GeoCaching With Dad

09-17-2010 - 1 out of 1 (sort of)

2010-09-27T14:23:00.001-07:00

FIRST, THE DNF on 09-16-2010

Not sure what time the FTF and STF's happened - I noticed this was still "unfound" on the sight around 10:30pm - so I took my lunch break from work and headed out (flashlight in hand)...

After prowling around the bushes in the dark (very carefully - I didn't want any of the neighbors calling the police on me) I gave up - but a couple of hours later - I noticed that others HAD found it - not sure if there were there before me or after me..

Dang! Another missed FTF... I'll be back to "right" this "wrong" ("find" this "DNF") - Perhaps in the daylight next time, huh?? (wink)

THEN THE FIND ON 09-17-2010

Ahhh... Redemption!

Swung by on my way to work this afternoon (in the daylight) - not only did I find the cache (so much easier in the day time, but I also got to meet the cache owner!!

Grabbed a TB. TFTC Maznroll!! (Find #167)

08-27-2010 - 1 for 1

2010-08-27T08:04:00.000-07:00

GC2C7QW - Nine mile Easy Street

One quick lunchtime GeoNab... The cache was laying in the middle of the path - right in the open. I moved it to where I thought it may have originally been. TNLNSL - TFTC!! (#166)

08-09-2010 - 3 out of 3

2010-08-09T10:21:00.000-07:00

I passed by these three caches, and "had to" nab them on my way home from Tomahawk Scout Reservation (where my boys were camping for the week, and I was chaperoning for a half week)!

GC2CAWP - Northern Star - Treasures of Scouting - Tomahawk 3

#1 on a 3 out of 3 cache-stop on my way home from Tomahawk. TNLNSL (#163)

GC2CAWN - Northern Star - Treasures of Scouting - Tomahawk 2

#2 on a 3 out of 3 cache-stop on my way home from Tomahawk. TNLNSL (#164)

GC2CAWM - Northern Star - Treasures of Scouting - Tomahawk 1

#3 on a 3 out of 3 cache-stop on my way home from Tomahawk. TNLNSL (#165)

07-26-2010 - 2 out of 2

2010-07-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

OUT OF STATE GEOCACHING!!! (Dallas, TX)

I nabbed a few caches while on a recent trip to Texas to see family and for a birthday party for friend and fellow GeoCacher AtHomeDaddy! Yikes... I see why you Texans don't cache in the summer (while we Minnesotans do not cache in the winter)

GCP143 - Legally Grounded Java Cache

#1 on a 2 out of 2 morning - this being our LAST morning in Texas (heading back to Minnesota). As previous finders have mentioned the cap is missing off this cache... Log is still dry (at this point). TNLNSL - TFTC!! (#161)

GC10EXM - Graham Cracker

#2 on a 2 out of 2 morning - this being our LAST morning in Texas (heading back to Minnesota). Nice sized container (was hoping to find a TB to take back with me.... but that did not happen.) TNLNSL - TFTC!! (#162)

Headin' back to Minnesota!

07-25-2010 - 2 out of 2

2010-07-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

OUT OF STATE GEOCACHING!!! (Austin, TX)

THESE were the two caches I HAD TO get on my list!! I've been waiting a LONG time to mark these "found"!!

GC1N8RR - AtHomeFam 1st Hide

#1 on a 2 out of 2 day. Oooo... I've been waiting a long time to nab these two caches!! I've had them in my GPS for a long time now, but the 1400 mile distance was just too much to tackle... NOT TODAY!! I went out on a mission to get these in my list, and sure enough - my name is finally in that log!! This one I approached from the wrong side and had to rough it down, across the creek, and back up again... Then after the find, back down, across the creek, and back up the hill... I EARNED THIS LONG AWAITED CACHE!!! Dropped the GOPHER TB from Minnesota too! Hey, cache-owner, GREAT HIDE!! Thanks for the cache!! (#159)

GC1NTH8 - AtHomFam 2nd

#2 on a 2 out of 2 day. Oooo... I've been waiting a long time to nab these two caches!! I've had them in my GPS for a long time now, but the 1400 mile distance was just too much to tackle... NOT TODAY!! I went out on a mission to get these in my list, and sure enough - my name is finally in that log!! This one had my GPS bouncing all over the place - and there were SO MANY options!! But having traveled so far to find this one, the Summer heat of Texas was not about to discourage this Minnesota Cacher!! Determination finally paid off! Dropped the COWBOY'S DOG TAG TB from Minnesota too! Hey, cache-owner, GREAT HIDE!! Thanks for the cache!! (#160)

07-24-2010 - 3 out of 4

2010-07-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

OUT OF STATE GEOCACHING!!! (Austin, TX)

GC1KQ6Y - Starting Gate

#1 on a 3 out of 4 trip... We are in town from Minnesota for a birthday party. Wife and I went for a nice long walk in this Texas heat with mission... Nab a few caches. This was the first of the "four stage progression. TNLNSL - TFTC!! (#156)

GC1KQ73 - Connect

#2 on a 3 out of 4 trip... (This was the DNF) We are in town from Minnesota for a birthday party. Wife and I went for a nice long walk in this Texas heat with mission... Nab a few caches. This was the second of the "four stage progression". I too can confirm that this cache was not in place. Sorry.

GC1KQ77 - Grow

#3 on a 3 out of 4 trip... We are in town from Minnesota for a birthday party. Wife and I went for a nice long walk in this Texas heat with mission... Nab a few caches. This was the third of the "four stage progression. TNLNSL - TFTC!! (#157)

GC1KQ7A - Deepen

#4 on a 3 out of 4 trip... We are in town from Minnesota for a birthday party. Wife and I went for a nice long walk in this Texas heat with mission... Nab a few caches. This was the fourth of the "four stage progression. Log was soaked and almost unwritable. Normally, I carry replacement logs with me, but I'm 1400 miles from my home area.. Did not have one with me today (sorry) TNLNSL - TFTC!! (#157)

07-16-2010 - 1 out of 1

2010-07-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

GC249FC - SMWF4

Just a quick single today... Was on a TB mission - alas, the TB listed at this cash is MIA... LOTS of thorny bushwacking though... TNLNSL - TFTC!! (#155)

07-15-2010 - 1 out of 1

2010-07-15T08:52:00.000-07:00

GC2AHW4 - Cornelius's Pad

A quick single find while the kids were swimming in the Millpond! TNLNSL - TFTC!! (#154)

06-25-2010 - 1 out of 1

2010-06-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

GC28X82 - Bleacher Bum(mer)

One quick grab on my way home from work... Had me climbing all over until I found it! TFTC! (#153)

06-19-2010 - 7 out of 8

2010-06-21T10:55:00.001-07:00

Ever since "Best Bud Ed" has gotten bit by the Geocaching bug - we have been eager to get together and log some finds together. This weekend, he was in town - and we had the better part of a day to go out and log some finds!! It made for a GREAT caching-run!! Here are our results!

Rice Krispies: Home of Pop - GC21AGB

#1 on a 7 out of 8 Cachefest with lifelong buddy EJHudak and Jake the über Geo dog - This was our first trip Geo-caching together! Grabbed the TB to move it along. June TFTC! 19, 2010 | 12:32 PM (#146)

Nabbed Cowboy's Dog Tag - TB2AV4H out of the Rice Krispies: Home of Pop - GC21AGB cache.

