Parking tip

[Timberline Echoes]

In our paper there is an article about a family who parked off a road to go ice fishing. They felt it was parked in a safe way. The officers did not think so and had it towed away stranding the family. The article goes on to say that if you need to park your vehicle in a questionable spot you should leave a note in the window explaining where you went and a cell phone number so an officer can reach you. Thought it would be a good idea for cachers too. May save someone a towing fee and ticket.
TE

[RJ McKenzie]

I’ve actually thought about doing that. I’ve parked in some weird spots while out caching and have just been waiting to get back and my truck be gone. I gotta get something laminated leaving my phone number and a explaining why I have parked there.

[-cheeto-]

A very good tip!

Even when you think you are parking in an “okay” spot, it might not be a half-bad idea to leave a note. I parked in a spot that appeared to be an official paved parking area for a hwy-side trail. A police officer driving by had decided it was “unsafe” where it was parked and made the decision to tow immediately. I remember seeing a tow truck drive by and slow down near our van and turn around and how fast I ran to save my vehicle from being towed and my family from being stranded out on this trail, at night.

The cache owner had even discussed with the police the parking situation there and it was recognized that you could park there. Apparently you can but I guess because it was dark out, it didn’t make sense for someone to be out there on the trail at night…

We were there at night because the cache owner recommended visiting at night and there was a meteor shower that night.

So yeah, I agree a nice laminated note tucked in the driver’s window on the inside might not be a bad idea. Perhaps with a cell phone # on it if you’re carrying one. They will call your home phone before towing. I got home and there was a message on the machine from the police officer.

I think I’m going to make one up soon. Thanks for the tip!

[bugsmasher69]

Just remember the note you leave telling what you are doing is also letting any thiefs know what you are doing and gives them an idea how long you will be gone and how much time they have to break in and take what they want. Also leaving personal information like phone numbers out where anyone can see them isnt the best idea either with all the identity theft that goes on.

Lets see it says he is geocaching. Hmm that involves using gps units. Wonder where in the vehicle the car gps is hidden?

[marc_54140]

@bugsmasher69 wrote:

Just remember the note you leave telling what you are doing is also letting any thiefs know what you are doing and gives them an idea how long you will be gone and how much time they have to break in and take what they want. Also leaving personal information like phone numbers out where anyone can see them isnt the best idea either with all the identity theft that goes on.

Lets see it says he is geocaching. Hmm that involves using gps units. Wonder where in the vehicle the car gps is hidden?

Yup, and if Ryan would tell me where and when he’s going caching next ………never driven a toyota, but there is always a first time!

[JimandLinda]

Bugsmasher’s tip is well taken.
That’s why I believe if parking is not obvious, or even if it is, posting coordinates for where to park is important. Reminds me of driving around the mall parking lot for 15 minutes to find a closer spot! An extra 1/4 mile to walk might save a cacher from being towed.
Still don’t do much night caching. This state is too beautiful not to see it in the daylight!

[marc_54140]

Probably the best to come from this thread is the idea that when you park some place, make sure it is a parking spot. If it is not obvious, do not park there.

[kansas64]

If your worried about somebody stealing your ID by leaving your phone number you probably dont want to post anything on the internet either then. All somebody needs to steal an ID is your name (provided it isn’t very common) and a basic idea of where you live (like just the city) and they can have your social security and date of birth in seconds.

[Averith]

We found this handy little placard you can hang on your rear view mirror. We printed it out and had it laminated. You can find it here: http://geocacher-u.com/content/blogcategory/69/90/

[-cheeto-]

I don’t leave things in my car that could be stolen and I buy cheap used vehicles. I buy car insurance. If someone steals my identity they won’t get all that much.

I see where you are coming from in today’s society but people post their phone number when they sell a car or place an add in the paper, etc. Having my phone number posted for a brief time parked alongside some trail probably is pretty low risk in comparison to other actions.

Also, if you read my post above I did park in a designated spot and the cache owner would have likely posted coordinates for EXACTLY where I parked if they thought of posting parking coords. The point of my post is even if it looks like an appropriate place to park it might not be!

-cheeto-

[-cheeto-]

Also, thanks Averith for the heads up on the placard. Saves work!

[gotta run]

“Remove Before Driving”

😯

On the Left Side of the Road...

[RJ McKenzie]

@marc_54140 wrote:

@bugsmasher69 wrote:

Just remember the note you leave telling what you are doing is also letting any thiefs know what you are doing and gives them an idea how long you will be gone and how much time they have to break in and take what they want. Also leaving personal information like phone numbers out where anyone can see them isnt the best idea either with all the identity theft that goes on.

Lets see it says he is geocaching. Hmm that involves using gps units. Wonder where in the vehicle the car gps is hidden?

Yup, and if Ryan would tell me where and when he’s going caching next ………never driven a toyota, but there is always a first time!

There is a dealer in Appleton if you want to try out a “newer” model….

[marc_54140]

@ToyotaRyan wrote:

@marc_54140 wrote:

@bugsmasher69 wrote:

Just remember the note you leave telling what you are doing is also letting any thiefs know what you are doing and gives them an idea how long you will be gone and how much time they have to break in and take what they want. Also leaving personal information like phone numbers out where anyone can see them isnt the best idea either with all the identity theft that goes on.

Lets see it says he is geocaching. Hmm that involves using gps units. Wonder where in the vehicle the car gps is hidden?

Yup, and if Ryan would tell me where and when he’s going caching next ………never driven a toyota, but there is always a first time!

There is a dealer in Appleton if you want to try out a “newer” model….

No, no newer models, or anything that costs money!

[hogrod]

I find this story quite odd, unless there is a heavy snowfall and your car is blocking the roadway for snowplows, don’t most police tag a vehicle 24hrs before it gets towed?
Either The car was seen parked there a couple days in a row or the cop wasn’t following normal procedures.

As for the geocaching Windshield tag, thats like advertising your probably out hiking for 30minutes or longer and possibly have electronics to steal in your car. Any note you leave is probably going to be seen by thieves before it ever stops your car from being towed/ticketed.

Best bet, don’t park along the side of a road in the winter time, park father away and hike in. If you can’t do that it’s probably a better idea to wait to do the cache until spring.

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