Day 127 Bubba's Monster Inc. (GC2MZT6)

   Today was as good as yesterday was terrible. That said this is my last daily cache. I am traveling further and further away from the house. Which means I am taking more and more time hunting down the cache. Which means I have less and less time to work on the house. I have really enjoyed this project. The price of this project is getting too high. Gas is not cheap. Electricity is not cheap. Time is not cheap. If I have accomplished nothing else, I have accomplished changing geocaching from an interest into a hobby.
    Bubba's Monsters INC. Cache by, bubbabeernut,  was a .3 mile walk. Both of the children were in a great, and talkative mood. KC enjoyed himself. He had a good run. Probably the last one for a little while. We met up with 3-iorfida and his dog on our way back to the van. KC checked them out first. I was very pleased KC finally decided he should come back to me when I called. I hitched KC up.
   The children loved 3-iorfida's dog. They were fascinated by the dogs orange vest. 3-iorfida let us know it was coyote hunting season. I felt kinda of awkward and irresponsible as none of us had our hunter orange gear. I also realized that I got to pay attention to which hunting season is going on when. I would hate to have KC shot by coyote hunters. I was grateful to have received the information.

Day 126 Scoobie-Doo ! (GC2MWR1)

  A good cache on one of the worst days ever... I fell into the rabbit hole. A very bad place to be. I almost gave it all up... I didn't though and the cache brought much needed sanity to me. Thank You bubbabeernut.

Day 125 Got Reptiles & Anphibians? (GC2MXKH)

 GOT REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS? by bubbabeernut, a good cache. Nice little hike. Not such a hard cache to find. This though is a good thing, as caches can be hard to find in this winter wonderland. Novalee and KC got into character. KC enjoyed the run. Novalee enjoyed playing out side in the snow. I enjoyed signing the log book, and the drive out to the cache.

Day 124 Sarah's Toybox (GC1NC6Q)

   This Sarah's Toy Box by witchiepoo_61 and ghostfinder was exactly what we needed today. 3rd cache was the charm today. I had some business in Mt. Jewitt so I loaded the GPS with caches that were sort of in the area. It was fun to discover some new roads. It was frutrating that I did not locate two caches that seemed as they should real easy.
   I found this cache quickly. The kids made their trades I signed the log and we hoofed it out of there.

Day 123 101 Dalmations #77 (GC286AA)

    Another day another cache. This one was a good find. First and last cache atempted of the day. Well that is not entirely true. It was really the second but the first I could not park the car near so I moved on. I hunted for the cache while Novalee played in the snow and KC gnawed on some unwholesome treat he found frozen in the snow. I circled the cache location a few times before locating the cache. It was a good hide but it should not have been as hard as I made it. I happily signed the log book and headed home...

Day 122 Haney's Jack O'Lantern Cache (GC2J261)

   Haney's Jack O' Lantern Cache by  bubbabeernut was a nice cache. This is definitely one for the kids. Unfortunately I was doing this cache solo +1. We can't forget KC can we. This would have been an easy cache and go sort of day if this had been my first cache attempt. As it was this was my third. The snow is pretty thick in this area? The caches are well hidden? My geo sense is off?
   My first cache attempt was half harted at best. The location to be searched was on a side road just off Glenn Hazel road called Kilgore road. The cache was called Old Rocky Top Cache, by PAWINGERS . Once I arrived within 300 feet of the cache and saw that the cache was out across a river, I decided to read some of the other cacher's logs. It seemed as though the other geo cacher's lucky enough to have located this cache had had to wade through the river to get to the cache. I scouted around for a bridge of some sort while trying to ignore KC's constant whine. I was not about to unleash him here. There was a near by house with some very vocal dogs. We got back into van after our little scouting mission failed to produce a bridge.
   The second cache attempt was further along Glen Hazel road. The cache location on the St Mary's Jones Town line near some state game lands. I searched for Jones TWP Welcomes You, by j&bs with out KC. I got very close to the cache and dug through the snow. I uncovered logs and stumps. I felt like an impatient archaeologist. Eventually though I conceded defeat once again.
   Third times the charm. I like Haney hill.  There are very nice views on the crest of the hill.  This cache was before the crest though. The cache description indicated a Halloween theme. The coordinates lead me to a well done mock up of a grave sight. On the way to this sight my feet slipped over and along some strange terrain. Upon looking down I noted I uncovered a pumpkin or two. Very kewl. I did not damage the pumpkins but decided to be a little more careful.
   Once I paid my respects at the Grave and admired the wickedly kewl painted tree knot that over looked it. I started looking for the cache proper. I found it quickly. had my children been with me they would have been excited by the swag. I however was enthralled by the haunted drama that surrounded every bit of this cache. In the log book there was even a news paper clipping and a caption explaining that a lot of pumpkins showed up in this area every Halloween for the last 10 years. I love traditions and I look forward to me and my family becoming part of this one.... I signed the log book. Looked around one more time. I needed this cache. It reminded me why I loved this geo caching interest enough o make it a hobby.

