Park 'n grabs with history

[+nekom]

Ok I have a microcache I will be hiding soon, probably tomorrow. Yeah, yeah I know, but for you haters, read the whole thing and hear me out here. I've only hidden traditional and puzzle caches so far, and have never hidden a mirco except as stages to puzzle caches, though thanks to that experience I now know my micro containers are waterproof. This location, I REALLY would have rather hid a traditional cache on the site, but it is on private property. I know the owner, and could have gotten permission except that it's an active coal reclaiming site, and there is new construction going on in the area, so that's just out of the question anytime in the near future.

 

There is, however, a local veterans memorial right by the road. There is also (right by the road) an old building that was once a tavern that, according to its cornerstone, was built in the 1790's. A microcache is really the ONLY thing that could work here. It is a really fascinating area on a historic road, and i'd really like to place a cache to get people to stop and look around (WITHOUT tresspassing that is, the posted signs are in obvious spots, you can't miss them)

 

So my question is this: The cache will literally be a 1/1 park 'n grab micro, that's absolutely the only thing that can work here. Are people going to bother to look at the tavern, read some history of the area (there was a major mine and coke works here from 1903 to the 1940's), take pictures, poke around a bit (again WITHOUT trespassing, this will be clear on the cache page) and enjoy the history? Or are they just going to grab their smiley and run? I know there will be a little of both, but I'm just looking for some input here, so what would YOU do about such a cache?

[+briansnat]

Are people going to bother to look at the tavern, read some history of the area (there was a major mine and coke works here from 1903 to the 1940's), take pictures, poke around a bit (again WITHOUT trespassing, this will be clear on the cache page) and enjoy the history? Or are they just going to grab their smiley and run?

 

Some will be fascinated by it, take pictures and poke around. Some will just grab the smiley and run and not give a clam's patootie about the history of the area.

 

Sounds like a great cache to me though. Count me in the first group.

Edited April 12, 2008 by briansnat

[+XopherN71]

Really you have no control over how people will react, some will be there just for the numbers while others will appreciate the location.

 

Either way, I would imagine the following:

 

1. Numbers people will be in a hurry to get to the next cache and not poke around much. Kind of like Chevy Chase in Vacation when they go to the Grand Canyon.

 

2. The people that are there for the cache as well as the history 'should' respect it, however it goes without saying that there will always be one that ruins it for the group.

 

If this is a sensitive area I'd recommend choosing an alternate site.

 

To me, all caches are good caches, as long as the guidelines set by the site are followed and respected.

 

Good luck whatever you choose.

[+TMDMom]

I like the snippets of history. It's a great way to learn things. I like to bring my kids along and if it's a quick history lesson, even better. We did one today that first took us to an historic marker, which only took a couple of minutes to read, but my 12 year old said "oh, that's cool"...well worth the stop.

[fishdirt]

As I get going more and more into caching I take in the sites. I spent 30 minutes at a cemetery last week just reading about the lives of a father and son from Vietnam. A very inspiring story about someone I never met who lived nearby.

 

I stop to take pictures in beautiful parks all the time.

 

The caches I could care less about sticking around for are the LPCs. Their in Wal Mart parking lots around here and I'm not a big fan of the chain.

[+Kiwi Nomad]

Some will filter it out, micro 1/1, but that's their problem.

Yes place it enough people will say thank you and look around to make it worth placeing a cache even a micro

In the right place there is nothing wrong with a micro, occasionaly.

[+Maingray]

I like it.

[fishdirt]

If you want them to stick around try a multi taking clues from markers such as the corner stone.

[+nekom]

If you want them to stick around try a multi taking clues from markers such as the corner stone.

 

That would be a good idea, but I don't have a lot of room to work with. Pretty much the only way to get near the area without trespassing is a gravel pull-off off of the highway, so there is very little area to work with.

[fishdirt]

If you want them to stick around try a multi taking clues from markers such as the corner stone.

 

That would be a good idea, but I don't have a lot of room to work with. Pretty much the only way to get near the area without trespassing is a gravel pull-off off of the highway, so there is very little area to work with.

 

well you got the cornerstone number. Is it off a highway? Get that number. Different colored bricks? or three bricks up from the cornerstone counting to the left how many bricks til the end? How many trees? Numbers don't have to just be printed numbers

[Neos2]

Oh yeah, please place it! We're planning a trip that will take us near your area this summer---and that is exactly the kind of cache I will be looking for when I plan my trip. In fact, your hometown is close enough to the route we are taking that I'll probably watch now to see if you do place that one--so I can put it on the list I've already begun.

