Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) by bflentje

There seems to be some difficulty in finding this geocache. Here are spoilers to aid in scoring the find. But please keep in mind, using spoilers for a 3/5 rated geocache could be embarrassing if your friends find out. So use this with discretion. It should be noted that the reservoir has been drained down for the winter. The normal waterline is three feet higher than shown.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) A distant view of Bart at ground zero A distant view of Bart at ground zero	2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) The geocache is hidden within this sea cave The geocache is hidden within this sea cave	2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) The geocache can be found to the left The geocache can be found to the left
2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) Take a left, it's on the right side of the cave wall Take a left, it's on the right side of the cave wall	2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) The geocache is hidden about chest high The geocache is hidden about chest high	2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) A matchstick container with an attached wire A matchstick container with an attached wire

Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) by bflentje

There seems to be some difficulty in finding this geocache. Here are spoilers to aid in scoring the find. But please keep in mind, using spoilers for a 4/5 rated geocache could be embarrassing if your friends find out. So use this with discretion. It should be noted that the reservoir has been drained down for the winter. The normal waterline is three feet higher than shown.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) A distant look at ground zero A distant look at ground zero	2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) Hidden within the smaller sea cave to the right Hidden within the smaller sea cave to the right	2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) Hidden on the left side of the smaller sea cave Hidden on the left side of the smaller sea cave
2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) Hidden on the left side of the smaller sea cave Hidden on the left side of the smaller sea cave	2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) Hidden about face high on the left side of cave wall Hidden about face high on the left side of cave wall	2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) Match stick container on a lanyard Match stick container on a lanyard

2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN

 

 

Hanging over the St. Louis River in the state forest near Cloquet, MN, there's a 1" steel highline conecting the two river banks. No one knows why it's there. No one knows when it was built. Even the MN DNR is not sure of its history.

Mounted aboard the carriage that rides the line is a geocache named Highline (GC3EHXK) by EskoClimber. Today, in an attempt to practice safety in numbers, we held a geocaching meet-and-greet event in order to complete the 4.5/5 rated geocache. About twenty of us gathered for the The Great Geocaching Circus - A Highline Adventure (GC4023F) and while I was the defacto chosen one to ride the wire, I think it is safe to say that all of the event attendees had a great time.

In order to ride the wire out to the carriage, I had built a zipline trolley out of 1/4" plate steel. Two plates were held in place with four 1/2" bolts. Two steel idler pulleys were mounted between the plates using 1/2" class 8 bolts serving as a shaft. The idea is that for safety, the trolley gets mounted onto the wire. Therefore, if any single piece failed, the entire trolley should stay mounted on the wire. The device worked more or less as planned. Though, one small design change would have significantly lessened the amount of work required.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Hiking the .3 mile to the highline Hiking the .3 mile to the highline	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN A view of the highline and carriage A view of the highline and carriage	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN A view of the highline and carriage A view of the highline and carriage
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Our group was organizing the approach Our group was organizing the approach	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Wow, the wire is higher than I expected Wow, the wire is higher than I expected	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Climbing to the launch platform Climbing to the launch platform
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Climbing to the launch platform Climbing to the launch platform	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Doublemoose was instrumental in setup of the trolley Doublemoose was instrumental in setup of the trolley	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Configuring the trolley for the ideal ride Configuring the trolley for the ideal ride
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Taking in the audience as we mount the trolley Taking in the audience as we mount the trolley	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Configuring the trolley for a safe ride Configuring the trolley for a safe ride	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Anxiety is starting to set in Anxiety is starting to set in
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Feeling anxious and the adrenaline is flowing, I almost gave up Feeling anxious and the adrenaline is flowing, I almost gave up	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Taking that first step was the toughest Taking that first step was the toughest	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN I think she'll hold, double redundancy safety lines I think she'll hold, double redundancy safety lines
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Too far to turn back now Too far to turn back now	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN A minor flaw in the trolley caused more work than planned A minor flaw in the trolley caused more work than planned	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Working the wire Working the wire
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Headed down to the carriage over the river Headed down to the carriage over the river	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Working the wire Working the wire	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN More effort than planned and taking a rest More effort than planned and taking a rest
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN One last break before attempting to climb into the carriage One last break before attempting to climb into the carriage	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Climbing into the carriage Climbing into the carriage	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Climbing into the carriage Climbing into the carriage
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN My heart is racing.. I made it My heart is racing.. I made it	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Connecting the line to the carriage Connecting the line to the carriage	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN The crowd is pulling me back The crowd is pulling me back
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN I am being pulled back by our geocaching friends I am being pulled back by our geocaching friends	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Almost back to the launch platform Almost back to the launch platform	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Still anxious but I am almost there Still anxious but I am almost there
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Mission accomplished Mission accomplished	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Geocaching mom was relieved that I survived Geocaching mom was relieved that I survived	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Now mom wants to go for a ride Now mom wants to go for a ride
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Mom and Barb (Two of Hearts) getting shoved off Mom and Barb (Two of Hearts) getting shoved off	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Mom and Barb (Two of Hearts) going for a ride Mom and Barb (Two of Hearts) going for a ride	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Mom made it back to safety too Mom made it back to safety too
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN I decided I wanted a ride I decided I wanted a ride	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN On my way out riding the carriage On my way out riding the carriage	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN On my way out riding the carriage On my way out riding the carriage
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN On my way out riding the carriage On my way out riding the carriage	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN A view of the St. Louis River looking east A view of the St. Louis River looking east	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN A view of the St. Louis River looking west A view of the St. Louis River looking west
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN A view from the carriage looking back A view from the carriage looking back	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Being pulled in by the crowd Being pulled in by the crowd	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN Being pulled in by the crowd Being pulled in by the crowd
2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN That's all she wrote That's all she wrote	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN The carriage heading back to its resting place The carriage heading back to its resting place	2012 - A Highline Adventure, Cloquet, MN The carriage in its resting place The carriage in its resting place

Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE) by bflentje

Anyone who knows me understands that you just can't pass up hiding a geocache in, on, or near, the coolest of geological features.  The cave located along the Cannon Valley Trail is no exception.  Nearly 4 miles east of Cannon Falls, MN on the bike trail, this cave was not created in the traditional way that most caves are.  The cave was the result of erosion of underlying layers whereby a large slab of limestone "broke free". The downhill end of the slab collapsing, the uphill end of the slab still under support, effective creating a cave that resembles a lean-to.  Regardless of how the cave was created, it has many of the attributes you'd expect in a cave.  For example, local wildlife such as bats, raccoons, and bobcats use it for shelter.  And the atmosphere inside the 30 to 40 foot deep cave is cool and damp.

Geocache Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE) is hidden within this cave.  In order to find the .30 caliber sized ammocan, you have to go to the deepest, darkest, end of the cave using your flashlight.  The cache is hidden within a perfectly sized hole covered with a few boulders.  Even as someone that enjoys a good cave, I am always just a little leary of entering as you never know what critter might be inside to welcome you.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

 

2012 - Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE) The entrance to ground zero The entrance to ground zero	2012 - Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE) Laura at the entrance to the cave Laura at the entrance to the cave	2012 - Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE) Hello? Anyone home? Hello? Anyone home?
2012 - Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE) The cache is hidden in deepest, darkest, corner of the cave The cache is hidden in deepest, darkest, corner of the cave	2012 - Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE) The cache container is in need of a makeover The cache container is in need of a makeover

Down Under (GC27AJJ) by bflentje

Geocaching power trails are popping up all over the countryside.  The Cannon Valley Trail, which winds from Cannon Falls, MN to Red Wing, MN, is no exception.  In fact, some of the finer hides in the area are along this stretch of the Cannon River, both in the water and on the bike trail.

Geocache Down Under (GC27AJJ) is located in this area and seems to be quite popular with those that can find it. The placement and execution of this cache is what makes it a fun cache to find. Most cachers approach ground zero on the bike trail and wander around in circles flumoxed as to why they're struggling to locate a .50 caliber ammocan.  It is only those intuitive cachers that realize that they're standing above the cache container, a whopping 75 to 100 feet above it.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ) Laura near mile marker 76 Laura near mile marker 76	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ) This is ground zero, or is it? This is ground zero, or is it?	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ) The trail down into the ravine The trail down into the ravine
2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ) On the deer trail looking up On the deer trail looking up	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ) The real approach to ground zero The real approach to ground zero	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ) Eeny, meeny, miny, moe Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ) And you are not it And you are not it	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ) Looking out from ground zero Looking out from ground zero	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ) The cache out of place from the last storm The cache out of place from the last storm
2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ) Luckily, the cache was secured to the ground Luckily, the cache was secured to the ground	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ) Auditing the cache log #1 Auditing the cache log #1	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ) Auditing the cache log #2 Auditing the cache log #2

While on a day trip to Milwaukee, a stop at Wisconsin's Pike Lake State Park was in order as it is home to Wisconsin's oldest active geocache.  Geocache Pike Powder Hike (GC3B1) is located near the fire tower within the state park atop Powder Hill, a glacial moraine, which happens to be Wisconsin's second highest point.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Pike Lake State Park, Hartford, WI Climbing to the fire tower Climbing to the fire tower	2012 - Pike Lake State Park, Hartford, WI Bart atop the fire tower Bart atop the fire tower	2012 - Pike Lake State Park, Hartford, WI A view of Pike Lake from atop the fire tower A view of Pike Lake from atop the fire tower
2012 - Pike Lake State Park, Hartford, WI Looking down from the summit Looking down from the summit	2012 - Pike Lake State Park, Hartford, WI Found it, Wisconsin's oldest active geocache Found it, Wisconsin's oldest active geocache	2012 - Pike Lake State Park, Hartford, WI Bart at Wisconsin's oldest active geocache Bart at Wisconsin's oldest active geocache

Today I set out on adventure with fellow geocachers Doublemoose and Geobex.  We were attempting to be the first to find on a brand new, water accessible only, 4.5/5 rated geocache called River Cache: Pickled Lilies (GC37YDE).  The geocache was hidden on Pickerel Lake, located in Lilydale, MN.  This was no ordinary paddle.

