Sunday, September 17, 2006
September 15, 2006
Growing Micros: This was a well-constructed multi-cache, although, like vaccine, I nearly walked away when I realized what the task for the first stage involved. Then, I called him to find out if there was a shortcut. Nope, there isn't. It'll be interesting to see how long this lasts. FWIW, these kinds of situations still make me uncomfortable, and I was glad not to be there during business hours. The second stage was quick and easy, but the third was a bit more challenging because of a temporary obstruction. I liked the final cache container. TFTC!
September 14, 2006
New Vista Park: K-league practice was underway about 20' from the cache, so I had to scan for it from a shielded vantage point. Fortunately, the hide was easy to spot, and when the scrum migrated to the far end, I made the grab. TFTC!
September 12, 2006
Kiss of the Oceans: I was back today for my reprise visit. Except for a few moments of uncertainty searching for 'hearts', things went smoothly. I think the new final location will be much safer, although I did have to wait out a lady who stopped to train her puppy: 'Sit, Rosco, sit!' she said. On my way back to work, I noticed a mural at the corner of Ocean and Junipero Serra that promiently features the sundial. TN, but left a Yellowstone pin. Thanks again for a very interesting and educational cache!
Rock Innie: This cache is near the top of my nearest list, and since I needed a scenic drive to unwind after work, it turned out to be...on the way home.
CM08: I had lock, but the EPE was +/-85 feet. Naturally, I was drawn to the object associated with the cache title, which turned out give me searching fits. After about 10 minutes, I retired to the hood of the car to reconsider the situation, at which point inspiration whacked me over the head! It was my first time on this road, which was quite enjoyable. Thanks for luring me off the well-travelled path!
CM10: Whew! This cache was a toughie, even with the hint. I lost lock soon after arriving, and since I didn't know which side of the trail the hint was referring to, I had to search both. Of course, I spent most of my time on the wrong side. The gathering late afternoon shadows made searching the nooks and crannies difficult, but eventually perserverance paid off. No way I was going to go away empty-handed after coming all the way down to this cache! Thanks!
Rock Innie: This cache is near the top of my nearest list, and since I needed a scenic drive to unwind after work, it turned out to be...on the way home.
CM08: I had lock, but the EPE was +/-85 feet. Naturally, I was drawn to the object associated with the cache title, which turned out give me searching fits. After about 10 minutes, I retired to the hood of the car to reconsider the situation, at which point inspiration whacked me over the head! It was my first time on this road, which was quite enjoyable. Thanks for luring me off the well-travelled path!
CM10: Whew! This cache was a toughie, even with the hint. I lost lock soon after arriving, and since I didn't know which side of the trail the hint was referring to, I had to search both. Of course, I spent most of my time on the wrong side. The gathering late afternoon shadows made searching the nooks and crannies difficult, but eventually perserverance paid off. No way I was going to go away empty-handed after coming all the way down to this cache! Thanks!
September 11, 2006
The Five Senses: BALANCE: 2TF @ 8am. I had the kids help me solve this puzzle since I didn't want to over think it. They found it straightforward, so I think you can say that it is 'kid-tested, and, gauging from their interest in several of the pictures, 'kid-approved'. After finding the cache, I made a 7-rock stack. I can see that this little exercise will likely get competitive, so I may have to come back and try for something a bit higher! Thanks, and I'm looking forward to the next edition in the series!
California Ave. Art: Thanks for the tour of California Avenue! Except for a BA employee who was assigned to harrass people who parked in their lot accross from stage 5 (I had decided to do the series backwards), it was quite enjoyable. I quickly found alternate parking close-by and jumped into the task without missing a beat. It appeared to me that you could have added several addtional stages to this cache, but I appreciated being able to just enjoy those without anything to figure out!
Historic Palo Alto (Mayfield) 4: Having already stretched my brain on California Avenue, I figured why not? I recognized some similar information from previous rain734 caches at stage 1, but stage 2 was completely new to me. Although I had seen it from the street many time, I had no idea as to the subject, so thanks for getting me to stop and take a look. I liked the final hide too! Nicely done! A smilely I can look back on with satisfaction.