 

My husband and I have slightly different caching preferences, but we both like caches that take us somewhere unusual, or give us a bit of history for an area. When we travel, we naturally choose caches we can get to fairly easily but we still appreciate being able to learn something or see something interesting.

 

Of course, I'm no micro-hater....66% of my finds are micros and I can honestly say I've enjoyed all but a handful of them--of course, I can think of a handful of larger caches that didn't rock my world either. Every cache should have at least some redeeming quality in my opinion. One cache doesn't have to have all of the following qualities, but having one or two will raise it in my books: A good hide, a pleasant hike, easy parking for out-of-towners, a clever container, an ironic twist, a good backstory, an unusual or historic location-- at the very least, give us a pleasant view from the cache. Sounds like your has the potential for several of those qualities.

[+Team GeoBlast]

Ok I have a microcache I will be hiding soon, probably tomorrow. Yeah, yeah I know, but for you haters, read the whole thing and hear me out here. I've only hidden traditional and puzzle caches so far, and have never hidden a mirco except as stages to puzzle caches, though thanks to that experience I now know my micro containers are waterproof. This location, I REALLY would have rather hid a traditional cache on the site, but it is on private property. I know the owner, and could have gotten permission except that it's an active coal reclaiming site, and there is new construction going on in the area, so that's just out of the question anytime in the near future.

 

There is, however, a local veterans memorial right by the road. There is also (right by the road) an old building that was once a tavern that, according to its cornerstone, was built in the 1790's. A microcache is really the ONLY thing that could work here. It is a really fascinating area on a historic road, and i'd really like to place a cache to get people to stop and look around (WITHOUT tresspassing that is, the posted signs are in obvious spots, you can't miss them)

 

So my question is this: The cache will literally be a 1/1 park 'n grab micro, that's absolutely the only thing that can work here. Are people going to bother to look at the tavern, read some history of the area (there was a major mine and coke works here from 1903 to the 1940's), take pictures, poke around a bit (again WITHOUT trespassing, this will be clear on the cache page) and enjoy the history? Or are they just going to grab their smiley and run? I know there will be a little of both, but I'm just looking for some input here, so what would YOU do about such a cache?

 

This sounds like a great cache and certainly one that I would like to find. It does seem that you already understand that you are probably going to get less attention to the tavern that it is probably due from some folks since this cache is going to be attractive to the smiley collectors. I wouldn't worry too much about that, because as it was pointed out already, you really don't have much control over this.

 

What you do have control over is the cache page. You sound like the type of person that would do this anyway but be sure to put some energy into it. Post photos of what you want folks to see and describe the history they will learn. This might help draw some of the cachers that will appreciate the finer aspects of the location.

 

There's nothing wrong with a 1/1 so stop worrying about that. Remember, there are people that don't care about history at all. Post the GC# when you get up it and running.

Edited April 12, 2008 by Team GeoBlast

[+nekom]

Oh yeah, please place it! We're planning a trip that will take us near your area this summer---and that is exactly the kind of cache I will be looking for when I plan my trip. In fact, your hometown is close enough to the route we are taking that I'll probably watch now to see if you do place that one--so I can put it on the list I've already begun.

 

Well then, just to narrow it down for ya, the cache will be at a pull-off on U.S. 40 (national pike, national road, wheeling-cumberland trail, it has many names around here) between Brownsville and Uniontown, PA. There's actually another really cool micro in a cemetery near a historic tollhouse not more than a mile or two down the pike.

[Neos2]

Oh yeah, please place it! We're planning a trip that will take us near your area this summer---and that is exactly the kind of cache I will be looking for when I plan my trip. In fact, your hometown is close enough to the route we are taking that I'll probably watch now to see if you do place that one--so I can put it on the list I've already begun.

 

Well then, just to narrow it down for ya, the cache will be at a pull-off on U.S. 40 (national pike, national road, wheeling-cumberland trail, it has many names around here) between Brownsville and Uniontown, PA. There's actually another really cool micro in a cemetery near a historic tollhouse not more than a mile or two down the pike.

Ooooh, and a cemetery cache nearby, too. I love old cemeteries and there's a cool old tollhouse, too? OK, I'm in, you've sold me.