Day 121 First PA Game Land (GCQJRH)

    Just KC and me today. We decided to tackle First PA Game Land by GeneP, a fine little cache and dash. This was a good area for dog walking. The cache itself left me following in another's foot steps. The cache had been found recently by another.  I did not mind though as the temp was hovering around -12 degrees. I signed the log quickly and we headed home.

Day 120 99 Bottles of Brrt on the Wall Cache (GC1QRU6)

   The 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall cache by Goingthreesixtys was a quick cache and go. We picked the cache up on the way too Lakewood for Novalee's 4th birthday celebration. We were able to park near the cache. I got out and was drawn pretty much right to the cache do to the foot prints that lead right up to it. Surprise surprise, it seems there are some advantages to winter caching...
   I quickly signed the log and hopped back into the van. Zoom zoom...

Day 119 Haney's Vista Revisited (GC1636P)

 How very nice.  Haney's Vista Revisited by PAWINGERS,was a nice quick cache and go. We stopped snapped a few pictures.  Then it was over the ban-ken. I located the cache fast. Brought it back to the car. When I opened up the cache container so as I could sign the log book. The kids were disappointed that there was no trade items inside. Say lah V... I signed the log and returned the cache to it's hiding place. This was a fun cache location.

Day 118 Guarding the Mountain (GC24QM4)

   Ah, at last! We found a cache we could find. By the time I decided to settle on a cache and go I had dragged the kids and KC through an hour and a half of geo-caching. Most of said time was spent searching for the Wilcox Cache. We got so close to the cache... So close. The view was bueatiful. We were on a mountain top cemetery over looking the little town of Wilcox. Once known I've been told as the Town of Bueno Vista. The cold sharp wind drove us out of the cemetery not finding the cache. None of us were comfortable.
  Next up, a cache and go. But wait the first two were not what they seemed. After turning the van around more then a few times I settled on Guarding The Mountain, by j&bs. The roads shoulders were wide, making the parking situation very nice. We pulled off.  Right nest to the cache. I left the kids and KC in the nice warm van. They were very pleased with this, as they were still recovering from the Wilcox chill. I signed the log and aimed the van for home. 

Day 117 Marienville Fire Tower Cache (GC1HJWW)

  The Marrienville Fire Tower Cache by DevinC was pretty straight forward.  Parking was good. This part of route 66 has very wide shoulders. Wide shoulders, good! We parked the van, and all of us piled out. Originally I was going to let KC explore. Which I did until he decided he wanted to explore on rte 66 itself. There was no near disasters. I just did not like it so I called our brilliant dog to me and hooked him on his leash.
   Novalee and I walked past the cash, turned around and I saw it. I pulled the cache container out of it's hiding place and signed the log. I had, had the log signed and was putting it back in the container as Novalee was saying "you found the cache already dad? Maybe tomorrow we can find a big cache?" I looked at her smiled. "Ok Babs, ok" After that we headed across the road where there was an ATV trail. There we let KC run. Then we were off to explore the area...

Day 116 Kennedy Spring Micro (GCM860)

   Sad, we have driven by this dried up spring many times on our way to Bradford. Each time I had wondered what, if any back story there was behind the ruined spring. The Kennedy Springs Micro, by fitzy, gave us a great excuse to check it out.
   When we arrived at Kennedy Spring, we found the cache quickly. The container pretty much came apart in my hands. We replaced the container, signed the log book then headed out.

Day 115 Leapin" Lizards (GC1X61K)

I think I found the Cache.... Yay!

   I was in "The Land of the Lost", with  witchiepoo_61 and ghostfinder's "Leapin" Lizards".  Novalee, KC and I tackled this cache together. I really thought we had found the cache location right off. I was so confident that this was the right spot that I took a picture of Novalee near the suspected location. Fourty Five minutes later I located the cache in the suspected area... So I took the second picture near the uncovered cache. I was off my game with this one. Thank goodness the cold was not as bitter as yesterday... I signed the log and we headed home...