Play Ball II: What a great place to meet! Here's to many happy days to come!
California Ave. Art: Thanks for the tour of California Avenue! Except for a BA employee who was assigned to harrass people who parked in their lot accross from stage 5 (I had decided to do the series backwards), it was quite enjoyable. I quickly found alternate parking close-by and jumped into the task without missing a beat. It appeared to me that you could have added several addtional stages to this cache, but I appreciated being able to just enjoy those without anything to figure out!
Historic Palo Alto (Mayfield) 4: Having already stretched my brain on California Avenue, I figured why not? I recognized some similar information from previous rain734 caches at stage 1, but stage 2 was completely new to me. Although I had seen it from the street many time, I had no idea as to the subject, so thanks for getting me to stop and take a look. I liked the final hide too! Nicely done! A smilely I can look back on with satisfaction.
Play Ball II: What a great place to meet! Here's to many happy days to come!
September 9, 2006
CAUTION DUANE HOPS BROADWAY: Nicely done! This one had me going in circles! I hope it lasts.
Stanford_Wasteland: A quick and simple find. After locating the container, Ted, 6, declared, 'Dad, that's not a small cache!' I'd tend to agree. We'd left the kiddie swag bag in the car, but I was able to scrounge a pin out of my fanny pack so that he could trade.
Tao of Bykenut: Once I got some clarification on the puzzle from another cacher, I was able to solve it. On approach, we ran into atc (Nice to meet you! ). My coordinates had me zeroing in the neighbor's backyard, but we found the tell-tale signs soon enough. Being a large container, I brought the boys along, and they weren't disappointed! Ted traded for the medal, John for a mini eightball, and I exchanged TBs. Thanks for a fun adventure, and, happy belated birthday!
Stanford_Wasteland: A quick and simple find. After locating the container, Ted, 6, declared, 'Dad, that's not a small cache!' I'd tend to agree. We'd left the kiddie swag bag in the car, but I was able to scrounge a pin out of my fanny pack so that he could trade.
Tao of Bykenut: Once I got some clarification on the puzzle from another cacher, I was able to solve it. On approach, we ran into atc (Nice to meet you! ). My coordinates had me zeroing in the neighbor's backyard, but we found the tell-tale signs soon enough. Being a large container, I brought the boys along, and they weren't disappointed! Ted traded for the medal, John for a mini eightball, and I exchanged TBs. Thanks for a fun adventure, and, happy belated birthday!
September 6, 2006
RWC Dome: A little caching after the unevent tonight with vaccine and rjb2001. This was a new twist on an old theme! TFTC.
Grapes of Math: I'd seen this vineyard before. It's kind of an oddity in such an urban area. Thanks for bringing me back for a cache! I traded coins.
The Five Senses: TASTE: Nice view! My favorite tastes are in the savory category, shrimp, cheese, and grilled steak, although spicy tastes are pretty good too. One of my favorite dishes that combines the two is Thai curry: red, green, yellow, it doesn't matter, they're all good. There's a really great Thai resturant on El Camino in San Mateo called Chao Praya. Thanks for a great series!
Grapes of Math: I'd seen this vineyard before. It's kind of an oddity in such an urban area. Thanks for bringing me back for a cache! I traded coins.
The Five Senses: TASTE: Nice view! My favorite tastes are in the savory category, shrimp, cheese, and grilled steak, although spicy tastes are pretty good too. One of my favorite dishes that combines the two is Thai curry: red, green, yellow, it doesn't matter, they're all good. There's a really great Thai resturant on El Camino in San Mateo called Chao Praya. Thanks for a great series!
Friday, September 15, 2006
September 4, 2006
BLUFF FALLS CACHE: We found this cache after finishing up our Labor Day weekend of camping. There was plenty of evidence of recent activity at the campsite, but fortunately we didn't disturb anyone. A great waterfall view! Thanks.
A place to recharge: We're headed home from a Labor Day adventure. Thanks for the creative hide!
Are We There Yet?: It's still pretty early into our trip home. Everybody knows we're in for the long haul...I sure hope we beat the rush! TFTC.
