Day 66 Windy City (GCWC92)

Didn't get out there til about 11:00 today. It is getting later and later. Flood watches today. Lots of rain is hitting the area right now. Not so good considering the ground is frozen solid. I was surprised when Niki decided that in spite of the rain that she in the kids were more then willing to come with. Well she and Novalee was. Takoda had a little hissy fit about. Sigh. We dealt with it calmly. They all got ready and we headed for the Windy City cache, by Glendorn.
   The ride was uneventful. We found the trail head and began to follow it. Takoda ran ahead of us, his mood changing drastically for the better. KC joined him ahead of us. Novalee hung back as usual. Niki and I walked side by side enjoying this windy, rainy, and muddy day for what it was. We  walked right up to within 65 feet of the cache. The GPS froze. I was resetting it when Niki, KC and Novalee went in after the cache. Takoda hung back with me running up and down the trail.. The GPS was taking its time finding satelites. Eventually it did though and to my surprise I was 30 feet away from the cache. With out even moving. I called Niki back, on her way she and Novalee spotted the cache. The cache location was pretty neat. It was set up not to be seen from the trail, but it was in plain sight on the way back to the trail. The kids traded for items. I signed the log book, and we headed home.

Day 65 Coming or going Welcome (GCW97K)

Ah it is hunting season. Every season seems to be hunting season. Now however the woods seem to be more populated then down town Kane. I wish all the hunters out there both great safety and bounty. We headed to a cache. Found our parking spot. Decided it was way to crowded, then moved on to another cache in the area. Today seemed to be a great day for a cache and dash. We shouldn't get shot near the road.
    Our second choice, Coming or going Welcome by Glendom was a pretty good choice. We drove a few back roads and found ourselves driving by the cache location in no time. About half a mile later we found a good place to turn around. We drove right up to the cache. Niki parked I located the cache. Novalee got out of the car I helped with natures call in the woods. Niki helped the kids decide what to trade for. I signed the damp log book and we headed for a safe haven where we could safely walk the dog, and exercise the kids.

Day 64 Blackberry Cache (GCT37K)

We decided on the Blackberry Cache by Pegasis this morning. I knew we weren't going to be home most of the day and I had a feeling this would be a great cache on which KC could burn a lot of energy. I was not disappointed either.
    We drove over to the parking coordinates. The morning was chili so we brought gloves for the kids. Novalee wore hers, Niki carried Takoda's in her pocket. The gps indicated that the cache was .4 of a mile in as the crow fly. We walked. KC ran. There was a fresh blanket of snow on the ground. A little more than dusting really. Enough to make everything both wet and white. We walked mostly up hill. Takoda ended up falling at some point. He was shocked that the ground was so cold. After wards he was happy to put his gloves on.  We continued on. Niki and Novalee fell behind. Takoda,, was keeping pace with me pretty well but suddenly decided he wanted to hang back with his mother, and charged back down the pretty steep hill we had just climbed. As for me I was eager to find the cache and then get on with the day. Later on we were going to ga and watch the new Disney movie Tangled in Eerie. A reward Takoda had earned for fantastic performance on his report card earlier this month. Because of this I'd walk ahead. Wait, then walk ahead again. At one point I was going to be a wise guy and call Niki's cell phone. She saw me up ahead though on my phone and decided to ignore hers... I think this would have been funny.
    Along our trek there was two points we could have bush whacked. I am glad he didn't when the first opportunity seemed to arise. However I should have when the second one arrived. When I finally decided bush whacking was a good idea we ended up charging though a thick patch of blackberries. This was a very prickly situation. I had Novalee on my shoulders.as I charged through closing on the cache. Niki tended Takoda with a mothers patience. Eventually I found a clearing set Novalee down. Asked Niki if she minded if I tried to get closer to the cache first and call them too me when I was withing a few feet of it.  This would be both easier and faster and theoretically only I should get cut up by the blackberry bushes. Once I got close to the cache they could find a safe route to me. Niki thought this was a good Idea.
    It took me about 10 minutes but I was finally on top of the cache. The gps had kept freezing on me. So I would have to restart it. Once I was this close to the cache I helped Niki and the kids get back to this spot. Then I asked the kids to hang out together while Niki and I circled the area. This is when Novalee decided she was sick of this adventure and began to cry. We let her upset run its course and started looking for the cache. Almost instantly I spotted the cache. The kids traded for items they wanted I signed the log book. Hoisted Novalee back onto my shoulders and we all headed to the car.

Day 63 Kanesholm Micro Cache (GCP4GV)

    Ha ha, working on my 3rd month of geocacheing. Two months down, 10 to go. How exciting is that. I got out of work late again. I went home to pick up KC. Then we sat in the car while I figured out which cache to go for. Kanesholm Micro by Dgroomer looked nice and easy. I was hoping to find a cache that  would not land me in the middle of the woods on a snowy evening such as this. Kanesholm has a 1-1 rating. Theoretically it should be nice and easy.
   The roads were slick. I drove slow. I did not want to miss my turn off.  I pulled over a couple of times so as other cars could drive on by at their owne pace. Eventually I found my turn off. Wow a church. Very kewl, and what is this. I found my self driving on a narrow road in back of the church through a cemetery. The road was very narrow. There were reflective markers on either side of the road. I felt as if I might hit one before I found a good place to park. I didn't though, and eventually found myself parked right in back of the church.
    KC and I got out of the car. I unhitched him. Thought twice of it. Decided it would be ok then hoped he would not desecrate any of the graves. I was glad that he was only interested in the occasional tree. He loved being out here in the dark. He ran darting too and from me. His eyes reflecting the light of my head lamp in an eirie glowing way. Eventually at the back of the cemetery within the bow of a great big tree I located the cache. It was a good hiding place. I signed the log book. Then KC and I walked around a bit more. Until it was time to go home.

