GC42NJJ - The 11 Annual GCHR Picnic

August 31^st, 2013 was a great day for geocachers from all parts of the world in Hampton Roads Virginia.

Photo by: Cheryl LaClair

 The day started out with a small breakfast Meet ‘n Greet near the camping area of Newport News Park.  “Muffin a Go-Go II” featured muffins of all types for geocachers who wanted to rise early and get a head start on the fun filled day.  Well over 100 geocachers of all ages attended this event put on by the group “Adventure Stones Society: Girls Gone Wild for Geocaching.”

The big event at the south end of the park was just setting up for what would end up being well over 600 geocachers from all points on the globe.  At approximately 10AM the fun started and boy was it a blast!

The 11^th Annual GCHR (Geocaching Hampton Roads) Picnic was a fantastic event that featured Face Painting, a Bubble Station, and all sorts of games.  Some of the games for geocachers of all ages were:  The Ammo Can toss, Geo-Survivor (a 3-stage multi for 3 person teams), Pole Cache (tossing a cache closest to the pole) and of course the ever popular GeoBingo.

The picnic also featured some speakers.  Lackey Amy from Groundspeak, Reviewers Monkeybrad and Dogwood_Reviewer hosted a question and answer session that all could participate in.  There was also a Meet the Author/Book Signing with the author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Geocaching”, Brad Simmons.   Two local cachers, Al & Tani Cornelius, hosted a Nature’s hazards talk with plenty of participation.  My oldest son and I manned a tent where local geocaches could be loaded into GPS devices but our main focus was questions and answers concerning GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife).

Geo-Survivor Winners

Along with the 3200 caches within a 50 mile radius of the park, Newport News Park contains over 40 geocaches.  Additionally Groundspeak was generous enough to let the folks in Hampton Roads be one of the first in the world to experience 5 new Lab Caches.  Lab Caches were spread around the park for the day of the event only.  Those attending were allowed to hunt for these caches and I heard nothing but good reviews on these caches.

The picnic also featured several vendors that showed up to add their wares and give the opportunity for all to shop or just browse for new and different geocaching items.  Among the vendors in attendance were Walkin Mania, Cool Geocaching Swag, Simple Laugh/GeoProvisions and Space Coast Geocaching Store.

All day long I heard nothing but positive feedback from those that attended. 

A big thank you goes out to not only all the “Purple Shirts” who were the volunteers that pulled off yet another FANTASTIC!!! GCHR picnic but also to all those unnoticed ones.  The unnoticed ones include the spouses and children of the volunteers who pitched in just because they wanted to.  The unnoticed ones also include those others that pitched in without a “Purple Shirt” who pitched in and helped just because they saw something that needed to be done.  But most of all, a tremendous job was done by both Cheryl LaClair and Ann Walters whose leadership, without which, this event never would have happened.

Some of the "Purple Shirts" with Lackey Amy

Big thanks goes out to the sponsors of this year’s event which includes: Groundspeak, TOM Creative Group, Space Coast Geocaching Store, Cool Geocaching Swag, The Simple Laugh, WalkinMania, Newport News Parks and Recreation, Chesapeake Emergency Physicians,  and Newport News Public Works

Q&A at the GSAK tent

I know I had a great time, spending the entire day with my oldest son, at an event celebrating a hobby that both of us enjoy!!!  Hope you had a great time also.  Hope to see everyone back here next year!!!

As Always - Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!

SNAP!!! – Suffolk Nana & Papa

August 2013 - What a fantastic month!!!

August 1st - the first day of the Geocaching.com 31 days of August.  Attended an local afternoon AACC event.  our only find on the day but then again, it was a weekday!!!





August 2nd - Attended another afternoon AACC event and grabbed a nearby cache.  Those would have been our only two but we were lucky enough because of some much need cache maintenance to grab one more for a total of 3 caches.

August 3rd - 11 finds on a beautiful Saturday and we named GC41RZ1 - Mysterious Marsh as the winner of the "COVETED" SNAP!!! Cache of the Day Award.

