Logs for spiritwolf922 

Drop trackable 

Out on a geocaching adventure road trip with How-D out east. Our goal is to collect states all along the eastern seaboard and head south before returning home.

At this writing, we have traveled over 1000 miles in our quest to obtain new states for each of us. We've visited webcams, challenges, adventure labs, as well as countless rest areas and cemeteries along the way.

I'm really enjoying picking up caches along the New York tollway because the service plazas are nice to visit and usually have at least one cache to find.

Thanks to all the COs who have placed these caches and maintain them so that travelers like us can have something to navigate to on our way.

What can I say about this cache, but WOW?! We parked at the coordinates lot and began our walk in the cool evening. As we crossed over the bridge, we checked our bearings and saw that the container was hidden less than 400 feet away. Continuing on, we saw that the deep swamp separated us from our goal. After pacing back and forth for several minutes, debating, we almost decided to turn back, but How-D checked the map again and read some logs. The container had been logged just today and there was indications of a way around, so we followed the pathway and wound up spotting some freshly-trampled foliage. We had to dodge a lot of thorns (not always successfully) and duck under a lot of vines and limbs, but we made it to the hide. I left a pathtag to show I visited and of course we added our names to the log. On the way back to the car, we paused at the bridge to take in the view, then hiphopped back down the road, avoiding as much goose poo as we could. 

Waiting to get checked in at NZ Air, so I went out to grab a photo. This is my last geocache for NZ. What a ride it’s been! 

I started the day out with a few finds before heading out on the Hobbiton movie set tour. I kept thinking about this one, wondering if I’d have enough time. We got back about 4:30 so I figured I’d give it a try.

The trail had been described as ‘a gentle slope’ to me... um... no.

I was tempted to turn around several times but pressed on. It took me well over ninety minutes to haul myself up the mountain but I made it.

And I’m glad I did. The views are breathtaking!
 

They were people standing around so I tried to be nonchalant by standing there looking at my phone when suddenly somebody came out on a bicycle and said did you find it yet. Oops. I got caught. But I did find it and left some tags with him. TFTC! 

Found it quickly. But because I’m not from here and I don’t know your critters, I used my pole to extract the cache from its hide. TFTC! 

Found after a few minutes. I noted two locks and made a guess and got it right. 

Up visiting Hobbiton from the cruise ship Noordam. What an amazing place! The set was fun to visit but we all really enjoyed the pub, with its complementary cider (or beer) and scone or muffin. This is beautiful country!
Our Hobbiton guide, Sonny, hopped over to sign us in. 

I’ve arrived early but I’m feeling poorly today and cannot stay. My apologies for not being able to greet you personally but I believe I have a bit of food poisoning and need to return to my ship. 

I’m grateful for the fast find. Signed log, left a tag. TFTC! 

Ran off from my LOTR tour to snag a cache. Signed log, left treasures (my precious!) for the next seekers. TFTC! 

Stunning view of the city! We stopped here briefly on our LOTR tour. 

I’ve had an amazing time in Wellington today. Answer has been sent. 

I was on a LOTR tour this morning and saw this virtual up the street but the tour driver couldn’t stop due to time constraints. He drove by slowly and I got a photo but I wasn’t satisfied with it. I hired an Uber and went back for good, proper photos. 

I spent most of my day at a Scottish Dunedin tour with my mom, drinking whiskey and eating haggis (two servings, thank you very much!).

I knew this earthcache was here and I’m hoping my answers were good enough for the CO. If so, it’s my first volcano.
 

Do you self a favor, and stay on the outside of the fence. Don’t go in like I did. First find after I got on the right track. The hint is very helpful even if it doesn’t seem like it would be at first. 

Oh, do I have a story to tell!!

When I planned this trip about a year ago, I selected some targets in the various ports that I wanted to attempt while I was ashore. This webcam was one of them, due to the scarcity of this type of cache.

We landed in Akaroa this morning and I tendered in on a tour to the International Antarctic Centre and Botanical Gardens... after a nearly two hour delay due to wind conditions.

Once ashore, I discovered that just because “it’s only this far on the map” (visualize about 4 centimeters between forefinger and thumb), doesn’t mean they’re next to each other. To my dismay, I discovered Christchurch was over an hour away by bus. I was going there, but I had no idea what I was going to do to get from the IAC to the University.

I struggled to download the Lime app in the event Line Bikes were available, thinking I could bicycle my way there. No dice; they only have scooters. Ugh!

Next, I tried my Lyft app. Aargh!! Lyft isn’t available there yet!

As a last ditch effort, I checked the Uber app. YES! Uber is a thing in Christchurch! Okay, I had the beginnings of a plan!

Upon arriving in Christchurch, I discovered our delay from the ship had a price: we were supposed to go to the IAC first but we were deposited at the Museum first. Oh dear. What did that mean?

Turns out, we were five minutes from the webcam. By car. I’d gotten off the bus and one of the museum guides asked if I needed help. I tried to explain what I was trying to do but I guess I didn’t make much sense to them.

My bus driver and tour guide, Mike Lindsey, overheard me talking with the museum people and offered to take me himself. On the bus.

We boarded and started rolling. I had the Google maps going, giving directions where I needed to be. Mike pointed out interesting things on the way. We were concerned about where he’d park but a very convenient bus stop was just across from the building I needed to visit, so he waited while I ran across with my backpack.

