Last Week's Best plus some other quick notes!

The Best from the Last Week

Last Tuesday I attended the ever-popular 3rd Tuesday event.  Rick's Cafe was again the meeting place and plenty of geocachers attended.   Thanks goes out to Kim-n-Steve for once again holding the event!

On Thursday we had another AACC event.  The weather held off and we had a great afternoon at City View Park in Virginia Beach!  

On Saturday the 25th Nana & I teamed up with Lynne and Jim one more time.  This time we were knocking out finds, or at least trying to knock them out, on the peninsula!  

We handed out a few favorite points on the day:

GC6J88E - Hidden Grove - A very nice hide in the far corner of this park.  We wandered a bit before stumbling on the container!

Hidden by GEO CORD BUDDY

The other favorite point we handed out went to:

GC4AENH - Bones - another unique hide by gigiwoll - loved the hide so in addition to the favorite point this cache was also named as the winner of the "COVETED" SNAP!!! Cache of the Day Award!!!

Upcoming Events !!!

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GC6M916 - AACC - July 14, 2016 - this time being held at the Great Bridge Lock Park in Chesapeake from 4-6 PM.

GC6HQ06 - The Opening Ceremony - being held on July 16th at City View Park in Virginia Beach from 9-10AM.

and of course, never forget our upcoming MEGA-event

GC644HX - 14th Annual GCHR Picnic.  Registration is still open.  you can click HERE to see my page for all sorts of information on the picnic including a link to the registration page!

Other notes

Nana & I are putting the final touches on the plans for our trip to GCBBA - Geocache, Canada's 1st Geocache.  All in all we have over 300 caches on our lists for the trip up, while we are there and of course, the trip back.  We made sure we had more caches planned so we never would run out of stuff to find!!!

Till next time!!!

Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!

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

Just another GREAT!! geocaching day in Hampton Roads

It was early Saturday morning (9/19) when we left SNAP!!!-land and headed out to pickup our partner for the day - alara - yes folks - it has been quite some time since Team TNA has been out on the streets, seeking those ever-elusive caches all around the area.

A beautiful view

So after picking up alara and then stopping to fill our tummys, we set out on a very bright morning in Yorktown.  It is always lovely on the beach but the sun was trying to blind all of us as we gathered the information to answer the questions on the areas newest Eathcache located right on the beach.

Nana & I near GZ

We took our time through out the day, moving from one cache to the next, moving down our list.  Yes we did log a DNF, actually two - one at the beginning of the day and one at the end of the day.

There were also several caches along the way (s

ee the details below) that we wisely elected not to attempt.  If we arrive at ground zero (GZ) for the cache and find too many people loitering around the cache, we will usually bypass the cache as to not reveal it's location to other non-cachers.  It is always better to leave it for another day than to have the cache destroyed or moved by curious on-lookers.

I tried something new with GSAK the week.  I found a really nice MACRO that is supposed to generate a list for you that will be the shorter route.  Your run the Macro, tell it where to start the day and where to end the day and it automatically puts the caches in the optimum order (even using parking coordinates if needed) to cut down on running all over the place and to minimize your driving time.  It also prints out the list so you can keep notes on it and gives you the option to print a map.  See Macro "Cache Route 3".

Our List for the day:

answer are NOT here

1.  GC602XB - Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater - hidden by Fltravelers - the newest Earthcache for the Hampton Roads area - really simple and don't forget to explore the beach area and all the stores while you are the area.

DNF

2. - GC5JRPD - YT micro - hidden by jaimjaimison - yep - our first DNF on the day but reading the logs - we were, by far, not the only ones.

alara was having fun also!

3. - GC5JRQV - Abe is watching - another hidden by jaimjaimison - our 2nd find of the day came in less than a minute and we even considered going back to the previous DNF but decided against it.

4. - GC5TRVW - Burnt Ends - hidden by the coastalgypsies - this is a rarity, a regular (and I mean a real regular) in a small wooded area.  Real easy find.

Geocaching friends

5. - GC5VPMR - Sitting Duck - hidden by gigiwoll - gigiwoll has only hid 3 caches and I think everyone one of them is well worth your time to go look for.  this was a cute little cache and our only hesitation was the fact that a muggle had his car parked right in front of the NO LOITERING sign.  To top if off - the muggle was fast asleep with his feet hanging out the window - Wish I could have got a pic of his feet hanging out right in front of the sign.  Always think of those things after the fact.  Oh - the cache - well worth the visit (of course).

6. - GC5PFXK - How the USCG Helped End Selective Availability - hidden by everplaid - another cacher that has some great hides.  A very simple puzzle and a very easy find.  

7. - GC2A496 - This little piggy went Wii Wii Wii Wii - hidden by Chihuahuak94me - Nana & I have been trying to find this cache for years but every time we come here there is a car with a muggle in it parked right at GZ.  Today, same thing, in fact, we think it was the same car as last time!  No joy here!

8. - GC5X5ZX - Squirrel - hidden by diamonddragon1 - We allowed ourselves to think to hard on this one - which made us wander around for far toooooo long.  Once I stopped thinking and just stood back and looked at the area for something different - there it was!