August 4th -  15 finds on a beautiful Sunday caching with alara.  We named GC4ERGE - Ivy Back as the winner of the "COVETED" SNAP!!! Cache of the Day Award.

August 5th -  Back to work today and the only cache we earned was an quick AACC event.

August 6th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.

August 7th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.

August 8th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.

August 9th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.  (I think I see a pattern here!)

August 10th -  NOT!!! a  work day but alas, the SNAP-mobile is getting a face lift so we use Papa's car and only get 6 finds!!!

August 11th -  Sunday - Teamed up with jtmlam59, checked on some newly adopted caches and then made a quick run up to Charles City.  16 finds total.

August 12th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.

August 13th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.

14th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.

August 15th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.

August 16th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.

August 17th -  Saturday - only 8 finds today but they involved quite a lot of hiking so we recovered by attending a Gloucester Meet n Greet!!

August 18th -  Sunday - 7 finds today and loved the Meet n Greet down in Elizabeth City!!!  Bypassed Find #5300 today and named GC4HJYY - Hide a Key as the winner of the "COVETED" SNAP!!! Cache of the Day Award!!!

August 19th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.

August 20th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.






August 21th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.

August 22th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.

23th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.

August 24th -  Time for a weekend geocaching trip.  Teamed up with jtmlam59 once again and made a run in and around Rocky Mount NC.  87 finds on the day and named GC3D61T - Am I still Lion? Is it under the LPC? as the winner of the "COVETED" SNAP!!! Cache of the Day Award!!!

August 25th -  Finished up our weekend geocaching trip with 49 finds and surpassed the #5400 found mark.  Named GC41K12 - Pasturized - as the winner of the "COVETED" SNAP!!! Cache of the Day Award!!!!

August 26th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.

August 27th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.  But this was a special event as today was SNAP's 35th wedding anniversary.  So the winner of the day for the best excuse as to why I was not at home was........ mbbaumann.  Congrats!!!

August 28th -  Another work day so one afternoon AACC event find and two finds on nearby caches!!!

August 29th -  Another work day so only one afternoon AACC event find.  This was the last of the AACC events and thanks to everyone that attended.

30th -  Friday night we attended the pre-event for the picnic.  Great crowd and just knew that the picnic was going to be great by the size of the crowd at the Friday event!!!

August 31st -  August 31 is my birthday and believe it our not GCHR is throwing me a great big party - they named it the 11th GCHR picnic but that was just so I wouldn't know about all the plans.  The turn out was fantastic and it is not every year when over 500 people sing you Happy Birthday!!!  There will be another blog specifically for the picnic but thanks to everyone who attended!!!

Till next time - Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!!

SNAP!!! - Suffolk Nana & Papa

What have we been up to....

A cacher came up to me the other day and said "Really miss your blog, when you going to post another?"

I explained that between work, hosting afternoon events every weekday (during August) and trying to get ready to have a GSAK booth set up at the Virginia Mega event on my birthday, there really wasn't a lot of time to sit down and write a decent blog.  Besides, I got to come up with a topic to blog!!!!

Well, not sure if this counts (sure it does, just trying to be funny) but this daily geocaching streak is wearing me out!!!  Nana & I had never ever tried to be one of those geocachers that had over 365 days in a row of finding a cache.  Heck, our longest consecutive streak (before August) was 6 days.  And it is far too late in our geocaching experience to start now.  That was until August first rolled around and we figured, what the heck, let's try this streak caching for a change.

We have managed to either find a geocache or attend/host a geocaching event every day since August first.    So counting today we now have 21 days in a row.  We plan on extending this streak until September 2nd at which time we will gladly let it die.  The main reason we will let go of the streak is that with over 5000 finds, we have to travel at least 20 - 25 miles just to get to a cache we haven't already found and we tried those few already and they we not ready to be found by us!!!  Doesn't that sound a lot nicer than "We can't find them !!!"

