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!!!

Some more... Best Caches of GCHR

Are you coming to the 12th Annual Geocaching Hampton Roads Picnic ?

Do you plan on staying more than one day to do some caching in the area?

If so, then this list might help.

Here are the top 5 caches in every South-side city in the GCHR area

(based on percentage of favorite points to finds).

Virginia Beach

1.  GC4TABG - The Nose Knows - hidden by steve-n-kim - 81% (Multi)

2.  GC4JXYB - Signals  - hidden by drakeotemy - 78% (Puzzle)

3. GC389YR - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - hidden by southtexas - 74% (night cache)

4. GC4TTGR - The KEY to Happiness - hidden by steve-n-kim - 72% (puzzle)

5. GC4R264 - B.Y.O.B. #2 Connect Two - hidden by CachinCousinz - 71%

Chesapeake

1. GC190EK - EVIL - hidden by Frogman83 - 68%

2. GC37AQ2 - The Dark Side  - hidden by southtexas - 67%

3. GC4R8BR - Frankencache - hidden by The Mad Scientist - 66%

4. GC2C7GF - A Cryptex Trading Cache - hidden by ARONK76 - 62% (Puzzle)

5. GC4XVBD - OGL 1.5 Mile Run - hidden by Prytz+1 - 59% (Wherigo)

Norfolk

1. GC51KMT - Forest Lawn: Meet the Residents - hidden by cameramoose - 74% (Wherigo)

2. GC44DXW - NFWC  - hidden by drakeotemy - 72% (Puzzle)

3. GC4Z6KA - Escape from Norfolk - hidden by Prytz+1 - 68% (Wherigo)

4. GC4XD7M - The Hermitage Gardens: A Walking Tour - hidden by Prytz+1 - 60% (Wherigo)

5. GC360WK - In Plain Sight: 15 to 51 for Litech - hidden by Willcoje and Xckarebear - 57%

Portsmouth

1. GC36J27 - Revenge for 302 - hidden by HuffinPuff - 52% (Premium)

2. GC36JHM - Are you kidding?  - hidden by ny311fan - 43% (Premium)

3. GC2Z3RY - The Meatless Steak - hidden by Carole & Tucky - 31%

4. GC8880 - Cradock Cache - hidden by Seth! - 15% (Multi)

5. GCH83K - Cannon of the Presbyterian Church - hidden by ATLas Carva - 9% (Virtual)

Suffolk

1. GC44PNY - I Can't Find My Finger - hidden by southtexas - 70% (Puzzle)

2. GC4FR3R - SNAP 108 - $m@rt Phone Video Cache  - hidden by SNAP!!! - 70%

3. GC44PQW - Something to Chew On - hidden by steve-n-kim - 59% (Puzzle)

4. GC302K3 - Usta B #13 - No Dumping Allowed - hidden by kan1stv- 54% (Multi & Premium)

5. GC3611F - Log It! - hidden by toystory2 - 50%

Isle of Wight

1. GC3PTB0 - Smithfield's Porcine Parade - hidden by chihuahuak94me - 72% (Puzzle)

2. GC47DE8 - Head To The Point - hidden by Ioannes Cornu, Muskrat1337 & Holliehp  - 39%

3. GC3ETZ9 - Historic Fort Huger - hidden by GreatScott - 35%  (Multi)

4. GC1WQAD - Bronze Statues Hold The Key - hidden by chihuahuak94me - 33% (Puzzle)

5. GC2NYVE - Off The Beaten Path - hidden by muskrat 1337 - 28%

Norfolk 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 Norfolk – top 10 caches based on favorite points earned:

1.    GCJAQH – Love Letter – 48 favorite points - hidden by Penguincacher.  This nice little cache is located in on the downtown Norfolk Waterfront.  The scenery here is great.  Located less than 27 miles from Newport News Park.

2.    GCJK56 – City Limits – 37 favorite points - hidden by PA Ladi.  This virtual cache is located in downtown Norfolk about 27 miles from Newport News Park. 

3.    GC1CB0 – Douglas’s 5 Star Cache – 27 favorite points – hidden by Pote.  Another virtual cache in the downtown area.  Located about 27 miles from Newport News Park.

4.    GC11MVV – Where’s the Log Book? – 27 favorite points – hidden by Frogmen83.  A tricky cache located almost 30 miles from Newport News Park.

5.    GCH735 – Parade of Mermaids – 26 favorite points – hidden by The Foederer’s.  This cache will take you on a tour of the Norfolk area looking for mermaids!

