Saturday, July 25, 2015

Apologies

I really hate it when work gets in the way of geocaching and other activities but that is exactly what has happened to me the last 3 weeks.  It will be a while longer before this current assignment is up but just wanted to let everyone know I had not forgotten about everyone.

I am currently working 10 - 12 hours a day, 6 days a week and that schedule leaves little time for much else.

I promise I will continue not only with the upcoming picnic reports but also the new geocacher series soon.  Please hang in there until I finish this current assignment.

SuffolkPapa - - - - Tom - - - - or just plain ol' - - - - - SNAP!!!

Monday, July 13, 2015

2 Quick Items for You

Not a normal blog but I wanted to get to things out to y'all.

1) With just a little over 2 1/2 months to go till the picnic, about half of the top 10 lists I have put together are now published both on the picnic site (click here)  and on a special page of this site (see menu on right side of page for the "13th ANNUAL GCHR PICNIC" page.  In fact of you go to the 13th ANNUAL PICNIC page on this site you will see almost 20 links to information not only for the picnic but also for local information AND all the lists I have been working on plus one special list coming at the end. 

AND

2) I normally try to post blogs in the same order as I accomplish them BUT in this case I am going to jump ahead just because of how good these two geocaches were.

If you normally read our blogs about or geocaching days you know that we NORMALLY have a really good cache at the end of the day to which we award our "COVETED" SNAP!!! Cache of the day award.  

Sunday, Nana & I took off from the house early mainly to do some cache maintenance.  Since we were going as far as Scotland (West side of the Jamestown Ferry) we added just a few caches to break up the long trip.

After doing some maintenance we happened upon two really interesting caches.  The Cache Owner's name is somewhat familiar to me but that could just be a different cacher as the stat page shows snowurchin to be a fairly new cacher.

The first cache is GC5RAQT - Mate in One -  I arrived at GZ and was immediately smiling at what I had found and it only took a short while after to make the find of the cache.

Once I came out of the woods and told Nana what I had found and she then entered to take pics (no I will not spoil your fun by posting them here)

While She was taking pics I started reading the cache page for the second cache,  You HAVE TO READ this cache page - quite a lot of work went into it.  Once you have digested all that information follow the instructions on the page to get to GC5TRPC - North of Tower.  This cache was tremendous!!!   We awarded it the "COVETED" SNAP!!! Cache of the Day and it is well worth your visit.

Both of these are must do caches !!!

Next time you are out in Isle of Wight county - make sure you drop by and do these 2 caches!



Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!


Suffolk Nana & Papa - - - or just plain ol' - - - -  SNAP!!!

Top 10 Caches in York County

With the 13th Annual GCHR Picnic fast approaching, I figured I would put together several lists detailing the best caches around the area.  Today's list will be the best caches, based on favorite points, in York County.


The red dot (next to the "Y" in York) is the approximate location of the picnic.

For more information on the picnic - click here


York County – top 10 caches 
based on favorite points earned:
Note: parts of Newport News Park reside inside York county

1.    GC1D0HG – Waller Mill Overlook – 109 favorite points - hidden by va griz.  This cache is located a short walk away from parking and is located about 13 miles north of Newport News Park.  This cache is famous for the scenery in the surrounding area.
  Note from SNAP!!!: This is a beautiful location and a tricky little hide!


2.    GC2BAF – The Cave – 98 favorite points - hidden by The-Colemans.  This virtual cache is located just east of Newport News Park on the shores of the York River.  Located in the community of Yorktown, this area is full of history.
Note from SNAP!!!: A virtual with some history - doesn't get much better than that!


3.    GC8AEF – The Lost Day – 61 favorite points – hidden by Kingsman.  This is another Virtual Cache located near Yorktown, a short 5 miles drive away from Newport News Park.  A great chance to learn a little something about the calendar.
Note from SNAP!!!: Another Virtual with history!


4.    GC34RA8 – Raiders of the Lost Ark – 54 favorite points – hidden by Scottish Cavalryman and adopted by Bad_Wolfe.  Located just south-east of the park, this is one of the four caches in the area with an Indiana Jones theme.  This multi shouldn’t take you too long to complete but there is a puzzle involved.
Note from SNAP!!!: A very nice multi - just down the road from the park!