The Cinder Stone: We'd stopped here 3 days ago on the way up the mountains, but I forgot to check the GPSr. On the way back, we decided to eat across the street just for variety's sake, and I didn't miss the second opportunity to snag a cache.
A place to recharge: We're headed home from a Labor Day adventure. Thanks for the creative hide!
Are We There Yet?: It's still pretty early into our trip home. Everybody knows we're in for the long haul...I sure hope we beat the rush! TFTC.
The Cinder Stone: We'd stopped here 3 days ago on the way up the mountains, but I forgot to check the GPSr. On the way back, we decided to eat across the street just for variety's sake, and I didn't miss the second opportunity to snag a cache.
September 3, 2006
Eskimo Hill Cache: On our way to hike a place with no caches, and I was getting the DTs! Thanks for the quick fix.
Snowmobile Park Cache: We weren't going to stop, but one of the kids suddenly had to go. No dice...but I suppose the summer months are kinda slow. TFTC!
Highway or Backway: I was pretty bamboozled until I reread the cache description. It seems my head was tilted in the wrong direction. Thanks.
BIG BEAR: We enjoyed the little bushwhack to find this cache. Thanks for getting us off the beaten track!
Rocky Ridge: This cache was an interesting study in contrasts! The first half cool and dark; the second sunny and hot. What an interesting place, and a cache to top it all off! Thanks.
Sleeping Giants?: On our way to hike Cinder Cone in the park, the possibilities of this view point were too enticing to pass up. Thanks for the little hike and the chance to use the spotting telescopes. We overshot the cache a bit and started to search a little ways down the hill, but then adjusted after checking the terrain rating. On the way out, we saw the bumper sticker on a truck that read: 'I'm not a hippie, and I'm not a cowboy. I'm a mountain man.' Perfect! Thanks.
Snowmobile Park Cache: We weren't going to stop, but one of the kids suddenly had to go. No dice...but I suppose the summer months are kinda slow. TFTC!
Highway or Backway: I was pretty bamboozled until I reread the cache description. It seems my head was tilted in the wrong direction. Thanks.
BIG BEAR: We enjoyed the little bushwhack to find this cache. Thanks for getting us off the beaten track!
Rocky Ridge: This cache was an interesting study in contrasts! The first half cool and dark; the second sunny and hot. What an interesting place, and a cache to top it all off! Thanks.
Sleeping Giants?: On our way to hike Cinder Cone in the park, the possibilities of this view point were too enticing to pass up. Thanks for the little hike and the chance to use the spotting telescopes. We overshot the cache a bit and started to search a little ways down the hill, but then adjusted after checking the terrain rating. On the way out, we saw the bumper sticker on a truck that read: 'I'm not a hippie, and I'm not a cowboy. I'm a mountain man.' Perfect! Thanks.
September 1, 2006
Dunnigan, Again: We're on our way to a Labor Day weekend camping trip. Gotta hurry 'cuz the site doesn't take reservations, but couldn't pass up a few really close-by caches. Thanks!
Get Smart: Eyes firmly fixed on the go-to screen, I drove right by the automobile parking...everyone in the car thought I was a bit crazy, but I didn't care. TFTC!
Willows Break - I Hate I-5: Everyone was keen to stretch their legs, but their enthusiasm waned when the thorny weeds started pricking their sandle-clad feet. That left me to make the trek alone. Oh well.
Capone's Cache: Headed to camp at Manzanita Lake, somehow I thought A6 would be a nice little shortcut! Well, it was shorter, but it cost me a package of dramamine to keep the kids' lunches in place. Thanks for luring me on to a less travelled road!
Manton View Cache: Great view! We were glad to be escaping the heat of the valley for a weekend of camping though. TFTC.
Get Smart: Eyes firmly fixed on the go-to screen, I drove right by the automobile parking...everyone in the car thought I was a bit crazy, but I didn't care. TFTC!
Willows Break - I Hate I-5: Everyone was keen to stretch their legs, but their enthusiasm waned when the thorny weeds started pricking their sandle-clad feet. That left me to make the trek alone. Oh well.