6.    GC3956P - Solar Wind– 24 favorite points – hidden by SpikeCurtis.  This cache is located near the Ocean View section of Norfolk about 22 miles from Newport News Park.

7.    GC38WDK – We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat – 24 favorite points – hidden by SpikeCurtis.  Another cache located in the Ocean View section of Norfolk.  This cache is almost 22 miles from Newport News Park.

8.    GC14JXV – A Cache for Jay Before He Croaks – 22 favorite points – hidden by seymorechase.  Located less than 24 miles from Newport News Park, this is a puzzle cache that is rated 5/5.

9.    GC3Y1B4 – MEGAsaurus DUMP – 20 favorite points – hidden by Mom&Dad2L&L.  Located almost 30 miles from Newport News Park, this cute cache could be a park n grab.

10.  GC2WRG1 – Dollar Cache – 19 favorite points – hidden by David&Patty.  A clever cache located almost 30 miles from Newport News Park.

GCHR 11th Annual Picnic - August 31st, 2013 - GC42NJJ - A MEGA-event

Every Labor Day Weekend for the 11 years GCHR (GeoCaching Hampton Roads) has held their Annual Picnic.  Last year (2012), the event became a MEGA-event making the picnic Virginia's first ever Mega-event.  This year, 2013, GCHR once again is planning another great event, hopefully, to meet and exceed last year's totals of fun, excitement and attendance.  Vendors are returning again, and new vendors are planning on attending.  The staff and volunteers of GCHR are deep into planning and if the planning meeting that I attended yesterday is any indication - fun will be had by all!!!

I have been compiling lists of top caches in the area for the event.  So as an intro into The Hampton Roads area - here is some information that may assist you if you are planning on coming to the area for the picnic.

The Hampton Roads area

Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia. Hampton Roads is notable for its large military presence and its year-round ice-free harbor, and hundreds of miles of waterfront property and beaches, all of which contribute to the diversity and stability of the region's economy.

The water area known as Hampton Roads is one of the world's largest natural harbors, and incorporates the mouths of the Elizabeth River and James River with several smaller rivers and itself empties into the Chesapeake Bay near its mouth leading to the Atlantic Ocean.

The land area includes dozens of cities, counties and towns on the Virginia Peninsula and in South Hampton Roads. Some of the more outlying areas from the harbor may or may not be included as part of "Hampton Roads", depending upon the organization or purpose. For a commonly used example, as defined for federal economic purposes, the Hampton Roads metropolitan statistical area (MSA) additionally includes two counties in northeastern North Carolina and two counties in Virginia’s Middle Peninsula. Officially, the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA has a population of about 1.7 million, the 36th-largest metropolitan area in the United States.

The area is steeped in 400 years of American history and hundreds of historical sites and attractions in the area draw visitors from around the world each year. The harbor was the key to the Hampton Roads area's growth, both on land and in water-related activities and events. The harbor and its tributary waterways were (and still are) both important transportation conduits and obstacles to other land-based commerce and travel. Creating and maintaining adequate infrastructure has long been a major challenge. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) and the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) are major harbor crossings of the Hampton Roads Beltway which links each of the largest population centers of Hampton Roads. In 2007, the new Hampton Roads Transportation Authority (HRTA) was formed under a controversial state law to levy various additional taxes to generate funding for major regional transportation projects, including a long-sought and costly third crossing of the harbor of Hampton Roads.

The MSA consists of these locations in Virginia:

• Gloucester County
• Isle of Wight County
• James City County
• Mathews County
• York County
• City of Chesapeake
• City of Hampton
• City of Newport News
• City of Norfolk
• City of Poquoson
• City of Portsmouth
• City of Suffolk
• City of Virginia Beach
• City of Williamsburg

The MSA also includes the following locations in North Carolina:

• Currituck County
• Gates County

The Best Geocaches in Hampton Roads

Over the next few weeks I will be generating several lists.  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.  The main reason for these lists is to assist all visitors that may be coming to the area not only for the summer but also for the 11^th Annual Hampton Roads Picnic.  Of course all the local geocachers are more than welcome to use the lists also.

So I suppose the first question will be: How come my cache is not on the list?  I am creating these lists straight from Geocaching.com using GSAK to sort out only those caches in each city with the most favorite points.  I plan on putting out a list for each city in the area i.e., Newport News, Williamsburg, Gloucester, Hampton, etc plus a list for York county and one for within “X” miles of ground zero for the picnic.

