GOING FOR A DRIVE ON A SNOWY DAY

I had been wanting to check on conditions on (or near) the Scenic Highway ever since we placed the multi-stage cache a few weeks ago (see post below). We have been having some frequent snow and the cache is located more than 2000 ft higher than here at home. I knew that the Scenic Highway can really get snowed in and this seemed like the time to go see what was what.

So off we went, over Droop Mountain and up into Pocahontas County and nary a snow plow to be seen. Droop was pretty much what we had expected, about 10-12 inches of snow on the ground as compared with the measly 4-6 here. A lot (well some actually) drifting over the road but nothing to cause concern unless you were a skier from North Carolina or some other point further south. Snowshoe Resort is open and things are going full blast there--but I digress.

When we turned west on Rt 39 things began to change in a hurry, and not for the better. By the time we were at the first cache (again, see below) change was clearly evident. Look at the Mon Forest sign in the below posting. Notice the base of the sign and the sprinkling of snow on the ground. Today the snow was level with the upper edge of the base-at least 12 or more inches deep. The little parking area was unusable!! And we still had a lot of altitude to gain before we reached the turn off to the Scenic Highway, and after that, even more altitude to gain.

Soon enough it was clear that we would not be driving out on the Scenic Highway at all. We reached the turn off to find at least 18 inches of snow on the ground and the highway impassible to all but the most dedicated high wheel 4X4 driver.

Our--my--goal had been reached though. With yet another 800ft or so of altitude to gain before reaching the hike to the cache, the cache was well and truly totally cut off from the rest of the world, and safely asleep until spring.

PLACING THE MULTI

I'd been working on a multi-stage cache the past couple of weeks and yesterday we got to finally put it in place, and it was probably our last chance to do so until next spring.

If you will scroll down to the previous post you will be able to see a couple of photos taken only a week ago and a very few miles from the cache location. Note that although it might be a little cool (35* or so) there is no snow cover. By yesterday things had changed.

First some clarification. A multi-stage cache is one that requires more than one find to complete. In it's simplest form, you need to find the first stage in order to be given the location coordinates of the final find. This is one of those. Multis can go on for several stages.

Yeah, the first stage is right over there. It's hidden just...well you know. Right here we're at about 3500ft, and we have more than another 500ft of climbing to go in order to reach the final cache resting spot.

On the way to the main hide. We're at 4100ft or so, there's 2" of snow on the ground and it's snowing lightly. Oh yes, it's 18*.

The main cache just minutes prior to being hidden. It will rest over there, you know where. The formidable container shown is a genuine military surplus ammo can, and it's the container of choice for those "serious" caches. It's really tough--heavy steel--probably totally bear proof and if not 100% water proof, it's highly water resistant--there's a heavy rubber gasket the top seals against. It's interesting too that this container is no more expensive than most Tupperware containers.


We (Joyce was there too) placed the container and got out of the forest. This weekend it will probably put down some serious snow in the area of the cache. I don't expect the first find until sometime next spring.

VISIBILITY UNLIMITED

Yesterday Joyce & I headed up to the Highland Scenic Highway to scout some locations for a forthcoming cache I'm working on (wimps, weenies, and whiners need not apply). We found the sites we needed, enjoyed our hike, and got to enjoy one of the very few nearly perfect days for long distance seeing. Check 'em out:

For those who enjoy such things, there is already some snow on the ground at the higher elevations.

NOT A DAY FOR WEENIES

We were at it again yesterday, and it wasn't pretty--the weather I mean. Not a day for weather weenies (think chill, drizzle, wind, etc) or tiskaidekaphobics--those afraid of the letter 13, or things in groups of 13. Or even aroma weenies. More on that in a minute.

Check out some of our 13 finds on the day:

This one was entitled "The Smelly Cache". Why? Because it was located near (very near) a sewerage pumping station, and it took a long time to find into the bargain.

On the other hand, this was my 100th find since I've been GC'ing. BatikFreak10 was thoughtful enough to keep track and present me with a nice certificate of achievement she had made at the appropriate time. For a little sister, she's not too bad :-)

And this lovely spot, less than 100ft from a busy highway was not for terrain weenies either. Getting there was most of the fun!! We had to rock hop a creek--neither of us fell in, but that's a story for another time. Then it was creep through a heavy Rhododendron slick (some might call it an extensive stand)--uphill-- to reach the interesting rocks shown. The cache was an easy find once we got to the spot. Fun!!

