"Road Trippin"

 Harrison Hot Springs

Went to Harrison Hot Springs for the Fraser Valley Magic Company Annual Picnic, and wanted to get at least one cache. There is Virtual out there that is called "searching for sasquatch"

I've been out to Harrison several times and don't recall seeing this cache, even though it has been there since 2022. So this time I really wanted to get it. The requirements to logging the cache was to take a picture with one of the many Sasquatch statues, or items depicting Sasquatch on it in town, BUT you can't use the three prominent carvings in town. 

These are the one when you come into town at the town sign, the one downtown on a bench that you can sit beside, and the one at the Sasquatch Museum in town.

 (Yes there is a sasquatch museum) Located in Harrison Hot Springs (about 120 km east of Vancouver), this facility is Canada's only museum specifically dedicated to the Sasquatch.

There are several other sasquatch figures, statues, or paintings of him around town but you have to search. 

I didn't have time to search as I went straight to the house of one of our club members where we were having the Picnic at, but I did see one on the way thru town and thought I can stop by on the way out of town. They have a beautiful property, with lots of cool signs in the two covered outside area's as you can see in the picture.

As I was looking around, I spotted something that would help me be able to log the cache.

I was able to use this photo to log the Virtual, and I bet no other Geocacher will find this Sasquatch wall as it's on private property!!!

A great big thank you to the Host's Dave and Cathie for opening up thier home for us as well!!

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!!!

Whistler trip

I headed out to Whistler as I had a show out there and on the way there, I did some Caching to complete the Geochallenge of the month for July. (I found out about it early as I am a Patreon of "The Geocaching Vlogger") The objective was to find at least three different icons in the same day. I ended up finding five different icons. (Virtual, Adventure Lab, Traditional, Multi, and Letterbox)

I found a virtual cache which was right at the same area as my Adventure Lab that I own out that way in Squamish.

This cool art instalation is called "Welcome Gate" and is actually also one of the stages of my Adventure lab called "SP'AKW'US Feather Park"

 I also found a traditional cache in the area, and then in Whistler Village I did a 4 stage multi cache.

Loved this cool sign I spotted on my walk for the Multi cache

After my show on the way home, I stopped just off the highway and grabbed a letterbox cache, which was actually up in a tree. (Make sure you read the hint first)

I did not know that, but luckily, I always carry my extendible pole in the back of my car.

Ice Cream Event

Headed out with Susan (Caching name is Sansue) for a geocaching event called "7th annual sunday sundaes"

Its always a well attended event. 

We grabbed 3 caches before the event as well. 

Large group of cachers made this a great event. Check out the Logbook!! 

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!!!

States Caching

Headed down to the States as I booked a wedding gig down in Edmonds, Washington.

We stopped in Blaine do do some Adventure Labs, as there is a new series of AL's being made at the border that is geoart, and will spell out CAN/USA 

As you can see from the pic, it is not quite finished

I got a total of 228 stages at the border. If you recall a couple months ago in my blog I talked about the AL Geoart I was part of over in Victoria on the Island. That one has a total of 124 AL's and the one here at the border will have 76 AL's when completed.

We then headed to Arlington, Wash. to get a cache I did on my last trip to the states. It was called "the Switchboard", which was a really cool gadget cache, so I decided to take Susan to it. 

In fact I revisited 4 caches that I had aready done, so she could see them as they were very cool. 

We stopped at the Library in Edmonds to get this cache.

It was called "Signals story-Edmonds library"

We got several more in Edmonds. I got 5 traditional's and 2 Multi caches 

I found a total of 7 caches and 2 AL's in Edmonds bringing my total for the day counting all  the AL Stages in Blaine to 237 finds for the day

 

 

(Technically that is the most finds I have found in one day, but I won't count it as it is mostly made up of Adventure Labs)

It was a beautiful day in Edmonds, and awesome for caching, and walking the pier. 

