Abusive WSQ’s?

[koolma_k]

I have only been caching for a short time, but I find the WSQ caches very interesting. Cemeteries are such peaceful areas with such a wealth of information. My 12yr old daughter claims that the cemetery caches are her favorite. She bounces all over the cemetery taking pictures telling me about names and times, figuring out ages and coming up with possible stories. She is very upset when she sees where stones have been vandalized, fallen over, broken. It teaches her respect and gives her an understanding that the world does not revolve around us. “Life” has been going on for a long time, as well as death. Fortunately, we have not come across any caches that have been disrespectively placed, and if we were to ever come across one that seemed innappropriate we would indeed notify the placer of the cache and do follow ups.

just my 2cents

[furfool]

Like many out there, I love cemeteries. I have always been interested in the historical aspect of them. The ones I have no interest in are the ones that allow only flat, even with the ground stones for mowing purposes. These type also will not usually allow plantings of any kind. A cache almost seems like a bonus to me at a cemetery.

Along with showing respect to those that may be visiting the dearly departed and the grave sites themselves, do remember that in most cases these are hallowed ground. To me, it’s almost like being in church.

[seldom|seen]

Interesting thread. Personally, I believe there nothing more under foot than collections of carbon atoms contained in ridiculously ornamented boxes and the only spirits than linger are the ones you bring with you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect the intent. Sacred ground is build on the respect you show it and any land, be it cemetery, swamp, or savannah deserves it in kind. Everywhere I go when caching is hallowed to me and there are many places more deserving of our respect than manicured tombs, but there is a reason and an intent for their existence and that has to be honored.

I have a handful of cemetery caches. Some highlighting veterans and some the monuments. But it’s not my first choice since it does come with the inherent risk of bringing disrespectful gamers to the graves and unlike being disrespectful of place when you in the middle of the Rat River, someone will eventually witness suspicious activity in a cemetery and being the sacred places they are, will be more reactive than not. Show respect for the place you are, no matter where you are, and you will be fine.

Speaking of respect, I have an inkling what this new acronym, WTQ, stands for. It seems to be in the vicinity of some establishments where certain individuals loose all of their respect and I hope it does not stand for what I think it does, that would be disrespectful.

[Team Black-Cat]

There’s a cache in the middle of the Rat River? 😮 ❓
Who would do such an evil, nasty thing?

[Trekkin and Birdin]

The better question might be, Black Cat…..who would go to places like that to look for said evil caches multiple times?

I seem to recall finding myself there myself a couple times.

[neonride93]

If geocaches were taken away from cemeteries, some of these would never get visitors. There are so many old cemeteries that have not been used in 50 or even 100 years, and no one even knows who is resting there. I have always loved history and this is almost a living history. Who was this person, how did they die? What did they do? What stories could they tell us? I have been in over 200 cemeteries geocaching, and with the exception of one I have never even thought they my presence was un-wanted. Its not the hider ( 99% of the time) its the seeker that just has to practice common sense when hunting and show respect for those who rest here. The back roads I have traveled and the townships I would never have visited if it weren’t for the Waushara Challenge or the SCC. I will always love hunting WSQ or any other cemetery cache!

[Team Vaughan]

Being a civil war buff I stumbled across this headstone in a little cemetery while caching near Mayville about a week ago. I have tried to research this man but so far have come up empty.

If you notice this gentleman fought for the south and his Georgia regiment fought in all the major east battles from Gettysburg to Antietam.

I love the history these places hold.

[rcflyer2242]

When a cemetery hide is done with taste im all for it, but if there is just a hide for the sake of a hide it makes me sad. I have been to one that the page said small cemetery please be respectfull. I did the cache and there is a reveloutinary war veteran there. I mean look before you leap. check out these, now those are hides.
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=7d4a35b7-203b-48ea-b213-668109450004
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=d97cc3d7-6f4e-4bb3-b219-2a9934457424
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=291f26fb-32be-4635-a9ea-28246f333b21
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=f277fd91-fd0a-4fb6-abdb-fece311eb44a
and here are a few more
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=bc710525-2d22-4aa0-aa90-97ede65db24d
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=8673ad17-58f1-4387-a4a0-221a20f8c7ff
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=03f06574-242d-4329-9686-fb7a7af9441b
Cemetery pages like those make hunting them far more exciting.[/url]

[cekcacher]

“Cemeteries are living history books, carved in stone.”

Hey Marc . . . I like this quote . . . mind if I borrow it?

[Miata]

@cekcacher wrote:

“Cemeteries are living history books, carved in stone.”

Hey Marc . . . I like this quote . . . mind if I borrow it?

Marc is no longer an active member here, but I doubt if he would mind.

[kansas64]

I can honestly say I have only found two cemetery caches that were in done in bad taste, and one of them wasnt even in Wisconsin. I honestly think most cachers are trying to get you to see something different than what we ordinarily see in the field.
I have seen monuments dedicates to civic leaders, Petrified Tree Stump headstones, survivors of the Titanic and many great monuments to those who served our country.
I have done the WSQ that my grand parents are, and want to get back to a WSQ out of my area as it is the only headstone with my full name on it (spooky)

Many cachers dont like nanos in the woods so they dont do them, maybe you should consider their example

[pkarm]

My wife and and have done a few cemetery and two things we always make sure is #1 we respect the cemetery and grounds and #2 take time to look at the makers. We are alway amazed at the age of some and wonder what the stories are of those buried there and then we are also amazed at some of the highly elaborate headstones. Never have come across any that have been in our opinion disrespectful.

[LDove]

I love them and respect them. It also thrills me that one of the cemetery caches I have has brought attention to a gentleman that many would have forgotten, but now gets visitors all the time even though nobody knows who he is! One Unknown Man: GCT0MR 😀

[Lostby7]

@LDove wrote:

I love them and respect them. It also thrills me that one of the cemetery caches I have has brought attention to a gentleman that many would have forgotten, but now gets visitors all the time even though nobody knows who he is! One Unknown Man: GCT0MR 😀

I recall this one…did it in 2006. There is no reason to forget folks….whether they are known or unknown.

[benny7210]

O.K. I have held off long enough on this topic. I have done hundreds of WSQ’s In many states. In my experiences about 99.9% are done in good taste. I can only remember one that I though was in poor taste. And the owner changed it quickly after a few emails from other cachers. My wife and I did a puzzle WSQ on Saturday that I think was one of the best that I have seen in a long time. It brought you to a world class sculptor. And in the same cemetery there is a second (sculptor) that is recognized world wide. For me and this team I think it would be a sad day for caching if WSQs were ever discontinued.

To see an example of a world class sculptor and a fun to do WSQ. check out…GC1DZA7… “WSQ The Recording Angel”. Thanks to Jim and Linda for carrying on the tradition of putting out great WSQs.

[Author]

Posts