Finally, it was not a day for daytime weenies either. We ran out of daylight getting this one. BF10 is filling out the log while I pretend to take photos from the actual cache location so as not to attract too much muggle interest.


13 for 13 for the day!! Not too bad, and my 100th into the bargain, and as always, a good lunch.

ALMOST A BIKE TRIP

I'm not one usually given to doing things on the spur of the moment--ask BatikFreak10 about picking new caching locations when we haven't yet finished the list from last time. So Joyce was a little surprised Saturday morning when she got up and heard my announcement "We're going to Elkins today." Joyce is more flexible than I so she simply said OK, and off we went--after loading a few GC'ing locations up that way into my GPS. The primary reason for the trip was really an excuse to drive the S-80. I really like the S-80. It easily puts me back into the bike ride frame of mind. It's agile, handles the mountain curves almost as well as the BMW did...oh, and it's fast!!

Our caches in Elkins were quickly found. I didn't pick the hardest ones available. Here I am dropping off a travel bug I picked up in Beckley a few weeks ago. Travel bugs can be attached to any object the owner desires--in this case a toy car--and given some assigned task. Travel around the state, the country, even the world are all standard travel bug tasks. Each bug is assigned a specific code number and can be followed on line as it makes its way from cache to cache. This one is taking part in a cross country race from NC to California.

After the caching duties were completed it was katy bar the door as far as the drive was concerned!! Back into full bike ride mode. We traveled quickly around the curves, passed others in what most would consider a too short passing zone (they weren't, what with bike like power on tap) and broke speed laws. Some laws we broke a little, others a lot. In the interest of full disclosure here, Joyce is as guilty as I when it comes to speed laws and sailing around curves. We've had to put aside the bike ride mentality for some years... now it seems to be back as strong as ever!!

I wonder if they'll let us join the "Sons of Anarchy"?

SNOW JOB

Yesterday Joyce wanted to go up to the Monongahela Forest (Kennison Mountain) and walk in the woods a little. Since there were a couple of caches up there that needed our visit it seemed like a good idea to get them before true winter set in. What we found was that winter was already well on its way at 4000ft. Nice walk and pretty scenes. Enjoy :-)

THEY'RE NOT ALL EASY

Do you see me way up there poking around? No, I'm not at the cache yet, I've still got several feet to climb, but I thought I'd check this spot while on my way to the more likely hide...

BatikFreak10 (Sister Sally) and I had a Waypoint_Wayne cache first on our list a couple of days ago. W_W is a great cacher. If you've been reading along he's the guy who set up the cache at which you had to listen to a telephone message to find the combination to a lock that had to be opened... You get the idea--he's clever!!

This time he had us running to a Mabscott WV cemetery to read an epitaph. The letters in the epitaph had to be converted to number values to give the coordinates for the actual cache location. The actual cache was only a few minutes drive from the cemetery, but the area was completely wild.

And then there was the climb to the cache itself. Pitons and rope would not have been out of order. But we prevailed!!

Later we ran into what is probably another Waypoint_Wayne cache, but under a slightly different name. This one was at the end of a very well-to-do street in Beckley WV, but was again a world away--in a very wild and secluded spot. The cache dealt with some tragic Beckley area history. There had been a massive explosion at the Raleigh Coal & Coke mine in 1940 (sound familiar?), and 9 miners died. In addition to the usual cache goodies, this site contained an extensive history of the disaster complete with reprints of newspaper articles and maps. Wonderful find.


Tough day. Our finds were not easy, physically and mentally. It seems there is more to Geocaching than just running around signing a log and collecting toys. We had a rewarding day.

AT IT AGAIN

Some weeks ago I had been forced to post a DNF (did not find) for a nearby cache--heavy leaf cover prevented my GPS from updating properly and I could not find my way to the cache site. Since then I've been wanting to give the cache another try, so Wiscongranny (Joyce) and I seized the opportunity yesterday afternoon to check on the site again. The cache was quickly found (first pic), but the real treat for the day was the sun on the fall leaves. Enjoy.

THE 63 MINUTE FIND

Remember that first photo in the post below? The one of me taking a close bearing on the wrong location? Well here I am with our successful find.

BF10 and I looked for an hour in the wrong places, then needed only 3 minutes to find the hide once we looked in the spot where it was. The 63 minute find.