5.    GC322EM – 403’s Boo Boo Box Hide-out – 50 favorite points – hidden by GeoMunster1313.  This could either be a Park n Grab or could leave you scratching your head!  Located about 15 miles north of Newport News Park just off of I-64.
Note from SNAP!!!: Tricky, tricky, tricky - - but a favorite!


6.  GC5CFVY - Waypoint Wayside - 46 favorite points - hidden by Kemallor.  Another gadget cache that has earned plenty of favorite points.  Cache is located less than 7 miles from the picnic.
Note from SNAP!!!: Another great gadget cache!


7.    GCGERG – The Source – 45 favorite points – hidden by Cacheola Crew.  Another Virtual cache and this one is quite a hike but can be reached from Newport News Park.
Note from SNAP!!!: A very nice hike to this Virtual cache!


8.    GC1YBHP – The Rune Stones of Hardwood’s Mill – 41 favorite points – hidden by CacheBeagle.  Be warned – this is a 5 Difficulty, 5 Terrain puzzle cache.  This is a great geocache but you might want to start working on this one now if you plan on attacking the physical cache while at the picnic.
Note from SNAP!!!: The first 5/5 puzzle cache we attempted.  GOT IT!


9.    GC2NEV0 – Tom Hanks #3 – 39 favorite points – hidden by RusandMil.  This is located less than 4 miles east of Newport News Park.  One of several Tom Hanks themed caches in the area.  A very short walk from parking.
Note from SNAP!!!: At one time there were 5 of these caches - loved them all!


10.  GC3TQ28 – Larry’s Handiwork – 17 favorite points – hidden by VA CHB.  A clever cache located right inside Newport News Park. Be warned this cache has a little trick to it but should be found easily.
Note from SNAP!!!: A tricky little cache but don't worry - help is nearby!

Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!


Suffolk Nana & Papa - - - or just plain ol' - - - -  SNAP!!!

Top 10 Caches in Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk Top 10 Caches by Favorite Points

 
With the 13th Annual GCHR Picnic fast approaching, I figured I would put together several lists detailing the best caches around the area.  Today's list will be the best caches, based on favorite points, in the city of Norfolk.


The red dot (next to the "Y" in York) is the approximate location of the picnic.
For more information on the picnic - click here

Here is the list for Norfolk – top 10 caches based on favorite points earned:


 Note: It will take between 45 minutes and an hour just to get to Norfolk from the picnic.  Downtown Norfolk is about 27 miles from Newport News Park.


1.    GCJAQH – Love Letter – 79 favorite points - hidden by Penguincacher.  This nice little cache is located right on the downtown Norfolk Waterfront.  The scenery here is absolutely beautiful.


 Note from SNAP!!!: This is a must find cache!


2.    GCJK56 – City Limits – 75 favorite points - hidden by PA Ladi.  This virtual cache is located
 inn the heart of downtown Norfolk.  Plenty of history here.
 Note from SNAP!!!: This virtual is another must find cache!



3.    GC1CB0 – Douglas’s 5 Star Cache – 49 favorite points – hidden by Pote.  
Another virtual cache located right in the downtown area.  Hidden in September 2001
 it is one of the older caches in the area.
 Note from SNAP!!!: Another virtual that is a must find cache!



4.    GC38WDK – We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat – 24 favorite points – hidden by SpikeCurtis.
This cache is located in the Ocean View section of Norfolk which is the section of Norfolk
you enter once you cross through the Hampton roads Bridge Tunnel from the
peninsula.  A nice quick little cache almost right on the beach.
 Note from SNAP!!!: Another virtual that is a must find cache!



5.    GC51KMT – Forest Lawn: Meet The Residents – 32 favorite points – hidden by
cameramoose.  A really nice Wherigo that takes you on tour of some of the
more famous residents residing in this cemetery.
 Note from SNAP!!!: Avery nice Wherigo cache!



6.    GC3Y1B4 – MEGAsaurus DUMP – 30 favorite points – hidden by Mom&Dad2L&L.
This cute cache could be a park n grab.
 Note from SNAP!!!: A quick park n grab!



