Just saw this post via the cross-stitching community, and thought it'd fit perfect here too! Anyone use such a device to find magnetic nanos? Or is there a different tool of the trade you never go without? [https://mastodon.social/@Stitch26/113150645821886853](https://mastodon.social/@Stitch26/113150645821886853) "Mechanics normally use a #Mechanics Telescoping Magnetic Pick-Up Tool 2 pick up small bolts & other metal that have fallen as they work, but those who #CrossStitch, #Sew, #Quilt, etc., can use it to pick up lost pins & needles so they don't wind up goosing someone when they sit on the couch. 😅 Can be found in almost any automotive store or automotive tool section in Walmart. Some versions even have flashlights on the end!"
Geocaching
Cosmic Quest: We have achieved Lift-off
Phlogiston 6 days ago • 100%
Yes, there were two others you could get -- one at some low number of points, and another at 100 I believe
Geocaching
CITO California Coastal Cleanup Day Event
Phlogiston 6 days ago • 100%
Yes! Beach clean-up are always a good time where I am. I've made some pretty strange garbage finds over the years -- keeps things entertaining when you find microwaves, kiddie pools, toilets and more in the woods!
Everyone who found at least one cache during the challenge was awarded a souvenir today. Was anyone following the 'Cosmic Quest' souvenir challenge? Do you feel like it led you to cache more, or did you mostly ignore it? [https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2024/09/we-have-achieved-lift-off/](https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2024/09/we-have-achieved-lift-off/)
I was running my fingers along this metal ledge trying to find a magnetic nano cache. Came across something quite different instead - yikes! Luckily I wasn't stung, but got out of there in a hurry and left that one unfound
Geocaching
Free (ish) Week Trial of Premium
Phlogiston 2 weeks ago • 100%
I did not know they offered free trials -- that's awesome, glad you are enjoying it so far!
This video made me think of this community. Fixing a camping chair and stool with Tyvek is pretty inventive, as well as sewing a tent with the material!
"You have most certainly passed a geocache without knowing it. [...] This right-under-your-nose scavenger hunt reminds us that there is still much to discover in the world, and the community of people in Door County who enjoy the activity is alive and well. I have always been drawn to geocaching and the everyday ingenuity it can inspire. People get absurdly creative with how and where they hide their containers; one cache in my hometown is hidden inside a fake sprinkler head."
Only worth about $1 USD, but a pretty cool find -- in Canada and nowhere near its country of origin
This took us three attempts to finally find
Had to use up some kitchen leftovers today. Super pleased with how it turned out! In the making: 
Geocaching
Came across a fairy forest while geocaching today
Phlogiston 1 month ago • 100%
Cute! Was the cache inside on of the little houses?
Geocaching
First time navigating to the cache
Phlogiston 1 month ago • 100%
Got to get them hooked early on!
Geocaching
Most creative cache you've found?
Phlogiston 2 months ago • 100%
I found a nano cache inside of a padlock once. The part where the key would go was drilled out, and replaced with a tiny cache container. Took me ages, awesome find.
Geocaching
What's the Best Geocaching Loot you Found or Know of?
Phlogiston 2 months ago • 100%
I've gotten Tim Hortons gift cards for FTF before, that was pretty nice. Pins are also always cool to find
I'm ashamed to say it still took me 10 minutes to find this one
Spent over an hour looking for this cache recently. Very subtle under the moss!
Taken around 11:30 Friday night, although the picture sure doesn't do the real thing justice
This impressive pile was all collected in one day in my neighborhood
Canning & Food Preservation
Marmalade in the making
Phlogiston 5 months ago • 100%
I did a mixture of these 3 recipes,
-
https://www.alphafoodie.com/simple-ginger-marmalade-ginger-jam/#wprm-recipe-container-33888
-
https://untoldrecipesbynosheen.com/spiced-citrus-ginger-marmalade/#recipe
I'll try to do a write-up, but was mostly flying by the seat of my pants...