Rice Krispies: Home of Crackle - GC212QV

#2 on a 7 out of 8 Cachefest with lifelong buddy EJHudak and Jake the über Geo dog - Second find on a geocacing run with EJHudak! June 19, 2010 | 12:42 PM - TNLNSL TFTC! (#147)

Rice Krispies: Home of Snap - GC20V23

#3 on a 7 out of 8 Cachefest with lifelong buddy EJHudak and Jake the über Geo dog - This has proven to be the best run of the year in more ways than one! June 19, 2010 | 1:04 PM - TNLNSL - TFTC! - (#148)

Huber Park - GC1WG05

#4 on a 7 out of 8 Cachefest with lifelong buddy EJHudak, Jake the über Geo dog, and my child #3 of 5. This was our DNF for the day.

The Orchid - GC1CYPW

#5 on a 7 out of 8 Cachefest with lifelong buddy EJHudak, Jake the über Geo dog, and my child #3 of 5. LOVED the cache container!! TNLNSL - TFTC! (#149)

Corny P&G - GC28E53

#6 on a 7 out of 8 Cachefest with lifelong buddy EJHudak, Jake the über Geo dog, and my child #3 of 5. This was a GREAT cache to watch EJHudak try and figure out - he's from a more "woodsy" area and had never seen a cache of this type!! When he finally gave up I told son #3 to "show him where it's at" - The look on his face was PRICELESS!! - GREAT FUN! - TNLNSL - TFTC (#150)

Sea of Green - GC2A2F2

#7 on a 7 out of 8 Cachefest with lifelong buddy EJHudak, Jake the über Geo dog, and my child #3 of 5. Great scenery - the cache name is spot on! Child #3 traded a Canadian dime for the Paintball coupon! - Log Signed - TFTC!! (#151)

Mairzy Doats - GC1HAXQ

#8 on a 7 out of 8 Cachefest with lifelong buddy EJHudak, Jake the über Geo dog, and my child #3 of 5. Great hide! Couldn't have found it without child #3!! He gets all the credit on this one!! - TNLNSL - TFTC! (#152)

06-18-2010 - 2 out of 3

2010-06-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

GC27VMQ - Shakopee Rocks! Lives On.

#1 on a 2 out of 3 day out with son #2. Grrrrrrr... My frustration lives on! Two failed tries at Shakopee Rocks! - and now a failed try at Shakopee Rocks! Lives On... Why me??

GC29A53 - That Way Or This Way?

#2 on a 2 out of 3 day - had son #2 with me today. TFTC! (#144)

GC29A4Z - This Way or That Way?

#3 on a 2 out of 3 day - had son #2 with me today. TFTC! (#145)

06-15-2010 - 2 out of 2

2010-06-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

GC27AZ2 - B is for Bloomington

#1 on a 2 out of 2 afternoon. It sure is nice to cross a DNF off my list! How or why I missed this one the first time is BEYOND me... TNLNSL - TFTC - BTW - the Monster TB that is listed as being in this cache is not there... (Find #142)

GC1N7TR - Another B.I.G. Cache

#2 on a 2 out of 2 afternoon. It sure is nice to cross another DNF off my list! How or why I missed this one the first time is BEYOND me... TNLNSL - TFTC (Find #143)

06-05-2010 - 1 out of 1

2010-06-12T10:57:00.001-07:00

Feeling a little inspired by my last TB run, I sought out another TB... (I do enjoy moving TB's.)

Well, in honor of Caching buddy AtHomeDaddy, I found a cache with a TB called Texas Bound 2 (TB2JX5Q).

While I was able to find the cache itself, Texas Bound 2 was missing in action.

Spring Lake Boundry (GC1TJWB)

#1 on a 1 out of 1 geo-mission. Sadly, I have to report the cache is SOAKED... Bits of paper inside... Soaked, The Geocaching explanation sheet soaked... Scraps of soaked orange bits of paper.. and the log (even inside the bag) soaked almost beyond usability. I did not have a new log with me, (I usually carry one) otherwise I would have dropped one in there for ya... Sorry. And TFTC anyway!!

06-05-2010 - Travel Bug Run

2010-06-05T10:39:00.000-07:00

Having had little time for Caching as of late, I went in search of a Travel Bug as a means to try and "inspire" me into finding some time for caching.

Passing by this cache every day - the GC1VBYR - CLOSE TO PURRKINS cache was already on my found list - but I noticed it contained a new TB. A previously located cache, with a new TB in it was JUST what the doctor ordered.

I retrieved the TB15DP8 - GOPHER travel bug.

05-02-2010 - 2 out of 2!

2010-05-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

Just a quick couple of P&G caches today while on break...

Autumn and Lily's Cache by Kittycatgato and Geo Sasha (GC1Z1ZE)

#1 on a 2 out of 2 "Lunch Break" cacherun. TNLNSL - TFTC!! (Find #139)

Tick Tock! by firepower (GC2528N)

#2 on a 2 out of 2 "Lunch Break" cacherun. TNLNSL - TFTC!! (Find #140)

04-29-2010 - 1 out of 1

2010-04-29T16:33:00.001-07:00

Father-of-five found Dino Turtle Lives!

After today's lunchbreak "cachebust" - I had to try for one more... This one was on my way home, and after a nice email exchange with the owner! (find #138)

TNLNSL - Thanks Good Neighbors!!!

04-29-10 - 0 out of 2

2010-04-29T13:26:00.001-07:00

Father-of-five couldn't find "B" is for Bloomington

#1 on a 0 out of 2 lunch break "cachebust".... Add me to the list...

I am having a horrorific early season this year.... Blech!!

Father-of-five couldn't find Another B.I.G. Cache

#2 on a 0 out of 2 lunch break "cachebust"....

As I was scurrying around in the woods - a B.I.G. employee shouted down to me... "Are you one of those GPS guys looking for stuff in the woods from that webpage?" "Yes", I said expecting the police to show up any moment... "You are pretty close then! I saw a couple of other guys down there last year, and that's about where they were."
Helpful!! How cool! So I continued upon my quest - but my GPSr was bouncing ALL OVER the place - I was wandering in about a 30' circle - back and forth... Alas, due to my time constraints (lunch break almost over) - I had to leave without the find...
I am having a horrorific early season this year.... Blech!!

04 /23 & 24/2010 - 5 out of 9

2010-04-24T15:56:00.001-07:00

Father-of-five found arbol de la cache (#133)

#1 on a 5 out of 9 weekend. TNLNSL. TFTC!

Father-of-five posted a note for Mille Lacs Albino Deer Cache

#2 on a 5 out of 9 weekend.

I was almost there, but the "muggle" traffic in and around the cache made me walk alway.

Maybe next time!

Father-of-five couldn't find Superman: Man of Steel

#3 on a 5 out of 9 weekend. Maybe next time!

Father-of-five couldn't find Even More Seagull Poop

#4 on a 5 out of 9 weekend. Maybe next time!

Father-of-five couldn't find Hickory Lake PWA

#5 on a 5 out of 9 weekend. Maybe next time!

----------------------------------------

By this time, and all these DNF’s – I was getting a bit frustrated.

I was about to “throw in the towel for the day, but I did not want to end on a DNF – I decided to try for one more!

----------------------------------------

Father-of-five found Puma Cache (#134)

#6 on a 5 out of 9 weekend.

