December is BUSY!!!!

Sumas Caching

Went to a friends retirement party in Abbotsford at the end of November, and decided to take a quick trip across the border to Sumas, Washington. Ended up getting 2 Adventure Labs, 1 AL Bonus cache, a traditional and a Virtual called "Old Sumas Customs Building"

The cool thing about having a Nexus card is that you can pop across the border pretty quick and not wait in long lineups.

PS if you can read the TB code in this picture, please feel free to discover it.

NOTE: The highlighted or underlined words in my blog can be clicked on as they are links to other cool stuff!! Also if you click on any of the pictures they become BIGGER!!!

Busy Weekend!!!

I had 5 shows booked on the first weekend of December. The first 2 on the Friday were in Kamloops. Flew there early that morning.

The next day, I flew from Kamloops to Vancouver(Layover) and then to Prince George for a show Saturday night and my bag did not make it, but in my carry on I had enough stuff plus a couple last minute items I picked up at a local store and I would still be able to do my 60 minute show this evening!! Planning is everything!! 

EDIT NOTE. The bag got delivered to the hotel about an hour before showtime and all is good. YAY!!

On Sunday morning I flew back to Vancouver and had 2 shows that day.

It was a lot of travel with little sleep, but that's how I thrive when doing shows.

PS: On the right hand side of this webpage is where you can find my YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, links. Please feel free to check them out and follow or subscribe!!!

Back across the Border

Had a show in Abbotsford midweek in the second week of December, and decided to take another quick trip across the border to Sumas, Washington. Grabbed 2 caches plus one puzzle cache over in Abbotsford, that I had solved some time ago.

I thought this mural in Sumas was cool on the side of a hair salon as the caption read "We're not Magicians Just Great Beautician's"

I am heading to Vancouver Island for a show on NYE and hope to get over early to grab some caches, but more about that in Next Month's blog.....

Well that's it for this month!!

Keep on caching!!

Chris Yuill

Magicman65

Number 8

30 Best Geocaching Blogs and Websites in 2024

There is a website that lists the top 30 Geocaching Blogs and websites every year and it is updated every few months. I just checked it and look at some of the blogs that made the list:

The top line of the article reads as " The Best Geocaching Blogs from Thousands of Blogs on the web and Ranked by relevancy, authority, social media followers, and Freshness."

Its no surprise that the Blog from Groundspeak made the top spot.

 But check out who's Blog made the number 8 spot!!!

I think one of the main reasons I made the list is that I publish a blog every month so its regularly out there. I also try to have great content. It's not always just about what I am doing as far as caching, but other stuff related to caching. (Plus I top it up with some of my Magic adventures) You can check out the top 30 by looking "HERE"

PS: On the right hand side of this webpage is where you can find my YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, links. Please feel free to check them out and follow or subscribe!!!

International Earthcache Day 2024

Since 2004, EarthCaches have encouraged geocachers to explore and celebrate the extraordinary geologic features of our planet, like the Torres del Paine in Chile. (As seen in the picture below)

This towering laccolith is as 

breathtaking as it is fascinating. EarthCaches do not have physical containers. Instead, they take you to a unique geological feature. Study your surroundings, answer the questions listed in the cache description, and send them in a message to the cache owner. Then, log your find online!

NOTE: The highlighted or underlined words in my blog can be clicked on as they are links to other cool stuff!! Also if you click on any of the pictures they become BIGGER!!!

I am going to build another earthcache since it was earthcache day this month. When I was in Pemberton last month for a show I saw some interesting signs about the Mount Meager Earthslide, and thought I could place an earthcache at the signs in town, since it is not possible to get too close to the actual location. I hope I am able to get it published. Will let you know in my next blog.

I got this blog out a bit late.

It was intended to go out for October but I wasn't paying attention and instead its out in November. 

And with a busy couple of months coming up with all the Corporate gigs for the Christmas Season, I will try to get another one out before Christmas.

Well that's it for this month!!

Keep on caching!!

Chris Yuill

Magicman65

Virtual's and Adventure Labs

Virtual Cache Credit

  

So in January of this year I was awarded a Virtual Cache as part of a limited release of Virtuals to be created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given this opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. 

I was pretty excited to receive this, and already knew where I would place this. Back in August 2015 while in Vegas for the Magic Live Convention, I went to a virtual called "Las Vegas Money Makers" 

It was a large bronze statue of Siegfried and Roy and one of their tigers. It was in front of the Mirage Hotel where they performed for many years. Early 2019 the Virtual cache was archived as the Cache owner was getting out of caching. I messaged Groundspeak (Geocaching Headquarters) and asked if I could take it over and adopt it. I wanted to keep it alive, as it was a cool tribute to two magicians that helped make magic a permanent fixture in Las Vegas. They said they could not unarchive it. 

