Trail Hound

Absolutely correct, sir. Geocachers have done a lot to clean up the woods. I mentioned it a while back, but it may be time for a fuller exploration of the topic.

There are some people who just like to be snarky when they comment, so I didn't take it seriously (about tossing junk in the woods). Thanks again for your clarification. And I don't know why the guy in charge would take umbrage at your last bit of helpful information ;-0

I had to change my name, because for some reason I was unable to log in under my old name, I think the guy in charge did not like my last bit of helpful information, which used words like stick and sun don't shine, no t necessarily in that order , but that was on a polical note. I am a geocacher, and I resent the implication he was making--we do not toss our junk willy nilly in the woods, we wrap it and we box it in waterproof containers. I will get in trouble for that. Actually to counter that type of thinking my group runs eco clean ups several times per year. Last CITO removed a ton of litter.

John with an * is always a source of helpful information!

jmadden- I second the nomination.

My vote for best comment of the year goes to John with an * for this: "How to get rid of old TV and Computer Monitors". The year is not over yet but I'm sure I picked the winner.

How to get rid of old TV and Computer Monitors

Take it to the end of the driveway, put a sign on it that says $25 dollars or best offer, it will be gone in no time at all... they just magically disappear.

Works for old bikes, tires, hot water heaters, lawn furniture, lawn mowers. Works even better if you put it in front of a friends house.

Buzz, wherever you hide it, let me know and we'll have the Cape Cod Geocachers (an unofficial crew) hold a Cache In-Trash Out event there. I'll blog about it. Thanks for the tip :-)

bpayne66 - check past "Trail Hounds" to find some of my favorite caches on the Cape. If you have a couple of days, try the series of Cape Cod Towns by erycka and wichie. It's a puzzle that brings you to all 15 towns on Cape. And do not miss "Dune:" Best Cape cache ever.

How about the RR bridge, then Ana could take pictures of it.

I would throw it from a great height.

Monpon,

Do you think it would be wrong if I took my old computer monitor, that the dump won't take out to the woods and said it was a geocache? I just don't know how else to get rid of it.

Greetings from Maryland,
I am a cacher who loves the Cape, and will be traveling there next summer. Can't wait to go caching, as the last time I visited, I did not know about the game. It is fun to do. My whole family enjoys it. It can be good exercise. In many cases, you learn a lot of history, too. Yes, sometimes the "swag" is junk, but the point is not really to get something. the fun lies in finding something, discovering something, sometimes getting a little dirty or scratched. But, no 2 caches are alike, and sometimes you do get lucky with swag. Even the really tiny caches ( called micros or nanos) are fun to search for. Perhaps some CC cachers can help me out by recommending some "must do" caches next summer.

Do not tell Monpo too much, let her/him satisfy own curiosity. Suggest an event so someone can show the ropes.

Heh, heh, Monpo may be jesting, but I have pulled candy out of caches before. I've found the quality of swag has declined, although I did get a festive pair of earrings on a first-to-find last year.

Thanks for the comments, Pack, it sounds like you and the guys had a good excursion. And keep on marching toward... what 700? 800?

Monponsett is making fun of those of us who geocache. Congrats on #300, but you are right it is not about the numbers, it is about the fun. Last week 3 of us late 50's guys took our Mtn Bikes out and came back muddy, a little tire, but with another share experience under out belts. Loved the pictures, as always. Packanack.

Thanks for posting this, Susan. I'll be sure to look when I visit.
Nice pictures, too!

Monpo, it's looking for a container that someone's hidden and posted the latitude and longitude coordinates on www.geocaching.com. They all have a log sheet to sign when you find it, and sometimes there are trinkets in the box. If you take something from the box, you're supposed to leave something. Usually it's little souvenirs or crappy McDonald toys, but some have CDs or books or jewelry. No food, though. It would attract vermin.

When you find the geocache thingy, what exactly is it? Is it like a box with cookies in it or something?

I had the good fortune to hike all ot the Harwich Conservation Lands trails this past August, they are well worth the trip.

My son already bagged his deer for the season, unfortunately he did it with a Toyota Highlander. The proliferation of deer continues to be a problem in the country. We need to cull the herd before they cull us. 1500 Bucks later.

As an avid hunter (mostly bow), mt biker, and hiker I can understand your concern, but I can assure you that you have absolutely NOTHING to worry about during bow season. You won't even know there are bow hunters around. There is NO cause for concern over an arrow striking a human or pet as an archery hunter needs to be absolutely sure of his target before he even draws his bow.

During muzzleloader season, if you enter the woods you absolutely MUST cover yourself in orange...do the same with your pets. You will have nothing to worry about.

To the person complaining about trespassers - did you call the police or anyone to help? If you don't act on these situations, these types of hunters will continue to break laws, endanger people, and give hunting a bad name. Please - when you see hunters doing something illegal - REPORT IT!!!

