Got Speed?

I upgraded my internet connection to 20/5 today. However, I was only able to get about 5 Mbps down while wireless on one of my computers. The other two were getting about 19.6. I updated my drivers and checked every setting I could think of but could not improve the speed.

 

So I called Verizon, my internet service provider. The tech support person I spoke with was great. He directed me to a site called www.speedguide.net and had me run a tool on the left side menu called TCP/IP Analyzer. After running the test he noticed that my RWIN was very low. It was at 17,640. He said it should be over 200,000. Yea, that's a significant difference. Just under the Analyzer test is a TCP/IP Optimizer. I ran the optimizer, robooted my computer, and my wireless speed increased to just over 19 Mbps. WOW! What a great tool. Problem resolved!

Gymnastics

I am at gymnastics with my daughter. The parents sit on the other side of a glass wall and watch. There is also a play area for the younger kids.

I am really tired. Been working on some projects overseas, getting up in the middle of the night for meetings. Need a full night's sleep.

Verizon phones can now run Trimble Outdoors

The title of this post (and the details in the message below) would be AWESOME, if it were actually true! I received the email from Trimble Outdoors yesterday. I was very excited--I've wanted to use their software for some time. However, it would not work on the Verizon network. Apparently, Verizon Wireless locks the GPS on your Blackberry so that you can only use Verizon's software, at a monthly fee of course. How's that for customer service!

Anyway, back to my story. I downloaded the Trimble software and spent about 4 hours over the last couple of days trying to get it to work on my Verizon Blackberry device. I called the vendor (who was very nice), Verizon, and the security department at my company assuming there was something I did wrong with the configuration. Nope, nothing wrong. I finally received a notice today from the tech support at Trimble Outdoors letting me know that their products do not work on Verizon Blackberry devices. 

So is this a marketing screw-up? Or does technical support not have a clue? Who knows. All I can say is... shame on Verizon Wireless for disabling this capability. This is a Verizon Wireless problem--an attempt to shut out competitors. 

Now that I am thinking about it, I wonder if there is a civil lawsuit here? If Verizon is consciously disallowing third party vendors to use the GPS capability, isn't that creating a monopoly for themselves? If there is anyone out there interested in starting a class-action lawsuit against Verizon Wireless for disabling GPS capabilities for third party applications, please post a comment and let me know. If there is enough of us, I will facilitate the next steps.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Trimble Outdoors <newsletter@trimbleoutdoors.com>
Date: Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Subject: Verizon phones can now run Trimble Outdoors

Trimble Outdoors is now available on Verizon Wireless
Response to your inquiry

Hello,

A while ago you asked us if the Trimble Outdoors application was available on Verizon Wireless. Today we are very pleased to say "Yes, you can now run Trimble Outdoors on your Verizon phone".

With Trimble Outdoors, you can now use your phone as a full featured GPS navigator and trip journaling tool for hiking, backpacking, fishing, and other outdoor activities that allows you to:

• Inspire yourself and save time
• Save weight and money
• Find your way fast
• Stay relaxed
• Impress friends and family

Get going with Trimble Outdoors on your phone today!

Click here to check if your phone is supported.

Learn more about the Trimble Outdoors phone application.

The Trimble Outdoors team

Basketball

At my son's basketball practice.

Raining today. Supposed to have freezing rain tomorrow.

Still here

Lots of games and things to do at Winterfest!

Winterfest

The kids and I are at an event at their school to raise money for the PTA. It is crowded.

Pictures

It is picture day for my son's basketball league. Can you say "organized chaos!"

Clouds Are Coming

Wasn't able to get my workout in until late afternoon today. But was able to get a trail ride and hit some geocaches before the sun went down.

The weather has been beautiful the last few days. Highs in the low 80's. But a cold front is coming and the clouds are rolling in.

Herman Miller Ranked Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Companies

For the second year in a row, Herman Miller has been listed as one of FORTUNE Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For." You can see the full list on FORTUNE'S Web site, with Herman Miller listed at number 89 (last year we were ranked at 96). Herman Miller was one of only three Michigan-based companies to make the list – and of the three, we are the largest employer. We were the only furniture manufacturer to make the list.

Congratulations to Herman Miller!

Andy on Monkey Bars

Cool Jeep

I am at my daughter's gymnastics this evening. On the way in I spotted this jeep. Way cool with the roof and doors off. Not sure what year it is.

Land of the Lost II (GC1BMGV)

Last geocache of the day while on my bike ride along the Lakeshore trail. This one was a quick find. I didn't even need to get off my bike to sign the log!

