What's the best way to get this information?

Is there any way to take a list of coordinates and find all caches within a mile of each coordinate? Or would I have to go through and look up each coordinate individually?

To put my question in to context...

My husband and I are really in to lighthouses. We'd like to have caches at some of the best viewing spots for various lighthouses in Maine that are typically hard to find so that others can see lighthouses that they may not have seen otherwise.

For example, Whitlocks Mill Lighthouse is on private property. However, about a mile away there is a rest area that provides a great viewing spot. We'd like to put a cache at that rest area.

Or, Indian Island Lighthouse is offshore but it is possible to get distant views from the shore. At the Maine Lighthouse Museum there are directions to a spot with a really good distant view but it involves parking on the side of the road in Rockport (or Rockland? I forget, lol) and going through a wooded area. We'd like to put a cache there.

I'd like to generate a list of all lighthouses that already have nearby caches. That way I know which lighthouses to ignore. I obviously can go through and manually look up each lighthouse's coordinates... but if there were a way I could run a query to generate the list it would be awesome.

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Originally Posted by benandtina

Is there any way to take a list of coordinates and find all caches within a mile of each coordinate? Or would I have to go through and look up each coordinate individually?

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Well, I see that this request has been viewed 17 times so far without a comment, so I might as well jump in...

To answer your question: no, I don't think so - not multiple coordinates at once. :D:D

Though it would be a cool idea.

Might I suggest to do a Pocket Query with the word Lighthouse in the cache name. You might be surprised with what you come up with.

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Originally Posted by WhereRWe?

Well, I see that this request has been viewed 17 times so far without a comment, so I might as well jump in...

To answer your question: no, I don't think so - not multiple coordinates at once. :D:D

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Ah, Bruce, you newbie! - so much to learn! :D

In GSAK you can choose filter - Select the Arc/Poly tab, set the filter type to points, Enter in all the coords for your points, specify a radius from each point and there ya have it!

You won't know which caches go with which coords, however. But that could be done with a macro.

The initial setup would take a few minutes, you would have to know the coords for all the lighthouses, but you could share that list with the site! :)

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Originally Posted by Haffy

Might I suggest to do a Pocket Query with the word Lighthouse in the cache name. You might be surprised with what you come up with.

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Only 7 Maine caches have the word lighthouse in the title, one is archived (46 Maine caches have the word lighthouse in the description, 8 have been archived). :rolleyes:

Whitlock's Mill Lighthouse (GCK3DZ) by Red Witch (2/2.5)
Breakwater Lighthouse (GC1A030) by waterski (1.5/2)
Urban Lighthouse - Compass Rose (GC1B237) by NorthCumberMouth Cachers (1/1)
Urban Lighthouse - Lighting Liberty (GC1B4BM) by NorthCumberMouth Cachers (1/1.5)
Urban Lighthouse - Samantha Goes To "C" (GC1CVR0) by NorthCumberMouth Cachers (1.5/1.5)
Urban Lighthouse - Power of Women (GC1CW7V) by NorthCumberMouth Cachers (1.5/1.5)
Urban Lighthouse - Shipyard Light (GC1H3WC) by NorthCumberMouth Cachers (1/1.5)

Thanks everyone!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Haffy

Might I suggest to do a Pocket Query with the word Lighthouse in the cache name. You might be surprised with what you come up with.

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I am probably missing something obvious, but I don't see anything on the PQ screen to let me specify a cache name or description. When I go to http://www.geocaching.com/pocket/gcquery.aspx all I see are dropdowns and checkboxes... there doesn't seem to be any way to do a text search. Am I missing something that should be very clear?

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Originally Posted by brdad

Ah, Bruce, you newbie! - so much to learn! :D

In GSAK you can choose filter - Select the Arc/Poly tab, set the filter type to points, Enter in all the coords for your points, specify a radius from each point and there ya have it!

You won't know which coords go with which coords, however. But that could be done with a filter.