Day 62 Cabin Fever Blues #3 (GC19F3)

Worked til it was dark out. Ate dinner then. Drove down the road and grabbed this cache and dash cache by Pegasis. This was a solo gig. Just me the dark, and the cold. I found the cache quickly signed the log book then headed home

Day 61 County Line Cache (GCQ3PN)

        Happy thanks giving. Yep we went geo cacheing today. This was a great way to walk off some of that delicious thanks giving turkey. We sure did put out a great spread. Niki and I worked very well together and created a masterpiece of a meal. After the meal and clean up, and then desert we left for the County Line Cache. This in spite of the Patriots were playing the Detroit Lions. I did not expect Niki would want to leave the game and go on a cache hunt. She did though and this gave me a very warm feeling inside.
     We decided on the County Line Cache. we tried this one yesterday. Unfortunately we did not get too far. I was scared away by the big dump truck that was rumbling up and down the road on some earth moving endeavor. If it was just me no big deal. I can handle that. When it is the kids, the dog and me it is all safety first. The little ones, KC included are not ready to be responsible for their well being. Each one of them represents a little bit of chaos. Add a dump truck and a one truck road. The safety factor goes way down. We came back to this place today because I doubted that anyone would be working up there today.
    I was right. the road was quiet. It was safe. Novalee was in mixed spirits. She started out upset. Got happy. Then leveled out as ok. Takoda was eager. He needed to get out today. He needed to burn off some energy. So what if, it was raining. He gets devious when he gets bored. Devious and into everything. Things went well. We walked up a big hill. A river valley was off to our right. The little brook issued a relaxing noise as it flowed. The wood in this area was dark the back ground gray. Kinda bleak, but my good mood seemed to brighten the scenery a bit. The .4 of a miles too the cache shrank rapidly. Then when we were in close range we spotted it quickly. Niki first, then  me, Takoda, and finally Novalee who eagerly hauled the container from its hide y hole. The kids traded for items while I signed the log book. We headed home hoping to catch the end of the Patriots game. Go Pats!

Day 60 Cabin Fever Blues #4 (GC19FXE)

The days are definitely getting much shorter. I think dusk began to sinks its teeth into the day around 4:30. I was feeling the pressure. Getting the children ready for a cache hunt takes time. When searching for the cache there is no room for error. If we don't find the cache then we need to move on.. With the days this short and getting shorter. Moving on means geocacheing in the dark.
    Todays cache Cabin Fever Blues # 4 by Pegasis was not the first cache we worked on. In fact it was the 3rd. Construction was happening at the first sight. We nearly had a run in with a dump truck. The second sight turned out to be connected to the first sight, even though we drove half a mile away. I had to back down an old logging trail. By this time I was ready to search for a quickie. I packed the kids and the dog back into the car and then we drove 6 miles away to this cache. I found it signed the log book and headed back home.

Day 59 Watermill Meadow (GC14KDP)

     60 caches in 60 days.... Really? No, not really. Niki was working so it was me and the kids plus KC. I decided on the Watermill Meadow cache by Pegasis because I am by now familiar with the area. Virginia and I had been out here a few times. Then again Niki and I had found the Ancient Forest revisited cache out here also. So it was familiarity that helped me decide on this one.
   We drove out to the parking area. We weren't alone. It seems that a couple had decided this would be a great place to walk their dog. KC was so excited. He barked a few times. KC loves other dogs. I took my time getting  the kids dressed in their hunters orange.  So as the couple could have a good head start. Then I got KC out of the car. It was the leash for him. I usually let him run, not this time though. I was not quite sure how well KC would be received by the other dog.
    We walked. Very, very slowly. It seems Novalee does not like GeoCacheing any more. Poor thing. Takoda walked ahead. I walked next to Novalee, keeping pace with her, while KC tried pulling my arm off. He pulled from the left and then too the right. Urging me forward. He eagerly sniffed out spots to mark. He whined, his tail wagged. He pulled. He so wanted to catch up to the other dog. Me I walked slow next to Novalee resisting the poor dogs pull. Every now and again we could hear the other dog bark off in the distance.
      Eventually we saw the other couple and their dog walking towards us, on their way back out to their vehicle. This in itself is not a problem. KC became no more of a challenge to hold. He is a medium sized dog so is very easy to handle. Unfortunately Takoda. my boy. He had been enjoying the chaos that lead up til this moment. He knew that something interesting might happen if the two dogs met. Knowing this Takoda decided to try and facilitate the meeting by running up towards the people like a lunatic.... screaming "HI!" I was sorta prepared for this so I called Takoda back before he could get too close. Takoda quasi listened. He got close to the couple and their dog just hovering outside of arm, and leash length. I called Takoda again, "Takoda! Come back here! You don't just go up to people in that way."  I got to give the other people credit. They kept their dog back. The man was even kind enough to warn us that his dog did not do well with kids.  KC of course was pulling and whining. I was petting him, "Calm down boy"  It only took moments for the other couple and their dog to walk on past. We waited. After wards I let Takoda know what he already knew. "You don't run up to strangers and or stranger dogs that way. That is one way to earn a spanking. Not this time though, but it could. Think about it." He looked up at me with his big blue eyes, and with perfect voice inflection, "I'm sorry Dad"  I just looked down at him, "Yeah bud, Just don't let it happen again.
     I continued to walk KC. He pulled less now that the other dog had passed. Novalee still dragged her feet. Then she began to bargain. "I don't like geocacheing."  "Its cold, The cold makes me sick"  She had a lot of reasons for not continuing. So we continued. Eventually I was able to let KC off the leash. Shortly after that we found the cache. It was a good sized cache with lots of goodies in it. The kids each traded for an item and I signed the log book, then we re hid the cache and headed home.