The main effect this streak has had on us (other than being really tired) is our average finds per geocaching day has gone down from 17.5 to just below 13.0.  WOW!!!  Finding only one cache each day sure brings a 4 year average down quickly!!!

But one of the positive aspects of holding daily events is all the new cachers we have met.  It is always great to meet new cachers and answer questions for them.  We have also renewed friendships with cachers we knew but had lost touch with.  We have averaged just over 20 attendees at our August Afternoon Commuting Club geocaching events.  To top things off, the weatherman has been cooperating real nicely with our one to two hour events each day.  Other than one 10 minute downpour we have been blessed with nice temperatures and lovely weather.

Hopefully when September 2 gets here we will have a total of 33 days in a row and then we can go back to our normal weekend caching.

Please don't forget the upcoming GSHR 11th Annual Picnic here in Virginia.  Hope to see everyone there to get their MEGA-smilie!!!  Please drop by the booth/table I will have set up and say Hi!

As always - Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!

SNAP!!! - Suffolk Nana & Papa

:)

Cache Maintenance

Normally when Nana & I plan a out-of-town geocaching trip we take great care in preparing a list of potential finds.  We search an area for unfound caches and depending on the time of year, delete those caches off the list that are rated as 4 terrain or above to keep from taking long bush-wacking trips through thick forests.  Another quick tip when weeding gout potential caches for the list is to look at the last four finds for the caches on our list and make sure the cache is still in place based on those logs (this is really easy to do in GSAK).  We usually search an area for caches with favorite points, or in some cases, search specifically for caches owned by a certain cache owner.  Using our method, we have had many a productive day geocaching in areas considered outside our home area.

Last minute trips though are a little different.  Last weekend we decided on Saturday night to go to a city about 2 hours away from our home town.  There wasn't enough time to both 1) lay out a good list and 2) get enough sleep so the list we put together was lacking its usual above-average quality of caches.  We did have time though to restrict our list to less than 2 Terrain, less than 3 difficulty all within 10 miles of the city center.  This, hopefully , would have given a list of about 50 caches that should be mostly park n grabs (PnGs). 

Well you know what they say about the best laid plans!!!  We left the house just after 8AM and arrived near GZ of the first cache just after 10.  Now all we have to do is find the first 3 caches in the nearby park and then go from closest cache to next closet cache, etc, etc, etc.   Finds - all 3!!!  So far so good.  Unfortunately that's where our luck left us for the rest of the day.  Because we had had put this list together in a hurry, we had failed to purge the list of caches that had gone missing or had not been found in months.  Drat!!! 

We did end up with 13 finds (far less than what we wanted) at the end of the day but alas poor cache maintenance did us in.  Four out of the last five caches we attempted had not been found in over 6 months and most had logs reflecting the need for some TLC from the COs.

Cache maintenance is a necessary evil you assume once you put out your first cache.  One of the major things I count on when doing cache maintenance is the finder's logs.  It really helps to have logs that contain more than TFTH or TFTC or even the newest entry lately "Found".  When you log your finds, remember to help the CO out.  It doesn't take much in these modern times when some cachers are logging their finds almost instantly via phone to add one or two lines that state either "All is fine with this cache" or "Container is no longer watertight" .  I know it helps us tremendously!

All Cos that I know really appreciate those logs that state more than the obvious - FOUND IT.  While you are at it, do the CO one more favor - if you find a cache that you really like - give it a favorite point!!!  As a premium member of Geocaching.com, you earn one favorite point for every 10 caches you find.  Nana & I try to award as many favorite points as we can just to let those really great Cache Owners know just how much we appreciate their ingenuity and craftsmanship.

Don't forget the upcoming MEGA-event at the end of August - The 11th Annual GCHR Picnic in Newport News Virginia (see GC42NJJ).  Papa SNAP will be there and I look forward to meeting all of you.

As always - Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!

SNAP!!! - Suffolk Nana & Papa

TOP GeoCaching Series in the Hampton Roads area

Planning your caching around the picnic?  Coming in from out of town, and want to make sure you don’t miss some of the best caches?  Over the next few weeks, we’ll be generating several lists to help with this.