Cache was out in the open - very easy to see.

I placed it back in what I thought was the "Beacon" and camouflaged it a bit!

TNLNSL! TFTC!

Father-of-five found Remains of the Andy Gibson (#135)

#7 on a 5 out of 9 weekend. TNLNSL - TFTC!

Father-of-five found Whomping Willow (#136)

#8 on a 5 out of 9 weekend.

TNLNSL - TFTC!

(P.S. Owner, there is a portion of the cache container that has broken away at the bottom - revealing a "quarter sized" hole.. FYI.)

Father-of-five found Fathers and Brothers (#137)

#9 on a 5 out of 9 weekend.

Slipped in the mud, and slid through the mud on this cache.

What a MESS!!

I think I'm going to be sore in the morning!!

TNLNSL - TFTC!

04-22-10 - 2 out of 2

2010-04-23T07:10:00.001-07:00

I'm making a run to "Best Bud Ed's" cabin to help him put in the dock for the season. I had hoped to nab a couple of TB's to give them some extra milage... I was in a hurry and on a bit of a time crunch, so I located a cache with a TB that would be a quick and easy find.

GC21GFD - Park & Grab (Or Not)
#1 on a 2 out of 2 day! TFTC!

GC25DD7 - Ruins of Repossessed Dreams
#2 on a 2 out of 2 day! I picked this cache specifically for the AMTG Virtual Stars and Stripes GC TB that is listed as being inside the cache (heading up on a road trip tomorrow... Thought I could help someone log some miles!) Alas, I did not see the coin... TNLNSL - TFTC!

04-05-2010 - 2 out of 2

2010-04-05T12:43:00.001-07:00

Today I had the girls with me (the boys were back in school, while the girls were not). We headed out to find the two new caches in town!

GC25CH3 – Torie’s Cache

#1 on a 2 out of 2 day for us! I had child #4 and child #5 with me today! Gorgeous day! What a delightful spot! TFTC!

(Find #129)

GC25CH3 – Jon’s Cache

#2 on a 2 out of two day for us! I had child #4 and child #5 with me today! Gorgeous day! We went for our find, and decided there were too many muggles around. Came back after running some errands, and found a few less - so we went for the find! TFTC!

(Find #130)

A Funny Geo-Caching Story.

2010-03-07T12:33:00.001-08:00

This is a story about the (archived) GC20MHJ - H Wadsworth cache.

I am a 911-Police-Fire dispatcher.

Yesterday we got a call of a suspicious person hanging around the Cedar Av Freeway near 87th & Longfellow putting an "object" in a tree. We were told that it looked like the guy was strapping an "explosive" to a tree near the freeway.

While PD was "en-route" I sent them a message to their squad car computers that it sounded like he was hiding a "GeoCache" - I (of course) teasingly was called a geek, etc... But when the arrived and located said "device" and confirmed it was a "GeoCache". (The Street Sgt even admitted to never having heard of "Geocaching" before.)

I had assumed this person was hiding a NEW cache (as opposed to finding an existing cache). Seeing an opportunity for (my first) FTF, I signed off for "Break" and jumped into my car - thinking I had a chance at finding a new (and likely unpublished) cache!

As I stepped out of the office, I thought to myself that maybe I should check geocaching.com to see if it was a preexisting cache or a new unpublished - but I took my chances and headed out (without checking - and without my GPS)

By the time I arrived, PD/FD had cleared. With the snow on the ground, I started off searching for fresh tracks in the snow. I located the tracks (and what looked like a decent hide) but could not find anything...

I sulked back to my car (thinking for sure that I just ran out of luck) when one of the Fire Chiefs pulled up and yelled out his window to me that it wasn't there anymore... The officers and Fire Chief had removed the cache while I was enroute.

DANG! I missed that opportunity!

That was until I got back to work and checked Geocaching.com (which I should have done in the first place)... It has been around since 11-09 and found 26 times prior... it was a cacher LOCATING the cache (not hiding it like I suspected).

I retrieved the cache and contents from the officer that recovered it - with the promise that I would attempt to return the cache to the owner.

A message has been sent.

02-19-2010 - 4 out of 14

2010-02-28T07:34:00.001-08:00

Yup... I only got FOUR out of FOURTEEN....

We were in Illinois visiting family - and I took an afternoon off to go out and do some GeoCaching. I had downloaded over 40 caches into the GPS - and was hoping to hit a LARGE number of them. Once I set out, and started looking - I ran into problems with snow cover, and the placement of a large number of the caches - which seemed to be in open areas around public spots - that sure made me feel like I would be seen as some "suspicious person", and perhaps draw some unwanted or unneeded attention to myself...

Here is what I DID find... (with one exception)

GC1DY65 - Indian Bluff (Find #125)
This is my first "Interstate" find! I was in town visiting family, and HAD TO take some time out for GeoCaching! Dropped a TB! TFTC! I dropped TB2K66K - Cub Scouts pk 281 Den 2 in this cache.

On a side note to this cache, I did get a very nice email from the owner of this cache, asking me about the condition I found it in, and wishing me a safe journey home... Very nice!

GCJXK6 - Sinnissippi Park Cache (Find #126)
In town visiting family and took some time for some GeoCaching! TNLNSL - TFTC!

GC1H0V5 - Wild Rose

DNF (The only one I logged. I checked for this one for a while..) In town visiting family and took some time for some GeoCaching! GZ on my GPS put me in the middle of several good possibilities - but with the snow cover - I did not have much luck... Maybe next time I'm in Illinois! Thanks Anyway!

GC1BA4M - Halo Guards (Find #127)

In town visiting family and took some time for some GeoCaching! TNLNSL - TFTC!

GC1BA57 - Hut's Up (Find #128)

In town visiting family and took some time for some GeoCaching! TNLNSL - TFTC!

11-27-2010 - 1 out of 1

2010-02-08T04:36:00.000-08:00

Robin's Creek Wetlands - GC1YNJY

Coordinates were spot on... and a good thing too! A fresh blanket of snow would have made finding this cache VERY difficult! Thankfully there was a teeny bit of "geo beacon" sticking out of the snow TNLNSL - TFTC!!

01-11-2010 – 4 out of 5

2010-01-11T11:30:00.000-08:00

Handy – GC17K0H
#1 on a 4 out of 5 day. Nice quick P-n-G! As PA-20 mentioned, the log is pretty full - I added a bit of lined paper to the log that should keep it goin' for a bit! TFTC!

Lakeville Timbercrest PnG – SKSC – GC21FEP
#2 on a 4 out of 5 day. When it's cold, wet, and generally yucky out - these P-n-G's keep me a-cachin'! TFTC!!

Family Friendly Find - GC1VF9Y
#3 on a 4 out of 5 day. Thanks for the "Family Friendly" cache!! Unfortunately, today I was cachin' solo... Swapped TB's. TFTC!! I dropped Team Happy Face – Renee (TBM0FM) at Family Friendly Find – an picked up Cub Scouts pk 281 Den 2 (TB2K66K) from Family Friendly Find cache.

Lakeville Park and Ride - GC1Z4PM
#4 on a 4 out of 5 day. When the weather is as cold, wet, and icky as it was, these P-n-G's keep me a-cachin' !! TFTC!!