5 large (about the size of my hand) pieces of ginger 2 lemons 1/2 navel orange 2.5 cups sugar 1 packet gelatin Cloves, star anise, turmeric
Cut ginger into slices and simmer for 30 minutes. Drain, but save the cooking water as ginger tea, with a bit of sugar added. The last 10 minutes, I added some cloves and star anise to the simmering pot, but the flavour wasn't really noticeable in the final product, so may want to try adding them sooner. Then puree the boiled ginger in a blender - could probably skip this step if chopped small enough, but I don't really like chewy pieces in my jam
Cut 1/4" off the ends of the lemons, then quarter them, and slice as thinly as possible, removing seeds as you go (I used the lemons whole, pith and all, surprisingly it wasn't too bitter at all).
Peel 1/2 orange with a peeler and cut the peel into small pieces. Remove the pith, quarter and slice the orange thinly (I didn't use the pith this time because it is so much thicker)
Simmer the lemons, orange, ginger, sugar and a pinch of turmeric for 45 minutes. I started with 2 cups of sugar and 30 minutes cooking time, but it just wasn't thickening up, so I added another 1/2 cup of sugar, gelatin, and cooked for another 15 mins and it turned out nice and thick.
Made 3.5 jars total
Good luck!
A batch of ginger & citrus marmalade I made today, plus some ginger tea as a byproduct! 
Geocaching
A novel way to sign the log sheet!
Phlogiston 5 months ago • 100%
Geocaching
I carved a custom stamp for my letterbox geocache
Phlogiston 5 months ago • 100%
This doesn't see to be showing up across instances !geocaching@lemmy.world
If anyone wants to play: [https://www.geoguessr.com/geocaching ](https://www.geoguessr.com/geocaching ) It's pretty cool to get to play GeoGuessr again! I missed it a lot when they switched it to being pay-to-play only. In this new version, it looks like they've added a timer, though, which I think makes it pretty stressful. I don't really see the specific connection to Geocaching though ("There's a geocache hidden near that location"? That could probably be said of almost anywhere in North America and Europe). Getting to a Geocaching souvenir is a nice perk, although you don't seem to even need a GC account to play it. Has anyone else tried the game? Thoughts?
Geocaching
GC5GT6J at the Seattle Museum of Flight is one of the only caches in the world that has the "partnership cache" attribute
Phlogiston 6 months ago • 100%
This is one item I was thrilled to strike off my 'obscure stats' bucket list this year, and the museum itself was a great time as well 
Found this cute lil guy in a fake rock cache the other day
Geocaching
Who's on your geocaching team?
Phlogiston 11 months ago • 100%
For me, I started doing it alone and it kept me sane during Covid lockdown. After events started back up again, I met a bunch of people, and haven't really solo cached since then
Do you prefer to go geocaching solo, or with friends? Do you have a geo-dog? Ever been to an event?
Step right up for a game of Q’s Geo-Plinko! You’ll need a bit of good luck to log this Geocache of the Week, GC5BQX1. This oversized game/cache combo is sure to entertain! As you approach GZ, you see a green, wooden chest standing about five feet tall in the distance. An acrylic Geocaching® logo is attached to the front of the chest, and an ammo can sits on the ground beneath. With the cache container out in the open, you think you’ve come across your easiest geocache find yet. But wait—the adventure with this geocache has just begun!  [Geocaching Blog](https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2023/10/qs-geo-plinko-geocache-of-the-week/?fbclid=IwAR0oIu1lR4GJmxY61_hfLODAGpoJJqDLGkookioO0O3wp0xZHIgz-kn1Kh0)
www.podcacher.com
On our geocaching podcast today, we have a great story of duck vs. geocache - who will win? We also share an interesting discussion about choosing premium only (or not) for your geocache hides and a story of when a geocaching brochure would have been helpful. Don't miss the cool swag idea you might want to check out, new statistics in the Adventure Lab app and much more.
Geocaching
Day 361 of trying to fill my 366 calendar grid
Phlogiston 11 months ago • 100%
It happened. I planned for it in 2020, but got very sick (probably Covid) that week. I have been waiting 8 years for this chance!