Day 58 Not the County Line Cache!!! (GCWEWA)

Out of work at 3:15. Picked up kids at day care. Helped Novalee change her cloths. Packed up the kids and the dog. Then at last. GeoCacheing! Yay!. Not the County Line Cache!!! by Dgroomer had a 1, 1.5 rating. I thought it might be one of those caches in which a nice short cache would lead up to it.  It was one of those gate caches though, nice and quick. The cache though was not in a magnetic Key holder. It was in a little round container that was saturated with water. We logged our visit and took KC for a walk...

Day 57 AGT- Kinzua Dam Overlook (GC167F9)

This was our third AGT Warren cache. We drove all the way to the dam before realizeing that we should have taken the Long House Drive scenic over look. Once we got back on track we were able to pretty much drive right to the cache sight. I did not realize there were such great views up here. I've been up to Jakes rocks before while looking for Rim rock. Yeah but that is another story. Last time through I missed all this wonderful scenery. The Kinzua Dam looks so small from up here. Very cool.
   Once we all piled out of the van and got our hunters orange on I let KC run. We were on a one way road and there was no traffic. That is until I KC was off the hook. Then some guy in a 40 thousand dollar sports sedan drove by going in the proper direction then again in the wrong direction. After this KC got excited. He must have seen something he tensed then barked and made to run into the bush after something. I called him back to me leashed him until we went into the woods. Niki started poking around for the cache. KC tugged his leash I dropped the GPS, then in a snappish way requested help. I am a dick sometimes and this has been a rough weekened sorta. Niki was annoyed by my snappish ness. Oops. Then Takoda decided that he needed a better view. This entailed him walking to the edge of the stone wall railing... Niki told him not to go there because of the danger of the sudden fall.  Well Takoda must have figured that if he could not go on that  side of the stone wall railing then the other side must be OK.   Sigh not such a good Idea.  So Dick Head... Me, decided to show him why we did not want him close to the edge. I grabbed his hand firmly and I brought him right to the edge and asked him if he wanted a closer look... He declined then I brought him to the other side with the same question. He declined again. Then I brought him away from the edge and explained that Mom and Dad makes rules to protect our children. I think he got the point, because after that he stayed away from the drop off. With him you got to have eyes in the back of your head. He is both quick and determined.. Both good qualities but it can give parents nightmares.
    Once we got all the dramma out of our sytem, we started towards the cache. A trail led into the woods. I unleashed KC. He went off to explore. We walked towards the cache along the trail till it ended. I popped Novalee on my shoulders and then bushwhacked out to the road. Novalee and I spotted another trail into the woods, which led us right to the cache. Niki and Takoda bushwhacked all the way. I told Niki I found it. We then told the kids we were close to cache. Niki stood right next to the cache. By now the kids really know how to take our hints. Takoda found the ammo box, the cache. I signed the log book. Niki and I took turns stamping our AGT pass books. Then I stamped the kids hands. I told Novalee it was going to hurt... She did not even flinch. To the contrary she seemed very pleased by the green ink on her hand. Then I did the same with Takoda, he began to cry. He came over I stamped his hand and he looked up with surprise. "Hey it did not hurt Novalee, so why would it hurt you?" I asked.  It is a good idea to look around and make judgements based on evidence. That was why I did Novalee first. Takoda is more gullible. Now they were both happy with their freshly stamped hands. Niki and I were happy with our AGT stamped books. We were all happy, and ready  to head back home....

Day 56 Cabin Fever Blues #7 (GC23Z7M)

Not happy today. Sigh things seem to crumble all about me, as I make stupid decision based on my absentmindedness. Sigh. So we did a quick cache. Thank You Pegasis. KC found a bone with meat on it. I pulled it away from him just as Niki found the cache. I took the meaty bone away from KC and hooked him back up on his leash. I sent them up the path while I disposed of the bone and signed the log book. We then got the flock out of there.

Day 55 You can lead a horse to water... (GC2EK56)