The initial setup would take a few minutes, you would have to know the coords for all the lighthouses, but you could share that list with the site! :)

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YAY! THANK YOU! I will definitely try this out and share!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brdad

Only 7 Maine caches have the word lighthouse in the title, one is archived (46 Maine caches have the word lighthouse in the description, 8 have been archived). :rolleyes:

Whitlock's Mill Lighthouse (GCK3DZ) by Red Witch (2/2.5)
Breakwater Lighthouse (GC1A030) by waterski (1.5/2)
Urban Lighthouse - Compass Rose (GC1B237) by NorthCumberMouth Cachers (1/1)
Urban Lighthouse - Lighting Liberty (GC1B4BM) by NorthCumberMouth Cachers (1/1.5)
Urban Lighthouse - Samantha Goes To "C" (GC1CVR0) by NorthCumberMouth Cachers (1.5/1.5)
Urban Lighthouse - Power of Women (GC1CW7V) by NorthCumberMouth Cachers (1.5/1.5)
Urban Lighthouse - Shipyard Light (GC1H3WC) by NorthCumberMouth Cachers (1/1.5)

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Looks like Red Witch has been doing lighthouses in New Brunswick and only got as far south as Northern Maine. Maybe I'll start south and work my way up? :o) hehe

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Originally Posted by benandtina

I am probably missing something obvious, but I don't see anything on the PQ screen to let me specify a cache name or description. When I go to http://www.geocaching.com/pocket/gcquery.aspx all I see are dropdowns and checkboxes... there doesn't seem to be any way to do a text search. Am I missing something that should be very clear?

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You are correct. When haffy posted that, I thought he was correct and there was a section in the PQ generator for a keyword.

It is only on the gc.com search page that you can use a keyword.

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/neare...use&submit4=Go

As a lighthouse fan I think this idea would be great.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brdad

Ah, Bruce, you newbie! - so much to learn! :D

In GSAK you can choose filter - Select the Arc/Poly tab, set the filter type to points, Enter in all the coords for your points, specify a radius from each point and there ya have it!

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Sheesh! Maybe I misunderstood the question - I was thinking of doing it with a pocket query from GC.com. GSAK is OK, but only if all the areas covered by the coordinates you want to enter are included in the database.

:confused::confused:

:D:Dyou could do the searches in Gsak and set one up for each lighthouse and save it. Not sure if you can output the results in sections though. Where is the Stats People when you need them

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Originally Posted by WhereRWe?

Sheesh! Maybe I misunderstood the question - I was thinking of doing it with a pocket query from GC.com. GSAK is OK, but only if all the areas covered by the coordinates you want to enter are included in the database.

:confused::confused:

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Nah, you didn't misunderstand my question! I didn't think to ask about GSAK since I assumed my solution would be a pocket query. I didn't think to ask about running my queries on my GSAK database. My GSAK database has 3887 Maine caches in them - basically everything except the 30ish that I've already seen.

Rather than using the coordinates of each lighthouse, I decided to use the coordinates for each of my favorite lighthouse pictures since that's where I'd want to put my caches. I did a filter to find caches within .5km of the coordinates.

I created a bookmark list of the caches in my result that either mention a lighthouse or I can that I can tell from the map/my memory that the lighthouse will most likely be viewable from the cache. As we get in to this and place our own caches I'll be able to make the list more accurate!

Here's the list:
http://www.geocaching.com/bookmarks/...f-4ecd0e66bae1

Thanks again for all the tips! :)

When I wanted to find the caches placed nearest to the DeLorme Unique and Natural, I used my Garmin Mapsource software. I located the areas on Mapsource and then it was easy. Right click on the area and select " find near caches on geocaching.com ". The search box opens in your browser and lists the caches for you.

If you want to create a new database in GSAK, ( call it lighthouses ) you can check the caches you wish to visit from the Maine caches. One of the default filters in GSAK is user flagged, choose it and the only waypoints that will show are those that were checked. Then select, Database in the tool bar and Move/Copy waypoints. Send them to your new database and then you have listed all of the " must see " finds. All in one place.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WhereRWe?

Sheesh! Maybe I misunderstood the question - I was thinking of doing it with a pocket query from GC.com. GSAK is OK, but only if all the areas covered by the coordinates you want to enter are included in the database.

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I didn't pay as much attention to the question as I did the desired result! And, GSAK is my first instinct since I have all Maine caches loaded there anyway.