Let's Go - GC18Y4V
#5 on a 4 out of 5 day - this was the DNF... IN MY DEFENSE... I was running late, and I did not give it the attention it deserved... I shop Fleet Farm enough. I'll be back!! TFTC!

11-29-09 - 1 out of 1

2009-11-29T07:14:00.000-08:00

GC1K61V – Wallyworld
One quick find on my way home from work this morning.

11-25-09 - 4 out of 4

2009-11-25T01:36:00.000-08:00

GC1QPNN - I Pine for Tennis

#1 on a 4 out of 4 day...
THIRD try for me on this one... Now that I found it, I don't see why I could not locate it before... Oh well, glad to scrub a DNF (x2) off my list! TFTC!!

GC1R1T3 - Code Blue
#2 on a 4 out of 4 day...
Cords got me close... It was a matter of checking from there! TFTC!!

GC1WAFX - Little PL Hill
#3 on a 4 out of 4 day...
I made this one a little harder than it needed to be by bushwacking my way to the cache... TFTC!!

GC1CE52 - On the Shores of Antique Auto
#4 on a 4 out of 4 day...
This was a BONUS CACHE!! I loaded up three to hit while my daughter was in sewing class... Those three went so fast that I checked "next closest cache" on the GPS and discovered I was pretty close to this one... Hill was UBER slippery on a cold rainy November day - but it was worth it... (At least going down was, still trying to decide on that trip back UP the hill...)

TNLNSL - TFTC!!

11-08-09 - 1 for 1

2009-11-08T23:16:00.000-08:00

Bug Bag, Coin Purse - GC1E42W
Stopped by on my way home from work this morning..
I had a GeoCoin to drop, and I wanted to swap it out for the alien TB (TB218VE - Zaz the LGM).
First off... I forgot to drop the GeoCoin (I'll swing by later tonight, or tomorrow) and secondly, I did not see Zaz the LGM... I saw what I thought was PART of him lying on the ground. I picked up the piece and brought it home with me... I did grab the other TB (TBM0FM - Team HAPPY FACE - RENEE).

I will examine the area closer for the rest of Zaz when I return to drop the Geocoin - but I am pretty sure I would have seen the TB dog tag in or around the cache... There was no apparent signs of the cache being muggled (everything else (and then some) was still there....

Oh, yeah... I almost forgot... Thankfully I think it's too cold for them anymore - but I came across a basketball sized bee hive hanging in a nearby tree... Pretty cool to look at if nothing else... (Photos (2) attached)

Team HAPPY FACE - RENEE - TBM0FM
I'll see if I can move Renee along!

Zaz the LGM - TB218VE
I cached in search of this little traveler... But alas, when I got to the cache - I could not find him... Before I left though (out of the corner of my eye) I saw a small bit of plastic lying on the ground that looked like was part of Zaz... Since I need to return anyway - I took the piece home (photo attached) and will return tomorrow to drop the geocoin I forgot to drop, and look for the remaining portion of Zaz...

11-07-09 - 2 out of 2

2009-11-07T04:08:00.000-08:00

Runnin' Down A Dream - GC1B00V
#1 on a 2 out of 2 morning - on my way home from work.
TNLNSL - TFTC!!

Whats on Second? - GC1YXXM
#2 on a 2 out of 2 morning - on my way home from work.
TFTC!!

10-31-09 - 2 out of 2 on Halloween!

2009-10-31T00:04:00.000-07:00

Today was a great afternoon to nab a couple of caches near home. I was home with child #2 and #3 - so we headed off for a couple of finds, and nab (and drop) a TravelBug or two!

In 35 minutes start to finish, we were able to complete the following...

Ferry Good Landing - GC1Z797
#1 on a 2 out of 2 day with children #2 and #3.
Happy Halloween!!
Dropped TB, Snagged GC!
TFTC!!

I dropped Father-of-five's 100th Find! - TB2JANQ Travel Bug off, and grabbed the Geocoin Club September 2009 Geocoin - TB37NQ5 at/from the Ferry Good Landing Cache...

Thoughtful Spot - GC1QQG6
#2 on a 2 out of 2 day with child #2 and #3.
Happy Halloween!!
Dropped a TB.
TFTC!

I dropped Luke the GPS Junkie - TB11WQP off at the Thoughtful Spot Cache

10-23-09 - 1 find and a GeoCoin

2009-10-28T02:36:00.001-07:00

Tweet Tweet - GC1ZE7R
Great find... I even drove past it!
I sought this cache to drop a TB, but alas it was "just a touch" too small... I did grab the GeoCoin - Will move that one along!
TFTC!!

Round Tuit Geocoin - TB1T21H
Quick nab... I'll move it along soon!

10-26-09 - 3 out of 4

2009-10-26T02:53:00.000-07:00

Maxs Dog Dayz of Summer - GC1FWNC
#1 on a 3 out of 4 morning... I used this cache to introduce a good friend "King-of-Clubs" to GeoCaching!
TFTC!

Cirith Ungol - GC123BF
#2 on a 3 out of 4 morning... I had a sneeky suspicion where I would find this one, but had to work my way around a muggle crew of land surveyors... TFTC!

Every Time A Bell Rings... - GC1VKBC
#3 on a 3 out of 4 morning.
Funny, I have lived in Bloomington most of my life, and despite my having taken numerous "suspicious person" 911 calls from this park - I had never actually BEEN to this park before.. It is very nice!

Swapped a GeoCoin for the TravelBug.

TFTC!

=======================
I swapped GeoCoin for a TravelBug at Every Time a Tell Rings...

Dropped Round Tuit GeoCoin
Picked up Luke the GPS Junkie
=======================

Echo Location - GCMXE5
#4 on a 3 out of 4 day, and like the two logs prior - this was my DNF this morning....
Thanks anyway!

Sand Creek at Lions Park - GC1H3EE
Cache has been retrieved... A little maintenance, a new location (sans poison ivy) and Sand Creek at Lions Park should be back on-line!

10-21-09 - 2 out of 3

2009-10-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

Today, we had a road trip to Mankato planned. I had some GeoCaching planned. Mother-Nature had some significant rain planned. Mother-Nature's plans put a bit of a damper on my secondary "GeoCaching" plans, but I WAS able to make one quick stop, and nab 2 out of 3.

Minnesota Valley Rest Area #3 - GCQ4KX
#1 on a 2 out of 3 day. Dropped TB. TFTC!!

The Minnesota River Valley - GC1PPWK
#2 on a 2 out of 3 day. My first "EarthCache" - love it!! I have grown up most of my childhood, and now all of my adult life in / on / or close to the banks of the Minnesota River! (email sent with answers) TFTC!!

I dropped the Roughousing Rick TB off at the Minnesota Valley Rest Area #3 - GCQ4KX

Trail of the Zodiac: Virgo - GCWK3D
#3 on a 2 out of 3 day - this was the DNF...

But, I **WAS** in a hurry, and the ground was muddy and slippery, and my shoes were not "cachin' shoes" (just came from a meeting with my insurance guy), and then, there was that hill... Oh, my there was that hill..

In these shoes, with this mud, in this rain, down (and back up) that hill, and on my timeline... Nope.. Just ain't gonna try it.. I'll have to come back better prepared next time (now that I know what to expect)...