45 Minutes later.... We found the cache. Yay!

Day 114 Fire House Station 21 (GCZ4JP)

   Fire House Station 21, by Mikey Mouse was our second cache choice today. Our first choice was Bridge View Cemetary in Mt. Jewitt. We did manage to take  a great picture of the Kinzua Viaduct... The picture was a good consolation prize, as we did not find that cache. It was a cold 8 degrees out side. When we gave up on this cache, we decided to seek out a cache and go.
  FHS 21 fit the bill.  We came. We found. We logged. We headed home. Thank you Mikey Mouse...

Day 113 Club Cache (GC1ACZZ)

 This was the tale of the 3 little caches. Two caches were not meant to be. The first the path was too treacherous. We chose not to pursue it. The second we pursued to no avail. The third was a dandy of a hunt that challenged our geo sense and our thresh hold for discomfort. We found it though, and that was good.
   We had a lot on our plate today, so we left for the geo cache hunt early. I was hoping to have it done and be home before 10am. I should not plan for such things. By the time we got to the Club Cache, by Rem 74 we sorta just wanted to go home. I thought this was going to be a cache and go. Turns out it was in wooded area 300 feet from the parking area in a hole that was covered by 2 feet of snow.
   When geo cacheing in this hostile type environment GPS accuracy is every thing. There are no tell tale signs as to where the cache might be. The snow smooths over every thing. My GPS is any thing but accurate. We managed to arrive with in zero feet of the cache. We searched a 20 foot radius digging and poking all around. We looked like neolithic farmers trying to plow a field with sticks. Yeah it was fun. Niki nearly poked her eye out with a thorn bush. Takoda and Novalee were just having fun playing in the snow.
   It was when we were ready to give up that I finally poked in the right place. Success. I signed the log book and let the kids work on the trade....

Day 112 Hoffman Run (GC1QEG5)

     Hoffman Run, by Dahoga equals long walk for Stash Hound and his family. We parked near the gate, 9 tenths of a mile away from the cache. The unplowed road was rutted and tricky to walk on. The lay of the land up this way is very nice though. I enjoyed seeing the land change as we slowly walked by. KC was having a lot of fun running up and down the hills. Takoda and Novalee got sick of the ruts on the trail quickly. Niki started out walking with Novalee. I walked with Takoda. Takoda and i talked. We talked about his favorite cartoons. The places we lived, and many other things that are very important to a 6 year old. I was really enjoying this. We led the way on the road and eventually we stopped letting Niki and Novalee catch up. I suggested Niki and I switch children. I figured Takoda was being so low maintenance that Niki could use a break. Some times... Not often though Niki has less patience with Novalee then I.
    We switched and I began to entwine Novalee in conversation as Niki and Takoda pulled away. Novalee and I listened to the sounds out in the woods, and shared what we heard with each other. The brook, The dry rustling leaves still hanging in the trees. Natures wind chimes. A jet plane slicing through the sky. The crunch of snow under our boots. We even heard Takoda constantly complaining about his trek too Niki. We talked allot and this too was a pleasure.
    At some point Niki and Takoda decided to wait up for Novalee and I. When it was ready to move again. I was holding both of the kids hands. Novalee listened as Takoda and I talked. Every now and then I would attempt to draw her back in the conversation. She was content to listen though. Niki, GPS in hand trudged on up ahead scouting for our little party. I asked the kids if they had ever seen "The Wizard of Ozz" They said no. I told them the story. Takoda was familiar with the story though. Seems as though to days cartoons are heavily inspired by our old stories. The kids were happy with my version though and was pleased to fill in the holes that I may have left out of the story.
    We walked for nearly a mile into the wilderness in the snowing 10 degree  weather.  The walk though did not seem too long. Good conversation has a way of making time pass quickly. Before we knew it we were catching up to Niki who waited on the road facing the woods. Wen we got close enough Niki pointed. "65 feet that way. We are going in" 
     Looking for caches in the winter can be tricky. This cache for instance was billed a cache and go. It would have been too if there was no snow and the ground and if it was any other season. We would have driven withing 60 feet of the cache. Hopped out of the van, then quickly find the cache. It being winter made this cache a little more challenging. The walk was fun. Looking for the cache was fun too. We almost gave up though. We looked, and we looked and we looked. Thankfully the kids kept themselves busy, and were happy. After a little while Niki and I agreed to head back to the van empty handed. As we made our self back out to the road we both looked at and around every tree.  Niki was almost on the road when I shouted I found it....
    They all made their way back to me. The cache was still hidden, allowing the children to both find the cache. They were very pleased with them selves. Niki and I were relieved. I signed the log while the kids looked through the cache container. We make no trades, and began the journey back to the van...