[+Renegade Knight]

... So my question is this: The cache will literally be a 1/1 park 'n grab micro, that's absolutely the only thing that can work here. Are people going to bother to look at the tavern, read some history of the area (there was a major mine and coke works here from 1903 to the 1940's), take pictures, poke around a bit (again WITHOUT trespassing, this will be clear on the cache page) and enjoy the history? Or are they just going to grab their smiley and run? I know there will be a little of both, but I'm just looking for some input here, so what would YOU do about such a cache?

 

Looks like you did your homework. Good job. I'd take the time to poke around. I do tend to filter out micro's but this is the kind that would make me regret that practice.

[+TrailGators]

I would like this one too!

[+WRITE SHOP ROBERT]

If you want them to stick around try a multi taking clues from markers such as the corner stone.

 

That would be a good idea, but I don't have a lot of room to work with. Pretty much the only way to get near the area without trespassing is a gravel pull-off off of the highway, so there is very little area to work with.

You can do it without a lot of room. The final coordinates for a multi or puzzle do not have to be different or far from the posted coordinates. I have a multi where I just couldn't fit my container in the spot I wanted, so I hid a micro there and put the regular 20 feet away.

 

I had an idea once (and then found out that there was already an identical cache to my idea, hidden in the exact spot I had in mind) where part one is on a very tall bridge, part two has the exact same coordinates, but is by the river hundreds of feet below.

 

The listed coordinates can bring you to the monument, and the solved puzzle can result in the same coordinates and lead to the actual Cache.

 

Those are some ideas, but back to the question. Sounds like the kind where you will get both results, and that's cool as it allows each player to get what they want from the Cache.

 

I myself might be likely to do either, sometimes I'm in a hurry and just want to make a find (and maybe a quick drop of raffle tickets) other times I would spend a great deal of time digesting the info and shooting photos.

 

If it's very important to you that they get more than the smiley out of the Cache, I'd go with the puzzle/multi option. That would also eliminate those who were in a hurry anyway

Edited April 12, 2008 by WRITE SHOP ROBERT

[+wimseyguy]

Hide it and they will come. Some will appreciate the reasons for your placement, some will add another to their find count and move on.

Put the cache out for the first group, and don't worry about the second. They still had fun finding your cache, and that is what it is all about.

[+TrailGators]

Hide it and they will come. Some will appreciate the reasons for your placement, some will add another to their find count and move on.

Put the cache out for the first group, and don't worry about the second. They still had fun finding your cache, and that is what it is all about.

Exactly! Many people will notice the cool area and note that or post photos in their find logs!

[+tozainamboku]

So my question is this: The cache will literally be a 1/1 park 'n grab micro, that's absolutely the only thing that can work here. Are people going to bother to look at the tavern, read some history of the area (there was a major mine and coke works here from 1903 to the 1940's), take pictures, poke around a bit (again WITHOUT trespassing, this will be clear on the cache page) and enjoy the history? Or are they just going to grab their smiley and run? I know there will be a little of both, but I'm just looking for some input here, so what would YOU do about such a cache?

You could make this a multi. Post the location of the plaque on the tavern. Make the finder get information from the plaque to calculate where you hid the micro. That you whey have to stop and read about the history. Maybe even make an additional logging requirement to answer something about the memorial near the cache. If you just put out the 1/1 traditional, you will probably get more finds, but many people will simply grab the cache and not notice all the other things around that you want them to see.

Edited April 12, 2008 by tozainamboku

[+nekom]

Thanks to everyone for the input, I went ahead an placed it. I'm going to put as much history as I can on the cache page, and point out what can be seen from the pull-off. Maybe I've just been overthinking this. As has been said, whether people appreciate the history or not they're out having fun so who cares, right? I'll make it available, and if people choose to disregard it, it's their loss. Thanks for the input, everyone!

[Neos2]

So my question is this: The cache will literally be a 1/1 park 'n grab micro, that's absolutely the only thing that can work here. Are people going to bother to look at the tavern, read some history of the area (there was a major mine and coke works here from 1903 to the 1940's), take pictures, poke around a bit (again WITHOUT trespassing, this will be clear on the cache page) and enjoy the history? Or are they just going to grab their smiley and run? I know there will be a little of both, but I'm just looking for some input here, so what would YOU do about such a cache?

You could make this a multi. Post the location of the plaque on the tavern. Make the finder get information from the plaque to calculate where you hid the micro. That you whey have to stop and read about the history. Maybe even make an additional logging requirement to answer something about the memorial near the cache. If you just put out the 1/1 traditional, you will probably get more finds, but many people will simply grab the cache and not notice all the other things around that you want them to see.