10-14-09 - 2 out of 2

2009-10-14T06:34:00.001-07:00

Close to Purrrkins - GC1VBYR
#1 on a 2 out of 2 day.
This was attempt #3 for this cache... The first two were unlogged DNF's (and now I see why).
TNLNSL - TFTC!

Back to the Future: Hyland Lake Park - GC1ME6C
#2 on a 2 out of 2 morning.
What a nice out of the way area... and the cache is chuck-full of goodies!
Took the TB - Signed the log.
TFTC!

Roughhousing Rick - TB2T739 (Travel Bug)
Snapped up this scofflaw who (by his own admittance) is "usually on the run from the law".
I'll TRY to keep him away from the law, and moving along towards his destination... But, ya never know....(wink)

09-29-09 - 1 out of 2

2009-09-29T21:23:00.000-07:00

Lakefront Hilltop - GC1EAXF

#1 on a 1 out of 2 day. This was a previous DNF... Glad to have scratched it off my list! TNLNSL

I Pine for Tennis - GC1QPNN

#2 on a 1 out of 2 day. This was a previous DNF, and dang nabbit - it still is. I am sure I had the right beacon based on the trampled vegetation... Just could not locate in that pile of pins and needles...

09-22-09 - Disabling my cache

2009-09-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to disable my cache "Sand Creek at Lions Park - GC1H3EE". It was noted by a couple of people between September 11th and September 20th that the area where the cache is located is "loaded with poison ivy".

On September 22nd, I disabled the cache, and will wait for the cold to kill off the poison ivy.

UPDATE: October 10th - We have had two days of snow, and a hard freeze. I hope to get into the area of the cache, and get it moved soon.

09-19-2009 - 4 out of 5

2009-09-19T14:54:00.001-07:00

It was a great GeoCaching day for the Father of Five!!

Not only did I nab another "Alphabet Challenge" cache (the letter U) - but I made my 100th find!!

I was sitting at 96 finds, and I wanted to hit 100 this afternoon, Having a few hours between activities, I checked for a few caches close to home, and loaded up 5 caches that I felt I could obtain without too much difficulty. (Loading only five, and finding 100% of them would put me at 101 finds. Yet, knowing that in all likelihood I would miss at least one...This was a gamble. I could miss one. No more. The pressure was on!)

I asked my boys if they wanted to join me, and for the first time since I started caching, NEITHER of them wanted to... (this MAY have been due to the boys being given permission for some XBox time this afternoon...)

This One's for Gary (Find #97)

#1 on a 4 out of 5 day - on my quest for my one-hundredth find!!

Dropped the Travel Ingot Geocoin. TFTC!

Hopping mad (DNF)

#2 on a 4 out of 5 day - on a quest for my one-hundredth find!!

Lots of possibilities - and now having read the clue - I may have walked right on by... Next time!! TFTC!

Up the Creek (Find #98) (Added letter "U" to my Alphabet Challenge!)

#3 on a 4 out of 5 day - on my quest for my one-hundredth find!! Clever!! TFTC!

Burned Black (Find #99)

#4 on a 4 out of 5 day - on my quest for my one-hundredth find!!
Nice find... And let me tell you, that is QUITE THE DROP! TFTC!

A fish called Baily (Find #100!!!!)

** MY 100th FIND **

#5 on a 4 out of 5 day - on my quest for my one-hundredth find!! TFTC!

- - - - -

Ironically, the public space where A Fish Called Baily just so happens to be located at the same place we accessed Cedar Lake for last winter's Boy Scout Ice Fishing Derby!

As you can see, it was a good thing I loaded up that one extra (A Fish called Baily) - If I had not, I would have not reached the 100th find milestone today, and SOMEONE, may have passed me up!

Someone you say?? Who might that "SOMEONE" be?

Well, after receiving AtHomeDaddy's "smack talk" email - challenging me to see who was first to 100 - I just could not risk missing the 100 mark today!!

Now that I have reached it, I can sit back a bit and see just how long it will take ~~OldManDaddy~~, oops, I mean AtHomeDaddy to reach his 100th find...

How long is it going to be???

More on the Alphabet Challenge!!

2009-09-12T01:07:00.001-07:00

Within the 14 caches I found over the last two days, I have added three more letters to my "Alphabet Challenge"... V, K, and W.

I am still in need of Q, U, Y and Z.

6 out of 6

2009-09-12T00:56:00.001-07:00

GCYADM - Hail to our founder

#1 on a 6 out of 6 morning! TFTC!

GCRAVR - A Tale of Two Stories

#2 on a 6 out of 6 day. Interesting.. I found the old log, but not the cache. I signed the old log, and sort of tucked in in a bit... I guess the next cacher will have to find BOTH the log and the cache!! A "twofer" perhaps?!?!

GC128JK - The Hot Corner

#3 on a 6 out of 6 day!! TFTC!

GCVWJ3 - Trail of the Zodiac: Aries

#4 on a 6 out of 6 day! TFTC!!

GCDF77 - Veterans Memorial Park (Belle Plaine)(v2.0)

#5 on a 6 out of 6 morning! TFTC!!

GCYADP - Fountain Park

#6 on a 6 out of 6 day!! TFTC!!

8 out of 10

2009-09-12T00:34:00.001-07:00

GC11NJQ - Shakopee Rocks!
#1 on a 8 out of 10 day. This was my first DNF (and my second try at this cache... I am starting to think I may HATE this cache! )

GC1C594 - For the Ladies
#2 on a 8 out of 10 day.

GC1C55K - Kermit's Place

#3 on a 8 out of 10 day

GC1R6GG - Wylbur Hits a Grand!

#4 on a 8 out of 10 day. Swapped TB's....

Wylbur Hits a Grand! is where I dropped the UKE 4 Travel Bug, and where I picked up the Travel Ingot Geocoin.

GC1C230 - Debby Boon was Here

#5 on a 8 out of 10 day. Log is pretty full.

GC1RZ7Z - Grandson of Shakopee Rocks!

#6 on a 8 out of 10 day.

This one was ok... It's grandfather (Shakopee Rocks!) is going to be the death of me yet!!

GC1R7HF - Tyler's Hiding Spot

#7 on a 8 out of 10 day.

GC1AFP3 - Jerry's Hiding Spot

#8 on a 8 out of 10 day. TFTC!

GC11H60 - Let's Go Wild

#9 on a 8 out of 10 day. TFTC!

GC1H5EW - Jerry and Mary Celebrate 50

#10 on a 8 out of 10 day. This was DNF #2...

Watch out for loose rocks!

Administrative Announcement

2009-09-11T23:54:00.000-07:00

I have found maintaining this blog by posting one blog entry for every cache visited has become - overwhelming... To the point that I do want to make updates.

Given all the work I have put into the blog so far, and not wanting to "waste" all that work... I have come up with a compromise...

I will be clumping my caches together on one post... That way - It wont be quite as much of a chore as it previously was.

I have gone on two days of a caching spree - partially inspired by a motivational bet laid down by AtHomeDaddy. Since we were both within one find of each other (80 vs 81) - he challenged me to a race to 100....

Maybe I cheated a little bit by not responding to his email challenge, and only informing him AFTER I scored another 8 - putting me into the lead - but all is fair in love, war and geocaching challenges... Right?

Frankly, I am quite grateful for his challenge... I hardly been out caching this summer at all, and so his challenge got me out there, caching again!

THANKS AtHomeDaddy!