Each list will detail the best geocaches in each city in the Hampton Roads and surrounding areas based on the number of favorite points these caches have earned.

 

Here are some of the GeoCaching Series in and around the Hampton Roads Area

(by distance from Newport News Park to closest cache in the series):

1.      Indiana Jones Series – 4 individual caches located in Newport News Park (various parts of the park).  GC Codes are GC37QBC (Temple of Doom), GC34RA8 (Raiders of the Lost Ark), GC3GM5W (Kingdon of the Lost Skull) and GC3A5X2 (Last Crusade).  Raiders of the Lost Ark and Temple of Doom can easily be completed in less than 2 hours each.  I understand that Lost Skull and Last Crusade will take you longer.  The total favorite points for these four caches is 89.

2.      Christmas Lights Series #1 – 25 – hidden by Chip’n’Lori – located in Newport News – GC41YYY is #1.  A cute little series that are mostly park n grabs and can be completed in one day.  41 total favorite points for the series.  Distance from Newport News Park = 1 mile to closest cache in the series.

3.      GCHR Battleship Series – This series was put together by several local cachers and is the board game converted to a geocaching series.  The caches are spread all over the GCHR area but it cannot be completed in one or two days.  See GC3DX0F.  Distance from Newport News Park = 4 miles to closest cache in the series.

4.      Tom Hanks Series – Four very well put together caches, all on the peninsula and the closest is about 4 miles from the park.  See GC2NETC, GC2NEV0, GC2NPQV or GC2NQZ3.  Total favorite points for these four caches is 82.  These can easily be completed in a couple of hours.

5.      Captain John Smith Series – there are several CJS caches in the area although the entire series is spread out over Maryland, Virginia and Delaware.  See GC2F409.  Distance from Newport News Park = 5 miles to closest cache in series.

6.      Relections Series – a 7 cache series that is meant to be a night caching series but can be accomplished during the day.  This series is located in Gloucester County so there is a small toll to get over the bridge.    Distance from Newport News Park = 7 miles to closest cache in the series.

7.      Benchmark Series – two very well put together caches dealing with Benchmarks.  See GC42ZM8 and GC4567K.  Distance from Newport News Park = 9 miles to closest cache in the series.

8.      D/T Grid Series – this series has one cache in each Terrain/Difficulty Level and is spread all over the southern Hampton Roads area.  This series cannot be completed in one or two days.  Distance from Newport News Park = 10 miles to closest cache in the series.

9.      VSP Series – There are numerous Virginia State Park caches located around the area.  See GC46QE8.  Distance from Newport News Park = 10 miles to closest cache in the series.

10.  ECUSA Welcomes You series.  A nice little series of 10 caches each at a different Episcopal Church in the area.  These caches are spread throughout all the Hampton Roads Cities.  I believe this cache could be completed in one day.  See GCV22G.  Distance from Newport News Park = 11 miles to closest cache in the series.

11.  You See UMC Series – All located in Isle of Wight County, this series takes you to numerous United Methodist Churches around the county.  See GC2XVG8.  Distance from Newport News Park = 13 miles to closest cache in the series.

12.  Get A Clue Series – a “Clue” type geocaching series spread throughout the southern Hampton Roads area.  See GC3EWX3.  I do not believe this series can be completed in one day.  Distance from Newport News Park = 23 miles to closest cache in the series.

13.  The Amazing Geo-Race (First Leg) GC34QA0 – just like the TV show – located in Chesapeake.  Not really sure it can be completed in one day.  Distance from Newport News Park = 32 miles to closest cache in the series.

14.  The Greek Olympians – a series of puzzle caches that aren’t too hard to complete.  All are located in Virginia Beach.  Distance from Newport News Park = 32 miles to closest cache in the series.

15.  Superbowl Series – 7 different caches located in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake dedicated to the Superbowls that the Steelers played in.  See GC3WFMF.  This series can easily be completed in one day.  Distance from Newport News Park = 32 miles to closest cache in the series.

