WOW Factor

Time to get back to this blog.  I got burnt out of blogging in the last quarter of 2010.  But I saw a cache that I just had to post about.  And this cache features something I might consider the WOW Factor.  It's not a new concept, but the WOW Factor basically means a cache that makes your jaw drop.  It's cool.  It's creative.  It's something you want to show your friends.  It's the cache you don't forget.  A previously featured cache, Dr. Who is an example of a WOW Factor cache.  So is this one.  By the way, I'm not providing the name or GC Code for this one as I haven't talked with the owner.  But at the moment, it is an archived cache so you'll just have to do with drooling over what you missed.



Now, you might be asking yourself, "Why was THIS archived?" The exact answer hasn't been made public as far as I'm aware, but it wouldn't be hard to guess. The partial burial is partly to blame. If permission was obtained, burial would likely be allowed. This one probably doesn't have the permission of the property owner. At least, that's my guess. There are indications that if that is obtained, it might be unarchived. This one deserves to be seen. It's unfortunate that it got archived, but it's also a good example of why permission should be obtained before placement of a geocache, especially one of this caliber.

TripCyclone

A Nano Chain

For today's post, we are going to look at an interesting way to hide a nano that can totally confuse the finder.  I've mentioned this on Geocaching Podcast before, so I felt it was a good time to present it.

Materials Needed:

• One Nano cache
• One 1/2 inch Quick Link

I'll leave the nano-shopping up to you and focus on the Quick Link, also sometimes called a D-Link.  You can find these in most hardware stores.  Just find the section of the store that carries chains and you'll usually find these next to it.  Outside of caching, they are typically used to connect two chains together, among other connecting uses. Here is one that I've used:

Once you have both supplies, the rest is easy.  If you look carefully at the image above, in the little oval on the right side, you'll see that the Quick Link opens by unscrewing a piece in the center.  Go ahead and get out your new Quick Link and do the same.  Once open, place the nano inside the section you just screwed open, and now screw it shut, sealing the nano inside.  Voila.  You have a camoed nano.

Now you just need to find a place to hide this.  Near chain link fencing can work well, provided you can find a way to conceal it.  I once had one of these hidden at a tennis court.  It was placed right at the base of one of the corner posts, nestled between the post and a piece of metal.  It blended in rather well.  Even better, if you can find a location that has an actual chain with links about the same size, you can attach it to the chain.  That would up the difficulty just a bit (just make sure you have permission for either placement).

If you want, you can try modifying it by painting the Quick Link to match the color of it's surroundings.  Sand it just a bit to roughen up the metal so that the spray paint will flake off slower.  You might find yourself occasionally repainting it.

A quick, easy to make nano cache that will leave finders baffled if they've never found it before.  Oh, and here is a photo of what it looks like:

TripCyclone

Dr. Who

I have been so preoccupied lately that I almost forgot to get in a Creative Cache for August.  Every once in a while, I like to highlight an already established cache for the readers.  A cache that is creative enough that it should be put on everyone's "Must Visit" list.  For that, I'm going to take you out to Portland, OR, where a unique and fun cache exists.  It's called...

Dr. Who

Now I'm going to warn you.  You won't be getting details about how this cache is designed.  It would totally ruin the experience for anyone planning on hitting this one. 

The cache was placed by goblindust on 05/22/2006.  Since then, it has racked up 594 finds and only six DNF's.  That's pretty impressive.  So what's so special about this cache?  Plain and simple and it goes with this site.  It's just plain creative.  It will make you cringe when you first arrive on site to try and figure out where it's hidden.  It will pop a light bulb when that idea comes to mind.  And it will surprise you when you discover how it's hidden.

I found it with my buddy Webscouter. while we were traveling the Pacific Northwest during our Geowoodstock VIII trip.  We had heard the name from several people and had planned on going through Portland anyway so we took the advice and visited it.  We were happy we did.

So anyone traveling to Portland needs to add this to their list.  Trust me.  You'll be happy you stopped for this one.

TripCyclone