>From: Gale <
sonoralovesmommy@yahoo.com>
>Reply-To: listserv@azgeocaching.com
>To: listserv@azgeocaching.com
>Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] forwarded forum post about micro/urban
>caches.. from Daniel J. Karam
>I had to respond to this one.
>I dont have a 4 wheel drive.
I dont either!
>This article was written by someone who wants to return to the days where
>only physically fit >people have access to caches.
I dont think you read thru Daniels article very closely. As most people do,
you quickly read it and key elements of it stuck in your mind. Read it
again... carefully. This guy didnt straight out say that there should be NO
urban micro's. He just thinks creativity has taken a dive. I cant tell you
how many urban caches I have done that have been hidden in the filthiest
city locations. Of course, there are many exceptions.. there are some
beautiful spots in the city. You yourself, Gale, has the ability to find
those spots as is demonstrated by some of your past art walk caches and
garden caches. Looking at a piece of art wouldnt be unusual and no one would
pay any attention to my looking at the art (when I am really trying to find
a cache container!). Gale, I remember a couple of caches you hid in a garden
area that were very pleasant caching experiences and scenic little treasures
right in the city. A micro is really the only kind of cache you can place in
an area like that.
Some urban caches can even have an out of town feel as they are hidden in
large green parks, but not particularly right under the dang swingset where
kids are playing every minute of the day! For any of you folks that cache as
a family.... seeking out a micro cache in a neighborhood park kiddy area
isnt a problem. But for a single guy like myself... well, when I am scoping
out very closely a park playset trying to find a microscopic cache
container... well, most people are going to think I am some kind of pervert
or child molestor or something (and 30 minutes later I am still there
searching!). Quite frankly, I feel very out of place and not very
comfortable doing that. There is the very rare case where I can have my
niece and nephew along (2 and 4 years old) and that helps me to 'blend right
in' with these kinds of surroundings. But, most often.. this isnt the case.
There are also many occasions where cachers seem to want to 'test' the
stealthness of us to see if we can find that micro cache hidden in some
security patrolled area. I dont particularly enjoy being confronted by
police and security asking what I am doing, even though I know I am doing
nothing illegal. I just dont like being in that situation.The nice thing
about rural caches is that I can find peace and quite and no one around. I
can have the fun of finding the cache, sitting down and relaxing and taking
my time signing the logbook and enjoying the views and not have to worry
about someone watching me or feeling the need to question my being there.
Again, micro caches can be hidden in locations similar to what I just
mentioned... even right off the side of a rural road just outside of town.
Handicap accessible in fact. They dont have to require a long hike or any
hiking at all!
Again, if you re-read the article closely, I think what Daniel is saying is
pretty much what I am saying above. There are also MANY very scenic places
to stick a micro cache (yes, I did say micro cache!) that takes no physical
ability at all to find. There are lots of caches right on the side of the
road that only require a short walk or even a 'drive by' to retreive. There
is one on I-17 south of Flagstaff a ways that comes to mind. Right in a
little pull off behind a guardrail. Easy to get to and easy to find. Yet, in
a very scenic location. I can think of many caches that are hidden in this
fashion. Many of which are micro's and require nothing more than standing on
the sidewalk and reaching under or over something to grab it. Certainly more
scenic and pleasant of a caching experience than climbing around behind a
garbage dump or going thru a hobo's house behind a store!
You really need to read the article again. In NO WAY does it say there
should be no urban micro caches. He is mearly stating that the scale has
tipped way to the side of micro urban caches and not enough rural/scenic
caches and more creativity in them as well as the urban caches.
Again, this is just my opinion... but, I do beleive that the reason there
are SO many urban micro's hidden under park benches out there is because
people feel obligated to go out and hide a cache and they dont have the time
or desire to go out and hide a nice one just outside of town. So, they stick
one under the park bench near their house. Done deal. I hid one so you can
stop whining at me to hide more!
Of course, that is not my style of cache hide. I enjoy the scenic viewpoints
that can only be had from the top of a mountain and I like to test the
physical ability of a cacher to find my caches. I do apologize to the
cachers who dont have the physical ability to find my caches. I dont like to
worry about my caches coming up missing and so I dont care to stick them in
an urban location. Also, I dont particularly have that raw sense of humor
that Galdrich has to hide really well camo'd micros. :)
There are other cachers who like to test the mental ability of cachers to
find little microscopic caches (Galdrich and Tamo caches).... and that is
fine too. You are right, there are many ways to play this game to fit every
players ability. The article is just trying to:
'put the emphasis on hiding more creative caches and thoughtful caches that
will leave a lasting impression on the finder'.
There are so many urban caches I cant remember one from the next. But, there
are a certain caches that really stick out in my mind and I remember
everything about that hunt for that cache. Yes, these were mostly rural
caches, but I can recall some urban caches I really did enjoy. I think
Galdrich's microscopic caches and Tamo's black light caches are VERY unique
and creative. The article doesnt refer to these kinds of caches. I think
Daniel would be rather impressed with these hides. I particularly dont care
to find those kinds of caches and I dont. I am not complaining about those
caches though and this discussion isnt about those kinds of caches. I think
some of Galdrich's micros are very creative. Some are very well thought out
and camo'd well.
I dont cache for the numbers anymore. Could care less about that. I am just
picking and choosing caches that I think I will enjoy doing and those are
the ones I seek out now and that is what every cacher does and should
continue to do.
Remember, I wouldnt have brought this to the public attention of this list
had my little comment about it in a private email not gone public in the
first place! Yall responded... and I answered! :)
Cache on!
Scott
Team Ropingthewind
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