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Originally Posted by benandtina

Here's the list:
http://www.geocaching.com/bookmarks/...f-4ecd0e66bae1

Thanks again for all the tips! :)

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Great job on the list! If you get enough data perhaps you can create something for the articles section about caching near Maine lighthouses so it is easily accessible. As FFJ suggested, it would be something of interest to many visitors and residents to the state. If you get to that point and would like to supply a map, I'd be glad to whip one up. In fact, I think if you made a separate GSAK database of the lighthouses I could make a map showing those locations.

The possibilities are endless.
Thanks for contributing to the site. Members make the site what it is!

I used a macro brdad shared with me to generate a list of caches within half a mile of lighthouses. This is based on the actual lighthouse coordinates, NOT a mainland viewing spot. I'll tweak the macro/list some more before putting together an article. Thanks so much for sharing the macro brdad :)

BAKER ISLAND LIGHT (1855) (HANCOCK County; City: ISLESFORD):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 6.57 miles away.

BASS HARBOR HEAD LIGHT (1858) (unknown County; City: unknown):
0.07 miles - Bass Harbor Light (GC869C) by IWCOTTON (1/1)

BEAR ISLAND LIGHT (1889) (HANCOCK County; City: NORTHEAST HARBOR):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 1.79 miles away.

BLUE HILL BAY LIGHT (1857) (HANCOCK County; City: BROOKLIN):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 3.06 miles away.

BOON ISLAND LIGHT (1855) (YORK County; City: YORK):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 10.61 miles away.

BROWNS HEAD LIGHT (1857) (KNOX County; City: VINALHAVEN):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 1.65 miles away.

BURNT COAT HARBOR LIGHT (1872) (HANCOCK County; City: SWANS ISLAND):
0.13 miles - Hockamock Island Cache (GC6996) by hockamock (1/4)

BURNT ISLAND LIGHT (1821) (LINCOLN County; City: SOUTHPORT):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 2.24 miles away.

CAPE ELIZABETH LIGHTS (1874) (CUMBERLAND County; City: CAPE ELIZABETH):
0.2 miles - Alphabet Soup "L" (GC1CPWJ) by NorthCumberMouth Cachers (3/2)

"CAPE NEDDICK ""THE NUBBLE"" LIGHT (1879)" (YORK County; City: YORK BEACH):
0.12 miles - Nubble Trouble (GC17EHF) by indieskime (1/1.5)

CUCKOLDS (THE) LIGHT (1907) (unknown County; City: SOUTHPORT):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 4.99 miles away.

CURTIS ISLAND LIGHT (1896) (KNOX County; City: CAMDEN):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 0.79 miles away.

DEER ISLAND THOROFARE LIGHT (1857) (HANCOCK County; City: TONINGTON):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 2.38 miles away.

DICE HEAD LIGHT (OLD) (1829) (HANCOCK County; City: CASTINE):
0.04 miles - dyce head - Maine Rose Series (GC10H35) by becket (1.5/1.5)

DOUBLING POINT (KENNEBEC RIVER) RANGE LIGHTS (1898) (SAGADAHOC County; City: ARROWSIC):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 0.79 miles away.

DOUBLING POINT LIGHT (1899) (SAGADAHOC County; City: ARROWSIC):
0.09 miles - Beacon on the Double (GC185RF) by Woonie (1.5/1.5)

EAGLE ISLAND LIGHT (1838) (HANCOCK County; City: TOWN OF DEER ISLAND):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 4.1 miles away.

EGG ROCK LIGHT (1875) (HANCOCK County; Delorme Map #BAR HARBOR):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 4.28 miles away.

FORT POINT LIGHT (1857) (WALDO County; City: STOCKTON SPRINGS):
0.23 miles - Fort Point deLight (GC2414) by k1br (1.5/2)

FRANKLIN ISLAND LIGHT (1855) (KNOX County; City: FRIENDSHIP):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 9.58 miles away.

GOAT ISLAND LIGHT (1859) (YORK County; City: KENNEBUNKPORT):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 1 miles away.

GOOSE ROCKS LIGHT (1890) (KNOX County; City: NORTH HAVEN):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 2.86 miles away.

GREAT DUCK ISLAND LIGHT (1890) (HANCOCK County; City: FRENCHBORO):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 11.53 miles away.

