meljo
Bronze Cacher
Posts: 47
GeocacheAlaska! Membership Level: Sourdough
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Post by meljo on Jul 5, 2008 11:01:41 GMT -9
Went to get Delayed Gratification today.Knew it was in a neighborhood but did not realize until I got there that it was in someone's yard. I know the owner posted that it was a cachers yard and permission was given and neighbors knew of it. I did not get out of the car as I would have felt very uncomfortable. How do the rest of you feel about this?
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powmia
Silver Cacher
Caches Found/Hidden xxxx/x
Posts: 208
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Post by powmia on Jul 5, 2008 11:29:35 GMT -9
I will pass on most caches in folk's yards. If it is on a post or pole, or rock pile away from the house, near the road, and I cannot readily be seen by neighbors, I would go for it. I passed on one in Utah although it was noted as being in a yard and permission was granted to enter through the gates. I posted a note, and received a reply on the cache sheet from the owner for all to see, that possibly Alaska cachers can't read. This cache was archived within a couple days.
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Post by ladybugkids on Jul 5, 2008 13:24:54 GMT -9
With the hide being in the open, just a couple of steps off the road, in the cache owner's yard, with no lurking behind bushes or fences required, and no hostile canines in evidence, I went for it in broad daylight with little angst. One can make the grab, log it in the comfort on one's geomobile, and return it, all with just a few quick moves. If one wants a shield, one can park to block the view from curious onlookers from one side or the other. Yes, the location is exposed, but nowhere near as exposed or in a spot that would raise more suspicion (such as adjacent to government buildings, on school grounds, on playground equipment, back alley fences, electrical boxes, phone junction boxes, etc.) than any one of a number of other hides in Anchorage and around Alaska that I've done.
That said, no one should feel compelled to hunt a hide that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe for whatever reason. There are plenty of other hides to go seek.
Cache on!
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Post by fuzzybelly on Nov 1, 2013 7:31:56 GMT -9
Those past posts above here where from 2008. I could only imagine the differences today, over 5 years later. I think these type of caches are now generally called Urban caches.
I really don't like most Urban caches. Now if it's in an interesting area with an obvious reason to be there and reason to snoop around a bit, those are fun. But the ones where I really don't have a reason to be at the location other than to be caching(snooping around), just make me feel very uncomfortable, and I can't get myself to hang around to long before walking on.
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Post by ladybugkids on Nov 1, 2013 8:17:53 GMT -9
Yes, things have changed! There is even a "Front Yard (Private Residence) attribute: As certain areas have become more "saturated," cachers are using easements and other more private locations for their hides. I've admittedly gotten to the point where I wade right in, barking dog or not, view from windows or not, to invite an interaction is someone (homeowner, cache owner, neighbor, etc.) to explain geocaching and to assess whether the cache was placed with adequate permission. So far, my experience with private land owners and business owners has been positive and they have allowed the caches to stay. Others have had different experiences which have resulted in cache archival, but that happen fewer than five or times a year.
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Post by NeverSummer on Nov 1, 2013 11:19:49 GMT -9
Having your script prepared for that interaction is where the situation can get interesting. I usually turn red, and into a blubbering, befuddled fool for the first few seconds.
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Post by ladybugkids on Nov 1, 2013 11:37:28 GMT -9
No need to be embarrassed unless one is doing something illegal. I always tell the truth about what I'm doing, whether it be with a law enforcement officer or a private individual. I'll even show them the cache, if I find it and they are still around. Where it gets embarrassing for me is if I give the spiel about geocaching and then can't find the geocache while the other person watches or helps. Then I can only imagine what they are thinking about the story I just told them. Geocacher-u has some great tri-fold brochures and business cards one can print and have ready to hand out to muggles. Remember...the truth always runs for the light. Geocaching was banned from JBER in part because cachers didn't tell the conservation officer why they were in an area when he know full well where the geocachers were and could watch them with cameras. He got to the point were he felt he couldn't trust geocachers which led to more than two dozen caches being archived and subsequent efforts to reestablish geocaching on JBER have been unsuceessful while mountain bikers, hikers, runners, orienteers, and kayakers continue to enjoy the civilian accessible areas.
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Post by NeverSummer on Nov 1, 2013 13:41:58 GMT -9
Even if I'm not doing anything wrong, I have been caught off guard!
I've always got my story straight...but sometimes it takes longer to get it out than others!
Telling the truth is always the right plan. (And being sure to make note of the interaction in your log so that the owner knows they might need to keep tabs on the cache, and it doesn't walk away with a muggle)
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Post by akgh519 on Nov 1, 2013 18:18:36 GMT -9
I agree with Fuzzy...especially when not in Alaska, I am very particular which urban cache I will look for when in the lower 48.
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Post by ladybugkids on Nov 1, 2013 19:20:54 GMT -9
Especially when traveling there is no reason to mess around with caches that make one uncomfortable. These days, if a cache doesn't have at least five favorite points, it rarely makes it into my GPS. Caching by favorites and dumping the caches with the "Needs Maintenance" attribute has really enhanced my caching experience when on the road. There are more caches out there than I'll ever find, so why not seek the best of the best when time is limited?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2013 21:08:14 GMT -9
That's a great thought LBK. I really should start looking the the favorite points more when I am on the road. I have not come across too many while traveling that have made me uncomfortable with the area, but the favorite points might make it just a little bit more fun. I guess if a few of the local cachers liked the hide then it is worth seeking out.
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Post by akgh519 on Nov 2, 2013 1:54:06 GMT -9
The favorite point concept is one of the best things that GS has come up with. I use it everywhere I go. Found me many a great cache on my extended stay in PA and also found LBK and I a fun time in a lava tube last summer! It is definitely something everyone should look into while traveling!
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