16.  The Enneagram  - a series of 10 Caches all located in Virginia Beach.  Can easily be completed in one day.  See GC2CZKJ.  Distance from Newport News Park = 33 miles to closest cache in the series.

17.  Battlefield Series – a series of 10 caches long Battlefield Blvd in Chesapeake.  This series can easily be completed in a couple of hours.  Distance from Newport News Park = 33 miles to closest cache in series.

18.  Presents for Daddy Series – a great series for kids.  6 puzzle caches, all in Virginia Beach.  The puzzles are very easy and the caches are fun.  See GC431M4.  Distance from Newport News Park = 34 miles to closest cache in the series.

19.  ROCK BAND Series.  There are quite a few nicknames (some humorous, some not) for this series in Virginia Beach.  I recommend using a bike to complete this series (DO NOT WALK IT!).  See GC3FRH9.  Distance from Newport News Park = 37 miles to closest cache in the series.

Note: If you see a series I have missed or one that you want added please contact me.

Suffolk Top Caches by Favorite Points

Planning your caching around the picnic?  Coming in from out of town, and want to make sure you don’t miss some of the best caches?  Over the next few weeks, we’ll be generating several lists to help with this.

Each list will detail the best geocaches in each city in the Hampton Roads and surrounding areas based on the number of favorite points these caches have earned.

Here is the list for Suffolk – top 13 caches based on favorite points earned:

1.    GC1DMYR – Lone Star Cache and Key – 37 favorite points - hidden by XTERRR2000.  This a terrific cache located at Lone Star Lakes Park in Suffolk.

2.    GC3611F – Log It! – 34 favorite points - hidden by toystory2.  A nice cache located in Sleepy Hole Park of Suffolk. 

3.    GC10VAK - Just Slide – 30 favorite points – hidden by Dkbekbmrb.  Another nice cache located in Lone Star Lakes Park.

4.    GC1JQMP – Constantia Site – 25 favorite points – hidden by landru1701.  A very nice multi cache located in downtown Suffolk.

5.    GC3WVK3 – SNAP 84 – The Winner of the Race – 25 favorite points – hidden by SNAP!!!  Another nice cache located in Lone Star Lakes Park.

6.    GC38X48 – SNAP 58 – Nana & Papa’s Final Resting Spot – 23 favorite points – hidden by SNAP!!!  This puzzle cache is located at a very historical location in downtown Suffolk.

7.    GC3D9DZ – SNAP Bling Trail #006 – 23 favorite points – hidden by SNAP!!!.  This fun little cache is located on the Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail near downtown Suffolk.

8.    GC275BR – Skippy’s Pushed Me To The Edge – 17 favorite points – hidden by Juniorbug.  A nice little cache located in northern Suffolk.

9.    GC35X09 – Thick and Thin – 17 favorite points – hidden by cadavis0609.  A tricky little cache located in Bennetts Creek Park.

10.  GC37775 – SNAP 56 – Nana’s Favorite Nest – 17 favorite points – hidden by SNAP!!!.  A nice little cache located in downtown Suffolk.

11.  GC302K3 – Usta B #13 – No Dumping Allowed – 17 favorite points – hidden by kan1stv.  A very nice multi-cache located in southern Suffolk.

12.  GC2WYYE – Roadside Nano – 17 favorite points – hidden by kan1stv.  A clever little cache located near downtown Suffolk.

13.  GC3BBQ9 – Rambo and the Peanut Gallery – hidden by Katherinez.  Another very cute cache located in Lone Star Lakes Park.

Isle of Wight County Top Caches by Favorite Points

Planning your caching around the picnic?  Coming in from out of town, and want to make sure you don’t miss some of the best caches?  Over the next few weeks, we’ll be generating several lists to help with this.

Each list will detail the best geocaches in each city in the Hampton Roads and surrounding areas based on the number of favorite points these caches have earned.

