The New Year has Arrived!!

 New Year's Eve 2024

Happy New Year to all!!! I Went to Sooke, on Vancouver Island on New Year's Eve to perform some magic at a NYE celebration with 240 guests.

Went over on an early ferry that morning and did several caches on the way there and would also do some on the way back to the Ferry on New Years day. Was able to get these 2 souvenir's:

 

Grabbed a Challenge cache called "Grid/Terrain Points Challenge Cache"

Before I went to the island I did a GSAK Macro to see if I qualified. Seems everyone is using the same WRONG Project-GC Checker to see if they qualify. It doesn't find the info it needs to.

The cache page said:

This challenge cache will have you trying to find different caches in different grid squares to make up a minimum of 60 points in just one day.

The idea of different types of grid square caches is to find multiple caches that fill up different grid squares.  For example: a 1 difficulty and 1 terrain would make up 2 points.  A 2 difficulty and 1.5 terrain would make up 3.5 points toward the 60 points that you will need to log this cache.  A 5 difficulty and 5 terrain would make up 10 points to fill this challenge.  The hard part is that you cannot use the same grid square more than once for this challenge and the caches must be found on one calendar day.  It would be too easy to find thirty 1/1 caches to make up the 60 points so you must use different difficulty and terrain levels.

 NOTE: Many cachers were using a Project-GC Checker to see if they qualified, but it is not looking for different grid squares, it is using any of the grid squares multiple times.

I stopped and grabbed this one while I was over on the island to perform a show on NYE at the Prestige Oceanside resort. Posting a screenshot from GSAK(Geocaching Swiss Army Knife) of the day I completed this challenge with 70 points using 16 Different D/T combinations, from the list below.

On April 26/2019 on a trip to Whidbey Island I found 28 caches plus was able to log a challenge cache I had already signed in Las Vegas. The main reason for the trip was to find some specific caches. I was looking to do multiple Earthcaches to complete the Las Vegas challenge and I was also looking to do several older caches to fill my Jasmer chart. (Jasmer Challenge: One of the oldest and most popular geocaching challenges is the Jasmer Challenge. To complete the challenge, you must fill your Jasmer grid by finding caches placed in every month since geocaching began in May 2000. Popular in the United States, the Jasmer requires geocachers find one cache hidden each month since geocaching began in May 2000)

You can read about my day trip at one of my previous blogs at: "Road Trip to Whidbey Island"

Here is my list I found that day of 16 Different D/T caches:

GC1C6CY     Coupeville Erratic 1/1

GC3C3BX     The Bluffs of Whidbey 1/3

GCD6J6         Kittywillow 1/3.5

GCQ4EA       Flower Power 1.5/1

GC17VC9     Pulverizer-Not a NANO 1.5/1.5

GC3BTB0     Erratic Art 1.5/2

GC13DC       Ebby Bluffs 1.5/3

GC1E057      Deception Pass Earthcache 2/1

GC1A5K8    Gruman Ironworks 2/1.5

GCC5FB       Burrow Island Vista 2/2

GCSTAYW   I've Grown a Lichen to you 2/3

GC34Y23     Pet Rocks 2.5/1.5

GC4DB        Burrow Channel Cache 2.5/3

GCRJYC      I'd Turn Around if I were You 3/3

GC3JTVX    Independence 3.5/1.5

GC1QAAW  Earthcaches: Challenge of the Century 5/5

Also got a puzzle called "#1 Cross-Canada Cache: Pacific (BC)" I solved it several years back, and was gonna get it when over there for one of the H.A.G. Events, but when we arrived at the trail it was on, it was still early in the morning, very dark and pouring rain, plus I was anticipating many caches to start being published. You see we went to the area at about 430 in the morning to be ready for all the caches that would be published that day and I had a hunch there was going to be several in East Sooke park. My hunch was correct and I got 18 FTF's that day.(Feb. 6/21)

Besides finding the "Grid/Terrain Points Challenge cache" and "#1 Cross-Canada Cache" I also found 3 other puzzle caches, 2 of which were Bonus caches for some Adventure Labs, 2 Virtual caches, 4 Traditional caches, and a total of 24 stages from several different Adventure Labs. Not too bad for a quick overnight trip to the island. A total of 35 finds!!

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!!!

Multi Caches have feelings also!!

Recently I have started looking at doing more Multi caches. Looking at my stats I have less Multi's than I do Traditional's, Puzzle caches, and Lab Caches. Even my Virtual count is closing in on the number of Multi's I have done, and there are less of them available.