ME, SIS, AND A FRIEND

BatikFreak10 and I got out a couple of days ago to continue the never ending hunt for the perfect geocache. We didn't find that perfect cache, but we did find a new friend.

Fall colors and a red anorak seem to go well together. Here I'm taking a close bearing--on where the cache is not located. We were successful though and found it a short time later. Our preconceived notions made this one more difficult than it should have been.

Nope, this ain't it either. In fact this cache was far from perfect--worn, wet, and a little tattered. People need to take care of their children.

Ahhh, our new friend Goldie the dog :-) We were chasing a cache on the Greenbrier River Trail and this nice dog joined our party. Polite, well mannered and quiet, a good dog indeed.

I'd suspect Goldie is somewhat fickle though. I bet she joins a lot of walkers and bike riders along the trail. She dropped off when we got back to her home.

This new cache is located only a mile or so from my home, but it's way up a very steep hill. Hiking boots and a strong staff are a must for this one.










We has a most excellent day--12 caches and 12 finds. The first perfect score we've been able to record!! Goldie probably had a good day too.

WISCONGRANNY STRIKES AGAIN

Joyce has been making a few finds on her own when she & I get to go GC'ing/hiking and I've finally been able to interest her in signing on the official dotted line at the Geocaching web page and becoming an official chaser of Tupperware.

We hiked out to the High Rocks overlook in the Mon National Forest a few days ago, both to check out the view and to find the cache hidden out there. Below are the results of our afternoon's hike:

Joyce's find--Joyce's picture.

Here's a couple of pics taken from the overlook. Any wonder why we hiked out?

Joyce wanted to choose a "handle" that would acknowledge her Wisconsin upbringing. Thus WisconGranny.

THE ORPHAN

Yesterday Joyce and I had a little business in Lewisburg, so we took the opportunity to catch a nearby cache just over the VA line. It was a nice day to get in a short hike in the woods to watch the colors change close up--a real twofer for a change.

I knew this little cache (think 3X8 box) was an orphan. It's owner seems to have deserted it. The box is in need of replacement, a skunk or raccoon has chewed it and the contents are wet. Someone recently replaced the log and I added this overbag as a stopgap against further deterioration. I left a long note at the GC web page for this cache stating that I would assume care of the sight if the owner did not object, hoping to shame him/her into caring for the cache. So far it looks like I have adopted a child.

Joyce & I both enjoyed looking at the colors too. Nice afternoon.

THE USUAL & THE NOT SO USUAL

10/10/10 was a special day in the Geocaching world. The hobby/sport of Geocaching was itself celebrating its 10th anniversary on this day and as many GC'ers as possible were going to be out skulking around in thorn bushes and dark alleys looking for geocaches. Sally and I were part of the crowd. Check it out:

Sally set up a small cache that came active in the 10th. We did not start out especially early but I was still able to get a FTF (First Time Finder) gift here. Nice hide and not at all obvious.

Here's a textbook cache in the textbook container--an ammo box. Once upon a time nearly all caches were hidden in these boxes, the world sure has changed, see my post below.

Our fave hider in the Beckley area, Waypoint Wayne (he of the multi in the post below) has built this excellent cap for the post. Not all that obvious, but clear to those as devious as he.

Not a cache at all, but this was truly a day of the unusual as well as the usual. What does this guy watch on TV? Anything he wants of course.

Waypoint Wayne strikes again!! The huge nut/bolt is the cache and it is magnetically attached to the bridge steel.





We had a great day, only one DNF (did not find)out of 12 or 14 caches, but in the words of the immortal Ahnold "We'll be back".

A MOST UNUSUAL MULTI

A multi is a multi-part cache. One in which the finder is required to find part "A" then "B", etc. You cannot find the treasure at the end without find all the other parts first. Clues and hints are found at the steps along the way to the final hide.

Check out the dial phone. Would you believe it's on the side of an ancient (think 100 yrs) 15ft square block of concrete, part of some long vanished C&O Rwy structure.

See the man talking on the phone? Actually he's not talking, he's listening, because when you pick up the phone you get to hear a recording that sounds exactly like a real world phone message. The message is important because it is the clue to finding the real cache. The clue is worded in such a way that it will sound completely innocent to anyone not playing the Geocache Game.

Sally gets to unlock the C&O Rwy switch control box to find the treasure inside--the cache!! The clue on the telephone was the combination to the lock. How cool is that???

Cache found!! Thank you Waypoint Wayne for a great hide.