Day 111 The Old Dahoga Cache (GC1BNAM)

  The Old Dahoga Cache, by Dahoga is another in a series of caches in and around the Twin Lakes. If you were to read Dahoga's cache description you would learn some interesting things about the area. As for me, I have lived in the area for two summers and have come to appreciate Twin Lakes, and it is nice learning a little more about the area.
    Novalee, KC and I worked this cache over. We parked within 300 feet of the cache. The Twins Lakes road is not regularily winter maintained, however the  light fluffy snow was about two inches deep. The van ate it up steady and slow.  Parking was easily accessible.
    We had to bush whack from the start. Off the road and into the woods. We had to circumnavigate a few thickets of thorny trees. These whicked thorns were very sharp and over an inch long. It was not long before the woods swallowed us up. I held Novalee's hand. I was her anchor,  her guide, and her safety rope. We moved steadily, slowly closing the distance between us and the cache. So many things were going through my mind. Bush whacking in 15 degree weather, while trudgeing through shin deep snow can be challenging for a little girl. I was trying to help Novalee as much as I could. That and I am always alert for strange sounds in the forest. Moving shadows in the distance. Strange animal tracks. I was not seeing the forest for the trees. Until I looked up.

    When I took the time to really look around I realized that we could have been transported to "Narnia", (C.S. Lewis)  Simply amazing this frozen land was as chill as it was beautiful. Then what was that I saw in the distance. It was not a lamp post in the middle of no where but it seemed almost as odd to me. It was a chair sitting out amongst the trees

A Chair in the Middle of the woods.

I was releived that it was snow that sat in the chair and not some mythical talking creature. I looked at Novalee for a moment. Who would she be if she was one the characters from the novel. No I don't think she would be a Lucy.
   We moved on. I spotted another artifact burried in the snow. It was a screen less TV set. We must be in Dahoga now.
   It was sad seeing these relics of the not so distant past. This was a community. A place filled with memories. I can not imagine having memories of a place that is no more. All the neighborhoods and most of the houses I have lived in or near, I can go back to them.  Your house. The one you grew up in in Dahoga is never more. Was it a dream. Growing up. The house. Moms kitchen. The Dining room. The home cooked family meals. The living room. Was I walking in some ones back yard.
   My wandering mind was brought back into focus as i realized the GPS was not counting down. I waited. I powered down the GPS and powered it back up. I was closer to the cache then the GPS had let on... It was 67 feet away. The GPS froze again. I started looking around for likely hiding places. The GPS hint said the cache was between two rocks. Novalee and I checked out a likely spot and suddenly we were 90 feet away.
    Novalee got upset. She started crying.  It seems nature was knocking on her door. Unfortunately this is how she reacts when she decides she has had enough of the hunt. She gets mad. Niki and I figured out that some of it is a act a while ago. So we never know when it is or is not an emergency. I brushed off a rock, "Novalee you can sit their until you are done crying. I'm going go over there" I pointed "and see if the cache is over there. When you are done crying I will give you a hand." Luck would have it I found the cache.
I steped back and took a picture of it then finished

The Cache!

digging it out. I looked over to Novalee, "I found the cache Babs. Do you want to trade for something?" She replied her voice thick with tears."I want to go Pee!" "Stop crying and come to me I will help you." She did as I requested, and I did as I promised. She explored the contents of the ammo box as I signed the log. She made a trade, and was tickled with her new dolls purse. I Snappped another pictured. We re- hid the cache and headed back to the Van.

Novalee and KC coming to see the cache

Novalee with her trade item

Day 110 Route 255 and Taft Road travel Bug and Coin Hotel (GC1R5AE)

   Novalee looked up at me with pleading brown eyes, "I want the dragon." Who am I to deny my youngest daughter a dragon. I wave my hand with an air of benevolence go ahead Babs the dragon is yours. I have just made her day. Her smile has made mine.
    We chose Route 255 and Taft Road travel Bug and Coin Hotel, by J&Bs. Today was a good day for grocery shopping so we decided to do the cache on the way to Walmart in St Marys. We found quick and easy parking within 60 feet of the cache. Also there was a nice close by trail, a great place to walk KC.
   We started out bush whacking. Closed in on the cache quickly, and started digging in the snow. Umm? It became quickly aparent that we were digging in the wrong area. Niki and I looked around for another likely place the cache might be hidden.  I walked over to a fallen log. On the way I tripped over a stump. Novalee started building a snow castle. Niki and I poked away at the fallen log. I kicked up a stick and decided to use it to poke around into the snow. Wow! My first poke and i poke into the cache. Was it geo sense or luck. I have know idea.
    As I sign the log book Novalee finds the dragon. We make a fair trade for it. Hey, and why not. What is one more little monster in our house :)

