› Forums › Geocaching in Wisconsin › General › Caching in Chicago…
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Bushwhacking Queen.
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05/28/2008 at 12:37 am #1726601
Well, not necessarily about caching in Wisconsin but a bit of an eye opener while caching in Chicago and just how “vulnerable” we all are headed out into the woods in “unknown” territory.
Here is one of my note logs from 2 caches I attempted in the “Bemis Woods” in Westchester, IL. A location I felt relatively “safe” in until this happened:
GCPM9E – In town for some training. Was attempting to get this one and the “Tool” cache nearby but was completely freaked out by some pervert guy who was following me around. (I am male and 6’6″) I first attempted both caches from the wrong side of the creek and he was parked there. Then I came back to my car and drove around to the other entrance. I parked close to this cache and proceeded to walk down the path. This same guy rolls up and parks next to my car and starts following me down this path. I couldnt do much so I climbed down the embankment and he walked by but just stood there about 25 feet away. He even grabbed his.. well we wont go there. I rushed by him and literally ran to my car. I drove further into the area and there was a police car parked in the drive. I parked right by the squad car and he drove up and turned around. I so wanted to just tell the cop what had been going on but then thought maybe it was innocent… I raced back to my hotel room freaked out. I will probably not be returning to this woods for any more caches….
Either he was a “really bad” undercover cop or something or he was some pervert who wanted a little action “in the woods”. Now that I think back on this incident, I should have stopped and talked to the cop. I would have felt better now sitting in my hotel room. It could not have possibly been “innocent” as he literally followed me. It was not coincidence nor paranoia…
Not sure how much more caching I will do while I am here. Maybe I might stick with the small urban parks and shopping centers rather than the “nice” woods caches….
-cheeto-
05/28/2008 at 12:39 am #1889652Oh and by the way, he could not possibly have been a geocacher because I very visibly had my GPS in my hand and did not try to avoid him as I would a “normal muggle”. I hoped he was another cacher but there was no pleasant dialogue to be had…
05/28/2008 at 12:49 am #1889653Now I know the reason I have not yet cached in Illinois. 😆
I am just glad you got out of there….well intact. Gotta always remember to keep your wits about you even when caching in a relatively safe looking area.
05/28/2008 at 1:21 am #1889654Oh, Shane, you’re sooooooo cuuuutttteeeee!
BTW, Miata feels the same way …. I mean about guys following him!
05/28/2008 at 3:04 am #1889655yuck……
zuma
05/28/2008 at 2:19 pm #1889656I too was in Chicago a couple of weeks ago visiting my son. I stayed at a hotel near one of those wooded areas. I think the key to “safe” caching is to go early in the morning before the pervs wake up! I was fortunate to encounter no one at 7am. I was not so lucky caching however, only found one of two I was looking for, the other was in an area that looked like a swamp after recent rains. I’m glad that your caching experience ended safely Cheeto.
05/28/2008 at 3:22 pm #1889657😯 Maybe groundspeak will need to add a rating for “PERV factor” for places like this… 😯
05/28/2008 at 5:03 pm #1889658I grew up in Chicago, so feel like I need to do a little defense here.
Like most major American cities, there are parts of Chicago that suck — if you are headed there, I can help point you in the right direction (or more precisely, away from the WRONG directions). Most of the territory in Chicago IS safe, and is populated by surprisingly nice, friendly, salt of the earth people. Stop at a hot dog shack, have a polish or a combo, and meet some locals.
Not sure of the caches opp’s along the route, but there is a great bike tour in Chicago starts and ends at the Midway Plaisance, and runs around the boulevards that link the city’s major parks; the ride finishes along the lakefront, going through Lincoln, Grant, and Jackson Parks. Can’t think of a better way of seeing the town. This years ride will be Sept 3 — check out http://www.boulevardtour.org for details
The reality is the only time I felt like I was being stalked by a pervert while geocaching was around a month ago in Estabrook Park (Milwaukee). The guys behavior was eerily similar to what was described by the OP. I mentioned the experience in the logs, so hopefully future seekers are aware.
05/28/2008 at 5:14 pm #1889659By the way, the cache in question is a substantial distance from the Chicago city limits in an extremely affluent area (Oak Brook/ Hinsdale/ Western Springs). Which is to say, a part of the Chicago metro area people of means go to to avoid contact with unsavory people!
05/28/2008 at 5:29 pm #1889660Hey…. you guys heard about that book where the killer posts clues in geocaches right……………well maybe….. that guy…..was the KILLER!!!
05/28/2008 at 5:39 pm #1889661@MikeB wrote:
The reality is the only time I felt like I was being stalked by a pervert while geocaching was around a month ago in Estabrook Park (Milwaukee). The guys behavior was eerily similar to what was described by the OP. I mentioned the experience in the logs, so hopefully future seekers are aware.
I know years ago this park and Underwood park were both well known hangouts for homosexuals. I haven’t heard anything different as of late, and assume that they still are.
05/28/2008 at 6:10 pm #1889662Just don’t tap your foot when writing in the log.
05/28/2008 at 7:19 pm #1889663By the way, the cache in question is a substantial distance from the Chicago city limits in an extremely affluent area (Oak Brook/ Hinsdale/ Western Springs
Exactly! That’s why I noted that I felt “safe” finding some caches around where I was staying in Westchester. I reviewed the logs in the past for the caches in this woods and didn’t see anything of note but seeing the cops presence in this area assured me that either they knew something is going on or that cop was taking a nap.
My post wasn’t necessarily to “pick on” this particular region (i.e. Chicago). Just to make note of keeping your eyes open for things while you are out and about in unknown (to you) areas. I could have easily not picked up on this guy and ended up stranded and who knows what else… This same story could have easily happened back home where I live as it could here.
I am headed back out again after training today but not to that same stretch of woods.
-cheeto-
05/31/2008 at 4:09 pm #1889664@nohandsgps wrote:
Just don’t tap your foot when writing in the log.
I kept a nice narrow stance — the only toe-tapping that went on was me high-tailing it back to my car.
Check out the discussion from the GONIL.org forum — sounds like they are at least aware there is an issue.
05/31/2008 at 7:21 pm #1889665I originally tried to find anything related on their msg boards and couldn’t but I suspected that those in the area probably knew this was an issue.
My warning was to those who enter an area not knowing its “potential” should keep their eyes open. I do not think this individual would have injured me. However, his actions were not what I would call “acceptable”.
Looking back on the incident, the best move would have been to make contact with the officer to alert him of the activity/issue.
In this day and age, I don’t care what you are “looking for”, it’s just not acceptable to follow people around like that. Straight, gay, black, white, indian, etc. I was more worried that he was interested in grabbing my backpack, money, etc than anything else.
-cheeto-
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