    You can lead a horse to water... by Wegotthis was a tricky little cache. The description of the cache promised a traditional ammo box. I got to laugh. It was an ammo box but it was anything but traditional. Novalee, and KC was with me. Niki was at work. I miss her company. As much as I love to watch KC run, and I like to listen to Novalee ramble on with song and voice. It is Niki whose company I enjoy the most.
   This cache is on a trail off from route 6. The ANF-7 trail. I've been here before. We have found  a few caches in the area so we were in familiear territory. I let KC run. Novalee dragged her feet. I could tell that she was in a mood. Not a good one at that. She dawdled in the snow. Yes it snowed last night, just a dusting really. Novalee was fascinated by the little bit of snow she saw. KC clipped into her. He was checking on Novalee but it was startling enough to get her crying. She fussed a bit then relaxed. "I'm playing in the snow." she said. "Oh, Yeah?" I asked. She rambled on about it. Our trail branched off to the right. I took it. The GPS seemed to agree I should. We walked a bit and ended up near someones back yard. Sigh. We back tracked. Headed back up the trail from where it branched off. Once an track again the trail was intersected by a dirt road. We went right on this road. After seeing a couple of snownobile signs, I realized this was possibly part of the snowmobile trail network that runs all throught the Alegheny National forest. We walked this trek for about .4 of mile. Novalee complained of the cold. I would changed the subject to something more pleasant. She was not biting though. It was not really cold. In fact it was colder yesterday, and she did fine. It was even raining then. She was definately off today. We trudged on at her slow pace. The forest was beautiful. The snow lightly covering the ground pine, and the delicately arking cherry trees. The sky was mottled white and blue. Before long we reached the cache destination. We were very close to a watering troth built of stone. It was a very neat sight out here in the middle of the woods. KC excitedly climbed right into it. I should have known he had found the cache. A half hour later I had found it. In a traditional ammo box the size of a pocket pack of matches. LOL... I never seen one this small. It even had a bullet in it. Nice touch, that. It was then that Novalee got real upset. She was crying now. Big crockadile tears. "I want to go home!", and "I want momma." , and I can't take this any more." She was throwing out the dramma while I was trying to figure out how to sign the log book.. I left my pen and my most of my gear behind. I ended up using the bullet to sign the log book. Then I told Novalee we were going back home. I started walking knowing she would follow. She cried a bit. I was giving her a little bit of tough love. After about a minute. I waited for her. She caught up. I promised her I would put her on my shoulders when we got to the rough trail that led to this snowmobile trail. This did not chear her up. "I don't carry crying girls." I told her. I held her hand and she walked with me crying. I asked her to sing me a song. She declined. Then I begain singing Old Mcdonald had a farm. Novalee soon forgot her troubles, and began to sing along. By the time we got to the rough trail and several songs later we were both in good spirits. I hoisted her onto my shoulders. Shortly there after we were at the car. It was kind of a nice trip troubles and all. We went home to hot chocolate and some nice dog movies.

Day 54 West Run Rocks (GCPVT1)

Can you beleive. My 100th cache total. Most of them have been in PA. This is funny because I cached on and off for about 8 years in NH. I'm really learning the area. I highly recomend geocaching to any one fresh in any area. It really gives you a feel for the lay of the land. I don't get lost any more... Um... err, not that I ever have. Men don't get lost... Right?
  Thank You KB3ADF West run Rocks was a fun cache. This was a great hike in for us. 3 year old Novalee, KC, and me. The old road in made for a comfortable walk. Novalee was talkative today. She told me Takoda and her both had bad dreams last night. Hers starred Sponge Bob. I walked pretty slow. She kept up with my pace very well. KC stayed ahead of us, and kept running back to check and make sure we were doing well. Novalee eventually decided I should hear her new song. Her lyrics consisted of on word "Princess" I love that girls spirit she can really belt it. The sky was silver with promise of rain. The trees were bare. The ground was moist and brown with mud covered by a thick blanket of leaves. Novalee eventually quieted down and the quiet of the area was very peaceful. We could hear water flowing in a stream some where off to our left.         When we got to within 180 feet of the cache. We bushwhaked up to the cache. The stones were impressive. I love big rocks, especially in the fall. I can get a good view of em cause the lack of foliage. That said, I don't really like hunting for caches at big stone locations because there are so many great hideing places in the crevaces between the stones. I was a little worried when I saw them. Impressed but worried. I helped little Novalee and we made good time up the hill amongst the rocks.  ,        KC whent right to the hidden cache. This was a first for him. Usually the dog just runs around like a mad man. He has never shown an obvious interest in geo cacheing. KC comes along for the ride and the excercise. So yay KC! The real Cache Hound... Or Stashhound or what ever.. I signed the log book an we traded a screw driver bit for rosemay beeds that Novalee had taken a likeing to.I signed the log book. Then we explored the rocks under a light rain before heading home.  This was a great day, and thanks again...

Day 53 Cherry Forks (GCXXOV)

   Cherry Forks, by Gsatlati was a fun little cache. We headed out shortly after I got home from work. Takoda finished up his homework in record time. Big and pleasant surprise there. Niki popped a ham in the oven. Everyone went to the bathroom. Then we were off.  On the way to the cache site I looked over some of the cache logs. It looked like a lot of people made this cache harder for themselves then necesary. There is a trail that leads to the cache. Most everyone bushwhaked in then walked the trail out. Once armed with this information I was bound and determined to find the trail that lead pretty much right up to the cache.
   We found the right back roads. That lead us to a parking place that  was .4 tenths of a mile away from the caches lair. We all got out of the van and geared up in our hunters orange. The GPS indicated we should go in the direction of an old logging road that ran away from our  parking spot. We walked it. . To our right was a feild that traversed along the road. Ahead of us was a big hill to be climed. There were targets in the field off to the right. We spotted empty shot gun shells on the ground as we walked and then  decided not to let KC run free until we got up over the hill. Eventually we were in a safe place I unleashed KC and off he went.
   Along our trek we saw some rusty tanks and other peices of equipment. We even spotted an old oil well or two. Eventually our trail lead us to a lightly wooded copse of cherry trees. The GPS indicated we were within 200 feet of the cache. I handed both the GPS and the Compass too Niki. she delved into the woods like a blood hound. I hung back ensuring the kids made it through this section of wood without getting their feet wet. I put Novalee on my shoulders and held Takodas hand. Eventually Niki and our path met again. We were within 19 feet of the cache. We read the hint. I set Novalee down and liberated the gps from Niki. I toggled over the map feature zooming in. Then walked in a circle to see if it was tracking me well. Then I headed in the direction of the cache. It was like reeling in a fishing line, us to .to the cache location. I spotted the cache. I pointed it out to Niki then we told the kids we were close. Then Takoda spotted the cache container. I signed the log book then we headed back to the Van.

