Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event is scheduled for Saturday, August 21st, 2010.  It's been such a fun experience the last two years that we just had to plan the third annual.  Like the two previous events, it will be held in Dakota County's Miesville Ravine Park Preserve, located about four miles south of Miesville and six miles northeast of Cannon Falls.

Stay tuned to this posting for details regarding the upcoming event.  We'll use this space to provide additional details including announcement, maps, and waypoint downloads.

2010
Click here to view the official event listing for Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event 

Click here to view the event listing for Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event
Click here to view photographs from Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event

2009
Click here to view the event listing for Minnesota's 2nd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event
Click here to view pictures from Minnesota's 2nd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event

2008
Click here to view the event listing for Minnesota's First Ever Canoe-in Geocaching Event
Click here to view pictures from Minnesota's First Ever Canoe-in Geocaching Event

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

Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Our boats parked at Sawbill Landing awaiting departure.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Group photograph of event attendees.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Norvina smiling not realizing the gruelling paddle ahead.
Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Doublemoose and Zoejam72 paddling away.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Aix sponsa mastering her kayak.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Viking Navigator, Catzilla and Cooky falling behind.
Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event The flotilla looking to the northwest.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view from Bart's boat.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Entering the actual BWCA Wilderness.
Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Norvina coming down the first portage.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Aix sponsa at the first portage preparing her boat.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Doublemoose clowning during picture of Cooky.
Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Getting ready to set sail after the first portage.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event A quick break at the portage from Sawbill Lake to Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Jam considering what he got himself into.
Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view of Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view of the lilies on Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Another view of Kelso Lake.
Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event The gorgeous view at Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event More Kelso Lake beauty.	Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event Approaching the mystical dolmen rock.
Minnesota's 3rd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event The mystical dolmen rock balancing on all threes.

We've started the paddling and geocaching tradition with Minnesota's First Ever Canoe-in Geocaching Event (GC1FK43) in 2008.  Last year we held the Minnesota's 2nd Annual Canoe-in Geocaching Event (GC1VKY1).  Looking for something just a little different with even more adventure, today we held Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event (GC23RM5), located on the lower rim of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  Using the BWCA as a venue was a risky idea but we had a great turn out and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  Better yet, I know those that paddled following the event are proud of the mission that we all accomplished today.

Following the event formalities, our mission was simple;  two legs to one unbelievable journey.  The first leg of the journey was the greatest distance.  Paddle through Sawbill and Kelso Lakes and find the virtual cache Mystical Dolmen Rock (GC587F).  The second leg of our journey was to paddle through Baker, Peterson and Kelly Lakes to find the other BWCA virtual cache, Kelly-Jack (GC2878).  Of course, the second half our our journey completely depended on us completing the first half on time and with enough energy to continue on.

Details of the event are as follows:

There were 7 RSVPs, 9 geocachers have logged the event electronically so far, and 11 cachers actually attended the event and signed the paper log.  There were four boats on the water with 8 paddlers.  Unbelievably, all four boats were owned and no equipment needed to be rented.  At no point did we violate the rules of the wilderness.

The first leg was to Mystical Dolmen Rock (GC587F).  We departed Sawbill Landing at 8:05AM. We arrived at the dolmen rock at 10:00AM.  We spent about 30 minutes at the rock exploring, socializing, snacking and taking photographs.  We departed the rock at 10:30AM and arrived back at Sawbill Landing at 12:40PM.  Total distance paddled on this leg was 5 miles each direction for a total of 10 miles. Total time paddling was 4 hours and 10 minutes.  Our average paddling speed was a little over 2 mph.

The second leg of the journey was to Kelly-Jack (GC2878).  We drove from the Sawbill Landing to the Baker Landing and arrived at 1:55PM.  After getting our gear unloaded and prepared, we started paddling about 2:15PM.  We arrived at the portage between Kelly and Jack lakes at 3:40PM, which is where the hike in to Kelly-Jack begins.  In all, we spent 40 minutes hiking to Kelly-Jack, exploring, taking pictures, and returning to our boats.  We departed the portage at 4:20PM.  We arrived back at Baker Landing at 6:15PM. Total distance paddled on this leg was 3.9 miles each direction for a total of 7.8 miles. Total paddling time was 3 hours and 20 minutes.  Paddling to Kelly-Jack our average speed was 3 mph and paddling back was a slower 2 mph as a headwind had picked up from the south.

The total distance paddled today was 17.8 miles.  When we finished the first leg of our journey, everyone looked tired and I know some even thought we were crazy for continuing on. But NOT ONE of us walked away.  We ALL continued on to complete the second leg even as the weather was evolving.