GRINDEL POINT LIGHT (1874) (WALDO County; City: ISLESBORO):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 0.61 miles away.

HALFWAY ROCK LIGHT (1871) (CUMBERLAND County; City: SOUTH HARPSWELL):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 6.22 miles away.

HENDRICKS HEAD LIGHT (1875) (LINCOLN County; City: WEST SOUTHPORT):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 0.56 miles away.

HERON NECK LIGHT (1854) (KNOX County; City: VINALHAVEN):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 2.31 miles away.

INDIAN ISLAND LIGHT (1874) (KNOX County; City: ROCKPORT):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 1.39 miles away.

ISLE AU HAUT (ROBINSON POINT) LIGHT (1907) (KNOX County; City: ROBINSON POINT*):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 1.39 miles away.

LIBBY ISLAND LIGHT (1848) (WASHINGTON County; City: MACHIASPORT):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 6.44 miles away.

LITTLE RIVER LIGHT (1876) (WASHINGTON County; City: CUTLER):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 1.16 miles away.

LUBEC CHANNEL LIGHT (1890) (WASHINGTON County; City: LUBEC):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 1.77 miles away.

MARSHALL POINT LIGHT (1857) (KNOX County; City: PORT CLYDE):
0.13 miles - Seafarers Beacon Cache (GCK4FC) by K1SAM (2/3)

MATINICUS ROCK LIGHT (TWIN TOWERS) (1857) (KNOX County; City: ROCKLAND):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 8.41 miles away.

MONHEGAN ISLAND LIGHT(1850) (LINCOLN County; City: MONHEGAN):
0.05 miles - Monhegan Magic (GC9216) by Anderson (2.5/5)

MOOSE PEAK LIGHT (1851) (WASHINGTON County; City: JONESPORT):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 5.47 miles away.

MOUNT DESERT ROCK LIGHT (1847) (HANCOCK County; City: FRENCHBORO):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 29.53 miles away.

NARRAGUAGUS (POND ISLAND) LIGHT (1853) (WASHINGTON County; City: MILBRIDGE):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 3.72 miles away.

NASH ISLAND LIGHT (1874) (WASHINGTON County; City: SOUTH ADDISON):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 8.68 miles away.

OWLS HEAD LIGHT (1852) (KNOX County; City: OWLS HEAD):
0.12 miles - Owl's Head Delight (GCGGT7) by quietbert (1.5/2.5)

PEMAQUID POINT LIGHT (1835) (LINCOLN County; City: PEMAQUID POINT):
0.22 miles - Pemaquid Light (GCV4CX) by chimneyguy (3/3.5)

PERKINS ISLAND LIGHT (1898) (SAGADAHOC County; City: GEORGETOWN):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 2.04 miles away.

PETIT MANAN LIGHT (1855) (WASHINGTON County; City: MILLBRIDGE):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 13.17 miles away.

POND ISLAND LIGHT (1855) (SAGADAHOC County; City: POPHAM BEACH):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 1.87 miles away.

"PORTLAND BREAKWATER LIGHT (""BUG LIGHT"") (1875)" (CUMBERLAND County; City: SOUTH PORTLAND):
0 miles - Bug Light (GC1Q6D1) by team moxiepup (2/1.5)
0.24 miles - Liberty Ships (GC1Q6DZ) by team moxiepup (3/1)

PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT (1791) (CUMBERLAND County; City: CAPE ELIZABETH):
0.25 miles - PICTURE THIS # 14 PORTLAND HEADLIGHT (GC1CHV2) by HD (1.5/1.5)
0.36 miles - MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (GCR9Q9) by hoamdezinahs (3/1.5)

PROSPECT HARBOR POINT LIGHT (1891) (HANCOCK County; City: PROSPECT HARBOR):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 3.39 miles away.

PUMPKIN ISLAND LIGHT (1854) (HANCOCK County; City: SARGENTVILLE):
0.47 miles - pumpkin island light - Maine Rose Series (GCZMMH) by becket (1.5/1.5)

RAM ISLAND LEDGE LIGHT (1905) (CUMBERLAND County; City: CAPE ELIZABETH):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 2.09 miles away.