7.    GCZJ2V – Willow Wood – 27 favorite points – hidden by Eddieandeddie.
A great cache located on the water’s edge.  Enjoy the view.
 Note from SNAP!!!: Love caches like this cache!



8.    GC14JXV – A Cache for Jay Before He Croaks – 27 favorite points – hidden by seymorechase.  This 5/5 puzzle cache is located in one of Norfolk’s parks.  Enjoy the walk and the scenery here.
 Note from SNAP!!!: A great cache in a great location!



9.    GC5ACT1 – Norfolk’s Historic Triangle: Yellow Fever, 1855 – 23 favorite
points – hidden by cameramoose.  A nice multi-cache takes you to one of
Norfolk’s Historic cemeteries with lots of history.
 Note from SNAP!!!: A multi-cache that will teach you a lot about history!



10.  GC5Z6KA – Escape from Norfolk – 23 favorite points – hidden by Prytz+1.
  This is another Wherigo cache.  This one is located around Norfolk’s waterfront.
  Make sure you move fast enough to out run the zombies.
 Note from SNAP!!!: Another Wherigo cache we highly recommend!



Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!

Suffolk Nana & Papa - - - or just plain ol' - - - -  SNAP!!!



Saturday, July 11, 2015

Top 10 Caches in Williamsburg

With the 13th Annual GCHR Picnic fast approaching, I figured I would put together several lists detailing the best caches around the area.  Today's list will be the best caches, based on favorite points, in Williamsburg.


The red dot (next to the "Y" in York) is the approximate location of the picnic.

For more information on the picnic - click here


Williamsburg – top 10 caches 
based on favorite points earned:

1.    GCHDDJ – Noise out of Place – 191 favorite points - hidden by Team WRK&FSH.  This virtual cache is located in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg.  Guarantee you will like this cache.  Located less than 11 miles from Newport News Park.
Note from SNAP!!! - An excellent virtual - tons of history here!!!


2.    GC1928 – #3 On DOG – 85 favorite points - hidden by JK-n-VA.  Another virtual cache located Colonial Williamsburg.  Surrounded by history and less than 11 miles from Newport News Park.
Note from SNAP!!! - An excellent virtual - right on main street!!!


3.   GC4J021A Good Thing Since 1924 – 34 favorite points - hidden by Team WRK&FSH.  A really nice cache hidden by a boy scout troop Williamsburg.  About 11 miles from Newport News Park.


4.     GC3N20V – Colonial Redwoods – 33 favorite points – hidden by seth1991.  Another cache located on the grounds of Colonial Williamsburg.  Great scenery at this location.
Note from SNAP!!! - This one MIGHT be missing!!!


5.    GC292E7 – Mystery Marine Science Theater 3000 – 30 favorite points – hidden by M&C_WM.  A regular size cache located just over 11 miles from Newport News Park.  Terrain is a little steep for this one so be prepared.

6.    GC2EWGW – Crim Dell Wall – 28 favorite points – hidden by seth1991.  Located a little more than 11 miles from Newport News Park this cache is on the grounds of William & Mary.
Note from SNAP!!! - might be a quick grab but Nana & I had a tough time!!!


7.    GC44NEP – Colonial Treasure – 21 favorite points – hidden by ScottishCalvaryman and adopted by costalgypsies.  For those puzzle cachers out there that like to be totally immersed in history.  This cache may take the better part of one day.  
Note from SNAP!!! - A+ cache - being a puzzle probably keeps it from having more favorite points.  Tons of history involved in finding this cache!!!


8.     GCH6FK – Melissa’s Meadow – 14 favorite points – hidden by JK-n-VA.  Another Virtual Cache located on William & Mary.  There is also some history associated with this location.
Note from SNAP!!! - Another excellent virtual!!!


9.    GC18E4 – Lake Steps – 12 favorite points – hidden by JK-n-VA.  This virtual cache does require a hike but it is well worth the trip.  Located about 11 miles from Newport News Park.
Note from SNAP!!! - Enjoy the hike to GZ!!!


10.  GC1251F – Arachnophobia – 10 favorite points – hidden by Erndog&Fin.  A clever cache located about 13 miles from the picnic.
Note from SNAP!!! - A fun little cache!!!

Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!


Suffolk Nana & Papa - - - or just plain ol' - - - -  SNAP!!!