Day 52 Ancient Forest II (GC14KD)

There is something about a cold November rain that just suck the life out of me. It is November and it is raining, and it is cold. My energizer bunny is not still going. This is ok though. I am glad to be out and walking. Maybe I can cache some life back into me.
  Todays cache Ancient Forest II, by Pegasis is sort of a second attempt for me. This is the cache Virginia and I worked on before she fled back to civilization. Neither she nor I found the cache but we did enjoy our little hike. Today my companions are Niki Novalee, Takoda, and  KC. I forgot exactly where we should park. I knew if I saw the parking area I would recall it. I did not recall this place. We were .3 miles away from the cache, so Niki and I decided to give it a shot. We walked the trail down hill then we turned to our left in the area the GPS indicated.  I know we walked more then a tenth of a mile, but the GPS wasn't talking to me. The trail we were on ended. I had no desire to bush whack half a mile to the cache on a rainy. I read the description on the GPS. Surprise parking coordinates. I checked into the coords on the GPS. Time to walk back to the van. We all hopped back in and drove to the proper parking space. We all piled back out of the Van and started back towards the cache.
   This was a very nice walk. Yes it was cold, and rainy, but it was nice. Every one was in good spirits. It was not long before we delved into the woods propper.  The GPS led us to withing 13 feet of the cache. I spotted this one first, Niki second, and then Takoda.  I signed the log book. It was time to go home and get dry.

Day 51 Camp ANF-7 Revisited (GC1T3G5)

Blah. The only one of us who really felt like geo-caching today was KC. Just as soon as I got home he got excited.Tail wagging with anticipation. He had to wait though as I sorta helped Takoda trudge through his home work. He had a rough day today at school so he lost TV priveleges for the night. I don't think he is happy with me. Niki is the real trooper as far as homework goes. She plugs away with him through all the procastination and every thing. Me I just make guest appearances here and there, and then pat myself on the shoulder... Yeah I am a great dad.... Sigh. Eventually Tokoda finished his homework then we left for the hunt.
   We decided to head for Camp ANF-7 Revisited, by Pegasis. It was taking the GPS a while to get its bearings so we just decided to start up  along route 6 and head to the ANF parking area. I knew this cache was in the area. We were half way there,  when the GPS beeped. I was thinking, bout time you joined us... I don't know if I will ever owne another Magellan.. I seriously doubt. If you want awesome go Garmin.... :(   Fortunately for us we had been heading in the right direction... "Surprise" A couple of minutes later we were parked. Niki asked, "Is the cache across the road?" I zoomed in on the map feature of the GPS. "Yep! It sure is" I was anxious to get going. Takoda was lolly gagging in front of the ANF sign.... I am glad he has taken an interest in reading but come on. The sun would be fading soon. I patted my pocket reassured my flash lights were in there. "Novalee wanna hold my hand?" I tried. "No, I wanna listen" then she pointed at the sign.  Ok?  Whatever that meant. I waited for a few minutes and the geo-caching train finally left the station. Niki corralled the kids on on each hand. I had KC on the leash and we were crossing the road.
  The trail was nice and wide. The weather not cold but definately a fall cool. The loweing sun shown brightly on the trees. I love this brief part of the fall day. I began to relax.  I began to enjoy myself. I had unhitched KC moments earlier. He ran. His enthusiasm always brings a smile to my face. Soon after that Niki and I were holding hands. The didstance between us and the cash grew smaller as my outlook on the day grew brighter. Before we knew it we were bush whacking into the woods hunting for the exact location of the cache. Niki spotted it first. Then we gave the kids time to find it. Takoda was the first to spot it. He let out an excited yell. I signed the log book. Then we headed back to van under a setting sun.
 

Day 50 AGT-Warren 646 Mystery Well (GC1XOAR)

