Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July to all!!!

What a wonderful weekend so far!  Yesterday was a good day off from work!  We didn't do a whole lot, but that was nice as well!  Kenny ended up spending the night and we played Phase 10, one of our favorite card games!  Andrew came in first, Michael second, me third and Kenny last.

Today I took off and did some geocaching!  I found 12 in an hour and when I logged them on the computer I realized that I was so close to 500 I had to go for it!  So I decided to go back out, rain and all to hit 500!  Got to 499 and hit a Big 'ol DNF (did not find) - here is the log for that:  

- disclaimer - not many geocaching adventures are like this one - remember I found a total of 17 today and this was the only one like this - and it was my own dumb fault.  For those that I've invited to go geocaching with me (Angie) it won't be this way for you (I'm still holding you to the promise Angie) - but I had fun!!!  I promise it won't be ANYTHING like this one!!

 July 4 by ATMS (499 found)
I wish I was as water resistant as my GPSr is....

On my way to 500 today! I found 12 this morning in an hour and realized that I was so close to that milestone I had to go for it! I didn't have the cache page with me, pretty much just the coords. I found the trailhead and it looked easy enough to head in. Nice path back here, nice wooded area. Shame it was raining. Yes, raining. Not drizzling...raining. I followed the path back and around (and curved around again) when I came to the creek. Yup, it had running water in it. It had been raining most of the day and it was about 3 or 4 inches deep. I was already soaked, my hair, my shoes - I said heck with it and in I went (almost literally!) - the creek bank was slick! I slid into the creek - landing on the my feet thank goodness!! Got across the creek and I had the choice of mud or a steep side to climb. I chose mud, what the heck! Got to GZ and couldn't find the cache. Used the hint and I THINK I was at the right spot, but didn't see anything. After about 20 minutes I gave up and retraced my steps back across the creek. This time getting in was easy - just muddy - I rinsed my shoes off in the creek - but getting up the other side was tricky! Tucked my GPSr in my pocket for safe keeping, grabbed a branch from a young tree and pulled myself up only to have my feet slip out from under me and down in the mud I go. Now I'm wet AND muddy! Try it again and made it this time and got back on the path on the way out. Wonder what the neighbors thought when they saw a muddy wet person walk out of the woods tonight....

So a big DNF for me...this WAS going to be #499 - but not tonight...I'll be back - say, mid August when it is drier!!!

Thanks for the adventure!

S0 I found one more on the way home - that one was #499.  Joe and Angi are going to put a cache out  - I want that one to be #500!  Kinda appropriate that my 500th find is from the team that introduced me to geocaching.  So I sit now, in my jammies after a bath from my adventure waiting to get notification that their cache has been published!!  :o)  

Tomorrow I'm thinking about heading up to work after church.  I'm taking Monday off (whoot whoot) and I know we can use the help getting submittals caught up!

Oh, I didn't get to go to the Casting Crowns concert last night at the park.  I really wanted to go, but it wasn't in the budget.  Cocoa and I walked over there for a bit but they had the area blocked off near the fence.  Rats.  But while I was there they were announcing at the beginning of the concert about the true freedom we have in Christ.  You know, sometimes I take that for granted.  I'm working on a post about changes that reflect thoughts like this.  You'll see it soon!

Been working on the bib all as much as I can.  And my big project is right behind it.  Although I do have a NEW idea I want to work on and get in the mail by Monday - it's a small one.  Think I am procrastinating on my big project????  :)

Just got notification that Joe & Angi's cache was up and running - Andrew and I ran out and found it - we were the second ones to get there.  Another team was signing it as we pulled up...if we just hadn't stopped to get gas (yes, the gas issue again) we would have been FTF (First to Find):

 July 4 by ATMS (500 found)
WHOOT WHOOT!

#500!!!

How cool! I hit 500 today and that milestone belonged to the team that introduced me to geocaching! Thanks Team JLA!!

We WOULD have been FTF had we not stopped to get gas...10 miles till empty - and the cache is at least 6 miles away. Decided not to chance it....I had a feeling that K&J would be FTF...

But that is ok... 17 today to hit 500. It only took 4 1/2 years...but we did it!

Looking forward to two more days with my boys.  I'm thinking about using my birthday money from Papa to get us the 6-visit passed to Kentucky Kingdom.  We've never been there, BUT for 6 visits for on each ticket @$30.00 each, I'm good with that.  Knowing my boys, we will spend the entire day in the water park anyhow!!