SALLY & DAN TAKE A DAY TRIP

A few days ago Sister Sally and I got to go GC'ing again. We try to get out every couple of weeks or more often when possible. This time it was "my treat"--we cached in Lewisburg and surrounding countryside. I got to pick the sites we would attempt to find

Old Stone Church and Cemetery were but one stop on the tour. We found a fairly nice cache right in OS Cemetery. The cemetery has stones dating from the middle to late 1700's. Interesting tourist stop. The cache is located in the crotch of the tree.

Working on the log entry and maybe leaving a little swag. I'm well out of sight of muggles here.

If this is Friday (it was), this must be Organ Cave. OC is an Earthcache, a site you visit to learn about some interesting geological feature, in this case the cave itself. The lime kiln was an extra.

The cave was used during the Civil War as a site for processing saltpeter, an ingredient of gun powder and the wooden extraction vats remain in place and can be viewed during cave tours. Several other caves in Greenbrier County contain saltpeter works.

S found this cache fairly quickly. Me...not so much. My eyes kept sliding off the hide, I had gotten mind bound that it was going to be hidden in a certain fashion--it wasn't. I found it after a few minutes looking however. The laughter coming from behind was certainly a help--not.

One attractive feature of geocaching is that you are taken to places you might not otherwise get to see. Here we're over the middle of the Greenbrier River on a long abandoned C&O Rwy bridge. The walk way has been upgraded and made safe so tourists (and GC'ers) can enjoy the view. Nice.

THE WELL DRESSED GEOCACHER

Consider the man before you--the well dressed Geocacher. Note his attention to detail and carefully chosen wardrobe:

Note the head gear, referred to hereinafter as "hat". A carefully chosen hat with some sort of not readily identifiable logo starts to lead the casual observer of the male Geocacher (hereinafter "GC'er) to believe that this is not just a relatively indolent individual but someone who has a job, just not a readily apparent one.

Note the blue jacket, again this reinforces the idea of someone who is employed by some sort of corporation and is at this site, at this time, on official business.

Observe the object dangling around his neck, the GPSr. What is it? No one quite knows, but the mere fact that the GC'er refers frequently to it and seems to follow its every twitching and trembling means that this is important equipment that requires some great level of knowledge to operate.

See the pen clipped to the tee shirt neckline? It is purposely chosen to be highly visible and is positioned such that the GC'er can quickly reach it to record important data.

Not visible in this rare photo is the clipboard and notes thereon that the GC'er frequently refers to. Someone loitering at some public location is just that--a loiterer and therefore up to no good. Someone referring to an unknown piece of electronic equipment (See GPSr, above) and writing notes on a clipboard is recording needed data for reference at some later time and remote place.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to set before you the Well Dressed Geocacher.

JOYCE MAKES THE FIND

Joyce and I had wanted to go for a Sunday drive up to the Scenic Highway (plus a little more) yesterday and, of course, I managed to combine the drive with a little light GC'ing--not anything too complex so that Joyce would have a nice time too.

Here I'm at a small cache a little south (actually C&O Rwy west) from Seebert WV on the Greenbrier River Rail Trail. Easy find but down a rather steep bank when you don't have hiking boots on.

Joyce's find!! She was pleased to find this one. Her eyes have learned to see the rock, sticks, etc that are out of place and therefore hiding the cache. Yes, the container is really primitive but the hide is so well protected it's OK in this instance. Good job!!

Sunday was a day of Earthcaches. They're nice to visit because you may get to stop at some site you had promised yourself to stop at "someday" but had never done. The Cranberry Glades is not one of those for the two of us--it's like coming home to an old friend and finding the welcome mat still in place.

However the "Honeycomb Rocks" site on the Scenic Highway was new to us. Can you see the square segments? The material is hematite, an iron ore that was injected into the sandstone 3-400 million years ago. The sandstone is softer and weathers out more quickly than the iron, leaving behind the square structures. Amazing!! Some of the rocks contain deposits that are so rich in iron that the hematite looks distinctly rusty and more like scrap metal than an ore.

Finally we visited a site called "The Devils Backbone" just outside of Marlinton. For the uninitiated, this is called an "anticline" by those of us in the know (like us Geocachers, ta da). Rocks bent in the opposite direction would be called a syncline. Geologic forces may work slowly, but they exert unbelievable energy.

I enjoy Earthcaches. You are presented with the opportunity to learn new things and to stop and see that site you had wanted to see "someday".