I am working on one right now that looked interesting called "The Devil is in the Details"

It is a 4 1/2 Difficulty and 5 Terrain. It has four stages and each stage is a different kind of puzzle or challenge to complete. You need different TOTT's (Tool Of The Trade) for each stage. I have only completed the first stage so far as I went to the Co-ord's and scanned a QR code which brought me to a Jigidi puzzle(Online Jigsaw Puzzle) I had to come back home to do it on the computer.

It was 300 pieces, and it took me over an hour to complete it. It then gave me the co-ords for the next stage. Not sure what I will encounter next, but looking forward to it. Will update as I proceed.

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!!!

Got 3 FTF's so far this month, hope I can get some more soon. lol

Anyway that's it for January, Looking forward to February as I will be headed to Ferndale, Washington for a show and will make sure I grab a cache or two while down that way, although I have found most of the cache in the Ferndale and Blaine area, BUT...More about that Next Month......

Well that's it for this month!!

Keep on caching!!

Chris Yuill

Magicman65

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

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

Weekend Caching

Kanaka Creek Caching

Went to Kanaka creek for a bike ride and to grab a few caches while there of course.

Kanaka Creek is named for the Hawaiians who were employed by the Hudson Bay Company at Fort Langley across the river.

A very active waterway, with lots of animals utilizing the slower flow of water.

A nice walkaround to learn about the area and the river and how it has been used in years past.

It was a nice partly walking and some biking trails. Nicely well maintained and lots of info.

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!!!

 RichmondC150 caches

Working on finishing the last of the Geo Tour of the Richmond caches called Richmond “Canada 150”

These caches were placed to celebrate Canada’s 150th Birthday. There is 20 caches in this series, and the last geotour they did was 30 caches. I have completed that one a couple years back. I had 8 left to do, and we got 5 easily but 2 of them were disabled the day we went for them so could not get them. Also 1 of them we could not get to as the parking lot was full, so we decided to go do some other caches.

Terra Nova park

We went to Terra Nova Rural Park and found several caches including several of the Richmond geotours, a multi cache, several traditionals and two puzzles that were Bonus caches for the 2 Adventure Labs that were also in the Park.

Owl house for the Barn Owls

Some cool caches we found....(SPOILER ALERT!!!)

Now you See it!!!

Now you Don't!!

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!!!

Family Day Weekend Caching

We went out caching every day this weekend, and even on Family Day as the sun was shining, and it was a beautiful day. We got 2 cache's only on Saturday as it was raining, but I needed a Multi for a challenge I am working on. On Sunday we got 11 caches, of which 3 were puzzles, 1 was a Multi, and the rest were traditional's. On Monday(Family Day) we grabbed 6 traditional's and 3 Multi's and one was even an FTF!!!

A few cool sights we saw this weekend while caching.  This was a different Barn Owl than the last one we saw.

Bee's at work!!

We didn't see any slugs!!

This guy was so close, I could have almost touched him.

This "Weeping Willow" reminded me of the Womping Willow on "Harry Potter"

Geochallenge Caching

Right now I am working on a geochallenge (Actually when am I Not working on a geochallenge? lol)

This one (Actually 2) are called "A Month of Multi's Challenge" and "Any Two Months of Multi's Challenge"

Both of them, you need to fill your monthly calendar with Multi Caches. You could use finds from previous years. I started working on this and planned on filling in February and March's Calendar with a Multi everyday.

 In February, I needed to get 10 Multi's on the days I did not previously have a multi, and for March I need to fill 8 spots. 

This is my yearly calendar of Multi Caches found on the specific days. This is my calendar before I started the 2 challenges. Looking to fill February and March to start....we will see from there. lol
EDIT NOTE: So after working on this challenge for February, I noticed the calendar did not change when I looked at the checker thru Project GC. Sent a message to the Challenge cache owner, and was told the RED squares are the dates I need to fill not the completed dates....Argggg....The white dates are the ones I need to do. Oh well start from scratch. Gotta decide which months I want to do now. lol

Easter Weekend Trip

In April on the Easter long weekend, Sansue and I plan on heading to Merritt, Kelowna, Vernon, Armstrong, Sicamous, Revelstoke, Golden and then the Alberta Border to finish up my Trans Canada Highway Adventure Lab, so I can post it and make it Live. Of course I have plenty of caches planned to grab also. But more about that next Month after the trip.

Until then, Stay Safe, Get Vaccinated, Wear your Mask, and Wash your Hands!!!

Well that's it for this month,

Keep on caching!!

Chris Yuill

Magicman65