RAM ISLAND LIGHT (1883) (LINCOLN County; City: OCEAN POINT):
0.21 miles - Ram Isle (GC1E3RP) by PB2J (2/5)

ROCKLAND HARBOR BREAKWATER LIGHT (1902) (KNOX County; City: ROCKLAND):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 1.37 miles away.

SADDLEBACK LEDGE LIGHT (1839) (KNOX County; City: VINALHAVEN):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 7.27 miles away.

SEGUIN ISLAND LIGHT (1857) (SAGADAHOC County; City: BATH):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 3.77 miles away.

SPRING POINT LEDGE LIGHT (1897) (CUMBERLAND County; City: SOUTH PORTLAND):
0.28 miles - Spring Point Shoreway (GC178KN) by lexmano (2/1.5)
0.36 miles - Remembering Roger (GC1M91Y) by Dare Bear (2/2)

SQUIRREL POINT LIGHT (1898) (SAGADAHOC County; City: ARROWSIC):
0.11 miles - Critter Cache (GCGD6Q) by Cassie, Tucker, Mac, Mickie & the Coastal Cachers (2/2.5)

TENANTS HARBOR LIGHT (1857) (LINCOLN County; City: TENANTS HARBOR):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 2.33 miles away.

TWO BUSH ISLAND LIGHT (1897) (unknown County; City: SPRUCEHEAD):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 10.41 miles away.

WEST QUODDY HEAD LIGHT (1858) (WASHINGTON County; City: LUBEC):
0.06 miles - Fundy Tides (GC15114) by Northwoods Explorer (3.5/3.5)
0.39 miles - Quoddy Quandry (GC8A65) by k1br (1.5/1.5)

WHALEBACK LEDGE LIGHT (1872) (YORK County; City: KITTERY POINT):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 0.99 miles away.

WHITEHEAD ISLAND LIGHT (1852) (KNOX County; City: TENANTS HARBOR):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 7.38 miles away.

WHITLOCK'S MILL LIGHT (1909) (WASHINGTON County; City: CALAIS):
0.35 miles - Whitlock's Mill Lighthouse (GCK3DZ) by Red Witch (2/2.5)

WINTER HARBOR LIGHT (1856) (HANCOCK County; City: WINTER HARBOR):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 1.21 miles away.

WOOD ISLAND LIGHT (1858) (YORK County; City: BIDDLEFORD POOL):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 1.51 miles away.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by benandtina

I used a macro brdad shared with me to generate a list of caches within half a mile of lighthouses. This is based on the actual lighthouse coordinates, NOT a mainland viewing spot. I'll tweak the macro/list some more before putting together an article. Thanks so much for sharing the macro brdad :)

EGG ROCK LIGHT (1875) (HANCOCK County; City: BAR HARBOR):
There are currently no available caches placed at this location. The closest cache is 12428.65 miles away.

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Dave is really good with the numbers, however, I think I'd get a second opinion on the mileage to this one!!!:p

Good lord, is that by bike or car?

That is a nice list - thank you benandtina - as well as brdad for your work on this one. It will be fun to read your article.

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Originally Posted by Sudonim

Dave is really good with the numbers, however, I think I'd get a second opinion on the mileage to this one!!!:p

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LOL! Oops, I may have accidentally put in Antarctic coordinates!! Fixed it :)

Benandtina,
I am not sure if you are just looking for photography locations on these, but if so, my breakwater lighthouse is a photo spot near the end of the one mile granite breakwater leading to the lighthouse. There are some pics also on the page so you can see if it is what you want.

Sorry, but that is the Rockland breakwater lighthouse, I meant to tell you.

That is a great listing that you have done. Thanks for doing it!

Thanks! Although, brdad did most of the work and then gave me his macro :) lol

I think I should change it to list caches within 1.5 miles of a lighthouse, that way the Rockland cache will be included.

This was a great list . . . gives me some ideas as to where to look for some caches and lighthouses seeing as I am into lighthouses . . . well lighthouses and monkeys . . . plenty of lighthouses in Maine . . . not so many monkeys though. :) ;)

LOL! Monkeys are almost as awesome as lighthouses :)

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Originally Posted by benandtina

LOL! Monkeys are more awesome than lighthouses . . . except when they're throwing poo or rocks at you. :)

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I fixed your comment. ;):D