As I always do after finding a cache, I took a few minutes to check out the area. Closer to the lake I found a neat fire pit. I think it would be fun to sit here in the spring or fall and enjoy a fire by the lake. Nice view.

As I was leaving the area, I noticed a trail that went off into the woods. I had not been on that trail before. So, off I went! I followed it to the lake and to an interesting tree. The tree looked like someone (or something) had been working on chipping away at the base for a while. I am not sure what types of animals we have in North Texas that might do that. It is a real shame if it is a person that was doing it.

As I hopped back on my bike, I discovered that my front tire was losing air. I was only able to ride for about 500 feet before I had to dismount and push the bike. I parked the Jeep about 2 miles away. So I had to push my bike back through the trails.

As I was walking I thought to myself... this isn't so bad. I am out on the trails on a beautiful sunny day and getting some exercise in the process. I would have preferred to ride back out, but the walk was nice too!

North Shore Marina (GC1BMGK)

Third geocache of the day while out for my bike ride along the Northshore trail. This one has a marina near by. The road into the area has long been closed to general traffic. However, I did see a car near the marina. So I suspect those who have slips are authorized to bring vehicles to the marina area. 

Hinges!! (GC1BMH4)

Second geocache while out riding the northshore trails today. This road is now closed to cars. Bikes still work though!

On A Clear Day You Can See Grapevine (GCZ1GE)

Decided to hit some geocaches while on my mountain bike ride today along the Northshore trail of Lake Grapevine. This was a quick find. Not too far from the geocache location is an old boat launch. It is now closed to traffic as a result of the floods a few years back.

Around We Go

No idea what this is called. It is one of the climbing things at the playground.

Playground

The kids and I rode our bikes to the playground for a little exercise before we call it a night. Beautiful day today. Was in the mid seventies.

Indian Nation Hideaway (GC1BKN)

I hit another geocache while trail riding back to my Jeep. Met another geocacher at this location. He found the cache and we both signed the log book. 

There is an Army Corps of Engineers benchmark within about 20 feet of the cache. First time that I saw one of these!

Bodhisattva of the Unknown (GC1KVWX)

I was able to get my second FTF while out for my trail ride today. This one wasn't as exciting as my first, but I still enjoyed getting the FTF!

This geocache was hidden by the same person that hid the geocache for my first FTF. Pretty cool! Both locations were well thought out and placed. At this location there is a unique tree (see picture). The base of the tree is in the middle, and the trunks run up each side. You can actually sit on the section between the two trunks, sorta like a little bench!

As I was heading back to the Jeep, I stopped to hit another cache. I ran into another geocacher who told me he was heading for Bodhisattva (this cache) to try to get the FTF. I had to break the news to him that I had already done it.

Sorry!!

Upward Basketball

I am at my son's basketball practice tonight. He plays in the Upward Basketball league at a local church.

Prickly (GC18Z29)

Hit another geocache this afternoon--this time with my sister-in-law and niece. It was their first time geocaching and they had a ball!

Three Branches Starbucks (GC1KMX5)

This is the story of my first "first to find" (FTF). When a geocache is first published, the person who finds it first receives credit for the FTF. When I woke up this morning, I checked my email like I normally do. I have my account in geocaching.com set up to email me when a new cache is published within 10 miles of my house. I discovered that a new cache has been published along the lake shore and I wanted to be the FTF!

So I loaded the coordinates into my GPSr, grabbed my bike and loaded it on the back of the Jeep and hit the road. I followed the road until I was close to the coordinates, but I could not find a place to legally part. I left the location and tried a few other roads, but still no trail head. As I was leaving the last place I saw a person in a white pick-up truck looking at a laptop computer. I wondered if this was another geocacher trying to get a FTF for this cache! Gotta hurry!!!

As I was leaving the area I pulled over to the side of the road and flagged down another driver. I asked the driver if he knew where the trial head was located. He gave me directions and off I went. I was able to find the trail head after about 10 minutes and quickly grabbed my gear and hit the trail. Just as I entered the trail my GPSr dinged, indicating there was another cache nearby. But that wasn't the cache I was after. I was after my first FTF! So I passed it by and continued riding.

The cache was about 2 miles from the trail head. Add some additional distance for the bends in the trail. I road my heart out, trying to get there before the person in the white pick-up truck. The more I thought about it the more I was convinced that he was a geocacher trying to get the FTF. 