I've paddled lakes. I've paddled rivers. I've paddle into caves.  Paddled the BWCAW.  Paddled the dangerous swells of Lake Superior in May right after ice-out.  I've even paddled through barge traffic on the Mississippi.  But today is the first time I've actually paddled through ice.  Besides the effort of plowing through the ice like a Great Lakes Ice Breaker, it was very precarious trying to keep the boat off the ice and into the water.  We prevailed and came home alive.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Preparing for the voyage Preparing for the voyage	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Launching the boat Launching the boat	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Chopping ice to get us started Chopping ice to get us started
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Onward through the sheet of ice Onward through the sheet of ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling and chopping through the ice Paddling and chopping through the ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling and chopping through the ice Paddling and chopping through the ice
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling and chopping through the ice Paddling and chopping through the ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling and chopping through the ice Paddling and chopping through the ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Almost to open water Almost to open water
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN We made it to open water We made it to open water	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice Paddling through open water to the next sheet of ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Back into the ice, thicker than ever Back into the ice, thicker than ever
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Making our way to the geocache Making our way to the geocache	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Our trail through the ice Our trail through the ice	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Our ice trail Our ice trail
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Approaching the geocache Approaching the geocache	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Doublemoose scores the find Doublemoose scores the find	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Bart presenting the geocache Bart presenting the geocache
2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Doublemoose pulls in the geocache Doublemoose pulls in the geocache	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN We scored the find and were first to find as well We scored the find and were first to find as well	2011 - Paddling a Frozen Pickerel Lake, Lilydale, MN Our trail through the icy landscape, St. Paul in the background Our trail through the icy landscape, St. Paul in the background

Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event was held today, Saturday, August 20th, 2011 and turned out to be a wondrous success.  There were more geocachers than expected, we had spectacular weather, and the food was good and plentiful.

Like the previous three events, it was held in Dakota County's Miesville Ravine Park Preserve, located about four miles south of Miesville and six miles northeast of Cannon Falls.  The majority of geocachers paddled the Cannon River from Cannon Falls to Miesville Ravine, a 6.7 mile stretch of the river that is just gorgeous.  Others biked the Cannon Valley Trail from Cannon Falls to Welch.  And some geocachers just stopped in for the picnic.

Final attendence numbers as of August 23rd, 2011:

• There were 28 RSVPs.
• 36 have logged the event Attended.
• 46 signatures were listed on the written log.
• Physical headcount during the picnic was in excess of 52 attendees.
• 5 dozen ears of sweet corn served.

Lessons learned from this event:

• Bring more sweet corn next year.
• Perhaps BOTH sides of the grill should be fired up next time?
• Don't draw conclusions about absent geocachers as you'll more than likely be proven wrong.
• Doublemoose can paddle with the best of them.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event	2011 - Minnesota's 4th Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event

Back in September of 1995, Nene and I had the privilege to travel to Colorado Springs, CO.  On that trip, we drove the Pikes Peak Highway up to Pikes Peak.  On our way to the summit, we stumbled upon the infamous Bigfoot Crossing sign.  During a recent geocaching trip this month, I again ran into the sign.  I had always thought it was just a bit of fun being had by the Colorado park system.  If you believe the sign or the lore on the Internet, this area has claims of bigfoot sightings.  But I believe the REAL reason for the sign is to mark the geological feature located about 500' off the road and up the hill from the posted sign at coordinates N 38° 54.123 W 104° 59.481.  If you visit this location, you will find a large geological formation in the shape of a big foot.  Believe it or not.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Bigfoot Crossing, Colorado Springs, CO Nene at the Bigfoot Crossing sign back in September 1995 Nene at the Bigfoot Crossing sign back in September 1995

2011 - Bigfoot Crossing, Colorado Springs, CO Bart at the Bigfoot Crossing sign July 2011 Bart at the Bigfoot Crossing sign July 2011

2011 - Bigfoot Crossing, Colorado Springs, CO The geological feature in the shape of a "Bigfoot" The geological feature in the shape of a "Bigfoot"

While driving up the Eastern Shore of Virginia on a day trip towards Delaware, I visited Kiptopeke State Park.  Located three miles north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Kiptopeke is known as a significant birding area.  But I stopped to visit the ghost ships.  Partially sunk in 1948, nine McCloskey ships make up the Kiptopeke Breakwater for what used to be a ferry service.  The ferry service is long gone but the mammoth hulks of concrete still protect the Kiptopeke Beach today. 

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA Navigational marker in the break Navigational marker in the break	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA McCloskey Ships, head to head McCloskey Ships, head to head	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA The Kiptopeke Breakwater The Kiptopeke Breakwater
2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA The ships, gulls, and the bay bridge The ships, gulls, and the bay bridge	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA Bart at Kiptopeke State Park Bart at Kiptopeke State Park	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA The pier at Kiptopeke The pier at Kiptopeke