[WStemple]

Found that I mis-typed the GC for “All In!” It should be GC1J463.

[WStemple]

OK. I have gotten through the other three states and here are the caches that I think we should target. 411, in Michigan is where I think we can do a group picture. I may try to see if the CO would meet us there also. The extra caches that have been also discussed are The Beverly, Indiana’s First and I would like to grab a cache or two on the campus of my fav FB team – Notre Dame. I have followed them for over 40 years. Of course, we need to stop in Chicago and grab the challenge cache(s). 😀

Now that I have all of the possible targets, please let me know if you see any issues with any of them. I need to put them in proper order for the trip and get them ready to load in my TomTom. I will also create a public bookmark list so that people can create a PQ. I will also have PQ(s) create from the two routes.

Minnesota
GC1ZJWZ Apple Capital Green Space
GC2FBWQ Apple Fest Rocks
GC3R8EJ HHT – WPA Built this City Hall
GC3QY13 A heathy place

Michigan
GC15463 All In!
GC2J4J8 ~Summer Breeze~
GC30NKD 411

Wisconsin
GC2NZ7K Welcome to Here
GC2T86V I want to play
GC3TJRY I want a dead end cache too
GC3TWMZ Mom’s TB Hotel

[WStemple]

Nice job you two!

[WStemple]

@Todd300 wrote:

Anything can happen. It’s always a good idea to be prepared. Also look at other caches on the route as a backup if you run across DNF’s. I’ve had to do this when I would get specific caches on a route to set up a milestone. I had a few DNF’s which forced me to take a slight detour on the way to the milestone cache.

This is true. That is why I have more than the required two caches/per state. Keeping the D/T to not more than 2.0 also helps. I have run a complete PQ for the route(s), but then selected the targets from that. Actually “drove” the route using the map view feature on GC. Good way to see where the cache is in relation to roads/exits.

I will also have my smartphone along with so that I can use c:geo to access the latest logs, etc. I may even set up FTF alerts for spots along the route. Who knows, we may get lucky and grab on also. [:D]

[WStemple]

@Todd300 wrote:

Sounds like you really are being prepared.

Wish I had half the preparation skills that you do when I go out caching.

I’m not one to go out and hunt specific caches for a challenge or anything like that. I just load my GPSr’s and just go where they take me. I’m the spontaneous type.

But back in the day before I had my Nuvi to help me drive to cache sites, I used to have to map out my caches. I would make a list of what to hit, note the approximate locations on a paper map, and go get them.

Now I just grab the Nuvi, Etrex, and go.

I would also agree with the grab and go approach for most cache trips. When you have a time restriction, then you have to get prepared to the max! [:D]

Thanks for the compliment on preparation! I just call it an occupational “hazard”, as I am a Sr. Developer. I love to play the “devil’s advocate” and ask the questions that are sometimes forgotten.

I have found the using tools like Topo USA helps to find the best route or to just tweak it a bit. Picking the caches ahead of time lets you plan, should you need a tool or something. It also lets the other people review and comment on the selections. Unfortunately with a road trip like this, one cannot afford to go after higher D/T caches and know that you will finish before midnight. I do believe that we have a good cushion on the time, but one never knows.

[WStemple]

@neonride93 wrote:

Congrats – This is the spring of road tips for you WStemple – I hope ours is as legendary!

I am sure that it will, but it will be hard to beat seeing something like this:

We WILL have fun! 🙂

[WStemple]

OK. I have finished looking at four of the seven states and here are the caches that I think we should go after. My thought process was to not only qualify for the second challenge, but to also get the required caches shortly after entering that state. Any caches after that in said state is a bonus. In Illinois, I targeted the rest areas to give us a cache and a chance to stretch.

IOWA
GC1AV5N Twin Springs GCA749 All Veterans Memorial Park
GC1VHAF Suite to be in the Country
GC273QJ Cows being milked GCD934 God Bless The USA

Missouri
GCY4B8 First or Last cache in NE MO
GC3C1KR Flood me not GC32W9B Dead End Road

Illinois
GCN623 Great River Roadside Cache
GC1AD3M Keep your motor running
GC38MR2 TAR-Zhay
GC409DE Illinois I80 Eastbound rest stop
GC31QDD Stop & Rest A Spell #7 Beverly Hillbillies Mansion
GC18YQ7 Midnight at the Oasis

Indiana
GC38HRG I feel Love – Donna Summer
GC38HRK Don’t Leave Me This Way- Thelma Houston
GC1M7PB “Sailor30’s 1000!” Travel Bug Resort and Spa.

I will get the other 3 states researched and posted in a day or two. Please let me know your thoughts on these. Except for the last two in Missouri, I kept the D/T to 2.0 or less. The 2 in MO read like they should not be that hard.

[WStemple]

@Run N Search wrote:

Congratulations on your accomplishment. Sounds like it was a great road trip. Hope to read your log on GC3DX78 soon!

I do look forward to finding that one, but not sure when that will happen.

[WStemple]

@amita17 wrote:

Congratulations to everyone! I have hopes to do an epic caching trip someday, but when I see it all laid out like that, I second guess the idea 😆 I hope you enjoyed the excursion and saw many cool sights and caches 🙂

We saw a LOT of wind farms. I also saw Snow Geese in the fields along the way. One of the highlights was a stop at Offutt AFB, NE. I have not been back on my last station since November 9, 1976.

[WStemple]

@Lions Fan wrote:

08rocklady and I hope to make it. A bunch of the caches in the park are ours, so this will be a great time to do a little maintenance.

Cool to have some CO’s along. Saves making those PAF calls! 🙂

Glad that you folks will try to make it. Looks like it may be a good day with the weather. Partly sunny with slight chance of light showers late. High of 52.

[WStemple]

@Todd300 wrote:

You guys are insane, lol.

I’m looking forward to hearing about the adventure when it does happen.

It is a crazy sport. We are just taking it to a new level. 😆

I have complete my tweaking/review of the first route on GC. Go ahead and check it out and make and suggestions on route changes. I will have the second part reviewed later this w/e. It should be easier, as there are not as many county roads to work around. For some weird reason, TomTOm wanted to take me farther west in northern Iowa. 😉

A quick check of the caches along the first part reveal a couple of EC’s that will be easy. There is a virtual also that I already have the information on. We just need to actually make the stop there. Those two, plus the other traditional caches will qualify us for the second challenge.

[WStemple]

@neonride93 wrote:

The only reason I am looking for 21 counties is for my GSAK stats – 7 states in one day nice enough, but the demolish my county record of 7 would be even better. We should be able to beat it, just want to add to the number 🙂

What is the run for the border one?

😆 😆
What GSAK stat would that be? I may look to see if there are any caches along the way that would complete my 366 On the day they were placed challenge. I only have 4 spots open.

[WStemple]

@Team Black-Cat wrote:

Robot is running fast enough. My racer isn’t though. It just got run over by a truck.

Sorry to hear about your tragedy. Is the truck going to be alright?

Yes that mechanical menace may be in the lead, but I think the castle moat has rusted his gears a bit.

[WStemple]

Exécutez le petit robot, courir très vite!

[WStemple]

@neonride93 wrote:

Thinking out loud – 3 caches – 7 states – can we do 21 counties in one day?

We would qualify for The Run for the Border Challenge if we just make sure that we have 3 different icons among the 14 caches that we need for the primary challenge.

I happen to qualify for the Micro, Earthcache, Virtual and Size not chosen challenges in this Seven is Heaven series.

[Author]

Posts