[Az-Geocaching] Re: virtuals

[listserv@azgeocaching.com]

Hey, no-one needs my opinion, but I'll throw my thoughts out on this anyway...

I just discovered some of those virtual caches in the last week or so. Some of these are actually much more difficult than typical drive-up 'physical' caches. The 'Product of Parts' or 'Palindromic Numbers' caches are mathematically based, and to log them you must meet the criteria of being able to actually reach a particular set of co-ordinates - like regular caching - but, with the added twist that some of the possible 'solutions' might have you in someones backyard, or in the middle of the lake, etc. - and hence cannot log it.

There is also an interesting sense of adventure or chance in seeing where a set of co-ordinates, determined mathematically with no regard to terrain, might take you. On a couple of these, I've done much more planning or driving around in (big) circles than I ever would do with a typical cache.

Regular virtuals, like 'log the big stadium' style caches, are much more mundane, but still present the sence of urgency in logging it if there's only one of the stated target in the area, and it can only be logged once. Now it becomes a game of speed.

Other virtuals based on finding unique items are fun because they keep me on my toes in my travels - looking for barber poles, giant fiberglass figurines, or the like - and give me a chance to take a brief rest from work without having to go out of my way.

Lastly, the historic ones are just plain informative and enhance my sense of familiarity with the area. Anything historical interests me anyway, but some caches, like Bob Renner's recent downtown duo and Cache-meifucans latest 'History is All Around' might lead to the discovery of some truly unique sights or insights on the past. I was surprised to see what's on that list at the National Register of Historic Places while checking into the latter cache. If I've heard of 1 percent of them, I'd be surprised.

Acctually, there are a few in-state virtuals that I haven't even gotten around to doing yet (like Trisha's), while tackling a few set up by out-of-staters.

Just out of curiosity, I ran thru all eight jillion of CCCooper Agency's caches, to scope out the number of virtuals logged. It appears that there's not a great many on the list, and the ones that are seem mostly to be ones where an actual physical appearance at the listed co-ordinates is still necessary (no 'armchair' caching). And, most of the 'finds' for all caches appear to be within a fairly tight range of states that are rather close to eachother - Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Virginia (and D.C.). I did notice that several caches have multiple logs listed by them, but that's the exception, certainly. I'm betting my wampum on the team consisting of an extended family, with the ability to do more travelling than typical. 

-Mike-