One Still Lost, But One Found

Click the title above to see all geocaching pics!

Today I struck out again on my trusty (and never rusty) Cadillac of a bike for locations yet unknown. Would I be successful today? After my failure yesterday I tried to be hopeful, and set out, chin high!

I decided to give another quick crack at the cache I couldn't find yesterday. On the way to my other points I took a new route and got to ride over the highway:



But alas, I still did not find it. I e-mailed the guy who hid it today, maybe I can locate it later.

So I biked around a bit, and after navigating the back alleys of some shops on my bike while checking my location (and not running into anything, it was fun) I came to what I thought was the spot. I checked the notes I had previously printed out (be prepared!) and looked for clues. I hunted and hunted in the heat, but no luck.



The location wasn't especially good for signal strength so after a bit I went to a more open area to try again and this time was directed to an area a little further on:



Along with a subtle clue in the cache's description and not being afraid of looking too foolish hunting around a shopping area, I found it!

This particular cache is tiny (in the industry it's classified as "micro") and contains only a logbook for those who have found it. Without the hint I probably wouldn't have been able to find it, and I don't think anyone would happen upon it by accident:



I had forgotten my pen and my wallet, so I was kind of screwed for adding to the log. I considered waiting for a stranger with a pocket-protector to walk by, but headed into a nearby bookstore to borrow one instead. The lady looked at me kind of weird, probably because I was sweating like mad. Or maybe cuz I'm so good looking. Either way I didn't want to wait, I was excited to document my first find:



This is what a successful geocacher looks like:



I then decided to head to the Apple store to get a cable before I remembered I forgot my cash. I picked another geocache to visit while I waited for the light and headed south, but stopped to take some pics at this empty parking lot:





Heading out again, this time for a benchmark that is very possibly under some grass, I brought my bike to a halt after seeing this sign:



I don't think that's correct, but it was 103 degrees today. I didn't find the benchmark, partly because it I think it is under the grass and partly because the baseball park is locked off. I did see a bullet casing on the ground, too.

Heading home I decided to give that pesky spot one more try, but again to no avail. And it was really hot. My hat was bleeding dye when I looked down:



My chain fell off shortly after documenting this scary billboard, and I think it's not a coincidence:



After getting home and showering, I celebrated!



I walked slash biked almost eight miles. I'm enjoying this hobby, and the exercise.

Hope your weekends were good!

- BuddhaDave