In this issue:     Geocaching or Geocapsuling?  A New Spin
                        GPS Theft
                        Did You Know
                        Tip
                        Happy Thanksgiving

In our last newsletter we briefly mentioned a new twist on geocaching.  Here is an article that explains it more.

Geocaching or Geocapsuling? A New Spin
By Alan Bixby

While Geocaching enthusiasts ramp up for an active season, an intriguing extension of that sport has recently surfaced. It is called Geocapsuling, and it’s based on the discreet placement of wilderness time capsules for young family members to retrieve, months or years into the future.

Sheltered inside hollow, polyurethane replicas of actual rocks or logs, small stainless steel time capsules are protected from the harsh extremes of environment. As in Geocaching, they are purposely left behind. But this new adventure beckons a future generation of explorers into our American wilderness.

Geocapsuling has markings of the higher profile sport of Geocaching, but it differs in a few distinct areas. Geocapsuling caches are prepared for just one special person, not groups of recurring visitors, as in Geocaching. They are left in an environmentally disguised housing, not exposed in plastic Tupperware or metal ammo cans that are typical of Geocaching. And unlike Geocaching, these personal time capsules provide a dual family event for both those who leave the cache and those who retrieve it.

The family orientation is purposeful. It's an opportunity for older family members to plant not only a small generational gift for future retrieval, but also to spark a new incentive for exploration among younger family members. Having all the elements of a GPS based wilderness treasure hunt, the eventual rediscovery trek can occur days or years after the original placement. And because this is a two-sided adventure, the fun is shared by those who plan and by those who retrieve.

Special stainless steel time capsules meant for the activity are built to survive environmental extremes. And the remarkably realistic polyurethane rock (or log) housings that shield these small, confined treasures are virtually indiscernible from any other natural feature, even on close inspection.

Protecting capsule contents for an extended stay and choosing a remote drop-site are critical factors to consider. And since fostering an appreciation for the wilderness experience is a goal of the sport, the region of placement should be given high priority. These issues are fully discussed at the sponsoring website called TimeInACapsule.com.

What should you include inside your time capsule? Well, the stainless containers are deliberately small, slightly larger than a soft drink can. So you will find room for private notes, a few photos, a personal item or two. Discovering a gift, keepsake or remembrance in the cache would no doubt add to the surprise of your explorer descendants. But the excitement for a future generation to locate a spectacular wilderness spot visited by parents or grandparents in previous years could be priceless.

Is either Geocapsuling or Geocaching "littering" as some have claimed? That will be a hard sell to hundreds of thousands of current and responsible wilderness devotees around the world. And Geocapsuling incorporates so many alluring elements of a treasure hunt that the camouflaged gems left by an earlier generation are not likely to be abandoned by any intended recipient.

As with Geocaching, some public lands are off limits to Geocapsuling. Find help in identifying both public and private land alternatives at the Time In A Capsule website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Bixby

A great GPS to use for geocapsuling or geocaching is the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx

GPS Theft

GPS receivers are a HOT item now.  Both handheld and automotive units are easier to use, more accurate and sad to say, easy theft targets.  Lets say that you use your GPS to locate the new shopping mall that just opened.  You park your car, hide your GPS in the glove box, and walk to the mall entrance to enjoy your shopping trip. 

Theives are becoming smarter.  Not only do they look for GPS receivers setting in plain sight on your car's dash or attached to the suction cup windshield mount, they also look for the "ring".  You know, the ring that is left on the windshield after you remove the suction cup mount.  It's a sure sign that a GPS may still be in the vehicle.  If it is in the vehicle, it may not be when you return from shopping.

So, remember to wipe the "ring" from your window before you leave your vehicle.  And better yet, take your unit with you.

If you have a Garmin nuvi or Streetpilot Cxxx series receiver, Garmin makes a handy portable friction mount that requires no installation in your vehicle.  You can see it here  Friction Mount. 

Did You Know

Each GPS satellite has three or four atomic clocks built in and broadcasts the exact time along with latitude and longitude information.  Brokerage houses (among other businesses) rely on this so-called "GPS time" for time-stamping trade orders, which must be tracked down to the second.  Because the GPS data is so accurate (and costs next to nothing to receive), it has become a kind of informal Wall Street standard.

Tip

Have you noticed that when you are hiking in dense woods your GPS reception may not be the best?
Try this - You may be able to increase your chances of maintaining a signal lock by running your GPS for 5-10 minutes at your car or campsite.  This allows it to aquire its maximum number of satellites.  Then while you are in the heavy woods, the GPS will already have a strong lock on its whereabouts and may be able to continue tracking effectively.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hopefully all of you will be able to enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday with your families.  As you are traveling over the river and through the woods, Be Safe and don't forget your GPS