Finally I arrived at the location where you need to leave the trail and follow a dried up creek bed. I was only able to push my bike into the creek about 100 feet before the terrain became too difficult to bring the bike. The creek was covered over by fallen branches and thorn bushes, etc. So I ditched the bike and continued down the creek. Within a couple of minutes I found the area that the cache was hidden. It was just past a large tree that had fallen in the area (see picture). I should have brought my kids--they would have loved climbing on the fallen tree. Anyway, following my GPSr I located the cache about a minute later.

I removed the cache from its location and opened it up. I took out the log book and opened up the cover. The cache hider had written the date and some info on the first page. There was no room for the FTF to sign the log book on the first page, so I knew that I would need to turn the page in order to see if anyone had beat me to the cache. I almost didn't want to turn the page. It was fun to find the cache, but I REALLY wanted to be the FTF for this hide. I slowly turned the page and peeked with one eye--it was BLANK! I made it. I was the FTF. My first FTF. I jumped up and down and made a sound like a crowd was cheering. Then I sheepishly looked around to make sure nobody was watching. 

I signed the log book 1/18/09 FTF JKK450. My first FTF!

After placing the cache back in its original location I headed back up the creek to my bike. It wasn't until I hopped back on my bike that I realized I had forgotten to mark the coordinates of where I had left my Jeep! I was on a trial out in the middle of nowhere (well, as far out in the middle of nowhere that you can get on the northshore!). But then I remembered the cache that I had passed just after leaving the Jeep. I zoomed around on my GPSr until I found the cache, then selected it and followed it back to my Jeep. Whew!

That was a great adventure. The location was awesome, and getting my first FTF was even better. Thanks Derrick, Jacob & Ben for the hide.

University of Phoenix Classroom Availability

The University of Phoenix finally sent out an email notice to students regarding the outage--11 hours after they were supposed to complete the maintenance. I guess it is better late then never!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: University of Phoenix <do_not_reply@email.phoenix.edu>
Date: Sat, Jan 17, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Subject: Classroom Availability

Greetings,

Due to a technical issue, some students and faculty members are unable to access class. You may receive an error message when attempting to access your classroom.

At this time there is no workaround available. The estimated time of repair is 8:00pm (MST).

We will provide frequent updates on the progress of the resolution on the Systems Status Page at http://status.phoenix.edu. 

Instructors have been notified of the current technical issues by our Academic Affairs department as well.

We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

Thank you,

University of Phoenix Administration

University of Phoenix Reliability Problems

The University of Phoenix online classrooms are down once again for some students. UoP had a maintenance window scheduled for last night. However, the site is still down. It appear they ran into some problems with the maintenance. When checking the status they have posted the following message:

Some students and faculty members are unable to access their class forums due to extended scheduled maintenance. Our tentative time of resolution is 1 PM MST. If you would like a ticket number regarding this issue, please refer to ticket 15659047. 

Extended scheduled maintenance. That is fancy talk for, someone screwed up and we are trying to fix it. 

4-Wheeling

I took the kids 4-wheeling in the Jeep yesterday for the first time. They loved it, although my daughter felt a little sick to her stomach at times.

This time I aired down the tires. Airing down the tires has two benefits. First, it makes the ride smoother because you are riding on softer tires. Second, it enlarges the footprint of the tire giving it more traction and floatation.

Traction is the tires ability to grip the surface. Because there is less air in the tire, the tire is able to form itself around objects and grip them.

Floatation is the ability for the tire to stay above soft surfaces. So if I am driving through mud, the footprint of an aired down tire will be larger. This means the weight is spread over a larger surface area and has the effect of reducing the weight per square in on the ground. Less weight means less sink (greater floatation).

Can hardly wait to go again!

Basketball

I am at a basketball game this morning. My son plays in the Upward league at a local church. This is his first year playing and so far he is having a ball (pun intended)!

Upward also has soccer and flag football leagues.

WinKids

The kids and I are at gymnastics tonight. My daughter takes lessons at WinKids in Flower Mound. She loves it!

2 PAIR - 9's and 9's!! (GCXTTW)

This one was a super fast geocache find for me. I hit this with the Jeep while returning from my run. The day before I struggled to find a cache at Wash Out . But the lesson I learned at Wash Out went to good use at this location and I was able to find the cache within a few second.

The cache owner could have also named this site washed out. During the floods a couple of years ago, the town had to replace this portion of the road. It was totally washed out. You can see they did a nice job of creating a tunnel under the road. Hopefully this will hold up during the next flood.