 After 2 years of concerted effort, and a little over 4 months to go. Here's hoping I don't forget and screw it up on the home stretch 🤞
For example, this Traditional in Idaho has only been found once in all its 20 years.  [coord.info/GCGM7E](http://coord.info/gcgm7e) The website uses a points system based on cache age and number of finds to determine a cache's score
A recent study by Geocaching HQ’s Data Team found actual DNF rates on geocaches were 3-5 times higher than what was reported in online logs. In the new episode of our Inside Geocaching HQ podcast, hear more about the study and how logging your DNFs can lead to a healthier gameboard.
_Cache In Trash Out® (CITO) is an environmental initiative supported by the geocaching community. Since 2002, CITO has helped preserve the natural beauty of cache-friendly spaces. In that time, more than 363,000 people have volunteered at 18,000 CITO events. _ The park I hosted this in looked pretty clean at first sight, but it was pretty impressive what 15 people managed to dig up in an hour -- 10+ full bags of garbage, old stuffed animals, a couch and office chair hidden in a tree, and more
www.asiaone.com
A TikTok user , who goes by the username Forestsprite, recently shared a video of her geocaching adventure. She searched high and low for it, and just when she was about to give up, she finally located the geocache. It was tucked in a crevice on an unassuming signboard. "This feels more accomplishing than my 4.0 GPA," she humorously quipped as she opened the magnetic container and found a sheet of paper filled with the names of people who had previously found the geocache.
Geocaching HQ wants to know! Personally, I'd love to see Block Parties brought back, or maybe another Locationless cache. How about you?
Yup, it's right there! 
Learn more about Earth and its incredibly unique formations on Saturday, October 7, and Sunday, October 8, in celebration of International EarthCache Day! Earn the official souvenir for visiting the physical location of the EarthCache and completing the logging requirements to receive your smiley. EarthCaches are filled with pools of geological knowledge, just like Pamukkale in Turkey. These bright blue, eye-catching terrace pools are created by the carbonate mineral left by the thermal flow of spring water, pictured above. [Geocaching Blog](https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2023/09/new-souvenir-international-earthcache-day-2023/)
Lemmy.world Support
Requesting to be made a mod
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Thank you! I've just made a lemmy.world account. @Brazen_Earthquake@lemmy.world
On May 2, 2000, at approximately midnight, eastern savings time, the great blue switch controlling selective availability was pressed. Twenty-four satellites around the globe processed their new orders, and instantly the accuracy of GPS technology improved tenfold. Tens of thousands of GPS receivers around the world had an instant upgrade. The announcement a day before came as a welcome surprise to everyone who worked with GPS technology. The government had planned to remove selective availability - but had until 2006 to do so. Now, said the White House, anyone could "precisely pinpoint their location or the location of items (such as game) left behind for later recovery." How right they were. London, Paris, New York, Beavercreek? For GPS enthusiasts, this was definitely a cause for celebration. Internet newsgroups suddenly teemed with ideas about how the technology could be used. On May 3, one such enthusiast, Dave Ulmer, a computer consultant, wanted to test the accuracy by hiding a navigational target in the woods. He called the idea the "Great American GPS Stash Hunt" and posted it in an internet GPS users' group. The idea was simple: Hide a container out in the woods and note the coordinates with a GPS unit. The finder would then have to locate the container with only the use of his or her GPS receiver. The rules for the finder were simple: "Take some stuff, leave some stuff." On May 3rd he placed his own container, a black bucket, in the woods near Beavercreek, Oregon, near Portland. Along with a logbook and pencil, he left various prize items including videos, books, software, and a slingshot. He shared the waypoint of his "stash" with the online community on sci.geo.satellite-nav: N 45° 17.460 W 122° 24.800 Within three days, two different readers read about his stash on the Internet, used their own GPS receivers to find the container, and shared their experiences online. Throughout the next week, others excited by the prospect of hiding and finding stashes began hiding their own containers and posting coordinates. Like many new and innovative ideas on the Internet, the concept spread quickly - but this one required leaving your computer to participate. Within the first month, Mike Teague, the first person to find Ulmer's stash, began gathering the online posts of coordinates around the world and documenting them on his personal home page. The "GPS Stash Hunt" mailing list was created to discuss the emerging activity. Names were even tossed about to replace the name "stash" due to the negative connotations of that name. One such name was "geocaching." Source: [https://www.geocaching.com/about/history.aspx](https://www.geocaching.com/about/history.aspx)
This ammo can is the final stop for a multi, which I started on back in 2021. The clues for the final are in an easily accessible, urban area. But once I put them all together, the final was fully 10km away, on a hike part way up a mountain! I had the final saved to my phone and ignored for a long time before finally heading out for the hike today. So satisfying to finally check it off!
