Tata Beverages - love the name !

     Never heard of Tata Beverages?  Neither did I until this morning while struck with a bit of insomnia and watching the early morning news from somewhere.  When I heard Tata Beverages I  up a bit.  I know this has nothing to do with Geocaching but I stray sometimes, even on a good day.

     I started checking this out and this is what I found.

     The equal venture Tata Starbucks Ltd. will open outlets in Mumbai and New Delhi this year beginning August and will have 50 stores within the first 12 months. The partners plan to capitalize on the rising coffee consumption in the world’s fastest growing major economy after China.  Amazing? Yes – to me – in so many ways.  I thought of India as tea consumers and of course cocoa producers.  The tea cocoa combination doesn’t excite me but I'm always into the coffee cocoa combo that Starbucks in offers, hot or cold. 

   The Indian stores will build on the world’s largest coffee- shop chain’s expansion outside the U.S., where stores are less profitable than those in the Asia-Pacific region. Starbucks will compete with Barista Coffee Co., from Italy, and Cafe Coffee Day/ Amalgamated Bean Coffee Trading Co. in India, where consumption of the drink almost doubled in the past ten years.  With all that caffeine buzz can you imagine what kind of amazing buildings we will be seeing in the future.  I, personally, can’t wait.

    The very basics of these separate companies –

     My personal opinion of Starbucks is that they are not about quality but consistence and predictability. Not that the coffees are bad in any way but I have never been one to jump up and down about the quality.  But people in the U.S. like predictability. The Seattle based Starbucks is known as the neighborhood  coffee house with free wifi, but they are much more than that.  Their business believes are all about the people, the neighborhoods and the environment. 

     Since they opened their first store in 1971 they have dedicated the business to having a positive impact on the communities they serve and  earning the trust and respect of customers and neighbors, and doing things that are good for the planet.   They recycle, conserve energy, practice climate control, build with the ‘green’ in mind, and reach out the community schools offering field trips, other educational programs and continue to expand their product line to satisfy the demand of their customers.  Now that is a great company and one that I will support. 

     Tata Beverages Company was started in 2000 and  is based in Ghana.  They list their objectives as  follows -

    To carry out the business of distilling, refining, manufacturing and producing spirits from locally produced molasses and similar crude alcohols and bottling and preparing them into finished products for sale.

    To carry out the business of manufacturing and selling of other spirits and alcohols for use in the Medical, Engineering, Agricultural, Industrial and other fields.

    Blending of imported alcohol into richly packaged alcoholic beverages for sale to the public.

    Production of fruit flavored carbonated drinks for sale to the public.

    To carry out the business of importing and exporting alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.

    Organize the marketing and distribution of the company products.

And their mission -

     To distill, refine, blend and manufacture all types of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages for both local and international markets.

   They aim to ensure the highest quality standard to satisfy the different needs and taste of consumers.

     With this information you can only imagine where this is going.  What do you think? Time to buy stock in Starbucks?

Around the World with 1,532,000 active Geocaches

     I really enjoy traveling, mostly with family members.  Geocaching and trading swag has added still another reason to make stops along the way.  We stop to take pictures, take that quick pee while getting gas and now to Geocache.  I have been real lucky to have had to opportunity to make a few trip in the past year that ended up caching trips; and I will start sharing those trips in the new post.  Every trip has post worthy info to share.

     I am hoping to venture out a little further and turn into an international cacher in the near future.   Granted - it may only be into Mexico but that is a start.  The travel into the first cache across the Mexico border is less than a 30 minute drive from the Yuma Event #9 in February 2012.  I am so there!  And I am a day dreamer so my mind goes to other countries also.

     To keep things realistic I decided to check out the facts that go along with World caching.  I am amazed and excited with some of what I found.  I'll share a bit and also supply you with the links to some great sites.
     Did you know -

Geocaches are currently placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica. After 10 years of activity there are over 1,532,000 active geocaches published on various websites. There are over 5 million geocachers worldwide.

This proves that there is more to this Geocaching thing than a few bored people hiding containers with toys.

    I found this great link for Europe connections that even shows a map.  AND - you can continue to link to all these countries also:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Africa, the Near and Middle East, and Russia.

     Crazy ! Right ?  so if you are one of those lucky people who bounce all over the our Mother Earth, then here is a site for you.  Or if you are one of those day dreamers like myself, it is fun to visit the sites and live vicariously thru others who have been there.

     WARNING !  I found a link that could very well induce insomnia to those who generally have good sleep habits.  I  got on this site, Cacheopedia, and before I knew it the sun was coming up.   
I bounced around some much that I found myself having to go back to the very beginning, over and over again, just to get myself back to the subject I was wanted to read more of.  Crazy stuff.  Fun stuff. Be prepared.   ( and if you don't find this site entertaining, please let me know so I can consider the fact that I may be loosing my mind )

     I hope you find yourself enjoying these sites.  There is way too much to include the info in the body of this post.  All links are easy to follow, but I really am not worried about that since we are Geocachers, seekers of hidden objects.
    