AGT CACHE.... So COOL!  Yep we finally got onto the trail of another AGT cache. I am happy Niki is very happy. She has her owne passbook you know. We have not done too many AGT chaches since she got her pass book also. So here we are on a Sunday all happy and warm like because we did done do it...
   The 646 Mystery well is actually located relatively close to our Dr.s office. I almost hunted it down the other day when I dropped off the Niki in the kids for Takodas Dr appointment. I had decided against it because it looked to be on some serious back roads. Was it.. Nah we weren't mudding and stuff, but we did end up getting their in a round about way. The cache is in a little known town called Cherry Grove. Of course the cache is on Cherry Grove road.  We started towards the cache on the wrong road. Rather then turning around we searched the GPS for where the road we were on would intersect with Cherry Grove road. Luckily it did. We found a good parking spot at a picnic area that was a couple hundred feet away from the cache. We hopped out of the van. The kidsl were excited about the play ground in the picnic area. We promised them a chance to play after we were done geo cacheing. We all hunted around for a trail that would bring us closer to the cache. We found one. I unleashed KC and we headed in.
   This trail was, is a bueatiful fall walking trail. I tell you boys and girls the leaves may be laying on the ground in brown rusty heaps, but there is still beauty in the wood. Poking up through the leaves are a pine like undergrowth. I guess people make wreathes out of them. I picked one while telling Niki about it. I was impressed with what all came out of the ground. It looks like a bunch of little pine trees, but it has multiple ruts like a strawberry plant. When pulled up it is long fuzzy and vine like. It would be easy to weave this material into a Christmas wreath. I think Niki and I are going to try and do this.... I hope so.    We continued on. I tried a new technique with my gps which helped us to find the cache. Once Niki and I found it, we decided to have fun with the kids. We hinted that we were close. They began to hunt for the cache. Then Woof...... KC got tense and went afte something  that was too deep into the woods for us to see. Niki and I both called him.  KC ignored us and kept heading deeper away.    I left Niki and the kids to hunt for the cache... (Wink) I moved closer to KC then called him again. He came back to me three quarters of the way and be lined back into the wood. I called him again.... He came too within my grasp then barked and dove back into the wood. The third time he came back I put his leash on. I praised him for comeing to me then I said, "Now lets see what got you spooked boy. Is it a bear?" He proudly led me towards two men. They greeted us. I invited them to come closer so KC could familiarize himself with them. They told us they were going to be on the shooting range not so far away calibrating their guns. They did not want to startle us. I thanked them. Then I headed back up to Niki and the kids.    Turns out that Takoda  and Novalee  spotted the cache at the same time. They were just trading for items in the container when I returned.. Niki stamped our AGT pass books." AGT so kewl" while I signed the log book. We then headed back to the picnic area to play.

Day 49 Cabin Fever Blues #2 (GC1118X)

49 caches in 49 days. I am taking tiny steps but my pace is steady. Today we did another of paegasis cabin fever caches. Again cached in the fading light at the end of a long day. We got the ice gaurd underlayment on the garage roof. Niki sorta over came her fear of ladders. Well she managed any how. So we drove down dwight road. Parked the van close to the cache. Surprise another gate. Niki sorta walked right to a gate post and plucked the cache container out of the post. I signed the log book and we let KC run for a bit...

Day 48 Cabin fever blues #5 (GC1NQ18)

Cabin fever blues #5 was kinda tricky. We parked the van right where we parked it yesterday for the Camp Jazz cache. We saw a likely trail across the road. We headed for it. The trail skirted the road for a bit I really thought I was onto something. Novalee had a peice of underbrush snap onto her leg. Then trudged up the hill crying. KC pulled at his leash. No way we were going to let him run free so close to rte 321. Takoda just kept zipping around us. He was in really good spirits. He got his report card today and it was very impressive. I gave him a big High Five and then  a big hug. So yeah he is in a great mood. It did not take long to realize we were on the wrong path. We got closer to the cache then further away. We walked back to the beginning of the trail then along the road (321) until we were within 50 feet of the cache. It looked like we needed to bush wack in. We did this. I lead the way. We had to hop over a drainage ditch,  We all got over I went up the wooded bank. I looked back Niki was doing great with the kids but I knew she could use a hand. She is cacheing  with me, so we can be together. I hitched KC to a tree and helped them up. Niki took over KC duties and the GPS. I kept close to Novalee helping her when she needed it. Takoda was trudgeing along on his owne. We found a metal pipe. I knew the cache was in a magnetic container on that pipe. It wasn't there but I kept looking. Niki realizeing that Pegasis had placed the cache. She also realized we had done some other cabin fever blue caches. Futher more all these said caches had been placed on gaurd rails. Once she put all these bits of realizations together she headed 30 feet away towards gaurd rail.  A minute later she had the cache container... Good job Niki. I signed the log book. Then we took KC for a proper walk.

Day 47 Camp Jazz Cache (GCX69E)

Oh, how fun. day 47 is Camp Jazz courtesy of Pegasis... Thank You Pegasis. I beleive we may be stocking her caches. T-hee. This one was a little more challenging. That means we got to take a wonderful walk in the woods. It is a good day for it. The weather these last few days have  been awesome. To any veterans who might be reading this blog... Thank You. This country owes you who serve or ever have served so much... The good fight isn't over though. You fought for your nation. Now it is time to help manage it. Manage her well.
   The cache was off from route 321. We parked the van at the head of a oil access road. Then we walked along the road which crossed a little stream via a bridge. At some point we delved into the wooded area. Takoda, Novalee and KC were high in the energy department. They ran around through the woods. Novalee a little slower but they both explored. I love it. They are little adventurers. They love the out doors. I think we are. Niki and I  are doing ok with the next generation. Niki and I walked aroun in circles. "We keep on comeing back to the same spot"  Niki acknowleded this. I was just asking her to walk back onto the oil access road while I hang back with Novalee when Niki  was saying, "I founs it." She was walking towards the cache. I was looking in the direction she was walking and still hadn't seen it. And then feeling like a goof I spotted the cache. This was a very neat, and very tricky hide. I love it Pegasis.... Takoda traded a key chain for a little plastic figure. Novalee wanted to trade for a bracelet. It was a pretty bracelet but she had nothing to trade. I happily signed the log book and we headed home.