Pocket Bullets (GCXNDW)

My forth geocache for the day while out on my run. Like the last one, this one was not very interesting. There wasn't anything in the area worth shooting, so I took a pic of the actual geocache hide. I don't normally photograph the actual hide location, but this one is so obvious that if you can't find it, you should give up geocaching! 

4 Ladies (GC119TA)

This geocache find was not very interesting, not was the area very interesting. So I jogged over to the lakeshore to snap a quick pic. This is Lake Grapevine near the Little Pete's marina. 

No Walk In The Park (GCC9)

Hit my second geocache for the day while out trail running this morning. This one has become one of my favorite caches. Not because of the location, but because of the process of finding it. For this one, the hider sends you to a post located on the trail. On the back of the post is a number. The number represents the number of paces you must take away from the post to find your next object. Once you find the next object, you look for the final destination, and then the actual cache. The author used a poem to communicate the clues:

It is there that the booty is hidden.

In a place not walked, nor bicycle ridden.

It is there, away from the pool, but close just the same.

Away from the trails, that we'll play this small game.

The numbers you use to say when you're nearin',

won't get you there, but instead to a clearin'.

As the trail turns north, look to the south,

a wood post is there, to show hikers their route.

look on the back for a number so scribed,

with the number of paces that you must stride.

South, southeast is the direction you seek,

but don't go too far lest you fall in the creek.

In a place that is lower, fallen trees lay about

then at your feet, a big rock sticks out.

it's maybe six feet by four feet,

weighing hundreds of pounds.

In a crevice beside it's where the stash can be found.

If found the cache quickly following the instructions. After I signed the log book I decided to follow the creek back to the trail instead of going back the way I came. The creek was bone dry (see picture). It was fun to walk through the creek bed and kinda pretend I was water rushing over the obstacles on the creek floor. 

FLOPPED A SET OF 10's (GCXWG1)

I am out for a trail run this morning. Very cold, in the low 30's here. As has become my custom, I decided to bring my GPSr so I could hit a couple of caches while running. 

The first one is located in a bamboo forest, just off the Northshore trail of Lake Grapevine. I have looked at this forest numerous times as I have run the trail, but never went in. I didn't even know there was a path that went through the forest. But even if I did know about the trail, I never went off the bike trail due to a concern about snakes. However, it is winter and cold right now, so off the trail I went!

I am glad I checked into this one. The bamboo forest was very cool. Near the middle of the forest I could see some type of structure. As I approached I could see that someone built a small shelter out of bamboo. They even had a small chair in the shelter to sit on (see picture)! 

As for the geocache, the instructions said it was located at the bottom of a tree. It wasn't. It was located at one end of a fallen tree just inside the bamboo forest. Regardless, found it. Next please!

MR FERGUSON (GC1KP6W)

I finally hid my first geocache. This one is located just off the Northshore Trail on Lake Grapevine. It is a spot that I will often stop at when mountain biking or trail running. It is a beautiful spot, especially at sunset. To see the details, check out the listing on Geocaching.com.

So why did I name this one MR FERGUSON? Well, when I decided to hide my own cache, the kids and I went looking for a good spot. I knew I wanted to hide it in this area, because there aren't any other caches in this area currently. So I took the kids and asked them to pick out a spot. After some wandering around, they picked a rock to the left in the picture. On the rock is carved the name MR FERGUSON. So we built the cache and hid it in a crack behind the rock. It was published today and already found by the first person. 

Here's a map so you can see its location. Zoom out to see other geocaches in the area.

Land of the Lost (GC1BFRE)

My last geocache find while out for my trail run today. This is my fifth on this run. They are all located near each other, so quick grabs while in the area.

I particularly like this one, not for the challenge of finding the cache, but for the view from the cache location. This one overlooks Lake Grapevine. It was a beautiful sunny morning and the lake looked good. Although I suspect it is still VERY cold!

A Drive In The Park (GC4033)

Just hit geocache number four for the day while out running the Lake Grapevine Northshore Trail. After finding this one I hiked through the woods toward some water that I would see through the trees. It turns out that I was directly across the water from the first cache that I hit today and not far from where I was parked. So I jogged along the shore until I came to a place where the water narrowed and jumped over to the other side. It was a short hike back to the trail. 

I picked up a travel bug in this one. I plan to place it back in the cache that I created (which is now live!). I will try to hit one more before returning to the Jeep.

Techie Cache (GCHENY)

Hit my third geocache while out on my run today. The thing that I found interesting about this one was the location. It was really easy to get to from the trail because a path has been warn through the brush. However, I can't imaging what it would have been like to place this cache originally. It would have been near impossible to get to this location from the trail prior to fellow geocachers cutting the trail. 

