Forums Geocaching in Wisconsin General I am surprised that a cache hasn’t been placed…

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  • #1731346

    … at either of the two Rest areas along I-43 between Beloit and Milwaukee. Two times now I have driven that route (round trip) and wondered why there isn’t a cache at either one. They seem like they’d be a great place to have a cache. Oh yeah, and the Rest Area on I-90 in Beloit needs one too.

    The first time was when I was working on a 100 cache-a-day challenge so I was looking for one along the route. The second time was just tonight (1-4-2011)… I am not working on the challenge anymore so a find was not really important, but I got a find on the cache at the Park-and-Ride near Mukwonago anyways.

    Is there some information about those Rest Areas that I am missing? I guess I may be spoiled because just about every Rest Area/Oasis I have seen down here in IL has a cache located in the vicinity. There’s a 2003 hide at the first Rest Area/Welcome Center in IL on I-90 Eastbound… There is also the IPASSED a cache series at the IL Tollway Oases…

    I’m just confused, that is all…

    #1941498

    Thanks to the WI DOT they are not allowed.

    http://wi-geocaching.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=10601&highlight=rest+areas

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    #1941499
    BigJim
    Participant

      Maybe it is time for that letter writing campaign

      #1941500

      Good Info in the referenced thread. I am sure that I can put the bug in the ear of the general membership of GONIL. As your neighbors to the South, I am sure that a good many of us would benefit from the placement of caches at those rest areas. As a result, getting us to help with any efforts increases the amount of people in the campaign.

      Not only do we cache, but we visit the state on a regular basis. Sometimes visitors have a bigger stick… lol

      #1941501

      I’m not sure what the progress of things has been on this with the WGA, although I’m sure someone from the BOD will chime in sooner or later.

      Perhaps the change in administration will help, because this needs to be driven from the top down. Bureaucrats do not like to give up their little kernels of power and it’s easier to issue a blanket “no” to something than it is to permit usage of resources by the citizens who actually pay for them (not to mention the salaries of said bureaucrats).

      Then again, Wisconsin does like to buck the trend when it comes to what most other states allow, such as being the only state in the nation that doesn’t currently allow tax deductions for health savings accounts. But I digress…

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      #1941502

      I do know for a fact that my District Senator, Bob Jauch, had his office call the DOT office. They said they would look into things. I explained eveything to him and told him how MN DOT has even embraced gocaching at it’s waysides. He even came back to the store I work at and left me a note.

      #1941503
      AuntieNae
      Participant

        Both rest areas along I-43 between Beloit and Milwaukee had geocaches but no longer due to the DOT.

        #1941504
        Trekkin and Birdin
        Participant

          I know there has been a fairly concerted effort, and if memory serves, the issue was taken up (again) sometime last year. The WGA offered to meet in person with the appropriate DOT representatives after a well written rationale for creating a policy to allow caches in rest areas. That offer was declined, but the proposal was taken to a committee to consider. There was a response that said….”No go.”

          It has not been for lack of trying, for sure. You’re right that maybe words from out of state “tourists” would have some impact, though.

          #1941505

          Maybe it is time to start with the state tourism department, asking for action from the governor. Does anyone remember the name of the jerk at the DOT? I will work on drumming up a contact at Tourism.

          #1941506

          Can someone send me the info that was given DOT? I can send it to Sen Jauch and give it to a fellow cacher who is very good friends with the new Lt. Gov. She has been running for State Assembly. One of these days she’s going to make it.

          #1941507

          I would love to write/email/call My local state rep Leah Vukmir She is very approachable but I suck at writing letters/emails like this It would be cool if someone could write a form letter or a template with good talking point I would love to send her one.

          #1941508

          Does every rest stop need a cache placed there?

          #1941509

          @Todd300 wrote:

          Does every rest stop need a cache placed there?

          Yes! Yes they do!!

          #1941510
          BigJim
          Participant

            @Todd300 wrote:

            Does every rest stop need a cache placed there?

            Not any more than evert cemetery and every dead end street, but it should be an option. Many of the state’s rest areas include historical markers or other features that would be worthy of a cache if they weren’t in a rest area.

            #1941511

            If they follow the state of Minnesota’s policy then it shouldn’t be a problem. One physical cache per rest area and within so many feet of the trail with permission.

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