Here is the list for Isle of Wight County (this includes Smithfield) – top 10 caches based on favorite points earned:

1.    GC3PTB0 – Smithfield’s Porcine Parade – 30 favorite points - hidden by chihuahuak94me.  This a terrific puzzle cache located at downtown Smithfield.

2.    GC1WQAD – Bronze Statues Hold the Key – 28 favorite points - hidden by chihuahuak94me.  Another great puzzle cache in downtown Smithfield. 

3.    GC18G9M – Woodland Correspondence – 26 favorite points – hidden by chihuahuak94me.  A great cache located in Carrolton Nike Park.

4.    GC2NYVE – Off the beaten path – 24 favorite points – hidden by muskrat1337.  A very nice cache located in Windsor Castle Park.

5.    GC21GWW – Cache on a stick – 19 favorite points – hidden by chihuahuak94me.  Another nice cache located in Windsor Castle Park.

6.    GCH51T – Smithfield’s Other Claim to Fame – 17 favorite points – hidden by Golfhaus.  This is a nice virtual cache is located near Smithfield.

7.    GC21H59 – Brick Chimney – 17 favorite points – hidden by chihuahuak94me.  This is a fun little cache is located in Windsor Castle Park.

8.    GC22AJF – SSB – Fort Boykins Historic Park – 16 favorite points – hidden by Star-Spangled Banner.  A great little multi-cache located in a historic park north of Smithfield.

9.    GC316FH – schoolhouse museum – 12 favorite points – hidden by chihuahuak94me.  A nice little cache located at a historic schoolhouse in Smithfield.

10.  GC3ENCD – You See UMC #6 – Benns Anew – 10 favorite points – hidden by bdramatic.  A nice little cache south of Smithfield.

Portsmouth Top Caches by Favorite Points

Planning your caching around the picnic?  Coming in from out of town, and want to make sure you don’t miss some of the best caches?  Over the next few weeks, we’ll be generating several lists to help with this.

Each list will detail the best geocaches in each city in the Hampton Roads and surrounding areas based on the number of favorite points these caches have earned.

 Here is the list for Portsmouth – top 12 caches based on favorite points earned:

1.    GCH83K – Cannon of the Presbyterian Church – 23 favorite points - hidden by ATLAS Carya.  This virtual cache is located in the downtown area of Portsmouth just over 27 miles from Newport News Park.

2.    GC2Z3RY – The Meatless Steak – 19 favorite points - hidden by Carole & Tucky.  This neat little cache is located about 27 miles from Newport News Park. 

3.    GC36JHM – Are you kidding? – 13 favorite points – hidden by ny311fan.  A tricky little cache located about 27 miles from Newport News Park.

4.    GC8880 – Cradock Cache – 11 favorite points – hidden by Seth!.  A puzzle cache located in an area with a lot of history.  Located almost 29 miles from Newport News Park.

5.    GC36J27 – Revenge for 302 – 11 favorite points – hidden by HuffinPuff.  This nice little cache is located about 27 miles from Newport News Park.

6.    GC3MC3F – B8 – GCHR Battleship – 7 favorite points – hidden by GCHR Fleet Command.  This cache about 25 miles from Newport News Park.

7.    GC35N4K – I Will Cache With You – 5 favorite points – hidden by litechs_wife.  This is a puzzle cache in the downtown area of Portsmouth.

8.    GC1YCF1 – Spoils of War Revived – 5 favorite points – hidden by JDGood1.  Annother cache located in the downtown area of Portsmouth.

9.    GC1JVHB – HR History #5 – High St – 4 favorite points – hidden by DMB4Life.  A puzzle cache located somewhere in Portsmouth.

10.  GC1JT94 – HR History #4 – Frederick – 4 favorite points – hidden by DMB4Life.  Another puzzle cache located somewhere in Portsmouth.

11.  GC22AQX – SSB – Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation & Preserve – 4 favorite points – hidden by Star-Spangled Banner.  Located in a very scenic wildlife preserve near the James River.

12.  GC2NCRZ – what a gun – 4 favorite points – hidden by turnersrugs.  A micro cache located in a very historic area of Portsmouth.