It will begin with planned missions to checkout caches we have placed to make sure they see still there and well maintained.

Then there are also plans to add in a few new hides as well.

So … keep your eyes pealed as the U.S.S. Pathfinder is about to set sail once again!

A seems fitting that a month after we officially launched this website that we celebrate by giving it a slightly improved look.

The layout is pretty much the same as before, but we made the header better and improved the color scheme a bit.

As time is our most valuable asset and we definitely did not enjoy transferring all the logs we accepted it and began on thinking of options.

snabbitsocker, a fellow cacher of the powercaching session in Darmstadt used a PDA and a GPS unit for caching. He took notes on the PDA for the finds.

Investigating this further I found software that allows to write the log on location and logs the finds on its own when connected to the Internet. Wahooooo, that’s what I want.

Now I am up for the hard part, selecting the PDA (Windows Mobile driven, a Palm or an IPod Touch (don’t mention the IPhone)) first. I fast learned I need a GPS built in that works properly or a GPS unit. A GPS unit requires Bluetooth. WiFi would be great for connecting to the Internet and the network at home easily.

Used or new? Okay, that’s easy. Who wants to bring out his brand new, shiny device to into the dirt? Uhhhm, wrong question. Let’s delay that.

Which software to use? What CPU and RAM does the software needs to run properly? What else is needed?

How long does the battery survive? Is there a replacement battery with higher capacity?

And when I get a PDA, why can’t I use it as organizer as well? Will it sync with my Outlook?

You get the picture. Maybe I’ll find the device I desire for a price I am willing to pay. Maybe.

Fortunately I am not into the smartphones yet. There are some great looking offering all features I want, but the battery. Shockingly short running. No wonder with all the make-it-smaller-hype.

Another option would be the new Garmin devices, the Oregons. The offer a lot, but I am missing some features like connecting the spoiler pictures to the cache description or some comfort features when solving multis.

Anyway, I keep looking and maybe I will split this up into three devices: mobile phone, PDA and GPS unit for caching and PDA as organizer. Though I think two PDAs is a bit too much. So two devices. And with the PDA and the GPS in my pocket I can hunt this or that cache on my way to and from work. No, stefmaus should not read that or I will not be allowed to do this.

Oh, and on the GPS device: are there any with a built-in compass?

If you have a paperless caching solution, feel free to write a comment. You’ll be most welcome.

Playing off the term “Ships of the Line,” it seemed like a fun way to promote the sport while likewise sharing our adventures in a slightly different yet fun way.

Ships within our fleet come from different genres, currently including Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica.

Inspired by the interactive writing universe of Star Trek: Frontiers at http://startrekfrontiers.com.

Our hope is that this series will offer a fun poke and play on geocaching as we write log entries associated with this series as if from the viewport of the ship and crew.

Look to the navigation bar at the top of the page or visit “The Lodge @ Geo-valley.com” at http://geo-valley.com/thelodge/.

Look for us to firm up the catagories and forum discussion groups as the weeks pass by, and we work out the kinks.

Founded by Mike Tripp, aka. MOON’S EYE, this website will develop into a community website that will feature stories, journal entries, photos and other regular features by volunteer members, bringing to light their personal adventures and experiences with Geocaching, Waymarking and Benchmarking.

In addition, the site will also feature a community forums area for use by the Geocaching community.