Capone's Cache: Headed to camp at Manzanita Lake, somehow I thought A6 would be a nice little shortcut! Well, it was shorter, but it cost me a package of dramamine to keep the kids' lunches in place. Thanks for luring me on to a less travelled road!
Manton View Cache: Great view! We were glad to be escaping the heat of the valley for a weekend of camping though. TFTC.
August 31, 2006
look out above: 2TF @ 4:45p 'As Seen from the Sky' was my first cache over 3.5 years ago, so thanks for bringing me back to my beginnings! At that time, it was the closest cache to my house in Redwood Shores...things have changed a bit since then. I liked the paint job on your cache! Thanks.
Fangorn: Like Shores Scout, I too had noticed this spot and thought about placing a cache there. Thanks for taking care of it!
Fangorn: Like Shores Scout, I too had noticed this spot and thought about placing a cache there. Thanks for taking care of it!
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Saturday, August 26, 2006
August 26, 2006
Trains, Toy Planes, and Automobiles: On our way to 'Little Dinos', we stopped here for a warm-up. There was one quite large plane being loaded into the back of a truck. I suppose they were done flying it. Nice to see a large cache so close and convenient. TFTC!
Phone Home: We were passing by after a trip to the beach. Thanks for the pit-stop in a scenic spot!
Tiny Dinos: With school starting next week, it's the last weekend of the summer. As a result, I was under a bit of pressure to come up with an 'adventure'. Somehow I stumbled on this cache, and noticed that it had been given some attention recently. Everyone got on long pants and sleeves, and off we went. It turns out we didn't need that protection for most of the way since the trail had recently been cut back. (I assume the cache owners were probably part of that effort. Thanks!) The last 200' were a little overgrown, but not bad...I'm sure the story will be completely different in a couple of months, though. We found the cache quickly, and made several trades. Green for white Jeep, CA and KS micro coins for the torn mailer coin, and, of course, toys in and out. This was a fantastic trail. We played in the tree for a long time, and saw all sorts of wildlife along the way. After finishing the hike, we changed into wading gear and played on the beach for the rest of the afternoon. I think my reputation as adventure provider remains intact. Thanks for the assistance!
Phone Home: We were passing by after a trip to the beach. Thanks for the pit-stop in a scenic spot!
Tiny Dinos: With school starting next week, it's the last weekend of the summer. As a result, I was under a bit of pressure to come up with an 'adventure'. Somehow I stumbled on this cache, and noticed that it had been given some attention recently. Everyone got on long pants and sleeves, and off we went. It turns out we didn't need that protection for most of the way since the trail had recently been cut back. (I assume the cache owners were probably part of that effort. Thanks!) The last 200' were a little overgrown, but not bad...I'm sure the story will be completely different in a couple of months, though. We found the cache quickly, and made several trades. Green for white Jeep, CA and KS micro coins for the torn mailer coin, and, of course, toys in and out. This was a fantastic trail. We played in the tree for a long time, and saw all sorts of wildlife along the way. After finishing the hike, we changed into wading gear and played on the beach for the rest of the afternoon. I think my reputation as adventure provider remains intact. Thanks for the assistance!
August 22, 2006
Carlos Theater: I didn't need a GPSr this time...just a peek at the satelite photo was enough to get the job done. TFTC.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
August 20, 2006
Goose for the Gander: Although I managed to come up with a solution, I have no idea what this puzzle is talking about. Perhaps you could enlighten me at a future unevent? Thanks!
Monta Loma: Not really a park hide in my book...more of a hidden walkway cache, but let's not quibble about it. A lady with a German shepard had just passed by when I started my search, and after a few minutes I discovered (...with my hand...yuck!) that the dog had 'marked' the hint item. In anycase, a nice hide in an interesting location! TFTC.
Bus Bench Bogaloo #5: Thanks for the quickie! I took the TB.
They Call This Art?: Sunday night find...the perfect time to nab this cache. Thanks!