Day 109 The Old School of Dahoga Cache (GC1BN9J)

    Like Rocky Balboa (Sylvesta Stalone) running to the top of the stairs in front of the art museum in Philadelphia. This was Niki who after running to the top of a very large snow covered hill has her arms up in the Air. Her hands palmed up in victory fists. Yeah that's my girl Niki. "Getting strong now." This was a good beginning. Unfortunately after a 900 feet walk up hill there was no cache to be found... We hunted high and low before giving up, and heading back down the hill.
    Back at the van I checked the GPS for the next closest cache. To my surprise the nearest cache at 300 feet away was The Old School of Dahoga, by Dahoga.  We would have done the closer cache first had I noticed it in the GPS earlier.
    Niki, Novalee KC, and I got back out of the van and headed in the indicated direction. We got within 100 feet away from the cache. There was a very wide stream between us and the cache location. I picked up Novalee and tucked her under my arm and leaped over the stream... Niki lets out a "Oh my God!"  impressed by my jumping skills. .Niki says the heck with it and trudged through the stream. She was lucky. I have been told by an avid hunter of the area that there are places here that if you step  wrong you can sink up too your hip. She didn't though so that was good.
    After clearing the stream we walked up hill too the cache location and located the cache quickly. I signed the log. Novalee made a trade. In this case round two made us all winners... "Adrian!"
  

Day 108 Yup, It's Up There (GC2A1KD)

 Ha. Ha. I threw the baby. I through the baby off an enormous boulder in the middle of the forest. It landed near Novalee in a crumpled up ball. Novalee looked up at me with adoring eyes. KC, who was racing around the boulder in  worried bewilderment at how his master had risen to such heights stoped near Novalee and sniffed the still baby. The baby was our trophy. Ours to do as we pleased. This is one of the perks of GeoCacheing. The trade. I traded  three items for the baby.  It was worth it to see Novalees adoring smile. I could not climb back down with baby in hand so I tossed it to her.
   The, "Yup, It's Up There" cache, by Stray Poet was aptly named. Niki and I got off to a late start. I've been watching and taking notes on interesting Good Eats shows. I'm studying soup right now. Check out the  like the hat videos http://www.youtube.com/user/LikeTheHat#p/search/7/35HEDof1Jxo. Needless to say this is why we were off to a late start.
   We were heading west on route 6 where their are plenty of caches from my house within 6 miles. Unfortunately after our first failed cacheing attempt at  'Wetmore Springs", we ran into our old snow induced nemesis parking issues. We just could not get close enough to a cache to make it feasable. All out of options we settled on Yup It's Up there. The cache has a 5/5 rating!
    We parked the Van at the Wild Cat Park entrance and started up the hill with great trepidation. KC and I lead the way. I was hoping to scout out the area and find out why it was a 5/5. The cache was a mere 500 feet from where we parked. The terrain did not seem to bad. Nope not at all, that is until I got within 50 feet of the cache, and realized that it was hidden on one of three massive boulders. Yikes!
    As I was scouting around the boulder Niki and Novalee  caught up to me. I looked at the largest of the three boulders and pointed, "It is up there babes." She smiled and looked at me with laughing eyes, "Yup it's Up there" she said. "Yeah, doesn't look like any easy ways up. I'm going to have to climb it." Niki stayed neutral. I could not tell if she thought climbing this massive 15 foot tall snow covered boulder was a good idea or not.  As for me, I thought it was a terrible idea.  That of course did not stop me. I needed the cache for the day. We had steadily run out of time and this was it. I needed the cache and truth be said I love climbing. I through common sense but not caution to the wind found a likely place to start climbing. Got half way up and decided that it was a no go, and came back down.
   Niki called to me. "I think this is a good place to start." I checked it out. She was right of course. Again I got half way up. This time however  I saw a chance. There was a healthy tree above me growing out of the rock. I took KC's leash from my pocket and through the heavy end up and around the base of the tree. I then put the hitch part of the leash through the leashes hand hold createing a sturdy noose around the tree trunk. Ah! Now I had leverage. The rest of the climb was easy. I found the cache quickly. Signed the log. Traded for the Baby Doll and through down to Novalee.  This was a fun and exhilerating cache. Filled with just enough danger to get my blood flowing. I loved it...