Day 46 Old Route 6 Micro (GCQYAQ)

Another cache and dash. And yes I really have to slow down. What good is doing this daily geocaching thing if I am not taking the time to enjoy myself.  I will be glad to be back on second shift. Well er... sorta. I like my evenings with the Niki and the kids. Takoda is responding very well to my pressence. They are a great bunch. Going back to second shift how ever will make daily geocaching in the winter that much easier.
   Tonight Takoda had a Dr appointment. We struggled through his home work and used up pretty much all our caching time. We still decided to give it a shot. We were hopeing to hit the cache on the way to the Dr.s turned out to be a pipe dream. We drove past the cache location spot and kept going. Niki and I decided that I should hunt for it while Takoda was at the Dr. It was a good Idea so once we got to the Dr office. KC and I drove back 7 miles and parked the van.
   I Chose Old Route 6 Micro by Pegasis because it was a cache and dash micro. The cache description explained that the cache location is part of old route 6. I guess they straightened 6 out a bit . What was left  is a paved trail. A great little place to walk. This I found out later. The cache was on the gaurd rail. I signed the log book. Then KC and I went and explored. Unfortunately Niki and the kids had been waiting for our return for about 10 minutes. Not a bad day to wait though the  weather is beautiful....

Day 45 ANF 7 Micro (GCQTJ6)

Tah Dah! day 46. Days are shorter the trees are bare. I'm still working days for a bit, and everything is working out great today. Niki and I decided to go back after ANF 7 Micro. We had a good idea as to where it was. Especially after we did County Line yesterday. After waiting ro Takoda to finish his home work we headed out. We knew where we were going. We parked the van. The dead fox did not surprise us this time. A spider did. The little guy had made his web over the caches hidy hole. It wasn't their yesterday. Novalee touched the web. No way in heck she would have done that during the summer. What changed? Who knows. I took and stick cleared out the hole and Niki dove into it. Bringing out a magnetic key holder. The Cache was in key holder. I signed the log book. Niki had the look of victory upon her lovely face. We then decided to hike the trail for a bit so as to give KC a chance to commune with nature. Yay... 46 days we are very pleased with ourselves...

Day 44 County Line Micro (GCT38Q)

The Corliss family had to race the sun today. It was setting fast and we had yet to find our cache. We had originally settled on Camp ANF Micro. We did not find it but we did find a dead fox... Boy am I glad that it did not stink like I thought it should. We gave up on the first cache and decided to head for the county line. The sun set as we arrived near the site of the second cache, County Line Micro by Pegasis. We hiked up to the cache. Got our feet very muddy hunting for the cache. Niki found it and I was very glad. We walked back to the van by flash light

Day 43 Durant City (GCGP3P)

Today has been a lazy Sunday. Niki and the kids came with on this hunt. We picked a easy one cause this is football day. It is hard to pull Niki away on FB day. We decided on the Durant City Cache, by Wolf Track. Daurant City has a 1/1 rating. We checked out the map. The cache looks to be located just off route 66 near James City. We loaded up in the van and buzzed off. Maybe 8 minutes later we were pulling off from the road. We got the kids dressed in their hunters orange. We were 500 feet away from the cache. We started walking up the logging road. This land is owned by the Collins company. I hear they are one of the largest private land holders in the state. If not the country. They don't mind foot traffic though so here we are. The logging road is well maintaned. We let KC run ahead. Takoda asks me if I want to run with him. Run! Me? Of course I do. I start out at a good clip. I hear Takoda crying. He fell on the loose rocks. I pick him up and give him a big hug. Some times you got to make a big deal out of the little things. It means so much to him. I asked him if he was ok. He was so I set him down. Then we ran our hearts out, until. Niki called us back. She had the GPS. She also was much closer to the cache then Takoda and I was. She was right to call us back. Niki was 54 feet from the cache. I really did not want to bush whack in though so we hunted around for a trail into the wood. It did not take us long to get back to where Niki originally wanted to go into the woods. There was no trail. We headed in.toward the cache, Novalee on my shoulders. It did not take us long to reach the cache. Niki spotted it. Then walked right up to it and stood near it. Novalee caught on and then spotted the cache just before I did. Novalee is starting to get very good at this. Niki is too. I am of course as good as I ever was. Take that for what it is. The Cache container had a big hole in it. I put a dry paper in the log book bag. Signed and dated of course. The kids traded for a couple items. Then we headed home to football.

Day 42 West Kane Micro (GCQYTZ)

Day 42 all ready. This has been fun. Niki and the Kids have done a great job keeping up with me, and visa versa. So far we have 3 unfound caches. Back in the day I would have never given up. I guess I've matured. This is fun and I want to keep it that way. So today we attempted one cache but finished another.
  We started West Kane T Cache. it was supposedly in a real nice area.  We enjoyed the hike. We even enjoyed the hunt. We walked 4 tenths of a mile mostly up hill.  There was no views. But the woods felt like home. We have a reservoir back home near where my parents lived. The trail leading to the reservoir was much like this one. Very nice. KC ran around with lots of gusto. That dog loves inclines. He really is beautiful. Even Takoda had lots of energy. Novalee rode a lot of the way up the inclines on my shoulders. Niki hung back with Novalee when Novalee was not on my shoulders. I think she was haveing fun. I hope so any how.
   Eventually we got with in 10 feet of the cache. We hunted for the cache for some time. We kept coming back to this same rock. This rock was interesting, it looked like it was part of a building project. Big rusty lag  bolts juted out from it. This rock was curious. Time and time again we studied this rock. At one point at a distance from the rock I saw two paper towels on the ground. I picked them up thinking I was going to put them into my pocket. I really don't like littering. I know it is rude. Unfortunately after picking up the paper towels I saw ominous brown stains on the paper towels. No way they were going into my pocket. Regretfully I put them back on the ground.  I guess I'm not that good of a samaritan. After a bit we decided that this cache would not be found today. We headed back to the van.
   Niki pointed out that there was a a cache and dash cache down the road. We decided to  attempt it even though cache and dash cashes never seem to work out that way for us. This cache is West Kane Micro by Mister Stooge. To our surprise we were able to drive within 32 feet of the cache. We decided to leave the kids in the van while we investigated the area we thought the cache was in. We belined it right for the cache. I located this cache and signed the log book and then we headed home.