The moment I received my Virtual Credit, I knew exactly where I wanted to put it. I wanted to place it at this statue to keep the memory of two great performers alive. I thought I will visit the statue in August while there for Magic Live and get some info to use for the Virtual.

Several months later it was announced that the Mirage was being closed and rebuilt into the new "Hard Rock Casino." 

I asked around and searched to see if the statue would stay there as it was close to the Las Vegas strip and not close to the hotel. I was told they would be leaving it there. Perfect!!!

A couple months later, the news comes out that they will be moved to the "Neon Museum"

(If you have never been, I suggest visiting when you are in Vegas) So now I was unsure where I would place my Virtual. 

BUT......

One day just about a week ago, I had a memory pop up on my Facebook about my trip to Watson Lake, Yukon back in 2012 to build the Hospital in town. I remember looking at the caching map before heading up there and noticed there were only two caches in town....Yikes!!

But then I was reminded that there is a historical site up there called the "Sign Post Forest"

I quickly looked at the caching map and noticed there was now only one cache in that town as one has become archived. I thought this will be the perfect place for a Virtual as it is right on the Alaska Highway and people visit it on the way to Alaska. So I started digging thru my pictures that I took while up there and doing some research on it.

 My virtual is now built and submitted and just waiting for it to be approved. (Editor Note: It was approved and is now live) Check it out at:

"Sign Post Forest"
If you are ever thru there, please go check out the Sign Post forest, grab my virtual and the TB hotel that is inside the forest. I even got a cool souvenir for placing a cache.

NOTE: The highlighted or underlined words in my blog can be clicked on as they are links to other cool stuff!! Also if you click on any of the pictures they become BIGGER!!!

Adventure Lab

I also was given an Adventure Lab credit to set up, and a couple months ago I went to Castlegar for a show at the Casino. On the way there I went thru a cool place that I have been thru on many trips for shows. Just above Osoyoos, BC there is a whole bunch of very cool statues of the wildlife. I looked to see if there was already caches or an Adventure Lab in the area, and there is only one cache on that stretch of highway at the Cougar statue!! One of the 5 stops on this Adventure Lab.

So I proceeded to get some coordinates and pictures and when I got back home I set up a new Adventure Lab.
If you are ever traveling thru the Osoyoos area don't miss it.

PS: On the right hand side of this webpage is where you can find my YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, links. Please feel free to check them out and follow or subscribe!!!

Next month is Halloween, my favorite Holiday, plus October also has 3 days of Earthcache day, So I will need to grab one of those....But more about that in Next Months Blog!!!

Well that's it for this month!!

Keep on caching!!

Chris Yuill

Magicman65

Las Vegas Bound!!

 Las Vegas

So I went to Vegas for the second time this year, at the beginning of August for my Favorite Magic Convention called "Magic LIVE" 

It was an awesome 8 days and I was only able to grab a couple of Earthcaches one day. It was 42 degrees outside most of the time we were there!! We stayed inside as much as possible. Lol

The Orleans is the hotel we stay at during the convention as it has all the things we need in one place.

Besides being a huge hotel and casino with several bars and lounges, and restaurants of every flavor within, it also has a food court, a 52 lane bowling alley, 18 movie theatres, convenience store, coffee shops, a full size theatre that seats 850 for live shows, a smaller showroom that has live shows also on a regular basis. There is also the Orleans Arena which hosts over 200 events a year.  

PS: On the right hand side of this webpage is where you can find my YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, links. Please feel free to check them out and follow or subscribe!!!

This is the fountain in front of the Ceasar Palace shops. It is a smaller replica of the "Trevi Fountain" in Italy. It was the subject of one of the Earthcaches I got.

You don't have to go to Hollywood to see the Stars

This was the other Earthcache I got called "Marcher avec les etoiles"

NOTE: The highlighted or underlined words in my blog can be clicked on as they are links to other cool stuff!! Also if you click on any of the pictures they become BIGGER!!!

International Geocaching Day

Was able to grab a few caches on Aug.17th which is 

International Geocaching Day

Had a show in New Westminster, so went and grabbed a few caches and an Adventure Lab after my show.

Point Roberts

Susan and I popped over the border for a few hours on Sunday Aug.18th to grab a few caches and some Adventure Labs. We only found 3 caches, 2 were Virtuals and one was a traditional. We also found 13 stages of Adventure Labs. Will have to go back there to finish them up and grab some more caches.

This Virtual was right on the Border of Canada and the USA

Speaking of Virtuals I am finally getting around to setting up a Virtual Cache. I was awarded a Virtual Cache as part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. I also have an Adventure Lab credit to set up, and I already scoped out the place for it, But more about that next month.....

Well that's it for this month!!

Keep on caching!!