Favorite Points, what are they?  If you are a premium member on geocaching.com you earn 1 favorite point for every 10 caches you find.  In turn, you can award these points back to those caches that strike you as interesting, or to just say “Thank You” to a cache owner who has placed a cache that you really like.  As some of you know, most days Nana & I go out caching we award a favorite point to each cache that take us some place interesting or teaches us something new.  It could be the scenery involved around the cache, it could be a historical cache, or it could be it made us fall on the ground laughing.  Whatever, you can award favorite points to any cache you have found.  Additionally, Nana & I usually pick one really outstanding cache for that day and award it the “COVETED” SNAP Cache of the Day Award.   Not only does it get a favorite point but all winners of the award are listed (by year) on our blog: SNAPgeocaching.blogspot.com

Another use for favorite points is you can filter for particular caches in an area.  Nana & I recently took a trip up to Harrisonburg, VA.  As I was getting our list of target caches ready for the trip, I searched a 20 miles radius of Harrisonburg and selected only those caches with 10 or more favorite points!  

By creating these lists I hope to help those coming to the area find the Best Caches in the Hampton Roads area!!!

Stay tuned…

As Always – Stay Safe & Keep caching!!!

SNAP!!! – Suffolk Nana & Papa

1 weekend - 2 entirely different caching days

This weekend was interesting - not that I particularly want a repeat of Saturday

Saturday we were teamed up with alara doing caches in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
Sunday we were teamed up with Jim & Lynn of jtmlam59 and doing caches in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.

Saturday we ended the day with 17 finds and 9 DNFs
Sunday we ended the day with 26 finds and 2 DNFs

WOW - what a difference.

To top it off - some of those that we DNF'd on Saturday - - - we found on Sunday!!!!

To make things even more confusing, at one point on Saturday we DNF'd 3 caches in a row that were supposed to be P&Gs and then the next cache we found and it was a 4 difficulty!!!!

Even though at different times Saturday we almost called it a day and kept plugging away, trying our best to look in every nook and cranny, we continued on until late afternoon.

Sunday was a much more enjoyable day and it proved that geocaching saying - - everyone has a bad (or so-so) day every once in a while but you have to keep on getting back out there.

Winner of the "COVETED" SNAP Cache of the Day on Saturday was:
GC497T0 - Caterpillar of Justice - hidden by drakeotomy

Winner of the "COVETED" SNAP Cache of the Day on Sunday was:
GC47YJD - It Costs What??? - hidden by cmurray0023

Congrats to both CO's

As always - Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!

SNAP!!! - Suffolk Nana & Papa

Large Geocaches

After a day (or several weeks) of finding Nano, Micro and Small Geocaches nothing will brighten your day like stumbling upon a large geocache.  In an effort to help you get some really big smiles I have combined this list of the large geocaches around the Hampton Roads area.  DISCLAIMER: The following geocaches are listed as LARGE which doesn’t mean that some of the cache owners didn’t have a trick or two up their sleeves.  

Working from the peninsula southward they are:

Peninsula Toy Box, GCMPHF, a 1.5/1.5 cache located deep in the wilds of Newport News Park and hidden by VA CHB.  Nana & I really enjoyed the hike to this one!  Originally hidden on Feb 5, 2005.

Turkey's Delight, GCNP18, another 1.5/1.5 cache also located deep in Newport News Park but hidden by 5 Lost Marbles.  Although Nana & I haven’t tried this one yet it is on our list!  Originally hidden on Apr 28, 2005.

Raiders of the Lost Ark, GC34RA8, a rather unique and very well put together 3.5/2.5 cache located in the woods just south of Newport News Park and hidden by Scottish Cavaleryman.  This cache earned both a favorite point and was Named the winner of the “COVETED” SNAP!!! Cache of the Day award back on January 29^th, 2012.  This cache is a multiple Hidey Award Winner!!!  Originally hidden on Oct 7, 2011.

Crater Raider, GC2K86H, another cache on our to-do list.  This is a 3/1.5 cache located just north-east of the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport.  Originally hidden by RiverratJTAC on Dec 19, 2010.

Forgot the Galoshes!, GC2KKBE, a 3/2 cache located just west on Denbigh.  A short hike will reveal this cache to you!  Originally hidden on Dec 24, 201 by RiverratJTAC.

The tackle box, GC3WFP4, another cache on our to-do list – this is a 3/2 cache located on the Poquoson waterfront  and hidden by DiddyK1 on Sep 9, 2012.

It's a Log Way Home, GC3NNJJ is a 2.5/3 cache located in Riverfarm Park near Oyster Point.  You will enjoy this large park.  Hidden by Vaalltheway and originally hidden on June 16, 2012.