Test

2009-09-11T22:14:00.000-07:00

Test

GC1WRRC - Home Run Close to Home

2009-08-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

GC1WRRC - Home Run Close to Home

FOUND!! First find after about a month hiatus! Made for a great lunch-break find this afternoon!!

GC1513G - Scenic Heights Park

2009-07-12T08:32:00.000-07:00

GC1513G - Scenic Heights Park

#3 of a 2 out of 3 day for child #3 and myself...
TFTC!

GC1C552 - The Bus to Nowhere

2009-07-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

GC1C552 - The Bus to Nowhere

#2 of a 2 out of 3 day for child #3 and myself...
TFTC!

GC11NJQ - Shakopee Rocks!

2009-07-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

GC11NJQ - Shakopee Rocks!

#1 of a 2 out of 3 day for child #3 and myself... This was our DNF

TB29Q00 - A Team

2009-06-24T04:35:00.000-07:00

TB29Q00 - A Team

Wshu.... I think the heat is off... I can finally hide away in the woods without the B.A., Face, Murdock, and Hannibal coming after me.

Your turn...

"If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire: THE A-TEAM."

GCWK37 - Trail of the Zodiac: Pisces

2009-06-24T04:32:00.000-07:00

GCWK37 - Trail of the Zodiac: Pisces

Quick find while the kids were playing town ball tonight... Dropped a TB... My pencil was broken.. I had to "gnaw" back the wood to expose the lead... My log is not quite as "neat" as I like...

I also Dropped the A Team TB

GC1P7NB - Meat Me at the Park

2009-06-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

GC1P7NB - Meat Me at the Park

A quick nab on my way to lunch with child #2 and #3.

(Actually #2 was the one to spot it... Right off the bat!)

TFTC!

TB29Q00 - A Team

2009-06-13T04:04:00.000-07:00

TB29Q00 - A Team

(True Story....)

Father-of-five:
"Shhh... Don't tell the A-Team this, but today while visiting a cache called "The Amazing Travel Bug Race Cache" with the intention of grabbing another TB, I placed this one in my shirt pocket while I sifted through the contents of the Cache.

Then, hearing some muggles in the vicinity, I quickly signed the log, and stuffed all the Bugs back in except the one I planned on grabbing, and.... well... and THIS ONE....

When I got home I started up my stairs and heard a jingle in my pocket.... Forgetting it was still there, I reached in and you can imagine my surprise when I suddenly saw....."

B.A. Baracus:
"Hey, you... Father of Five... Come over here...."

Father-of-five:
"Huh? Me? Um.... Why?"

B.A. Baracus:
"Cuz I pitty da fool who takes my Travel Bug accidentally... You better get back here!!"

Father-of-five:
"Yikes... Looks like the A-Team is after me... I'd love to finish the story, but I gotta run! Sorry!! I'll be in touch again soon... When it's safe"

(Father-of-five jumps in his little compact car, and peels out as the T-Team (in their uber-cool Black van with the red stripe) take off after him. Both vehicles disappear as they squeal around the corner and out of sight....)

What will become of the Father-of-five, and this Travel Bug he took accidentally? Stay tuned for the next exciting episode!)

TBPZQ4 - Uke 4

2009-06-13T04:02:00.000-07:00

TBPZQ4 - Uke 4

I got the bit by the TB bug today... Have not snagged one in a while, so I thought why not?

Moving this one "south"....

GC1KHC0 - The Amazing Travel Bug Race Cache

2009-06-13T03:43:00.000-07:00

GC1KHC0 - The Amazing Travel Bug Race Cache

#2 on a 2 out of 2 day after a LONG shift at work!

Was planning on taking one TB, and inadvertently stuck another in my pocket.... I discovered it when I got home... (blush)

Oh well... Keep 'em moving! <>

GC1NW60 - Good Wood

2009-06-13T03:39:00.000-07:00

Good Wood

#1 on a 2 out of 2 day after working a long shift!!

TFTC!

GC1DD1D - Spring Lake Estates

2009-05-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

GC1DD1D - Spring Lake Estates

Cache #6 on a 5 out of 6 day... Out with child #1 of 5...
TNLNSL - TFTC!

GC1HPH2 - MN Music: Soul Asylum

2009-05-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

GC1HPH2 - MN Music: Soul Asylum

Cache #5 on a 5 out of 6 day... Out with child #1 of 5...
TNLNSL - TFTC!

GC1MQJM - Oh Fudge!

2009-05-17T15:15:00.000-07:00

GC1MQJM - Oh Fudge!

Cache #4 on a 5 out of 6 day... Out with child #1 of 5...
TNLNSL - TFTC!

GC1PHWP - Shore is Nice Here, Too!

2009-05-17T15:14:00.000-07:00

GC1PHWP - Shore is Nice Here, Too!

Cache #3 on a 5 out of 6 day... Out with child #1 of 5...
This was our DNF...

GC1K4RR - Jeffers Pond Park

2009-05-17T15:13:00.000-07:00

GC1K4RR - Jeffers Pond Park

Cache #2 on a 5 out of 6 day... Out with child #1 of 5...
TNLNSL - TFTC!

GC1JHR3 - Goober Pyle - Mayberry's Finest

2009-05-17T15:11:00.000-07:00

GC1JHR3 - Goober Pyle - Mayberry's Finest

Cache #1 on a 5 out of 6 day... Out with child #1 of 5...

GC1P8E1 - Spazz McGee

2009-05-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

GC1P8E1 - Spazz McGee

A quick find while the boys were at their Boy Scout meeting.

A nice cache, in one of my FAVORITE parks!

The bugs are a-startin' to let their presence be known!

TNLNSL - TFTC!

A Little "Upgrade"

2009-05-11T15:08:00.000-07:00

Well, after saving for, and investing in my GPS - I have found it getting battered around in my carryall or in my pocket a few times... I have gotten worried about scratching the screen (which I have had other gadgets marred by a scratched screen).

Seeing the advertisement on Geocaching.com for the ZAGG InvisibileSHIELD, I picked one up for my GPS.

Seems like a pretty amazing little item!

GC1QPNG - Tie a Yellow Ribbon Rides Again

2009-05-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

GC1QPNG - Tie a Yellow Ribbon Rides Again

Cache #4 on a 2 out of 4 day (in the rain).

This was a DNF #2. I dunno..I found the original, but was unable to locate this one...

Recent grass fire had everything (including the beacon) blackened and charred.. It smelled great!

I'll be back!

GC1C38T - Lakefront Restoration

2009-04-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

GC1C38T - Lakefront Restoration

Cache #3 on a 2 out of 4 day (in the rain).

This was find #2 for me.

I dropped a BRAND NEW Travel Bug!!

TFTC!

GC1QPNN - I Pine for Tennis

2009-04-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

GC1QPNN - I Pine for Tennis

Cache #2 on a 2 out of 4 day (in the rain).

This was a DNF #1. I dunno.. I'm pretty sure I got the right "beacon", but I just could not seem to come up with this one...

I'll be back!

GC1E4BX - Paying Memorial

2009-04-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

GC1E4BX - Paying Memorial

Cache #1 on a 2 out of 4 day (in the rain).

This was my second attempt at this one, and I gotta ask myself...

How could I have missed it the first time!?!?!

TB29X9N - Father-of-five turns 40!