     Coming soon - Geocaching from Iowa to Arizona.

Cache In Trash Out

     To a new Geocacher the terminology may be confusing but this term is simple -  CITO – means Cache In TrashOut.  And why not?  As Geocachers we all have seen what can happen to the beauty of the areas we hunt in, not to mention the damage being done to the environment.  While we are enjoying our caching, we can help our Mother Earth.  For those of us who cache as a family it is an easy way to teach the future generations how to clean up while having fun.  Definitely easier and more enjoyable than getting that play room cleaned at home. 

     CITO is an environmental initiative supported across the world by the geocaching community since it’s conception in 2002.  The concept continues to grow and now gets commercial recognition such as that from Magellan who I found sponsored the 2011 CITO annual event. I haven't found any record of other past sponsorships or for the 10^th Annual Cache In Trash Out Weekend which is scheduled for April 21^st and 22^nd, 2012 but i am sure someone will come through.   Big sponsorships are nice but not needed especially for small events that can and are scheduled by local groups and individuals like you and me.   

     Checking out some forum post I found a couple of basic and simple ideas to follow:

     From a member back in 2003   American Eagle   -   Here is a neat idea. A friend of mine came up with this. Take a small container about the size of a 35mm film container. Put a trash bag in it, and drop it off in a cache. The idea is for the next cacher to use the bag to pick up trash on his/her way out. Replace the bag with a new one and then drop it off in the next cache.

     Premium Member Knobhiker says - I started to use large pill bottles labeled "CITO" for my litter bag and rubber glove containers. At each cache I would leave one of these, but I ran out of pill bottles. Then it hit me. :blink: Put the bags in the glove, and write "CITO" on the glove! This eliminates one more possible waste item - the pill bottle. So if you find a geocache with a "CITO" rubber glove stuffed with a Wal-Mart bag, Knobhiker was there, or another conscientious cacher! :P CITO on every hunt

I might add some info from other little bits and pieces that I read –

     Carry a few small containers with the CITO supplies with you at all times and turn any cache with room in it into a CITO cache.  Others are sure to copy this idea.

     Make labels for your CITO containers with instructions, just in case someone who is not aware of it’s  purpose.

     Involve family, friends and organizations in caching and in turn, CITO.

     Also think of the ‘Leave No Trace’ or ‘Pack It In, Pack It Out’ concept, it can and should become a way of caching for all of us.

Make CITO more than an event or concept – make it a philosophy we can all adopt.

  Check out this little Youtube Vid that shows, in the beginning, a group doing a CITO event.  Don’t stop watching when that part ends.  The ending will show you one of my favorite all time caches and the subject of a soon to be post.  You are guarantee to enjoy. 

Custom Swag

     I was recently out with SchnauzerQueen doing a little caching in nice little river side park; actually I was in search of some of the caches that she had recently hidden.  Along the way back I stopped and picked up one, not hers, and found this really neat little Geo pin from RavenStudios.  It is really neat so I snagged it and left my trademark swag behind. 

       

     I was pretty curious about this little bit of swag and checked out Raven Studios and Linda Wallace, the designer of the pin.   I emailed Linda and found that she has her studio right in Tucson and it sounds really unique.  I have not had time to go to Tucson to check it out but it is on my list to do soon.  What I did find out is that she has designed coins and pins to sell and to leave behind also.  

     Her pieces were manufactured by a company called Oak Coins based in Utah.  I contacted them with all kinds of questions and was lucky enough to get Michael, who is a guy with a lot of patience.  I got some price quotes for coins and pins and an offer to help with anything I may need. 

 

     I am not any kind of expert or even knowledgeable about any of this stuff but after a little research I did find that Oakcoins is more than a little bit reasonable with their pricing and service.  They can work totally with your designs, will help with your designs or you can use there are department.  All so reasonable !  So, if you have ever considered having your own custom swag made, look around and check out numerous site, but don’t forget Oakcoins.  And you can always ask for Michael, the guy with patience.

            Good things to know about what Oakcoins can do for you -

Activation Code Retrieval System

Activation code labeling

Quality Alphanumeric Laser Engraved with Color Fill

Handling of all interaction with Groundspeak for your codes

No minimum order requirements for Generic PC or EV Event Codes

Use of Oakcoins Free Dies     

     Back to RavenStudios –

I will add an update on this when I get a chance to check out the studio.   Linda doesn’t have a website but you can contact her with her email address

raven792@gmail.com

Jerry Yang leaves Yahoo !