10 Essentials: Nobody here on a Sunday night except me and couple of employees from another store rounding up shopping carts, which was just the way I wanted it. ...although, on second thought, I would have like to restock some of my essentials. Another day, soon! TFTC.
Monta Loma: Not really a park hide in my book...more of a hidden walkway cache, but let's not quibble about it. A lady with a German shepard had just passed by when I started my search, and after a few minutes I discovered (...with my hand...yuck!) that the dog had 'marked' the hint item. In anycase, a nice hide in an interesting location! TFTC.
Bus Bench Bogaloo #5: Thanks for the quickie! I took the TB.
They Call This Art?: Sunday night find...the perfect time to nab this cache. Thanks!
10 Essentials: Nobody here on a Sunday night except me and couple of employees from another store rounding up shopping carts, which was just the way I wanted it. ...although, on second thought, I would have like to restock some of my essentials. Another day, soon! TFTC.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
August 19, 2006
HHHH 4 EWE: We arrived on scene, but felt a little inhibited about searching for the cache since neighbor family was out working on their yard nearby. Eventually their 4-year old son came around the corner of the fence to say 'Hi'. 'Do you want to see the sheep?' he says. 'Yes!' say my boys. So he proceeds to rattle the fence and shout 'Here sheepie, Here sheepie!' at the top of his lungs...and, lo and behold, here come the sheep at a brisk trot from the back of the lot! So, we ended up checking out the sheep (who, for some reason were disappointed not to get a treat) for quite awhile during which I managed to spot the cache, and take care of the reason for MY visit! Thanks!
Tennis Court/Putting Green...Here?: There was a family driving a remote control car in the middle part of the lot, but we were able to conduct our search and log behind my strategically placed cachemobile. TFTC!
Welcome Aboard!: No parking issues late on a Saturday afternoon, although there were a couple of people snoozing in their cars in the lot we chose. John and Ted were pretty interested in the object mentioned in the hint and quickly started up some sort of spaceship game while I took care of the cache. Thanks!
Tech Stuff: Nice to see you again, dw! After parking down the street a bit, first we passed a huge spider who was in the process of sucking the life out of a fly and then later a beehive at the kids level just along the sidewalk. We traded a bit, and I took the TB. TFTC.
Wee Willie Werry's Whimsy: Thanks for showing us this park! Arriving on scene, John and Ted made a beeline for the playground, any opportunity for cache swag long forgotten. I wandered off, found the cache, and realized that they were going to want to check this one out! After quite a bit of discussion and negociation, we had our trades worked out, and they went back to the climbing wall for a bit more fun while I finished off the 'dirty work'. Nicely done!
Tennis Court/Putting Green...Here?: There was a family driving a remote control car in the middle part of the lot, but we were able to conduct our search and log behind my strategically placed cachemobile. TFTC!
Welcome Aboard!: No parking issues late on a Saturday afternoon, although there were a couple of people snoozing in their cars in the lot we chose. John and Ted were pretty interested in the object mentioned in the hint and quickly started up some sort of spaceship game while I took care of the cache. Thanks!
Tech Stuff: Nice to see you again, dw! After parking down the street a bit, first we passed a huge spider who was in the process of sucking the life out of a fly and then later a beehive at the kids level just along the sidewalk. We traded a bit, and I took the TB. TFTC.
Wee Willie Werry's Whimsy: Thanks for showing us this park! Arriving on scene, John and Ted made a beeline for the playground, any opportunity for cache swag long forgotten. I wandered off, found the cache, and realized that they were going to want to check this one out! After quite a bit of discussion and negociation, we had our trades worked out, and they went back to the climbing wall for a bit more fun while I finished off the 'dirty work'. Nicely done!
August 17, 2006
Mariner Kakuro: I came up with a solution yesterday, but decided to check with Shores Scout since it looked like it might be a little muddy to get to. He pointed out to me that I had failed to follow all the rules of the puzzle, and that lead me to a logical solution. The cache was a quick find this morning on the way to work. TNLNSL. Thanks for showing me Kakuro!