I waited and waited at the site, refreshing the webpage frequently, fretting about the time... we only had ninety minutes for this little side trip! That should be plenty.

But the page never indicated a new photo had been taken! I snapped selfies and other photos to prove my presence but after nearly 25 minutes, I had to toss in the towel. I knew we had to get back to the museum to pick up the rest of the tour group (including my mum) so I had no choice but to run back to the bus.

Mike pulled away from the bus stop just as the city bus rolled up behind us. What timing!! As we rolled to our destination, I sighed, thinking I’d done all I could to ensure I’d have a legitimate photo but felt down that I’d failed.

I posted a log with my photos but I had no choice to delete it... without proof of the webcam shot, it couldn’t count.

HOWEVER!!!!

By the time I got back to my ship, I had a message from the CO indicating the unacceptability of the proof photos, BUT that, having reviewed the webcam shots, it was discovered my photo had, in fact, been taken!!!

I’m including my actual webcam shot with all the proof shots just got fun. 

At first, I tried above but the map indicated below. I went below and all I got was dpinderwebs.
 

Somehow, I chose the wrong photo to upload. Let’s try it again. 

Enjoyed my day in Dunedin by eating haggis and drinking whiskey. Unfortunately, this is the only cache I could get while on tour. Answers submitted. 

Fast find on my return to Port Chalmers from the Scottish Dunedin tour. Tftc! 

My phone’s compass had trouble homing in on this one for a few minutes but then I spotted something and made the find. Dropped some TBs here. 

I made it!!! This trip was a year in the making and I’m finally here. The cruise has been nice and I’m looking forward to my time in New Zealand.

Answers have been sent. 

The item I’m pictured with is an almond bar I purchased in the Port Arthur visitor center shop yesterday.

I’m off the Holland America ship Noordam for a few hours and headed to my event a couple of blocks away. 

Fast and easy, but shoulder height? Whose shoulders? Definitely a reach for me. TFTC! 

Fast find once the muggle passed by. I’m sharing a photo of the bridge. 

Fortunately, there aren’t many muggles here today. A quick find! 

My favorite type of cache! Tftc! 

Loving these easy ones, especially since I don’t have wheels to find things further away. 

Fast find while waiting for my flash mob. Thanks for placing this cache here. I signed in and left two tags for the next seeker. TFTC! 

It was wonderful seeing all the new faces, including one from Iowa! Thanks to all who attended!! 

On my way from the ship! I’ve got blue trousers and a gray trackable geocaching shirt on but covered with a black jacket and black backpack. I hope to see you soon! 

Skipping this one. I went down the pier but I’m just too concerned about falling in. I’m too clumsy for this cache. 

First cache in Tasmania. No creepy crawlers but there were some flying things and I got chased by a bee. Favorite point for fast and easy! 

Took a moment for this one as I looked in the wrong spots first. You know, to eliminate them. (Ha!) spotted it quickly, then and made the grab. Tftc! 

We had less than 20 minutes but I managed to find the answers. I hope you enjoy the photos. Thank you for setting up this earthcache at such a beautiful location! 

Fast find despite my phone being a pain with the coords. 

Amazing natural feature. Answers will be on the way as soon as I get better service; apologies for the delay. 

The tour bus parked right next to it! How could I pass it by? 

Fast find; we only had twenty minutes here. My service is poor so I’ll send the answers as soon as I have a better connection.

Thank you for setting up this cache at this beautiful location! 

Sent photos to the CO via message. It’s getting quite cold here on deck. Posting one photo here because that’s all the geocaching app will let me do. 

Fast find with the locals. 

Thank you to everyone who attended. I’ll stop by before I get back on my bus, in case anyone needs a goodie bag. 

Our transport is still loading after a brief delay at dock so I may be a little late. Look for the tourist wearing a gray MOGA shirt (trackable!), green trousers and a black backpack. 

Good morning! We’re slowly cruising into Melbourne and should be docked in about 90 minutes. Then some processing us off the ship and on to Queen Victoria Market to visit with some geocachers. I’ve brought pathtags for trading so I hope a few of the Will Attends have as well. See you all soon! 

Good thing this wasn’t a snake. We all walked past it twice and then one of the gang spotted it. 

I might have gotten this first time round if not for the plethora of pedestrians that had me looking in the wrong place.

My friend Catpaldi and I returned this morning and she pointed to what I needed to view, rolling her eyes at the obviousness. What can I say? There were a lot of people and I have a talent for looking in the wrong direction.

Just a few more hours in Sydney and then we’re off to the harbor to board our ship bound for Melbourne. I’ve had a great time visiting this city and it’s surrounding areas.

Answers submitted. 

I had a wonderful time visiting with my local friend, Catpaldi, who took me in a massive walk two days running. I wish I’d had longer here but the ship arrived and it was time to move on.

I was treated to a breathtaking view of Sydney Harbour for this virtual.

Redoing my log because the ‘saved’ logs got lost in the ether somewhere along the line. 

Out exploring with local cacher Catpaldi. Since this is likely my only time to visit Australia, I made sure to be selective in my targets. This was a primary one. Answers have been sent. Thanks for setting up this virtual. 

Log is very damp and my pen won’t sign it. Left a fresh sheet of paper and some treasures.