2009-04-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

As promised, I did complete a small "GeoCaching Project". I made a "Travel Bug" in memorial of turning 40 years old!

TB29X9N - Father-of-five turns 40!

Owner: Father-of-five
Released: Thursday, October 02, 2008
Origin: Minnesota, United States
Use TB29X9N to reference this item.
How do Trackable Items Work?

Recently Spotted: In Lakefront Restoration

Current GOAL:
This TravelBug (my first) was released in honor of my (Father-of-five's) 40th Birthday.

I'd really like to see photos of GeoCaching families in or at areas of local interest (from your area) - caching together with this bug!

At some point in it's travels, I would like to see this travelbug make it's way down to Austin, Texas to say hello to Geo-Friend AtHomeDaddy with his caching clan...

About this item:

Since "40" is a milestone birthday, I wanted to create a Travel Bug to celebrate the momentous feat of actually reaching it!

I truly believe that GeoCaching is a WONDERFUL family activity, and (as you may be able to ascertain by my Geocaching name) I am the father of five (wonderful) kids, and have been having a lot of fun Geocaching with them!

(See some of our adventures at my GeoCaching Blog (www.caching-with-dad.blogspot.com)
It would be really great to see photos of Geocaching families from accross the United States associated with this Travel Bug.

Take some time to enjoy your family. Get out together for some family GeoCaching. Snap a photo with this TB (and upload it to share some fun times with YOUR family) while you are at it!

A GeoCaching Project!

2009-04-13T17:29:00.000-07:00

I am undergoing a small GeoCaching Project!! (Hint - Travel Bug)

Stay tuned for further info!!

GCRAJP - Trail To Jidana

2009-04-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

GCRAJP - Trail To Jidana

#4 on a 3 out of 4 day. This was my DNF.

Flying solo - was at the Minnetonka Police Department for a meeting today. Had to sang a few!

TNLNSL - TFTC!

GC13W17 - Civic Center Park 7

2009-04-09T17:24:00.000-07:00

GC13W17 - Civic Center Park 7

#3 on a 3 out of 4 day.

Flying solo - was at the Minnetonka Police Department for a meeting today. Had to sang a few!

TNLNSL - TFTC!

GC1CYWM - Civic Center Park 8

2009-04-09T17:23:00.000-07:00

GC1CYWM - Civic Center Park 8

#2 on a 3 out of 4 day.

Flying solo - was at the Minnetonka Police Department for a meeting today. Had to sang a few!

TNLNSL - TFTC!

(I did not see the geo-coin... I'll leave a note there...)

GCQM86 - Civic Center Park 2

2009-04-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

GCQM86 - Civic Center Park 2

#1 on a 3 out of 4 day.

Flying solo - was at the Minnetonka Police Department for a meeting today. Had to sang a few!

TNLNSL - TFTC!

GCY3ZF - Branchin' Out

2009-04-01T17:20:00.000-07:00

GCY3ZF - Branchin' Out

#4 on a 3 out of 4 day.

Glad I did this one before the foilage is out... Lots of thorns!!

With a daughter that takes sewing class in Prior Lake, and an hour to kill each week, I am really working my way through the Prior Lake Caches!

TNLNSL.
TFTC!

GC1EK1T - Cacher Rejuvenation Center

2009-04-01T17:19:00.000-07:00

GC1EK1T - Cacher Rejuvenation Center

#3 on a 3 out of 4 day.

With a daughter that takes sewing class in Prior Lake, and an hour to kill each week, I am really working my way through the Prior Lake Caches!

TNLNSL.
TFTC!

GC1E4BX - Paying Memorial

2009-04-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

GC1E4BX - Paying Memorial

#2 of a 3 out of 4 day. This was the DNF.

Wow, after not finding it, and reading the logs, I am feeling a little silly. Seems like maybe I was looking a little too hard... I'll be back.

GC1HPKV - Elmo's World

2009-04-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

GC1HPKV - Elmo's World

#1 on a 3 out of 4 day.

With a daughter that takes sewing class in Prior Lake, and an hour to kill each week, I am really working my way through the Prior Lake Caches!

TNLNSL. Thanks for the Cache!

GC1NZQQ - Pump You Up

2009-03-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

GC1NZQQ - Pump You Up

After dinner and chores, I loaded up kid #2, #3, #4 and #5, and we headed out for a couple of finds before it got too dark.

TFTC!!

GC1NZQB - Sawmill Views

2009-03-30T18:17:00.000-07:00

GC1NZQB - Sawmill Views

After dinner and chores, I loaded up kid #2, #3, #4 and #5, and we headed out for a couple of finds before it got too dark.

TFTC!!

GCC5CC - Rolling in the Necco!?

2009-03-26T15:32:00.000-07:00

GCC5CC - Rolling in the Necco!?

Found it! Dropping off some papers for eldest son (Rocki88 - who could not find it yesterday) at his new place, and we hit the closest cache!

I guess he still needs his ol' man show him a thing or two !!

Passing the baton.

2009-03-20T15:40:00.001-07:00

I will be passing the Geo-caching-baton on to the next generation next week.

I have taken child #1 of 5 caching several times, but due to a situation of "unemployment", he can not afford to buy his own GPS.

For the past several months, I have been scouring Ebay and Craigslist, and last week, I found him one. It's an older model (Venture), and "gently used" (I could not tell it was used at all), and came in the original box, with manuals, cords, and EVERYTHING!

This thing was as new as mine when it arrived! I hope he enjoys!

GC1D5V5 - MOA IV Cache

2009-03-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

GC1D5V5 - MOA IV Cache

#4 of a 3 out of 4 day of caching with child #4 of 5!

TFTC!

GC1B7FZ - LRT - Bloomington Central

2009-03-20T15:27:00.000-07:00

GC1B7FZ - LRT - Bloomington Central

#3 of a 3 out of 4 day - caching with child #4 of 5.

I squeezed in the Spongebob TB.

TFTC!

TB5DEA - Spongebob TB

2009-03-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

TB5DEA - Spongebob TB

I was passing by the MALL OF AMERICA today, so I took child #4 of 5, and we made a quick bee-line into Nickelodeon Universe Indoor Theme Park at the Mall (used to be Camp Snoopy).

We had Sponge Bob check in with the folks and Nickelodeon, and he told them how much fun he has been having traveling!!

We ran over over to "His" ride (the Sponge Bob Square Pants Rock Bottom Plunge, and snapped a couple of photos.

Since he was anxious to get moving again, we did not take him ON the ride.

We left him at one of the closest caches to the MPS INTL airport, in hopes that he will soon head to other destinations!

Thanks for a great TB! (Child #4 of 5 was sad to see him go so quickly... "Bye-Bye Sponge Bob" she said as we left the Cache.)

GC1FP6E - LRT - 28th St. Station

2009-03-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

GC1FP6E - LRT - 28th St. Station

#2 of a 3 out of 4 day caching with child #4 of 5.. This was our DNF.

Now that I am home, and read the clues a little better, I know EXACTLY what we were doing wrong...

I'll be back!

GCTF9W - 28th Street Park n' Grab

2009-03-20T15:21:00.000-07:00

GCTF9W - 28th Street Park n' Grab

#1 of a 3 out of 4 day - caching with child #4 of 5!

TFTC!

GCNE6W - Lost Treasure of Deuce and a Quarter

2009-03-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

GCNE6W - Lost Treasure of Deuce and a Quarter

Find #5 on a 5-out-of-6 day!