Of course, that means some people will filter the cache out of their PQs, and you'll have fewer finders. It helps, I think to say up front on the cache page exactly how many stages there will be and what needs to be done to claim the find.

 

I don't usually start multis when I travel because I freak out if I can't complete the hunt. Mind you, I don't care if I look for a cache and don't find it. I do care if I start looking for a multi and can't finish because part of the multi is missing --or in the case of a puzzle, if I can't find the clue I need to get to the final because someone had crashed into the sign I need to read and it's been removed (that actually happened).

 

Oh, I don't automatically filter multis and puzzle out of my PQ, either. I've done multis while traveling if they told me what to expect. Most were the kind where you go to one spot, read something, use the info to go to the final (nearby) location. I can't say it improved my appreciation for the cache to have to jump through extra hoops, either. I'd rather spend my time enjoying the location than decoding things and calculating numbers. Of course, that is just my opinion--others will say they like a cache better because they have to do x, y, and z for it.

 

But you know, if the spot is cool, the spot is cool, and people who appreciate things like that are going to enjoy the location just because it is a good location. Even if you add requirements to "read this, stand here, look at this and count these", etc you still can't force people to appreciate something if they aren't that kind of person. It doesn't matter what you do, there will still be people who will go through all the motions and be so intent on going through the motions they won't really see what is right in front of their faces.

 

It's a lot like what happens if I assign my students a set of vocab words and ask them to define and explain them.

Some of the students read the section in the book, look for illustrations in the text, look up the words on the Internet or in other books, talk to other friends about the meanings, and eventually write down what they think the term means--in their own words-- using original examples.

Others go to the glossary and copy whatever it says there onto a piece of paper.

Any guess which ones are ready to try the fun lab the next day and which ones can't even answer the warmup question?

 

Thanks for placing the cache nekom, hope it goes through so it can go onto my list. Looking forward to seeing this one!

Edited April 12, 2008 by Neos2

[Keystone]

I just had the pleasure of publishing the cache which is the subject of this thread. Just driving down this scenic road is enough of a reason to find a cache here. The excellent history writeup on the cache page is icing on the cake. Great job!

[+tozainamboku]

I just had the pleasure of publishing the cache which is the subject of this thread. Just driving down this scenic road is enough of a reason to find a cache here. The excellent history writeup on the cache page is icing on the cake. Great job!

The cache page has a link to rootsweb.ancestry.com. Clearly a commercial website with a link to amazon.com prominently displayed. Explain.

[+TrailGators]

I'm glad I'm not a reviewer. I bet some days can't end soon enough for those guys...

[Neos2]

The cache page has a link to rootsweb.ancestry.com. Clearly a commercial website with a link to amazon.com prominently displayed. Explain.

Ah, I wouldn't sweat it, the whole county website is probably in the process of switching over to another (non-profit) site anyway.

 

The folks on the big genealogy sites have been bickering even worse than some of you here on these forums! People are busily copying entire websites and moving them to new hosts, or at least backing them up in case they get locked out of the pages they coordinate.

Edited April 12, 2008 by Neos2

[History-Cacher]

I like the snippets of history. It's a great way to learn things. I like to bring my kids along and if it's a quick history lesson, even better. We did one today that first took us to an historic marker, which only took a couple of minutes to read, but my 12 year old said "oh, that's cool"...well worth the stop.

 

I agree, most of the geocaches that have a historical theme have very good comments left in their logs. But

it is a numbers game; many will come just for the log entry, others because they enjoy the hunt and others

the learning experience.

Edited August 22, 2010 by History-Cacher

[Trader Rick & Rosie]

Are people going to bother to look at the tavern, read some history of the area (there was a major mine and coke works here from 1903 to the 1940's), take pictures, poke around a bit (again WITHOUT trespassing, this will be clear on the cache page) and enjoy the history? Or are they just going to grab their smiley and run?

 

Some will be fascinated by it, take pictures and poke around. Some will just grab the smiley and run and not give a clam's patootie about the history of the area.

 

Sounds like a great cache to me though. Count me in the first group.

 

We have a good recipe for Clams Patootie in garlic/wine sauce if anybody's interested!

[+wimseyguy]

I was about to reply until I realized I already had....2 years ago.

[+Gamaliel]

These are my favorite kinds of caches. I love finding out of the way historical sites. If someone wants to park and run, their loss, but for the rest of us, the gain is worth placing the cache there. Not every cache has to be a 98 part multi, and if I'm on vacation, I'm likely to skip the multi anyway and just look at the historical site.