We tryed to get a cache that was inside a metal tub in a bench but my telescopic magnet that I brought specifically for this cache was to wide to fit between the boards of the seat. We did another cache nearby and in it was a small pin with a magnet on it. I took it and we went back to the cache. I hooked part of the cache(a small metal chain) and as I brought it up the magnet 

and chain connected to the metal tube. Leaving me with no cache in hand...oooops. Oh well, next time we are there I will be more prepared.

Next month I will be heading to Penticton, Kelowna, and Vegas, so I will be grabbing some select caches.....But more about that in Next months Blog....

Well that's it for this month!!

Off to Kelowna, Penticton and VEGAS BABY!!!

Keep on Caching

Chris Yuill

Magicman65

Bothell and Edmonton Trips

Quick trip to Bothell, Washington

Booked a show down in the states in Bothell, Washington. Headed down early so I could grab some caches along the way.

Stopped at a rest area and grabbed an Adventure Lab to begin with. I thought I had all the caches and adventure labs at all these rest areas on the way down here, but obviously I did not see this one until this trip. 
Headed further down the road and swung into Mount Vernon to grab a virtual and a library cache. 

Didn't have to look to hard as this book was in plain view when I got to the right section of the library.

Just remember if you are looking for a cache in a library, the Dewey Decimal for Geocaching is 796.587

This is the fake book opened, lots of swag!!

Right across the road from the Library was the virtual cache, so I got that as well.

Did a super cool Gadget cache in Arlington called "The Switchboard" 

This was such a cool cache, with over 250 Favorite Points, check out my video I did of it on Youtube, at:

"The Switchboard"

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

Once you got all five plugs in the right spot, the cache door would open. (Check out the pic above)

Found a total of 9 Traditional's, 1 Multicache, 1 Adventure Lab, and 1 Virtual cache while across the border.

Caching in Edmonton

Went to Edmonton, Alberta for 5 days to visit some family. Decided to grab a few caches while here. I like looking for a different cache type other than a traditional cache when I travel.

Did a cool AL while there called "Canada Packers Chimney Stack"

It is now all thats left standing from the packing plant that has quite a history here in Edmonton including :

The Gainers Strike (1986): One of the longest and most infamous strikes in Alberta history. Over 1,000 workers at the Gainers meatpacking plant (located on Yellowhead Trail and 66th Street) walked out on June 1, 1986, protesting wage rollbacks and pension cuts. The six-and-a-half-month standoff included massive picketing and clashes with replacement workers.

June 9, 1986 a battle rages on the Gainers picket line:Thirty years ago, one of the most violent labour disputes in Edmonton's history occured. It was sparked in the summer of 1986 when the unionized workers of the Gainers meat-packing plant in Edmonton walked off the job. Plant managers hired replacement workers to keep the operation going, but were met with violent opposition. As tensions mounted Edmonton police, in full riot gear, acted as security guards trying to keep the peace but failed. Steve Andrusiak captured graphic footage of the clash in this Newsday report from June 9, 1986. It remains in the minds of many long-time Edmontonians as they drive by what was then the Gainers meatpacking plant on 66th street.

After doing the five stages of the Adventure Lab, you got coordinates to search for the bonus cache.

Check out the wall of rocks where there was a hidden Fake Rock which held the caches. I am glad I found it quite quick.

Ended up finding 1 Traditional Cache, 5 Wherigo caches, 8 stages of Adventure Labs, and 3 Puzzle caches, and one of them was a challenge cache. I also found my "8888th Cache" during this trip!! It was "#6-pigpen cipher puzzle geocache" which I solved before coming on the trip.

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!!!

Next month, I have shows and trips all over, Including heading to Harrison Lake for a magical picnic, Whistler and down to Edmonds Washington for shows, so will be grabbing some select caches.....But more about that in Next months Blog....

Well that's it for this month!!

