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Showing posts from March, 2019

AAR: Eight Wards of Washington, D.C. GeoTrail

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After completing the Cache Carnival, and not having to stress about points on finds, my parents, Tom and I headed back to Washington, D.C. to start working on the Eight Wards of Washington, D.C. GeoTrail . The GeoTrail consists of nine caches: eight letterboxes and one eight-stage multiple. The prize for completing the GeoTrail is a geocoin (while supplies last), and can be earned by stamping your passport with the stamp found in each of the nine caches. While we weren't entirely successful in completing the GeoTrail in one day (we couldn't find one of the caches), it was definitely achievable. Various puzzles were used for the coordinates for the letterboxes, and I was able to solve them prior to the trip. The route we took to make the best use of our time was Multi stage 1, Letterbox #1, Multi stage 2, Letterbox #2, etc. The areas we drove through were unexpected (Georgetown, really?), and I thought that some of the parks (like the Chuck Brown Memorial Park) were hidd

Celebrating the Cache Carnival

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In two days, Tom and I were able to grab all six souvenirs available for the Cache Carnival! Yesterday, I hosted my first event, a Creation Celebration featuring the creation of a cryptex. I was pleased with how the event turned out. With the help of a friend at work and Tom, we made three cryptex-es out of PVC. I made a hand-out with materials and directions and had parts on display in various stages of construction. After describing the process that I went through to construct the cryptex, I showed the attendees a completed product. We had a quick drawing for trackables, then an activity where the attendees could look around the Maryland House for letters that would make up the combination to the cryptex. If they got the correct combination, and opened the cryptex, they were entered in a drawing to win the cryptex. With the topic, the giveaways and the cookies that my sister made for refreshments, I think that it was a really good event for my first time. Then today, my par

The Cache Carnival Begins Today!

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Geocaching's Cache Carnival begins today! Caches found and logged, as well as events attended between March 25 and April 14, 2019, will earn you points towards five new souvenirs inspired by historic Carnival locations around the world. I can't wait to start! My parents will be visiting for the weekend and on Friday, I'll be hosting my first event, a registered " Creation Celebration ." Then, since Tom and I have finished CAM , we're all planning on heading to Washington, D.C. on Saturday to find caches with high favorite points. The most efficient use of our time would be to find ten caches with 50+ favorite points, which should not be hard to do there. That should earn us all six souvenirs in two days. If we are unsuccessful, we will still have Sunday to fill in any gaps, or even the next two weeks of the campaign period. Don't forget to join in the fun, and keep track of your points on the Leaderboard!

Cache Across Maryland 2019

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The 16th annual Cache Across Maryland (CAM) kicked off on March 16, 2019. Ten CAM caches were hidden all over Maryland, and the coordinates were posted on the Maryland Geocaching Society's Forums at 8:00 a.m. Four kick-off events were held in different sections of Maryland where the event hosts uploaded the CAM caches, as well as Bonus caches, onto attendees' GPSr's. If a participant finds all ten CAM caches and records the symbol in each cache, they can find out what the coordinates to the CAM Picnic, being held on May 4, where they will be awarded a certificate of completion and a trackable geocoin. Participants have six weeks to find all ten caches, and still be eligible to attend the picnic; the caches will be published on Geocaching.com the day of the picnic. Tom and I decided to try it this year, and we invited my parents, DragonSoldier45 and DragonLadyHue, to join us. After attending the Kick-Off event, the four of us joined three other cachers, formulated a

It's Official!

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I'm officially registered as a Creation Celebration event! With the announcement of the Cache Carnival campaign, I decided to host my first event. After deciding what in the world to do and when and where to do it, I submitted an event, which was approved. Then, I submitted the on-line form to Geocaching Headquarters to have my event be officially registered as a Creation Celebration , which would earn attendees the Creation Celebration souvenir. At my event, Creation Celebration: Creating a Cryptex , I will feature my attempt at creating a cryptex. After looking up directions on the Internet and watching several YouTube videos, I came up with my own version. I'll provide instructions, a finished product and one that hasn't been completed so that anyone who is interested can see the step-by-step construction process. I hope it's a success, and even if it isn't, I'll have accomplished creating a cool gadget cache!

CITO 2019, Season 1

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The first season of Cache In-Trash Out for 2019 starts today! This year, instead of having only a week to earn your Spring CITO souvenir, we'll have three months. I'm super excited to not have to rush to try to earn it, and I'm sure that hosts will enjoy the leeway with scheduling. So, keep an eye out for CITO events in your area, and do your part to help make our world a better place.