I was finished caching after #4 today (or so I thought). I was close, it was warm, and the sun was still up, so I made a quick side-line for this one, much later in the day.

This was my second attempt at this cache. (I tried it last fall, but was unable to find it.)

A few extra months of "Geo-sense" - and I walked right up to it this time.

TFTC!

TB5DEA - Spongebob Travel-Bug

2009-03-18T19:31:00.000-07:00

TB5DEA - Spongebob Travel-Bug

I had to make a special "extra" find for this one. I saw that this TB originated from the Austin area. I had to snag this one in honor of Geo-buddy AtHomeDaddy who hails from the Austin area!!

With Nickelodeon Universe (Indoor Theme Park at the Mall of America) so darn close, it would be a shame for him not to "check back in" with his friends at Nickelodeon!

I may have to help Sponge Bob with that task!

GC1NNZN - Blowing Raspberries at Puzzle Caches

2009-03-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

GC1NNZN - Blowing Raspberries at Puzzle Caches

Find #4 on a 5 out of 6 day!

This cache I snagged after picking up #4 of 5 from her nearby sewing class.

Two reasons I had to find this one...

First - I found three caches "childless" while child #4 was in sewing class, and I REALLY wanted her to join me for AT LEAST one cache.

Second - The Spongebob TB that was left in this cache came from Austin, TX area - and I had to find this one in honor of Geo-buddy AtHomeDaddy (from the Austin area...)

GC1EAXF - Lakefront Hilltop

2009-03-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

GC1EAXF - Lakefront Hilltop

My DNF on a 5-out-of-6-day

I found several possible hiding spots, but alas, no cache to be found...

GCW9XA - Lake Shore Micro

2009-03-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

GCW9XA - Lake Shore Micro

Find #3 of a 5-out-of-6-day!

TFTC!

(Note... Confirming this log is FULL! I have a couple of spare logs that I keep in my Geo-bag... But alas, I did not have it with me today...)

GC1CJGE - Tie a Yellow Ribbon

2009-03-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

GC1CJGE - Tie a Yellow Ribbon

Find #2 of a 5-out-of-6-day!

TFTC!

GC1MQGG - The Four Way Test

2009-03-18T19:15:00.000-07:00

GC1MQGG - The Four Way Test

Find #1 of a 5-out-of-6-day!

TFTC!

GC17PYY - Raspberry Surprise

2009-02-25T12:41:00.000-08:00

GC17PYY - Raspberry Surprise

Find #50 for me!!! Woo-Hoo!!! And a Mystery cache to boot (my first)!!

I found the Raspberry Ridge, and Raspberry Woods caches last fall, and had since lost the coordinates for Raspberry Surprise.

I dropped child #4 of 5 off at her sewing lessons, and headed back to RR, and RW - only to discover I had deleted the coordinates out of the GPS for both of these previously "found" caches.

Thankfully, I was able to remember enough about each find - that I was able to locate the RR and RW caches WITHOUT the use of my GPS!

By the time I found, and logged my visit at Raspberry Surprise, when I made it back to the trail - the ol' ticker was really beating with fury.

TFTC!!!

GC1B9E9 - Cache Recycler: Arcticabn

2009-02-24T12:38:00.000-08:00

GC1B9E9 - Cache Recycler: Arcticabn

I'm not going to call this a DNF - but I am not going to call it a find either.

I found where (I am sure) it was SUPPOSED to be.

A metal wire around a branch with remnants of camo duct tape on the end of it

But I could not find the actual cache itself. I rooted around the ground, but came up with nothing...

GC1CHKT - The third one ducks.

2009-02-24T12:32:00.000-08:00

GC1CHKT - The third one ducks.

My final cache on wonderful Minnesota February day!

TFTC!

GC1ATXD - Mass

2009-02-24T12:28:00.000-08:00

GC1ATXD - Mass

A quick cache, but I made it a little harder by parking further away, and taking the sidewalk.

Oh well... It was a BEAUTIFUL day!

TFTC!

GC1B72F - PL Cache to Eagle #1

2009-02-24T12:21:00.000-08:00

GC1B72F - PL Cache to Eagle #1

Now that is what I call a micro! I have never seen anything so tiny

Thanks for helping me enjoy a beautiful Minnesota February day!

GC1CW3H - I Gotta Go Real Bad

2009-02-23T18:53:00.000-08:00

GC1CW3H - I Gotta Go Real Bad

Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!
(A laugh bordering on madness)

I DID IT!!!! I FINALLY DID IT!!!

Four tries on this one... FOUR!
It was driving me CRAZY!

Two logged DNF's (and one unlogged DNF (too embarrassed to admit it got the best of me a third time) and I FINALLY FOUND IT!

Oh, signing that log was one of the most satisfying things I have done in a LONG, LONG TIME!

Thanks for the Cache (I think...)

Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
(Excuse me as continue my descent into GeoMadness)

A New GeoCaching Friend!

2009-02-20T14:33:00.001-08:00

If you have never stopped by my "everyday blog" (The Life of a Father of Five), you may not have noticed a frequent visitor and commenter there.

Over the past couple of years, I have made pretty good "cyber" friends with AtHomeDaddy. It was not that long ago that he contacted me and asked about my GPS (knowing that I have recently started GeoCaching.)

Well, a few days ago, I got an email from him that advised me that "made the plunge" and bought a GPS for some camping and GeoCaching! I was excited to hear this news!

Well, just yesterday- I got another email from him - advising he had received the GPS, and had actually made a couple of finds with his kiddos!! Even better... He started a GPS blog too!!

I'm totally stoked about this, and will be adding the AtHomeDaddyGPS blog to my daily reads!

Congratulations AtHomeDaddy! I hope GeoCaching is as much fun for you and your kids as it is with me and mine!!

(Now, if it would just get above freezing temps here so I could get out a little easier! It's snowing right now, and they are saying to expect between 2-4 inches...)

GC17ZZX - Hello Anna

2009-02-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

GC17ZZX - Hello Anna

After searching for 30 minutes for a nearby cache that was still in my GPS, but since archived (and not there anymore), I tried my hand at Hello Anna.

My GPS put me between two pretty good choices. I guess the wrong one first, but once I started searching the second possiblity, BINGO! There it was!!

Traded a mini War card game for a rubber gecko.

TFTC!!

GCNE2E - Turkey Lurkey

2009-02-11T12:04:00.000-08:00

GCNE2E - Turkey Lurkey

Since I was going to be out of my "regular" stomping grounds for the day, I loaded up a geocache that was nearby my meeting location.

After the meeting was over, I made a quick bee-line to the area, and located this one pretty quickly. Quite an interesting container!

The log was pretty "complete". I squeezed my name in there, and headed back.

I was flying solo on this one... No kids, but I took the Geocaching Crystal (for my daughters), and left a florescent scorpion.

TFTC!

GC1K29G - Local Heroes

2009-02-08T15:10:00.000-08:00

GC1K29G - Local Heroes

Second of two found today after a Boy Scout ice fishing derby with child #2 & #3.

#3 really wanted the army guy.. Took him but had nothing to trade. Made #3 promise to find something to stash, and we will return!

We left Star Wars Guy's Little Alien Traveler Travel Bug that I had hung on to too long!

TFTC!