As the name implies, this one was full of all kinds of computer-related stuff. 

Gotta keep running. 

Wash Out!!!!!!! (GC1BMGQ)

Second geocache for the day while our trail running. This one is just off a closed road. The bridge has been damaged by flooding and is washed out, hence the name, and the road blocks. I search for this one for about 20 minutes. I was just ready to give up when I spotted the cache! Now that I know where it is, it is rather obvious! But it wasn't while I was looking for it. 

I am heading back to the trail to run some more and hit a couple more caches while I am out here. 

Murrell's Mud (GC1BH2)

I am out for a run on the Lakeshore Trail. I had planned to mountain bike today but I have a flat tire. That's OK, I need to get more running in anyway!

Hitting a geocache or two while on the trail. If you pick the right parking spot, which I did, this one is almost a park and grab!

There is a small private boat house not too far from the trail. Pretty site in the early morning sun.

That's aMAZEing (GC1J9KN)

I am out for a ride on my bike today along the Flower Mound trail. I found the trail while I was geocaching. I brought my GPSr so I could hit a geocache along the trail.

To get to this one I had to cross a small stream using a rock bridge. It wasn't a big deal to cross. But I can't imagine what this might look like when we get heavy rain or flooding. I suspect the banks will fill up on this puppy! 

The cache itself was easy to find. It is filled with little plastic mazes, hence the title for the cache.

There was a tent in the woods nearby. I didn't see anyone near the tent. But a man and his dog spotted the tent and crossed the stream to investigate just as I was opening the cache (busted!). My bike was parked on the other side of the stream. He asked if it was my bike. I said "yes." He then asked if I knew anything about the tent. I said "no." With that, he walked away. He didn't ask anything about the jar I was holding with toys spread around on the ground infront of me. He just looked at it and then waked away. 

I've mentioned this before but I will say it again. The thing I like most about geocaching is being lead to interesting places that I would not have found on my own. This place was pretty neat. I hope you find it!

Deaf Awareness Geocoin (OCBD3W)

Received a Deaf Awareness Geocoin from a geocache site today . I plan to place it in a geocache that I am creating and will hide later today. This was my first geocoin. Click the picture to enlarge it. 

Playland

The kids and I are at McDonald's Playland for a quick bite to eat. It is a beautiful sunny day today.

Northshore Hike (GC19TPP)

The kids and I are out playground-geocaching today. How does that work? We look for playgrounds that have a geocache near it. When we arrive we hunt down the cache and then the kids play on the playground while I write my blog entry! We love it!

This one was located in the woods to the left of the playground in the picture. It was a pretty quick find, once I was able to get me GPSr to behave under the tree cover.

This cache contained a geocoin to promote deaf awareness. It was my first geocoin find. I took the coin and will place it in another cache. I took a picture of it. You can also track its movements at Geocaching.com. 

My daughter traded a rubber springing jumpy thing (don't have a clue what they are called) for a green necklace and my son gave up one of his peez dispensers for a yellow whistle. I am not sure the whistle was such a good idea!

As I write this, a father and son just went into the woods. I wonder if they are fellow geocachers?

Fleur Tertre (GC983B)

This was my first virtual geocache. It is located at a local landmark, a mound that is fenced off in the middle of our town, Flower Mound. It has historical significance. According to the sign, no trees have grown on the mound, nor have any man made structures existed there. 

My daughter and I hit this one on our way back from the grocery store. In order to receive credit for the find you must email the owner of the cache the name of a person that is mentioned near the site. Use the hint for the name to figure it out. 

I emailed the owner with the name a few days ago and just received confirmation back today that it is the correct name! Therefore, I am considering this cache found and complete. 

DEAD MAN'S BOAT! (GCXTV0)

Hit one more geocache on my trail ride back to the Jeep. This one was really interesting. Not because of the hide or the location, but because of the awkward situation I found myself in!

When I got close to the location, I hopped off my bike and started following my GPSr until I was able to get close to the location. I left the trail and within a few steps I immediately saw the cache. The container was not large enough to hold a pen, and I had left my pen back at the bike, so I grabbed the container and headed back to my bike. I signed the log, put it back in the container and turned around to head back to the cache location. 