August 16, 2006
All Tied Up in the Tree House: With significantly less vegetation than during the DNF on my last visit, I walked right up to the exposed cache. Unfortunately, I startled some people who were walking their dogs, and weren't expecting somebody lurking in the bushes. I hate it when that happens. TFTC.
Carl's Cache: I really enjoyed this cache! A beautiful location combined with a somewhat tricky find and retrieval! I really didn't have the right shoes on, but perservered for the satisfying find. It seemed like just the spot to drop my green jeep. Thanks!
This Stop: Arleta!: I found this cache just as the sun was setting. A nice setting and interesting history. TFTC!
Cowell Ranch Beach: I started out for this cache after the sun had set, so it was getting quite dark by the time I arrived on scene. I really enjoyed having the beach all to myself. On the way back, dozens of rabbits had emerged and were hopping along the edge of the trail. Thanks for the adventure!
Carl's Cache: I really enjoyed this cache! A beautiful location combined with a somewhat tricky find and retrieval! I really didn't have the right shoes on, but perservered for the satisfying find. It seemed like just the spot to drop my green jeep. Thanks!
This Stop: Arleta!: I found this cache just as the sun was setting. A nice setting and interesting history. TFTC!
Cowell Ranch Beach: I started out for this cache after the sun had set, so it was getting quite dark by the time I arrived on scene. I really enjoyed having the beach all to myself. On the way back, dozens of rabbits had emerged and were hopping along the edge of the trail. Thanks for the adventure!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
August 15, 2006
Bacon End: For some reason I thought this cache was going to be hidden on a stairway. I guess I should read the descriptions more closely! For some reason, whenever I cache in McLaren Park I feel like I'm being watched...not sure why. TFTC!
Bart: Glen Park Station: A tough cache to grab during commute time! TFTC.
City Stairway: Valmar: Thanks for showing me this interesting stairway, and associated views. The cache was really visible! I put it back in the same spot, but it's hidden much better now.
City Landmark #78: 2TF @ 5:30p My GPSr zeroed about 50' from where I eventually found the cache, not suprising I suppose given the aerial interference. However, because of that error, I was searching in a place that disturbed Fido across the fence. Then I went back and read the cache description again more carefully, and was able to find the cache in short order. Thanks for showing me this place and sharing the interesting history. I traded TBs.
Peace Knoll: One of six in an after work sweep. After locating the signature landmark...which definitely wasn't what I expected, the cache was a quick find. The fog is rolling in quickly tonight. TFTC.
Tee Time: I made the trek from Peace Knoll. It was a bit steeper than I had anticipated, but, as advised, I stayed on trail and everything worked out fine in the end. I'm still trying to figure out what purpose that cache container served in its previous life. Thanks!
Bart: Glen Park Station: A tough cache to grab during commute time! TFTC.
City Stairway: Valmar: Thanks for showing me this interesting stairway, and associated views. The cache was really visible! I put it back in the same spot, but it's hidden much better now.
City Landmark #78: 2TF @ 5:30p My GPSr zeroed about 50' from where I eventually found the cache, not suprising I suppose given the aerial interference. However, because of that error, I was searching in a place that disturbed Fido across the fence. Then I went back and read the cache description again more carefully, and was able to find the cache in short order. Thanks for showing me this place and sharing the interesting history. I traded TBs.
Peace Knoll: One of six in an after work sweep. After locating the signature landmark...which definitely wasn't what I expected, the cache was a quick find. The fog is rolling in quickly tonight. TFTC.
Tee Time: I made the trek from Peace Knoll. It was a bit steeper than I had anticipated, but, as advised, I stayed on trail and everything worked out fine in the end. I'm still trying to figure out what purpose that cache container served in its previous life. Thanks!
Saturday, August 12, 2006
August 12, 2006
Rogue Ramblers' 45-Step Birthday Cache: With 36 hours to think about it, and confirmation from a previous finder that I was looking in the right spot, I returned this morning for a second attempt. That's a tricky little bugger! After making my way through the 45 stages...again, I eventually made contact. Thanks!
August 10, 2006
Let's Play!: I slipped in just before closing time and made short work of it...this time. TFTC.
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