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

Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Our boats parked at Sawbill Landing awaiting departure.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Group photograph of event attendees.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Norvina smiling not realizing the gruelling paddle ahead.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Doublemoose and Zoejam72 paddling away.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Aix sponsa mastering her kayak.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Viking Navigator, Catzilla and Cooky falling behind.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event The flotilla looking to the northwest.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view from Bart's boat.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Entering the actual BWCA Wilderness.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Norvina coming down the first portage.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Aix sponsa at the first portage preparing her boat.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Doublemoose clowning during picture of Cooky.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Getting ready to set sail after the first portage.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A quick break at the portage from Sawbill Lake to Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Jam considering what he got himself into.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view of Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view of the lilies on Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Another view of Kelso Lake.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event The gorgeous view at Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event More Kelso Lake beauty.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Approaching the mystical dolmen rock.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event The mystical dolmen rock balancing on all threes.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Aix sponsa pulling into the dolmen rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Another angle of the dolmen rock.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event The party boat arriving last to the dolmen rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A group picture at the mystical dolmen rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Another angle of our group at the mystical dolmen rock.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Our boats parked on shore beside the dolmen rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Norvina on the rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Bflentje and Norvina on the dolmen rock.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Closeup of Bflentje and Norvina on the rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Jamming on the rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Wait.. is that Doublemoose or the Thinker?
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Bflentje imitating but not replacing Doublemoose as the Thinker.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Viking Navigator and Catzilla on the rock.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Doublemoose showing off.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Cooky thrilled about having his photograph taken.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Aix sponsa proud of her accomplishment.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Glacial erratic on Kelso Lake.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A closeup view of glacial erratic on Kelso Lake.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Evidence of the 1999 straight line winds in the BWCA.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Damage from the 1999 blowdown in the wilderness.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Unbelievable damage from the 1999 storm.. that was 11 years ago.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Doublemoose has figured out this paddling thing.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event More damage from the July 4th, 1999 storm.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A sheet of ice inside of the Kelly-Jack mining cave.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view looking out of the Kelly-Jack cave.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Another view looking out of the Kelly-Jack cave.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event And another view looking out of the Kelly-Jack cave.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A group photograph at the Kelly-Jack cave.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event We made it to our second destination.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Norvina stretching or holding up the cave?	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event Bflentje outside of the Kelly-Jack cave.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event The entrance to the Kelly-Jack cave.
Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view of Jack Lake from the portage.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event A view of the portage from Kelly Lake to Jack Lake.	Minnesota's BWCA Canoe-in Geocaching Event The final group photograph after having completed the entire journey.

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I am posting this at the risk of upsetting my cat loving sister.  Jane, I apologize.

My post last October about the unfortunate feline in Anoka seemed like a one-of-kind event.  But running into a second black cat, lying dead within feet of a hidden geocache, is just outright strange.  While geocaching my way home from the events in Hudson, WI last weekend, I spotted a geocache, Welcome to RiverFalls! (GC17QDN) by Hike and Seek, located near the River Falls city limits as I approached from the north on highway 35.  It seemed like an easy find so a stop was in order.  As I approached ground zero of the cache, I immediately knew something wasn't right.  Upon closer inspection, it was clear that I had stumbled upon another unlucky kitty.

Whatever happened to the notion of nine lives?  I know crossing the path of a black cat is not good but I would not have thought that would affect the cat.  Was this just really bad luck or was this another despicable act of feline murder?  Fellow geocacher Norvina and I surmised that kitty may have been hit by a car.  Still alive, it managed to climb its way to the final resting place in the tree where it passed into cat heaven.

Another Despicable Act or More Bad Luck? Unlucky kitty lying in tree within feet of the geocache.

Another Despicable Act or More Bad Luck? Nine lives come and gone.

Win Big Cache (GC1VQB6) by bflentje

Ever since I stumbled upon the GDLibrary (graphics device library) while working on a web project, I've been wanting to create a geocaching puzzle that involved dynamic web images.  Building a functional slotmachine as the puzzle seemed like a fun idea.  After hours of scouring around the Internet for the slotmachine images, I had what I needed to begin.  The slotmachine was written in Classic ASP (Active Server Pages) and is able to be embedded into a geocache listing because it looks and acts like nothing more than an image tag.

As a geocacher looking to score the find, the only way to solve the puzzle is to click the spin button on the slotmachine and hope for good odds.  You are awarded the coordinates, in part or in full, by hitting a winning combination as defined by the payout schedule or by scoring a jackpot.

While geocaching today in St. Paul Park, MN, fellow geocacher bowersm and I ran into a potentially explosive siutation.  We were searching in the snow for Ouch!! I stubbed my toe  (GC1R1QF) by pswith5 when we stumbled upon this funky looking orange plastic device.  Inside the plastic contraption was a metal cylinder with an orange wire connected to it.

At first I thought I had discovered the elusive geocache and that it was some strange container.  I wasn't the most gentle as while geocaching I usually get down and dirty.  Upon further inspection, we noticed the orange device had written on the side of it in big, bold, raised letters, EXPLOSIVE.  At that point we realized it probably wasn't the geocache.  I took a deep breath and gently placed the device on the ground.  After some debate about what to do, bowersm and I decided it would probably be wise to report it.  We routed the GPS to the city police department and made a report.  We can only assume the issue was dealt with as the officer on duty taking our report didn't seem interested.