     Jerry Yang and Yahoo has nothing to do with Google blogs, Swag Hunters, Exposure Products, swag of any sort or the sport of Geocaching but it could effect so many of us in business.  At the very least this is interesting.

   Letter written by Jerry Yang to Yahoo board member, Roy Bostock -

      "My time at Yahoo, from its founding to the present, has encompassed some of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my life. However, the time has come for me to pursue other interests outside of Yahoo. As I leave the company I co-founded nearly 17 years ago, I am enthusiastic about the appointment of Scott Thompson as Chief Executive Officer and his ability, along with the entire Yahoo leadership team, to guide Yahoo into an exciting and successful future."

     I think of a few things when I read this.  First - wow - what a simple and gracious sounding letter.  Second - what is really happening.  We know that as of two weeks ago Yahoo has a new Chief Executive and board member in Scott Thompson.  Does this directly reflect on Yang's decision?  And - what will this do to the Asian market for Yahoo?  

Just thoughts and like most of my thoughts - here at this moment - gone faster than they came on.  

Love the SWAG

     Love shopping for the swag! And for the tools of the sport.  I was cruising around looking for 'what's new' and found some super deals.  If you are anything like me, you would rather spend your money on gas and caching trips; find good deals on the accessories.

     The best deals that I found are at Harbor Freight.  You have your choice of shopping your local Harbor Freight or do the kick back at home in your pj's kind of shopping at Harbor Freight on line.  The same deals are available both places and sales items are always a killer deal.
Here's a few of the deals that I found but don't stop with these.  Let your imagination go wild and you will find a ton more.

      There is one more really neat bargain that I found on line.  This one comes from a company called Cache-Advance.  If you price these items out separately they will cost you a whole lot more.  Just look at what comes in this pack !

TRICKY  CACHE  PACK        $ 27.00

   -Fake bolt cache
   -Fake utility plate cache
   -Fake sprinkler cache
   -Fake rock cache
   -Nano cache

The Tricky Cache Pack comes in its own clear bag, perfect for giving as a gift or adding to your own cache bag. Have yourself a high difficulty set of caches!    

     These are just a few of the items that I found.  Please share anything that you may find also.  Always looking for a good deal to pass along to everyone. 

 

 

Sgt. Kent "Doc" Byrd - TravelBug

     Kent “Doc” Byrd, aka JrByrdMan162 in the Geocaching world, is one amazing soldier and TravelBug.  Yep, you heard me.  He is an actual TB.  You will see more about the TB thing in this YouTube vid; first I want to tell you a little bit about the man.

    

     I found this story and went in search of more info on the guy but unfortunately I couldn’t find anything newer than late 2010 when he was based in Fort Lewis, so I will share what I have found.

     In the military world he is known as Sergeant Byrd, explosive ordnance disposal expert, part of the bomb squad.  In Iraq, the wide spread use of improvised explosive devices, or IED’s, has been devastating. When they're found, specially trained teams move in to defuse them.  Sgt. Kent Byrd is a member of of one of those teams. 

     What got him here ?   “"Unfortunately, a very, very dear friend of mine was in killed in Iraq by an IED," says Byrd. “I looked a little further into EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) and what they do, and I said this is my calling."  What helped in his being highly qualified and successful ?  Geocaching.  Prior to his enlisting in the military he was a firefighter, emergency medical responder and had been Geocaching for about 5 years.  Think about what it takes to find those hidden IED’s – think about caching – and then his description of Geocaching -

     "Seeing the things that are meant to be unseen," he says. "Geocaching - that's pretty much what the game is based on - is finding stuff, finding stuff that you know the average person is not going to see as they walk by it on a daily basis."

    Sgt. Byrd’s situational awareness, intuition and keen eye for the un-obvious has helped to save many lives in Iraq. 

Byrd lists his hobbies and interest as –

Anything that keeps the Hemo flowing and the heart rate growing. Rock climbing, Rappelling, SCUBA, hiking, backpacking, etc.. General Outdoors Enthusiast (Adrenaline Junky). If it's outdoors... I'M THERE!!!

And recruting his friends and fellow soldiers into Geocaching. 

Way to go Sgt. Kent “Doc” Byrd !

As always - we at Swag Hunters thanks our soldiers for all their hard work and dedication.  

the RULES

     I was telling a friend about my new blog - all about the adventure that inspired me, the trip where SchnauzerQueen and I hit the road to do over 100 caches in one day; and about the cow ( Mr. Cache Cow ) that I now consider one of my best stories; and how we met a woman who we took out caching just after midnight, January 1,2012 ( Happy New Years to us ) and how she found her very first cache at that time - and finally my friend ask "What is geocaching?".  Duhhh!  I never thought about her not knowing.