Some good info: http://www.suburbandeerservice.org/problem.htm

To be fair, Karen, this isn't a news story but an opinion. The news article, one of several on the topic, is referenced through a link. The reason for concern is that the Punkhorn parcel, which is identified in the blog by its boundaries, encompasses a major trail (Boot Swamp) that appears on the town website and on park information kiosks. The other proposed parcel (across Slough Road) isn't in the Punkhorn and isn't around an established trail network.

I just happened to read the article regarding this issue in the CCT tonight and I find it interesting that a big fact was omitted from this story here. The proponents aren't asking for the entire Punkhorn to be opened, just 1/3 of it, 230 acres, that and another area of 80 acres eleswhere. Present all the facts for a fair conversation.

As was said earlier, deer hunting is an essential part of maintaining a healthy deer population and preventing disease and starvation. It really baffles me how people are up in arms about people hunting with bows and 1 shot muzzleloaders? Each require the game to be very close, and they will be hunting from treestands not driving across the woods. I love how the people against this conveniently forget the millions upon millions of acres hunters have preserved through the sale of licenses and things like duck stamps. It's only one month out of the year. As was said earlier, learn to share.

I love it, the ladies coming to bat for the hunters,, of which are both gents and ladies. But this is not seen that often. and that of which Karent2 & Susan speak is very true. Thank you, thank you thank you .

I've had hunters shoot deer within just a couple hundred feet of my home (illegal), having trespassed to get there. It's a little hard to muster sympathy or enthusiasm for advancing their cause.

And the consequences of areas with overpopulated deer herds is serious too. Fact is, hunters in this state have a very small amount of time to hunt. Most people hunt Saturdays due to the fact that Sunday is no hunting and then people work during the week. That leaves 6 Saturdays if the weather is decent meaning not too windy, no rain and nothing else important to do. Then, primitive allows for two more Saturdays. Is that really too much to ask out of the 52 weeks a year? I think once people actually take part in a hunting outing, they never really will understand how tough it is to actually bag something. I didn't take a shot for the first 3 years in the woods, gun OR arrow! Non hunters make it out like there is a war going on during hunting season and it's just not true.

Thanks for the comments, Karen. I've actually done archery, although obviously not very well because I've had arrows go a bit afield of the target (um, whoops). There is duck hunting near my house and I don't object to that because it's on the pond, not in the heart of a popular trail network. Thankfully, most hunters are responsible. But the consequences of accidents could be serious.

Your ignorance of the facts surrounding this proposal is clear. Archery hunting is done in close quarters and often usually right before and at sunrise and then again at sundown with very little in between. Primitive season is in the dead of winter and there probably aren't that many on the trails either. Deaths and injuries related to hunting are few on cape and comparative proof of that is the track record in the Nat. Seashore. Call for info. The Seashore has trails all throughout and there are no incedents. Compared to bike accidents in the seashore, hunting is far safer. Keep in mind, hunting is a way to control the herd too. Too many and they starve after they have completely devistated the greenery. Ask the state about the Quabbin Res. problems for info on that. It's alway interesting when a place has hunters, the hikers always ask to be allowed more room to roam. But if the hikers are there first, hunters are not allowed. The woods are for everyone. Hiking is yearround and hunting is a very short period. Learn to share.

I am also leary of that proposition.
Your comment about the animals is spot-on, too. I can relate.
I saw a huge buck today in Nickerson, on the Nook Rd. Trail near area 6. I rounded the corner on my bike and it leapt into the woods.

Hee hee, Pack, I've already got my death panel lined up - it's called Medpac, the government commission that already advises Congress on what should and should not be included in the benefits package. My bigger problem is that Medicare and Social Security are going to be bankrupt before I'm eligible, unless serious reforms are implemented.

Writing+++
Photos +++
Politics ???
When it comes time, who is going to push you off on your ice floe ???
Somewhat tongue in cheek because I know you would not pass muster politically on a certain defunct chat forum.

Gee, thank you :-).

Susan Spencer, you're a winner! The photos are works of art. Your naturalist prose is almost poetry. And your political views are right on. Thanks.

Check those settings and don't forget to input a security password.

When you get to Quebec, the GPS starts to get all snooty with you.

Thanks for sharing that! It makes me want to go there.

I remember the old cache at Punkhorn. We left candy two Easters ago when we had an Easter Egg hunt at Eagle Point.

Its fun to find a good cache. They bring you to spots when you might have forgotten or never been to. Its also a great family activity. Thumbs up and Thanks for the cache...TFTC

Great Post, Susan,
As a landscaper I have a chance to see the consequences of chemical loading firsthand.
I remember being a kid, and seeing toads and tree frogs, salamanders and nightcrawlers. Now , organic lawns are the only lawns that can even support such basic wildlife. "Chem-Lawns" are fallow, smell like dirty aquariums and are positively toxic to the environment.

I agree that the crisis needs to be addressed.

We need to join together and preserve our kettle ponds and beatuiful trails.