Day 41 Pine Haven Cache (GCQJ29)

We originally had decided on Tree Farm revisited by Dgroomer. We drove down to the location, the GPS guided us real close to it, but we came up empty. We met the owner of the property. He even helped us look for the cache for a bit. Novalee made lots of shivering noises. It got wet and cold fast. After a little while Niki and I called it quits. We then decided to go for the next closest cache. Pine Haven by Dgroomer.
Niki new the cache was at Pine Haven Veterinary clinic. She was right. We drove right into the Pine Haven parking parking lot. The GPS did its job counting down. Niki decided to wait in the van with the kids. We figured we would go out to a place where KC could run next. I walked up to the Pine Haven sign,. I knew  the cache would be right around there. It seemed to much like a few caches I had done earlier. This cache though was very tricky. I was so impressed with the way it was hid I had Niki come down to the sign and help me rehide the cache after I signed the log book... Of course..

Day 40 Corpus Delecti (GCTRH4)

Todays cache, Corpu Delecti by Glendorn was a good choice. We have been letting KC run free while we look for the cache. This has been good for him. He burns up a lot of energy this way. KC is a yellow lab/coon hound mix. He favors the yellow lab side of his genes. At almost two years old he is just a energetic teen ager. This cache location was a great place for KC to burn energy. Takoda to for that matter. He did not want to go geocaching today, but he is the one running circles around us. The kid runs around like a maniac. Novalee hangs back. She can walk fast if she wants. She seldom wants to. We, Niki and I Match her pace. Niki has the GPS. I have the compass. The GPS gets us near the cache. I spot the caches hiding space immediatly. Niki sees it second. We hover near the cache, and put on an exagerated show of not knowing where the cache is. Novalee found the cache quickly after that  Once Novalee located she showed Niki and Me where the cache was. Takoda doug it out excitedly. We helped em trade out baubles. I signed the log book. We headed home.

Day 39 Leave it to Beaver Cache #2 (GCWJ8Y)

Leave it to Beaver Cache #2 by Dgroomer was awesome. First of all I worked the evening shift today so we were able to do this cache during the day... It was about 9:30am.  The  Beaver dam was off of Reagal road. This is a very nice back woods road. A lot of people walk it. Lots of trees and water and stuff very pretty. Traffic is light on this road so we let KC run. He had a great time. The GPS led us very close to the cache. There was a little trail off of Regal road that lead us by the cache and to the waters edge. The water was iced over and frost blanketed everything. I had a moment as I took in this frosty beauty. The sun was coming over the ridge which added magic to the moment. KC decided that the ice was safe to walk on and promptly broke through. He could not get out of the frigid water fast enough. He actually leapt 3 times out of the water before he finally made it to shore. Poor thing. Niki and I spotted the cache and then gently guided Novalee to it. Novalee was very excited to have found the cache. We traded a few things. Novalee ended up with some princess stickers and a tierra like head band. I signed the log book and we headed home.

day 38 Kane Stone Cache (GCQAE1)

Happiness. Every thing worked out fine with my GPS. I gotta remember that I can't fix every problem that comes along. Sometimes even though an issue inconveniences me, it may not be my issue to solve. I think ground speak was haveing issues. Sigh. "If I could turn back time." LOL. I would have spent my evening diferently.
   Today we settled on the Kane Stone Cache, by Dgroomer. It was a nice ride out to the cache spot. We took the car. The van is loaded and waiting for a trip to the landfill. The car was crowded with Niki, the kids and KC all stuffed into it. Fun, Fun. The cache was hidden behind some stones on the side of the road. No great adventures today I am afraid. There was a nice view. But it seemed as though this is an active stone quarries/sand pit... thing. We found the cache quickly signed the log book and headed out.

Day 37 An Ideal Cache (GC1VV4D)

Red Hot burning anger. Nestled deep in the gut. Jeesh!.. I got home from work and tried updating caches in the area onto my GPS. For some reason my Magellan Communicator isn't working. You better believe I tried everything in my power to get it working. The only reason I owne a Megellan eXplorist GC is that it interfaces flawlessly with ground speak. Boy am I mad. The more I tried getting the GPS to work with ground speak the later it got. It was almost dark when I gave it up and went for a cache that was already in the GPS. KC needed a walk and I wanted to find the cache before it got real dard.
   An Ideal Cache by Pegasis was my choice of  caches today. It was close by at 1.5 miles away. I left the house in a huff. I was steamed. I was pressured for time. I did not want to accept defeat. All this was on my mind when I stormed out with the dog. We drove to within 100 feet of the cache. Parked the car near An Ideal Farm Rd. Weird huh. I walked north keeping KC leashed. The GPS lead me to a couple of signs. I looked around a couple minutes, and there it was. I should have not found it that quick, I think I get focused when I am upset. Well good for me. I gotta get home now. write that blog, and work on getting the Fricken Magellan Communicator going.  Wish me luck.