[Astro_D]

116 days from 10/07 – 2/08.

[Astro_D]

@glorkar wrote:

Well, do we want to make this an event? Where should we meet? I know Astro Team D is from the Green Bay area, CJ is from Berlin and I’m in Oshkosh. Not sure if anybody else is interested.
We could go somewhere none of us has really had a chance to benchmark in before. Maybe figure out a route to take to recover as many as possible. That way each of us could report at least one mark for the national event, but we wouldn’t have to go our own separate ways.

For location, I’ve not really been anywhere out of the Oshkosh, Appleton, Berlin, Fond du Lac area so I’m open to anything beyond that.

We’ve done a few in the Fox Valley area. I guess I think we should all look to see what area has quite a few BM that would be finadable and plan on meeting somewhere in that general locale.

I think the best thing to do would be to post our event ideas/locales here….

WHOO HOO!!!! Benchmark event!!!!!

[Astro_D]

@glorkar wrote:

It looks like the only thing they aren’t including are intersection stations (church spires, water towers, etc…)

Scaredy Cat’s website is great, I use it all the time. CGS was integrated into the NGS some time ago I believe. I’ve never seen any WISDOT ones listed on there though.

I LOVE scaredy Cat’s site as well! Hubby has been using it planning which BMs to go for while in the keys next week.

[Astro_D]

@hotdogs_off_trail wrote:

I guess I’m slow, so here’s my dumb question. What’s with the lenght of time of observation portion of the report?

To make sure the GPS unit you are using has time to settle for the most accurate reading. They ask that each station be observed for at least 5 minutes. Professional surveyors observe a station for a mimimum of 4 hours. 😀

If you have the time, just set the GPSr directly on top the mark and leave it there for 5 minutes, then take the reading. That tends to be be our method and seems to work well. If you don’t ahve the time, just be sure to accurately report the length of time – whether 30 seconds or 30 hours.

[Astro_D]

@CodeJunkie wrote:

Can you submit more than one form?

Absolutely!

just make sure that station matches EXACTLY with the datasheet (do not use the description on the gc.com pages, you must use the original datasheet from ngs which, can be accessed from gc.com enchmark page).

[Astro_D]

@glorkar wrote:

I saw this posted over on GC. I’m planning on being a part of it too.
From what I understand, there really isn’t a gathering or anything like that. You just go out, find a benchmark, and submit the special form. Does that sound right?Maybe we could get everybody interested together and do an event? I’m sure it would only be a handful of us, but it could be fun.

Yup, that sums it it up quite nicely!

An event would be fun for the three or four that would attend. 😀

[Astro_D]

@TyeDyeSkyGuy wrote:

Thanks Astro D! Dunno why I didn’t think of that. Added the Netbook to the network, but never thought of giving it access to the DVD drive!

Definitely should do the trick! Good Luck!

[Astro_D]

Hubby downloaded Office Professional 2010 (which includes Outlook) on my son’s netbook. I think all he did was connect the netbook to our home network system (which includes two other computers – a desktop and a laptop), put the disc into the desktop and did a program/file transfer or something. He did the same thing to get Streets and Trips on the netbook as well. So, it can be done. Sorry I’m not more computer savvy to give details.

On a side note, we’ve been very satisfied with the full compliment of Office on the netbook. It works sweet (It’s not slow) and let’s our son do his homework on the go as he has all the programs he needs at his fingertips.

[Astro_D]

@Trekkin’ and Birdin’ wrote:

Katrina,

We just returned from the Nevada desert and were almost fooled many times by benchmarks placed by the Nevada DOT. They look for all the world like the NGS disks, but are something altogether different. Taking the photos also helped us match our finds to our notes and the datasheets. Thanks for the tips, we’ll never do this at the level of you guys, but it’s helpful for making sure we’re really finding what we think we’ve found.

Glad you found the info helpful! Nevada DOT isn’t the only one – Wisconsin DOT is famous for this technique (As is many other states) as well! This is why we try to stress that the all the stamping must match (Name, agency date etc)what’s on the datasheet – just cause a disk is there, doesn’t mean it’s the right one!

Glad you had a bit of fun finding a few and we’re diligent enough to take care that the right marks are being logged. We’re headed out that way in June/July and looking forward to finding a few ourselves! Who knows, maybe we’ll be following after YOU!

[Astro_D]

Awesome video. I remember her log when she visited our Cache Across America – Wisconsin cache on 07 May 2010. She flew from
Nicaragua to Green Bay to make the find! Talk about true dedication!!

[Astro_D]

Does this mean cachers are going to have to READ the cache page to gleem pertinent info like “Boat required” now as it won’t be reflected in the T5 rating????? That’ll make some cachers happy. 🙄

[Astro_D]

Here are some of my favorites in the upper keys. I would be able to add to the list, but the last few years we’ve been benchmark hunting

Islamorada GC19PFH Backbone of the Keys (Earthcache). It is a state park that was close to being closed due to lack of funding and interest. But the geologic wonders and the history makes this a worthwhile stop. Plus there are two other traditional caches located here!

Islamorada GCP4E3 Storm of the Century A great memorial to the devestating hurricane of 1935. (Ties in nicely with the the above mentioned earthcache).

Marathon GC156V7 Coco Janis Sand Beach A remote out of the way beach best known to the locals. The beach is great and not crowded like many others! One of favorites!

There are a few others that were worthy, but are now archived. (Blue Hole comes to mind) – but still might be worth a visit if its open as the place is cool foe what it is and what it has to offer!

[Astro_D]

@Cache_boppin_BunnyFuFu wrote:

I was thinking of displaying mine in coin collector books. I think the nickels would work. Right now they are in a jar!! LOL

Mine sit in a lock and lock container! Takes up very little space. 😀

I’ll save ya one of our pathtags for when you get to GNG IV in two weeks!

[Astro_D]

Bummer!! We’ll be starting our trek out west that weekend….

[Astro_D]

Ha! I thought it was just me having that issue! Thanks for the tip! I’ll try it out next time I need to print!

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