Just as I turned around, a jogger came by and stopped on the trail to stretch--directly beside the cache location! I paused for a moment, not really sure what to do. I couldn't very well just return the container to the cache location. That would give it away, and God forbid that the runner would come back and snatch it from us! I also thought maybe the runner was a geocacher, but I did not see any GPSr, so ruled that out. I stood there for about a minute fiddling with my bike and not saying anything. The runner continued to stretch. What an awkward situation! 

Not sure what do next, I hopped on my bike and road away, with the container from the cache! I road up the trail in the direction that the runner had come from, thinking she would not come back that way for a while. About 5 minutes later I turned around and slowly headed back to the cache coordinates. I hid behind some bushes and tried to peek through to see if the runner was there. I felt kinda secret agent like, but silly at the same time! Then it occurred to me that if she spotted me she would probably think I was some type of pervert! 

However, the runner was gone. I returned the cache, hopped on my bike, and returned to my Jeep. 

That was fun!

Goldrush On Crybaby Hill (GCNHR4)

Hit one more geocache on my way back to the Jeep. This one is near a tough hill on the trail. I've watched a couple of riders get injured here. It is harder going down than up.

This hide was in a unique location. Well placed. However, the coordinates were about 40 feet off the actual location.

On this one I used my ever increasing geocaching observation skills to find the location. Ok, actually, I just followed the footpath of others and happened to look in the right spot!

This is a great hide!

Note: The cache is located about 40 feet away from the coordinates posted on geocaching.com. I took two readings while I was there. Both returned the same coordinates:

N 33° 00.170 W 097° 04.851

Cowboys (GCXX20)

I am out for my mountain bike ride today. Brought my GPSr so I could hit a geocache while on the trail.

This one continues an 8 part poker themed series of caches. Cowboys refers to pocket Kings.

This one is just off the road. The road is no longer open to automobiles but is frequented by hikers and bikers. I have been by this spot numerous times and never knew there was a cache here. It is near the sign with a bike and a big circle and cross through it. What do you think they are trying to say with the sign?

I wheeled my bike into the bushes and leaned it up against a pole. After searching for about 10 minutes I went back to my bike. A quick look around and I discovered that I had parked my bike about 5 feet away from the cache!

Need to learn to open my eyes!

Underwear Boy

Hang In There (GC1J5P)

Found another geocache early this morning while out for my morning run. This one is near a bridge that crosses on the Flower Mound trail. Major pricky bushes in the area. Left some of my DNA!

Great hide!

Don't Worry Be Happy (GC1J9KZ)

Just after I hit my last geocache, I decided to check to see if there was anything else in the immediate area. A quick search with my GPSr showed another cache within about 400 feet. I decided to take a quick look in the area to see if I could find it. 

Sure enough, it only took about 2 minutes of searching to find this one. This geocache location is near a small creek that runs through the area. There isn't much water in it right now, but I suspect the banks fill up during the rainy season (like we have one of those in North Texas!!). 

That's it for now. Thanks for the cache Jack Attack 83!

Tight Spot (GC1J5P3)

Beautiful morning to find a geocache! Was out running a quick errand and hit this one on the way.

This is a really nice location. I have driven by this spot numerous times but did not know there was a trail here. This is one of the reasons I like geocaching so much--it brings me to places I would not normally find or think to visit.

Thanks sharom12 for the great cache!

Geocaching Symbol

When I start planting my own geocaches I plan to use this symbol. Apparently it is a globally recognized symbol for geocaching. 

Gutt Draw Straight Flush (GCXWDD)

I am out for my morning trail ride. Brought the GPSr to hit a geocache on the way.

This one is pretty cool. I specifically like the poker theme. I've played poker for a number of years and train others on how to win sit n go tournaments through one of my websites. My daughter would have liked this one because she loves stickers. This one had a few frog stickers in it.

So what the heck is a gutt draw straight flush (more properly named a gutshot straight flush draw)? Well, a gutshot means one of the cards in the middle. A straight is any five consecutive cards. A flush is any five cards of the same suit. A draw means that you need a card to complete the hand. For example, if you are playing Texas Hold'em and you have a ten and a jack of hearts as your hole cards and the flop is seven of hearts, eight of hearts, and some other random card, you have a gutshot straight flush draw. You need a nine of hearts to make your straight flush.

In the hole: Jh Th
On the board: 8h 7h
You need: 9h
To end up with: Jh Th 9h 8h 7h, a straight flush!

Onward.

Rainy and Cold

I am waiting to pick the kids up from school. It is rainy and cold today.
About 33F today. It was 82 just two days ago. That's Texas!

Andy's Gum

I found this on the counter this morning. The note reads: Andy's gum. Do
not eat or throw away please!