Chris Yuill

Magicman65

July's Travels

Princeton trip

Booked a show for Canada Day in Princeton, BC

I got into Princeton early in the morning on Canada Day  and proceeded to grab some caches and an Adventure Lab before my show that day.

NOTE: The highlighted or underlined words in my blog can be clicked on as they are links to other cool stuff!! Also if you click on any of the pictures they become BIGGER!!!

Saw this big guy with 2 young ones while on my way to town. The 2 young ones headed into the bush before I could get a pic of them also.

This plane at the Princeton airport was designed to be a weathervane.

The cache was called "Roadside Attraction CT-133 Jet Trainer Weathervane"

I found a cache near another Plane Weathervane back in 2012 when I was up in the Yukon.

Here is the write up for it:

CF-CPY, "The World's Largest Weather Vane"
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory Starting in 1977, the Yukon Flying Club restored this northern veteran to its Canadian Pacific Airlines colours for permanent display at the Whitehorse airport. The restoration took four years, but in 1981, she was raised onto the pedestal built by master welder Al Jacobs. Pivoting on its mount, CF-CPY always points into the wind, just as she would have while lined up on the runway for takeoff. Due to the fine balance point, it only takes a 5 knot wind to turn her.

There was several cool statues in town 

This one was like an illusion as it looked like the cart was being held in the air with a rope.

PS: On the right hand side of this webpage is where you can find my YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, links. Please feel free to check them out and follow or subscribe!!!

This was one stage of the AL I did.

This smart owl was at the front of the library and was perched on some books. He was overlooking Veterans Square where I performed my show that afternoon for the Town of Princeton's Canada Day Celebration.

This was also another stage of the AL in town.

I ended up only getting four caches and 1 Adventure lab on this Trip but it was still a nice little bit of travel.

Geocaching Stats:

I always love seeing different stats of what I have done, and Geocaching.com makes it easy as they send out emails like this one about my stats for the first half of 2024:

We’re at the midway point of 2024, and what a year it’s been so far! Six months of making memories, friends, and finds. Whether you geocached every day or only on the rare occasion, we hope you’ve made some fun memories out there!   The year may be halfway done, but that means there are still six months left to achieve your goals and have even more great experiences. But first, let’s take a look at your geocaching stats for the first half of 2024. Drum roll, please… 359   This is your total number of finds so far in 2024. What number do you hope to reach by the end of the year? GCN2V0   This is the oldest placed cache you found this year. Will you find an older one before the year is up? 8   This is the number of distinct cache types you logged in the past six months. You’ve found quite the variety so far! Can you find them all before the year is up? Adventure Lab® Cache   So far, this is the cache type you logged most this year! Will it stay the same by December, or will you mix it up? 2   This is the number of countries you found caches in so far this year. You did some good exploring! GC9P501 148 Favorite points This cache had the most Favorite points of any that you found in 2024 so far. Way to spread the love! 2   You’ve attended this many Events so far. Geocaching is as much about the community as it is about the geocaches! 5   This is the number of souvenirs you received so far. You have quite the collection going! Check out the complete list of available souvenirs. 5/10/2024 37 finds This is your busiest caching day of 2024. Do you think you can beat it?

Pemberton Trip

Booked a walkaround gig for a wedding in Pemberton this weekend, so I was able to do a bit of caching along the way.

Only managed to do 3 caches and 4 stages of an Adventure Lab.

The Adventure Lab I did brought me to this Inukshuk.

5th annual Sunday, Sundaes, Sun Daze

Magicboy2012 (Oliver) and I went to the annual event that Buggirl1975 puts on every year. It was a well attended event on a nice sunny day.

 I was able to chat with several cachers and also got 4 different icons while in the area. This event, a CITO, a Traditional and a Wherigo. All were within 250 metres of the event

Bowen Island Day Trip

This is the first time I have ever been to Bowen Island to cache. (Actually this is my first time ever to this island) 

I am actually here to do a show but thought I would come over early and grab several caches.

Coming into Snug Cove on Bowen Island on the ferry.

This was a cool sign I spotted for Frog Crossing. Truly surprised there was no cache there. If only I had a frog container....

I ended up getting 7 Traditionals, 2 puzzle caches, and one Adventure Lab.

Next month I am off to Las Vegas for 8 days, for my favorite Magic convention called MAGIC LIVE. I might not have a chance to grab many caches as I will be busy with the convention and going to shows and events, which is fine because we were just there in March and we found 2 Virtual caches, 5 Traditional caches, and 7 puzzles with one being a challenge cache for a total of 15 caches and 2 full Adventure Lab's, but I will try to grab at least one or maybe some Adventure Lab stages, that I have not completed....But more about that in next months Blog.....

Well that's it for this month!!

Keep on caching!!

Chris Yuill

Magicman65