9. - GC5J6RV - The fungus among us - hidden by gigigwoll - yet another great cache.  This one got a favorite point from us!

10. - GC5WCA6 - Comb Bay Park #1 - hidden by Ramblin Roses 3.  Quick find for experienced cachers.  newer cachers - try not to make it so hard - look for the obvious!

11. - GC5MRVW - Read between the lines - hidden by bigpapa92 - Another cache we skipped because of an event going on very nearby.

12. - GC5HZ41 - Fle house - hidden by coastalgypsies - another very simple Park N Grab (PNG).

13. - GC62P97 - Northhampton Presbyterian Church III - hidden by Grandpa Gene - really enjoyed the short walk to GZ for a very quick find.

14. - GC5RY81 - After-Dinner Mint - hidden by kajots.  Just another simple Park n Grab.

15. - GC5VQ17 - Ozymandias, King of Kings - hidden by Grandpa Gene - decided to walk to GZ instead of driving but it was a nice walk.  We made the find quickly but this is another one that could confuse a newer cacher.

16. - GC61WJZ - Me - I gotta Home - hidden by Grandpa Gene - just another really quick park n grab.

17. - GC5Y6A8 - Sleep between Red Court hidden by Mipe7 - believe it or not another quick Park n grab.

18. - GC5VRX0 - Green Cones behind Red Circles - hidden by Grandpa Gene - we actually spent several minutes here before making the find.

19. - GC52X0G - Two Sides of the South - hidden by Grandpa Gene - we could have spent far too long here but got really lucky right off the bat.  Loved the old armory.

20. - GC5Q7EE - Buzzkill - hidden by elisachristine - neat idea at a really neat old cemetery.  Thanks for bringing us here.

21. - GC5ZADX - Just lookin' fur a home - hidden by Grandpa Gene - muggles parked right at GZ - maybe next time.

22. - GC5DNK2 - VASCIC Trail MP 0.6 - hidden by chrbundr - our 2nd DNF on the day but it was not due to anything other than tired eyes.  We tried far quite a bit.

At the end of the day we ended up with 17 finds and 2 DNFs.  Yes we skipped some others but we will be back!!!

We awarded two caches with favorite points but both of them were owned by gigigwoll:  Squirrell and The fungus among us.

At the end of the day when such conversations take place.... The fungus among us was named as the WINNER.  The winner of the "COVETED" SNAP!!! Cache of the Day Award.  Congrats!

We have updated the 2015 Winners of the “Coveted" SNAP!!! Cache of the Day Award  page and it can be reached by looking to the right side of the page (when at the top).

As Always...

Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!

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

Top 10 Caches in Newport News Virginia

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 Newport News.

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

For more information on the picnic - click here

City of Newport News – top 10 caches based on favorite points earned:

1. GC1N3Y0 – I SEE SPIDERMAN – 78 favorite points - hidden by ibwacko and Nuckfuts then adopted by tax-man.  This cache won the GOLD Award for Most Creative/Innovate Cache during the 3rd Annual Hidey Awards on February 6, 2010 and was admitted to the Geocaching Hampton Roads (GCHR) Hall of Fame on February 4, 2012 at the 5th Annual Hidey Awards.   This is a great cache and is located 9.64 miles from Newport News Park.

Note from SNAP!!!: Tricky little devil of a cache but worth the 78 favorite points

 

2.  GC2A496 – This Little Piggy Went Wii Wii Wii... – 75 favorite points - hidden by seepaulgolf and adopted by chihuahuak94me.  This very popular cache is located at a shopping center Newport News Park almost 6 miles from the park.

3.  GC55KEH – Don't Let This Birdhouse Send You To The Nut House – 70 favorite points - hidden by Kemallor.  This cache is just south of the park.  This cache can be a little challenging for some cachers but do not let that scare you.  A cache does not earn 70 favorite points by being an easy park 'n grab.  Located just over 7 miles south from the park.

Note from SNAP!!!:  If you have done some gadget caches, this one MIGHT be familiar.  Well worth the visit!

4.  GC1HB4T – Ghost Train: Next Stop Boxwood Inn – 67 favorite points – hidden by Zazth@CO and adopted by BillHSKC.  With the ongoing restoration of the train station on one side and the Boxwood Inn on the other, the CO felt this to be an ideal location for a cache. Yes, the tracks here are still active just not in the same respect as they were many years ago. This area holds a lot of history and is less than 2 miles north of Newport News Park.

Note from SNAP!!!: Loved not only the cache but the area.  Plenty of history here.

5.  GC112TG – Rattle Fish – 65 favorite points - hidden by 2 Unusual Suspects and adopted by 5 Lost Marbles.  This cache is located right in Newport News Park.  This is a small cache located off a trail behind the Newport  News Information Center at Newport News City Park.  Bring your geocaching fishing gear (3ft of strong string with a loop tied on one end) because the rattle fish are in season. Be sure to use the "catch and release" method as we want to make sure that there will be a fish for others to catch. Please release it back where you caught it.