Keep on Caching

Chris Yuill

Magicman65

Caching and Adventure Labs

Lower Mainland Cache Bache #9

For the last several years there is a cache bash, that takes place in BC. For 8 years it was known as the Fraser Valley Cache Bash, and spread from Pitt Meadows to Hope, This year they extended it to Horseshoe bay and now its the Lower mainland Cache Bash. I didn't plan on doing any this year, but then noticed there was one close to home, so I made my way over there. I was already looking when I saw some familiar faces walking into the woods. We finally found it as the co-ords were off.

We shared the FTF and I headed back home, as they headed for more caches.

Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred, and Eighty Eight!!

Coming up to getting 8888 finds!! As you may have seen in past blog's I like to mark wierd numbers. Even though I do enjoy finding round numbers and milestones such as 5000, 6000, etc., I like to mark my 5555th, etc. as you can see in part of the list from my Geocaching profile page:

5000th cache Ensconcement Interchange March 17/20 Richmond, BC
5555th cache Two Posts from Blue White March 7/21 Delta, BC
6000th cache BC Spirit Quest #30: Murray's Corners Oct. 26/21 Murrayville, BC

6565th cache Cynthia Street Cache Aug. 11/22 Saskatoon, Sask.
6666th cache DHL9 - The North West Necklace Sept. 25/22 Semiahmoo, Wash.

6969th cache Welcome to San Juan Travel Bug Hotel Apr. 22/23 Friday Harbor, Wash.
7000th cache English Camp Apr. 22/23 San Juan Island, Wash.
7777th cache Bygone Hwy - Basking Rocks May 12/24 100 mile house, BC
8000th cache West Richmond Community Centre AL Nov. 9/24 Richmond, BC

8888th cache ???????? 

Will I make it to 8888 this month? Maybe you will you have to wait till next blog to find out??

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!!!

This month I was lucky emough to be chosen to chat on an Online call with 2 Lackey's from Groundspeak. They wanted my opinion of a new thing they are thinking of putting into the game. It's something called "Sharable's" but it's not yet been started. I am waiting to see if they launch this new feature or not!! 

Adventure Lab Geoart

I got to be a part of an adventure Lab geoart builder. It is being spearheaded by a cacher in Victoria called Benicha. When finished it will consist of 124 AL's with 5 stages each totaling 620 finds all from one spot. I did 26 AL's at the San Diego airport back in October when I was thru there, for a total of 130 finds and though that was a lot. 

My Adventure Lab which is the 6th one I have done now is about Shipwrecks around Victoria, BC

Here is the FB post that I saw, that lead me to asking to be a part of it:

I VICTORIA – GeoArt Project

We’re building a large GeoArt in the ocean off Ogden Point — and you can be part of it! We are halfway there!!

Each person creates one Adventure Lab (5 locations) that becomes a piece of the design.

Themes are extended to all of Vancouver Island

I can provide:• A theme• 5 questions• Multiple choice answers

All you need to do is: Add 5 photos Build your Adventure Lab Let me know when you’re ready

I’ll then assign your official ocean coordinate + title, and you can publish.

Bonus: Publishing your Lab may trigger another Adventure Lab credit (sometimes right away, sometimes in 3 months!)

No stress, no pressure — I’m happy to help make this easy

It looked like a fun project, so I asked if I could be part of it. And now I am!!! Mine just went live!! 

Mine is "I {heart} Victoria BC 071"

Now I am hearing they are planning on making one in and around the Kelowna area.

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!!!

Blue Switch Day

This month on May 2nd was what cachers have dubbed "Blue Switch Day"

On this day 26 years ago the decision was made to discontinue Selective Availability, ending the intentional restriction on civilian GPS accuracy and significantly improving GPS technology for public use. This date is recognized by geocachers as “Blue Switch Day.”

And this happened the very next day:

The first geocache was placed on May 3, 2000, by Dave Ulmer in the woods near Beavercreek, Oregon. He placed the container shortly after the U.S. government turned off Selective Availability for GPS satellites, creating a fun test to see if others could find a specific location using exact coordinates.