A Cache for Jay Before He Croaks., GC14JXV.  This is a tricky 5/5 cache located in Northside Park in Norfolk.  This cache earned a favorite point from Nana & I.  Hidden by seymorechase on Jul 23, 2007.

H.R. Curse of the FTF # 21 - Lone Star Lakes, GC20TF8.  Located in Lone Star Lakes Park out here in Suffolk.  This is a 2/2.5 cache hidden by Eddienadeddie on Nov 8, 2009.

High Five, GC3Y6ZK.  The camo job on this cache is amazing!  Located in Bennetts Creek Park in Suffolk, this is a 2.5/3 cache hidden by toystory2 on Oct 6, 2012.  This cache earned a favorite point from Nana & I and was the Winner of the “COVETED” SNAP!!! Cache of the Day Award!!!

 Lie in Our Graves, GC1HPZW.  This is another cache on our to-do list but we have logged a DNF at least once on this one.  Hidden in Virginia Beach near Norfolk Avenue this is a 3/4.5 cache hidden by DMB4Life on Oct 31, 2008.

Briar Patch , GC363YK is a 2/3.5 cache located in Sleepy Hole Park in Suffolk.  An interesting cache location with a really nice view of the river.  Hidden by toystory2 on Oct 16, 2011.

Joe Isuzu, GC24BAR.  A 4.5/4.5 Cache located just off of Military Highway in Chesapeake.  This cache earned a favorite point from Nana & I and was hidden by Little Joe on Feb 25, 2010.

Hunt Club Farm, GCKMPG is a 1/1.5 cache located at a business just off of London Bridge Road in Virginia Beach.  This cache was hidden by tomcatATgod on Sep 23, 2004.

Duplicity, GC2X8RW is a 4/5 cache located just off of N Battlefield Blvd in Chesapeake.  A rather unique cache hidden by the Adventure Stones on May 30, 2011.

Southside Toy Box, GCMMJT.  Believe it or not this cahce is still on our to-do list as every time we think about heading out this way it rains.  Located in the Princess Anne section of Virginia Beach this is a 1/1.5 cache hidden by Episcodad.

SNAP 26 - A Nice Walk In The Woods ?!?, GC2H5G5.  Bring your mosquito spray if you attempt this one in the summer.  This cache is located near a boat ramp in Suffolk.  Rated a 2.5/3 cache and was hidden by Nana & I on Oct 23, 2010.

SNAP 35 - CD Exchange, GC2PCE8.  Located near downtown Suffolk, it is a short walk to make the find.  This cache was hidden by Nana & I and is rated a 2/2.5 cache and was originally hidden on Feb 26, 2011.

SSL #17 Welcome To the Jungle, GC44CCT.  At this time of year you should have no problem getting to this cache but beware in the Spring and Summer months.  Rated a 3/4.5, this very simple puzzle cache was just hidden (Jan 13, 2013) in Cypress Park in Suffolk by S&Slaird.

Hole In One, GC14769.  Watch out for flying golf balls when you go to the Las Gaviotas area of Chesapeake.  This cache is rated 1/1 and was hidden by CookieFinder on July 8, 2007.

Stop, Drop, and Roll, GC24WHB.  Another cache on our to-do list, this cache is located in Northwest River Park in southern Chesapeake.  Rated 2.5/3.5 this cache was hidden by TandA21on Mar10, 2010.

There are four more large geocaches located between the Virginia state line and Edenton.  Nana & I have only done one of them but we plan on trying for the others when we head down that way for the Elizabeth City Meet n Greet on March 3^rd (see GC453AE).

The Treasure of Tull's Bay; Tiffani #8, GC3BBJ4.  Located just over the Virginia state line this is part of the Tulls Bay series.  Rated a 2/2 it was hidden by knotfamilyfyte on Jan 22, 2012.

Which Came First?, GC3P9K1 is located just off route 17 on the way to Elizabeth City.  The cache is rated as a 1.5/1.5 and was hidden by pattycake3 on Jun 25, 2012.

Chicken Scratch, GC3WY8F was also hidden by pattycake3 and is just south of Elizabeth City.  It is rated as a 2/3 cache and was hidden on Sep 16, 2012.

Rocky Hock Buggy, GC3XCVM.  Another pattycake3 cache that is located a little further south (just north of Edenton, NC).  It is rated 1.5/1.5 and was hidden on Sep 23, 2012.

Of course there are other large caches out there for you to find: 5 in the Richmond area, several on the Outer Banks but the list above was a breakdown of those in the Hampton Roads area.

As always, Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!

SNAP!!! – Suffolk Nana & Papa

J