TFTC!

December 31, 2007

Shady Grove

By: the voucher Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Small

End of the year cache run. Nice little hike to this spot, although it appears that some have found a short-cut by climbing through the fence. Their loss. TFTC.

Our Pilot

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

End of the year cache run. It seemed really exposed to me. There was a nice pair of sunglasses sitting nearby on a railing. Someone lost them I suppose. Watched a hang glider land in the nearby field. Very cool. TFTC.

Sweet Springs Trail

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

End of the year cache run. I drove around for a while looking for the trailhead, and realized that the closest spots were at the wrong elevation. Circled back and found the access, but still had to climb a pretty steep hill. Loved the pretty trail. TFTC.

The King of Redwood Shores

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

End of the year cache run. Pedestrians, bicyclists, cars: busy! busy! busy! I stuck out like sore thumb. Noticed several deer in the king's yard. TFTC.

Lake? What lake?

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

End of the year cache run. I enjoyed my long and winding trip up to this cache. The canyon is beautiful and green. Thanks for the placement.

Unit #4

By: Roman 8:28 Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

End of the year cache run. Lots of families in the park today enjoying their new presents in the warmth of the afternoon sun. TFTC.

Quilter Trail Pipe Dream

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

End of the year cache run. Another very pleasant trail. Thanks for pointing it out. The cache was visible as I hiked up the trail, so I bravely placed it further into its hiding place when I was finished. TFTC.

Log This Rock

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

End of the year cache run. Once again, drove around looking for access. I should know better with digitalfish caches [;)]. Eventually found it, and the cache shortly thereafter. Nice hide. Lots of deer hoofprints in the muddy trail. TFTC. The Caught Red-Handed coin IS still there.

Pony Tracks Ranch

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

End of the year cache run. Didn't need to be discreet since it seemed that the owners of the establishment were on R & R elsewhere. TFTC.

The Los Trancos Woods Marching Band

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

End of the year cache run. I threaded my way up to the cache site, and then had to wait out not one, but two neighbors! Boy, was that uncomfortable! Searched for a few minutes, and then found the cache on the ground a few feet from where it was supposed to be. Thanks for the interesting story!

Barkley Fields and Park

By: Roman 8:28 Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

End of the year cache run. You had me stumped! I had to find the other one before I had the insight needed to make this find. TFTC.

The Lost Village of Searsville

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

End of the year cache run. Lost, but not completely forgotten. Thanks for another history lesson. It's been a while since I had seen this signature hide, but fortunately I remembered it. Thanks!

Denis Was Here (aka Thornewood's Back Door)

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

End of the year cache run. My GPSr was useless here. I wandered around for a long while then called a lifeline. TFTC.

You Must Be This Tall...

By: jasmerb Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Small

End of the year cache run. I took a quick walk up the trail to find this cache. Thanks for introducing me to Windy Hill OSP. I'll be back for the rest of the caches higher up. TFTC.