The original "stashed" cache was a black plastic bucket that contained software, books, money, and a slingshot. Today, there is an official Original Stash Tribute Plaque placed at the exact historical site.

M is for MAGIC!!!

Had a show out in Mission and stopped for a few caches along the way. 

This was a cache that I grabbed at this large Metal "M"

There used to be a cache here in the past that I got, but it must have been archived, and now there is a new one here. Plus there is one stage of an Adventure Lab here.

Next month, I will be heading to the States for a show, and then off to Edmonton to visit Family, and will also grab a few caches.....But more about that in Next months Blog....

Well that's it for this month!!

Keep on caching!!

Chris Yuill

Magicman65

Cruising for caches

Trip to Kamloops and Salmon Arm

I booked a Walkaround gig in Salmon Arm, BC so Sansue and I headed to Kamloops the evening before to spend the night and then headed to Salmon arm the next day.

I took Susan to a few caches in Kamloops and Salmon Arm that I had already found as I thought she would enjoy them as they had lots of Favorite points on them. One was called "Locks of Hope"

As you can see it was a very cleverly made lock that opened up and there was a small bison tube inside of it.

I got a total of 14 Traditional Caches, 1 puzzle cache and 11 stages from 4 different Adventure Lab's

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!!!

Magical Cruise Trip (PCAM)

Went on a short 5 day cruise as part of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians Convention. This was my second time enjoying the convention on a Cruise Ship

The Cruise was from Vancouver to San Diego, with a stop over in Santa Barbera

The ship we got to go on was Holland America's Eurodam. A beautiful ship, that is 936 feet in length, 106 feet wide, and takes 2104 Guests

Santa Barbara

On the 3rd day of the cruise, I was able to get off the ship for a few hours while in port.

I only wanted to go on shore, so I could grab a few caches, and grab a couple of souvenirs to take home. 

When we came into Santa Barbera, we had to get off the ship in these little boats called tenders.

This picture was taken from the pier. I hung out in Santa Barbera, with another magician friend of mine that was at the convention at sea, who lived in the states.

We had a nice chat over coffee, and he went for a walk with me so I could grab some caches!! He even helped look for them.

 

This was a cool Virtual Cache in Santa Barbera, at a massive Fig Tree.

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!!!

Besides the Virtual, I was also able to grab 4 traditional caches and 2 stages of 2 different Adventure Lab's

On our way back to the ship in the tender, we got to see a bunch of pelicans.

The last night on the ship, I wandered around a bit, and it was so quiet. Not a lot of people out enjoying the evening. This is the pool on the ship and the retractable roof was open as it was so calm out.

San Diego Airport Adventure Labs

We got to the airport early, for our flight back into Canada, which was good, as I was able to complete 26 different Adventure Labs for a total of 130 Adventure Lab stages(AKA Finds) 

As you can see by the picture, these Adventure Labs were placed to celebrate geocaching being 25 years old and they were placed to look like the number 25. But if you count how many AL's are in the number 25, there is actually 26 AL's. lol

The one lower in the picture, I already did on a previous trip from San Diego a few years back when PCAM was in Carlsbad, California.

On October 18th it is Adventure Lab day and I will grab an Adventure Lab to get the souvenir 

Next month, I have shows in Squamish, Sunshine Coast, and Prince George, so I will be doing some caches and Adventure labs while traveling. Also Next month I am going to an event where they will be showing the GIFF winners:

(Unfamiliar with GIFF?  Each year geocachers from all over the world are invited to submit their own short films about geocaching.  HQ selects the winners and creates a film reel of 45 - 60 min in length that can be shown at Official GIFF Events. Last GIFF season, over 16,000 geocachers attended 425 Events hosted across 40 countries!)

But more about that in Next Month's Blog......

Well that's it for this month!!

Keep on caching!!

Chris Yuill

Magicman65