Note from SNAP!!!: Tricky little devil of a cache but worth the 78 favorite points

6.  GC3A5X2 – The Last Crusade – 57 favorite points – hidden by Scottish Calvaryman and adopted by Bad_Wolfe.  This is a multi-cache located right inside Newport News Park.  A great multi and one of four caches with an Indiana Jones Theme located in or near the park.  I guarantee you will remember this cache!

7.    GC2NAND – Very Deceptive Or Tricky – 47 favorite points – hidden by bigbearpaw.  This could be considered a Park n Grab cache but be warned – this one is a little tricky!  Located about 7 miles from Newport News Park just off of Jefferson Ave.

Note from SNAP!!!:  If you like trcky caches - this one is for you!

8.  GC15P9T – Larry’s Pawn Shop  TB EXCHANGE – 37 favorite points – hidden by Thor24.  This cache is almost 10 miles from the park and is located in Noland Park surrounding the Mariner’s Museum.  A great cache!!!

Note from SNAP!!!:  Located near the Mariner's Museum in Noland park.  A must get cache!

9.  GC1HTDK – Thanx for the ride, Lady… - 36 favorite points – originally hidden by Zazth, this cache was adopted by Ibwacko and then BillHSKC.  This is located like a park n grab less than 2.5 miles north of the Newport News Park but comes with a unique twist which 36 cachers liked so much they awarded a favorite point to.

Note from SNAP!!!: This cache brought a smile to our faces!

10.  GC2MEJV - Cuisses de Grenouille – 32 favorite points – hidden by bigbearpaw.  How often do you see a park n grab cache with this many favorite points!  Just under 5 miles from the park this P&G is located just off of Jefferson Ave.

Note from SNAP!!!: Another cache that made us smile!

Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!

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

Best Geocaches near the upcoming picnic

With the 12th Annual GCHR Picnic fast approaching I know plenty of people will be heading this way to not only participate in yet another great MEGA-event put on by GCHR (Geocaching Hampton Roads), but also to grab some great caches that we have here in the area.

So in an effort to make things easy on ya'll - here is a list of some of the best caches in the area:

Favorite Caches on the Peninsula

Based on percentage of favorite points

(Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, York County, Williamsburg and Gloucester)

96% - GC55KEH – Don’t Let This Birdhouse Send You to the Nut House – A fairly new cache with an amazing 96% favorite rating.  A short drive south of the park will put you in the vicinity of this amazing cache.

90% - GC44NEP – The Colonial Treasure – a tour of local history awaits you at this cache.  An amazing 90% favorite point rating.  The start of this puzzle/multi-cache is in the heart of colonial Williamsburg but the tour provided by this cache will take you to various historic places around the peninsula.  Be prepared to spend at least half a day (minimum) completing this cache.

82% - GC4Z16X – Hanging Out in the Woods – this unique cache is a short drive from Newport News Park.  Can be completed in less than an hour.

81% - GC1YBHP – The Rune Stones of Harwood’s Mill – a complex puzzle cache that more than likely will take you more than a day to complete.  Located very close to Newport News Park.

68% - GC4GN2M – Limberakis Gerakaris– This tough puzzle cache features and amazingly scenic walk to get to the final.  The start of this puzzle/multi-cache almost an hour drive south of Newport News Park but is still on the peninsula.

68% - GC42D4J – Saga of Thorvald Erikson – A well thought our puzzle/multi-cache that will take you on a tour of the grounds around the Mariner’s Museum (Noland Park).  This cache can be completed in a few hours.

67% - GC34RA8 – Raiders of the Lost Ark – one of four Indiana Jones themed caches located near Newport News Park.  This cache can easily be completed in an hour or two.

59% - GC3A5X2 – The Last Crusade – Another of the four Indiana Jones themed caches located in or near the park.  This multi-cache starts very close to the mega-event. 

54% - GC52EER – VTCC#21: Final– this cache is the final of the Virginia Tech geo-art located just south of Newport News Park.  If you have done your homework and prepared, the entire geo-art can be completed easily in less than a few hours.

48% - GC3TQ28 – Larry’s Handiwork – a rather unique cache located just off the hiking/biking trail in Newport News Park.  This cache can easily be completed in an hour or two.

45% - GC44HME – The Signs of U.S. Route 17 South, Grafton, VA – a unique puzzle cache located a short drive away from Newport News Park.  This simple puzzle cache can easily be completed in less than one hour.

45% - GC29RNC - Camp Patrick Henry – A nice puzzle cache located just south of Newport News Park.  This could be a fast find if you know what you are doing!

43% - GC42B9M – Hysterical – a rather unique cache located at the back of a local business.  This cache is along route 17 across a toll bridge in Gloucester County.

43% - GC3VJRV – Huntington Heights – A unique cache that should be a park n grab.  This cache is located south of Newport News Park.

40% - GC51B0N – Sometimes you feel like a nut – a unique cache that shouldn’t take too long to find.  This cache is just a short drive from Newport News Park.

40% - GC1RH2Z – MiNd GaMeS – A very good puzzle cache located a short distance from the park. 

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