     So for all my friends, family and strangers that may happen upon this blog, I going to line up some of the basics.   This info is coming directly off the Geocaching website so it is  their words and not mine.  There are places where they say that you can 'click here' for more info and you will need to go to their site to get that 'more info'.
     Hope the following info is helpful to all.

What is the meaning of the word geocaching?

The word Geocaching refers to GEO for geography, and to CACHING, the process of hiding a cache. A cache in computer terms usually refers to information stored in memory to make it faster to retrieve, but the term is also used in hiking/camping as a hiding place for concealing and preserving provisions.

 

Geocaching 101

The Game

What is geocaching?

is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.

How is the game played?

At its simplest level, geocaching requires these 8 steps:

    Register for a free Basic Membership

    Visit the "Hide & Seek a Cache" page.

    Enter your postal code and click "search."

    Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.

    Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device.

    Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.

    Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.

    Share your geocaching stories and photos online.

There are many other levels to the game. Keep reading the guide to learn more!

What are the rules of geocaching?

1. If you take something from the geocache (or "cache"), leave something of equal or greater value.
2. Write about your find in the cache logbook.
3. Log your experience at the website for Geocaching.

What do I need to go geocaching?

The only necessities are a GPS device or a GPS-enabled mobile phone so that you can navigate to the cache, and a Geocaching Membership.  

Where are geocaches located?

Geocaches can be found all over the world. It is common for geocachers to hide caches in locations that are important to them, reflecting a special interest or skill of the cache owner. These locations can be quite diverse. They may be at your local park, at the end of a long hike, underwater or on the side of a city street.

Are there different types of geocaches?

Yes. There are currently over a dozen "cache types" in geocaching, with each cache type being a different variation of the game. See the full list of Geocache Types.

How did geocaching start?

It's a very cool story, actually. So cool that it deserves its own page.

What are Geocaching Challenges?

Go somewhere, do something. That is the basic idea behind Geocaching Challenges. You might be challenged to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, sing a song in the middle of Times Square, or take a picture of yourself walking through the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Learn more about Geocaching Challenges.

Getting Started

What kind of cache should I look for on my first adventure?

Cache Type: Traditional

Difficulty Rating: 1

Cache Size: Regular or Large

You should also check to see that other geocachers have recently logged finds on the cache page (also called the cache listing). This indicates that the geocache is most likely still in place and findable. Find logs are indicated on the cache page with a smiley face.

Searching for geocaches

You can search for geocaches by location or by GC Code (a unique code associated with each cache listing) from the homepage, the Hide & Seek page or the advanced search page. Premium Members can sort search results by caches with the most favorite points, difficulty of find, terrain rating and more.

Loading coordinates onto your GPS device

The method of loading coordinates onto your GPS device varies depending on what type of device you have.

Inputting Coordinates by Hand

If your device does not connect directly to the computer via an interface cable, you will need to enter coordinates into the device by hand. This process will be different for each device. Check your device's manual for instructions.

Send to GPS

If you have a DeLorme, Magellan or Garmin that connects directly to your computer through an interface cable, you can use the "Send to GPS" functionality to send a cache listing directly to your GPS device. The first time you use this functionality, you will be instructed to download the appropriate plugin for your GPS device.

Download LOC or GPX file

If you have any model of GPS device with an interface cable, you can download the cache listing as a LOC file (Basic Members) or GPX file (Premium Members). LOC files contain basic information about a cache, including coordinates, cache name and difficulty and terrain ratings. GPX files are available for Premium Members and include all of this data as well as the cache description, hints and the 20 most recent logs. Premium Members can also download up to 1000 caches in a single GPX file using the Pocket Query feature.

For most GPS devices, you will need to download third-party geocaching software to read LOC or GPX files. Some devices, like the Magellan Triton and Garmin Colorado, support and read Geocaching GPX files directly.

Finding Geocaches

What does a geocache look like?

Geocaches vary greatly in size and appearance. In the field you will see everything from large, clear plastic containers to film canisters to a fake rock with a secret compartment. So, how do you find the cache?

The first step is to get a general idea of the cache's size. The size is shown on each cache page. A general overview of the cache size graphic is found below. Please note that these are just examples; sizes can vary.

Micro - Less than 100ml. Examples: a 35 mm film canister or a tiny storage box typically containing only a log book or a log sheet. A nano cache is a common sub-type of a micro cache that is less than 10ml and can only hold a small log sheet.
Small - 100ml or larger, but less than 1L. Example: A sandwich-sized plastic container or similar.
Regular - 1L or larger, but less than 20L. Examples: a plastic container or ammo can about the size of a shoebox.
Large - 20L or larger. Example: A large bucket.
Other - See the cache description for information. 

Small, Regular and Large containers typically contain trade items.
 

More extensive info

http://www.geocaching.com