After an exhaustive search on the Internet, we determined that this device is undoubtedly a live blasting cap.  During our search, we also found reports and photographs of various hands and fingers allegedly blown apart by blasting cap misuse.  Real or not, one of these devices exploding in your hand, or worse, in your face, cannot be a good thing.  Be careful out there.

A Potentially Explosive Situation We found the device tucked next to the giant boulders.

A Potentially Explosive Situation The device up close.

Geocaching legend King Boreas held his 6th Annual Halloween Hoopla geocaching event on Halloween this year.  It usually takes place on the first Saturday prior to Halloween but since Halloween was also on a Saturday this year, they were celebrated the same day.

I do not attend geocaching events consistently but there are a couple of events I do NOT miss.  Halloween Hoopla is one of them.  This was my fourth year attending and each year the event seems to get bigger and bigger.  I would guess that if the crowds keep multiplying each year as they have, this event has potential to go Mega within a couple of years.  According to King Boreas, a mere 17 people attended the first event back in 2002.  This year, 107 geocachers logged the event as attended and the speculation is that over 200 people actually attended the event throughout the day if you count families and children.

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

Halloween Hoopla -- All Hallows' Eve King Boreas at the check-in table.	Halloween Hoopla -- All Hallows' Eve Good-boy explaining his tactics.	Halloween Hoopla -- All Hallows' Eve Norvina and Good-girl.
Halloween Hoopla -- All Hallows' Eve Meralgia dressed as a geocache and attempting to get signed.	Halloween Hoopla -- All Hallows' Eve Coughin Up A Lung paid a visit to the event.	Halloween Hoopla -- All Hallows' Eve Group photograph of the Halloween Hoopla attendees.

This morning during the 8AM segment of AM1500 KSTP's Patrick Reusse radio show, my geocache named Halloween 2008 BONUS: Coughin Up A Lung was mentioned.  Reusse interviewed fellow geocacher Andrew McCracken about geocaching in response to last week's article in the Minneapolis StarTribune.

You can listen to the segment using AM1500 KSTP's On Demand feature by clicking here.  The interview about geocaching starts right at 14:04, fourteen minutes and four seconds, into the segment.  If On Demand does not work for you, you can also find the segment in the iTunes Store by searching on Patrick Reusse, October 27th, 2009, hour 4.  You can also download the segment in MP3 format directly from here.

You can read about the construction of the geocache by clicking here.  You can read more about incident by clicking here.  You can also read my response to the county contemplating the issuance of a citation by clicking here.  You can read the Sheriff's Department Newsletter here.

This is the second article published in Thisweek newspaper and the story is still not correct about the incident involving my geocache named Halloween 2008 BONUS: Coughin Up A Lung.

You can read the article online on the Thisweek Live website  by clicking here.

Since Thisweek is not capable of any investigative work, let me make a couple of comments to help set the record straight.  First, the geocache was not something left over from Halloween.  Guidelines on geocaching.com forbid temporary geocaches.  Coughin Up A Lung was not temporary and it was not just left over.  It was a viable, active, popular, and highly maintained geocache.  The geocache logged over 40 finds in it's short 8 month life, and considering it was a mystery cache, this was a phenominal feet.  The second thing to be pointed out is that the article implies there was something inherently dangerous about this cache.  Nothing could be further from the truth..  it was nothing more than a Halloween prop, not so different than what I see on my neighbor's front porch during the Halloween season.  The actual geocache container was the typical container used in geocaching; a painted .30 caliber ammunition can purchased at Fleet Farm.  The container was stuffed with child friendly Halloween themed trinkets purchased from Target Stores.

One thing is for certain, the article speaks volumes about the REAL reason for the harrassment I received from the Sheriff's Department earlier in the year.  It had NOTHING to do with geocaching and everything to do with saving face.  I would imagine the embarrassment caused by the needless deployment of county assets meant someone should pay.

You can read about the construction of the geocache by clicking here.

You can read more about incident by clicking here.  You can also read my response to the county contemplating the issuance of a citation by clicking here.  You can read the Sheriff's Department Newsletter here.

It seems as if geocache Halloween 2008 BONUS: Coughin Up A Lung just won't die.  It was featured in the Minneapolis StarTribune today as the centerpiece for policy change in Dakota County Parks.  Like all previous articles, this one too lacked historical detail of the geocaching incident.

You can read the article online at Minneapolis Star Tribune website for yourself by clicking here.

You can read about the construction of the geocache by clicking here.

You can read more about incident by clicking here.  You can also read my response to the county contemplating the issuance of a citation by clicking here.  You can read the Sheriff's Department Newsletter here.