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Greetings all,
I've had the fun of reading about caching for the past couple of years (I even found a couple of Portland caches using Google Earth). But now I've got the handheld GPS unit. Finally, I can really play (and hide some of my own).
It's great to see an active caching community up in Bangor. It gives me an excuse to travel further north.
Is there much of a treasure hunting community here as well (please, I'm not including scavenger hunts)?
Welcome to the addiction!
You'll find members here from all over the state; we are not limited to Bangor by any means.
Scavenger hunts?
Portland has many caches including the very first Cache in Maine. Lots of stuff happens in the general area as well. There was just a flash mob and coffee break event recently. Welcome to the sport!
Whatever it is you like about geocaching you can find it somewhere in Maine. From her beautiful beaches along the coast to wide open spaces inland. A nice long walk in the woods, or a hike to above 4000'. You might even find a micro hidden in a downtown setting right next to a place you have visited many times in the past.
North, South, East or West, Maine has it all and our geocaching community is always willing to help out. In short.....we are everywhere. You just have to go out and look.
Welcome to a wonderful sport and good luck!
Welcome Listener83
Although a lot of great cachers are north of us, there's still a lot of action down here in the Portland area as well. If you are already finding them with Google Earth and geosense alone, then you're going to have no trouble at all. But if you are still interested in some co-caching, let me know. I'd be happy to meet you somewhere.
And hang around here too. I learn so much from the discussions here. It's a great place to ask those newbie questions (that I still ask) and get honest, helpful advice.
I used to post maps of active Maine caches along with the stats, but I have not found a way to automate the process yet. But, I thought it'd be good to whip one up since I can't sleep.
These are all the currently active Maine caches and the corresponding Delorme map grids for reference..
http://bytethebullet.com/geocaching/...May%202009.gif
Hey, we are from the Portland area as well and I tell you that we are not hurting in the caching area! Feel free to drop me a message and ask for some good ones to check out!
Hi! Welcome!
Thanks for the warm response and, brdad, bene obbligato for the for the statewide map. I was surprised to see how many were hidden back where I grew up (Sumner and that area).
I've been reading the rules about caching and the guidelines for hiding them. I'm about to hide my first micro cache. Beyond what the guidelines say, are there any particular pet peeves that newbies are prone to chafe against I should know about? Or should I just wait and let experiance teach me?
I think that if you find a place that works for you you should go ahead and do it as long as it meets the guidelines. After all, you will not find a place that EVERYONE will like to look (especially if its a micro which some people dislike anyways). Worrying about whether everyone will love your hide or not will make you crazy.
Just hide it and they will come.
Thanks, I meant to ask about that. I'm only doing a micro for my first one (my trial balloon). Are they regarded as an indication of laziness (no offense to any micro-philes)?
Also, I'm confused about the "cache" part of caching. In the non-micro caches I've found, it seems that nobody actually removes what's in the cache, they just add stuff to it. I had thought it was supposed to be like a swap (find a prize, leave a prize). Does it depend on the cache?
Yup.Quote:
Originally Posted by Listener83
You're generally right. The original concept of geocaching was to trade "swag". But with the proliferation of small/micro/nano caches, which are too small to hold anything, fewer people bother to trade. Too bad...Quote:
Originally Posted by Listener83
Nothing wrong with adding to a cache and not taking. I find that to be more on the generous side. Its the people that take and not leave stuff that can be an issue. If too many people do that, eventually the cache is quite barren. I will sometimes leave something even if I do not take anything. Usually, I will at least let my son take something anyways... I always try to leave something if I take something though and I have taught my son to do the same.
As far as micros go, I have no problem with them. To me MOST caches serve a purpose, even if it is just one more thing to seek out.
Welcome to caching and to this site Listener83. Hope to meet you on the trails some day :)
Since I am perceived as the resident anti-micro person and since you asked, I'll set the record straight with my opinion.Quote:
Originally Posted by Listener83
Micros are often perceived as laziness, and often perceived as having no little or no value. IMO in many cases it is true, but yours does not have to be that way! Place it somewhere historical, or with a nice view, or somewhere normal passersby miss. If the location can't be of value, then do something with the cache itself to give it value. Make a unique and/or clever container, or hide it in an uncommon manner. Put something personal into the cache if you can - if you're a dentist, perhaps find a large tooth to use for a container, or in a fake mailbox with "I. Yankum" on the outside. :) You'll get out of a cache what you put into it.
A micro doesn't have to be a 1/1, nor does it have to be boring. I have one cache that was placed as a micro, it is listed as small now, and it is very well received.
Check out my Anatomy of a great cache hide if you have not already as well. :o
I agree that some micros seem a little less inventive but can still be fun for some to find... Especially when there is a puzzle involved.
As others have said . . . it's what you put into it. I'm not a big fan of micros hidden just to hide a cache . . . and in general I'm not a big fan of micros hidden in middle of the woods (with some exceptions) when a larger cache container capable of holding TBs, swag, etc. would work just as well . . . and I do grow tired of a day filled with micro after micro after micro.
However. . . .
a) I am just me . . . I do not represent every cacher. Some folks love micros and the great thing about caching is that there is something for everybody.
b) I believe micros definitely have a place . . . most notably in urban settings where a bulky ammo can might be a bit too noticable. Micros placed in places (even guard rails) with historical or scenic value are also always appreciated.
c) While I am not a big fan of the "micro in middle of the woods" . . . I have found a few which were in fact great hides due to a twist (Creepy Crawlers!!!) , super hide, etc. . . and in fact I have a "micro in the woods" of my own since I wanted folks to see a view and then find my cache in a location which is most definitely not scenic, but in a location that worked well for the hide.
Well said. One of the things that draws me to geocaching is the fact that you can play pretty much how you want to play. Not everyone has the same likes and dislikes. You make it as easy or hard as you want and you just do it.
Though larger caches will certainly be found by more and there are those who filter out micros for personal reasons. Either they find them to difficult or just don't like them.
Sheesh! I'll have to try harder... :p:pQuote:
Originally Posted by brdad