Lemmy.world Support
Requesting to be made a mod
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
That's great, thank you!
I'd like to request to be made a moderator of the !geocaching@lemmy.world community. The only mod there, @postman@lemmy.world, hasn't had any activity in the last 3 months. I tried conctacting them, and haven't received a response. I was the only frequent poster on c/geocaching for about two months before a recent burst of activity, and I'd love to add a bit more of a wiki/sidebar now. Geocaching has been my main hobby for about 4 years, and I'd love for this community to keep growing. Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask for this, please let me know where I should post instead!
Geocaching
LOOKING FOR CLUES: Cherokee Nation geocaching project strengthens human bonds
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
www.muskogeephoenix.com
*A couple married for 43 years attends geocaching events all over the world, and discovered the one held Sept. 16 to be enlightening on Cherokee history. The Geocaching event, Cherokee stories and adventure presented by the Cherokee Nation, took place at the Peace Pavilion, and contestants came from several states to participate.* 
Geocaching
Found a bug this morning
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
That's a shame! Do you ever go to geocaching events? I find they get the most logs there, although I have spotted the odd one out in the wild
It's been awesome reading more of people's stories over the last few days. I hope y'all stay active and this community keeps growing! It's been about 2 months since I started posting regularly in the hopes of getting more people involved here. I've tried to keep a good mix of diverse topics in that time. That being said, is there any specific content you'd like to see more of in this community? Something you feel is missing?
Geocaching
First find since 2008!
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Hey, that's awesome! Hope your kid will enjoy it
www-mdr-de.translate.goog
After a possible discovery of explosives in Magdeburg, the police have given the all-clear. As the local police informed MDR, the alleged explosive device poses no danger. According to the police, there will be no further investigations or criminal charges. According to MDR information, the dummy explosive was a geocache. According to police information, tradespeople discovered a suspicious object in the empty prefabricated building of the former SED party school. It was a type of ammunition box that apparently contained two gas containers and various wires. The geocache must have been lying dormant in the underworld for many years. The last entry is from 2013. After the discovery, the area around the former SED party school was closed for several hours. The blocking radius was around 200 meters. 
Geocaching
A find from last weekend
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Just a small hole with a bison tube inside -- that's one of these:
Geocaching
Etiquette on cache maintenance?
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
If I happen to have a spare container with me, usually I'll replace a damaged one. IMO if you found the original and know where it was, that's not the same as putting out a random throwdown for a missing cache.
If it's a specially made container, I'd probably just log Needs Maintenance, but if you're just replacing a pill bottle with something similar I would think it's fair game. In any case definitely mention it in your log
No Stupid Questions
How long to grow a community?
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Yup, I think that's a great idea! Will look into having more of a wiki/FAQ
Geocaching
Do you currently pay (or have you ever paid) for Geocache premium? Do you think it's worth it?
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Even if you don't pay have the subscription, you can look premium caches up on the website using a direct link, e.g. coord.info/GC7B6F0. You need to have the geocode ("GC7B6F0") for that, though. Not sure about logging, but I think you should even be able to do that.
Geocaching
Do you currently pay (or have you ever paid) for Geocache premium? Do you think it's worth it?
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Personally, I've paid for it the last few years. But Geocaching is my main hobby, so it's easily a worthwhile investment.
I get being against subscriptions out of principle though. I cached for years without paying for it. In my area only about 1/3 of caches are premium only, but that might be completely different in another part of the world
Geocaching
What's Geocaching?
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Yeah, it's a shame when a container is abandoned and essentially becomes trash -- in my experience, it's rare for that to happen, though.
On the other hand, there's 'Cache In Trash Out' events (CITOs): Geocaching events where people gather to pick up litter, remove invasive species, plant trees, or otherwise help the environment. They're pretty popluar in my local area. So I wouldn't say geocaching has a net negative impact as far as littering goes!
No Stupid Questions
How long to grow a community?
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
That's a great idea, thanks!
Geocaching
How many geocaches have you found?
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Geocaching.com would be the site everyone uses, it's free to make an account. Their FAQ is a good place to start as well.
For apps, there is c:geo for Android, Cachly for iOS, or the official Geocaching app for both. I might see about adding more of a wiki or sidebar to this community...
No Stupid Questions
How long to grow a community?
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
That's a great point! Here in Canada I'm already nearing the end of my caching season. Maybe we'll hear some stories from Texas soon!
No Stupid Questions
How long to grow a community?
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Unfortunately I don't have anywhere near the time, or content ideas, for that to be sustainable. I'll keep the posting times in mind though, that's a good idea!
No Stupid Questions
How long to grow a community?
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
!geocaching@lemmy.world
No Stupid Questions
How long to grow a community?
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Thank you! I'm glad someone is enjoying the content
Geocaching
Woo hoo! I got a First To Find today
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Not stupid at all! This is a log sheet from a geocache.
Geocaching is a worldwide scavenger hunt game. People hide containers -- think tupperwares, or smaller -- anywhere outdoors, then pin the location on an online map, and anyone can go out and find them. Every geocache contains a log book or sheet where you can sign your name once you find it. This particular log sheet if from a brand new geocache, showing my own signature as the first person to find it -- often a sought-after achievement that comes with bragging rights in the community
Asklemmy
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Geocaching! Yes, it's a very niche hobby that I'm obsessed with, but I really miss the discussions in that subreddit...
!geocaching@lemmy.world is still mostly me shouting into the void, although it's been getting better lately. It'd be awesome to hear other people's stories, if they're out there!
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
I am trying hard to get !geocaching@lemmy.world going, although I'm not a mod myself. Subscriber numbers are growing, but it's still rare that someone else posts. I just try to keep plugging away at a sustainable pace. Luckily I have a repository of pictures and stories to share, which dates back several years
Geocaching
Biggest geocache I've ever seen!
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Correct! The cache description has a hint to lead you to the right combination
Sewing, Repairing and Reducing Waste
Another backpack repair, part 2
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
It's not sticky at all, the best comparison I can think of is dried Elmer's glue. Feels like a smooth plastic coating, stiff when it's in a thick layer, but pretty flexible when applied thinly
PocketKNIFE
My companion for the last decade or so
Phlogiston 12 months ago • 100%
Yup, it's so cute! And I've definitely been glad of it for fixing my glasses
Canning & Food Preservation
I turned some leftover apples and pumpkin puree into fruit roll-ups using my dehydrator!
Phlogiston 1 year ago • 100%
Lol, I guess it does look like that too!
Canning & Food Preservation
I turned some leftover apples and pumpkin puree into fruit roll-ups using my dehydrator!
Phlogiston 1 year ago • 100%
I can do my best, although it might be a bit difficult to reconstruct! I made up the pumpkin-apple mix a few weeks ago, actually, and had it sitting in my freezer until I finally got around to finishing this.
• 16oz can pumpkin puree • 1-2 apples (chopped small, then pureed) • 2 tbsp peanut butter (heated up before adding to the above) -- I thought about adding more, but found this amount surprisingly noticeable already • store-bought pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice: contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves
PocketKNIFE
Throwback Thursday - my first pocket knife
Phlogiston 1 year ago • 100%
Hey, I love that! I definitely begged my parents for mine, back when I was a kid in Scouts
Geocaching
A man bought a metal detector to get off the couch. He just made the "gold find of the century" in Norway - CBS News
Phlogiston 1 year ago • 100%
Slightly NSFW, but here is a non-exhaustive list of things I have found in geocaches
- A bong
- A condom (unused, thank god)
- several types of food
- actual cash (okay, about $2)
- packaging for a sex toy
- cigarrette rolling papers
Got to keep my fingers crossed, judging by this list I'm sure gold coins will be next! Hmm, maybe I should start a second thread on worst geocache finds. Luckily these are less than a dozen I can think of out of several thousand finds