Eight is Enough! Multi-Cache

There used to be another cache in the area, but the local youth seemed to find great joy in taking it - over and over.  So, we archived it.  Besides, we've decided that we no longer place "ordinary" caches.  Now, don't misunderstand, we like 'em all, and will hunt 'em all!  We just get great pleasure in knowing that some of our hides become the topic of discussion.  So, when one of our more, um, uninteresting caches goes missing, we will archive it so that someone else can place one for us to find, or so we can come up with something more devious -er- memorable.  This one marks our 100th cache placement, and the beginning of our new no-boring initiative.

Now, for the name of the cache, "Eight is Enough!"  Do we have a special love for the television shows of our youth?  Could it be because the previous cache had been muggled 8 times?  Perhaps it's because bumanfam Dad is the youngest of eight children?  Is it possible that there are 8 stages to this multi?  Well, the answer to all those is a resounding, "No!"  The reason for the name may become clear to you as you look back on the cache once you've completed it.  Then again, eight might just not be enough!  Oh, and there are only four stages to this cache.  Really.  No kidding.*  You just might have to visit some of the stages more than once to get it all done!

In order to find this geocache, we believe you should be a well-prepared geocacher.  Now, we don’t want to give any spoilers here, but in general, the well-prepared geocacher should possess all of the following (in no particular order), some of which specifically may be required to find this cache (and, more importantly, sign the log):

·        A good pen, like one of those space pens

·        A pocket knife with extra functions

·        A full-featured GPSr

·        A thorough understanding of the advanced features of said GPSr

·        Warm clothing

·        SCUBA gear

·        A rope ladder

·        A well-fitted high adventure backpack

·        Good hiking footwear

·        A four-wheel drive vehicle

·        A first aid kit

·        Pants with zip-off legs in case of heat

·        An LED headlamp

·        The phone number of a fireman with access to the keys for the hook-and-ladder truck

·        Spelunking gear

·        A good leather belt

·        A telescoping magnetic retrieval tool

·        Extra batteries

·        A frequent flier miles account

·        A travelbug car decal or tattoo

·        Poison ivy treatment

·        Water proof paper

·        A spyglass and/or binoculars

·        Snowshoes

·        A sack lunch

·        AAA membership

·        Fire starting kit

·        An inverter for laptop power in the car

·        Gloves

·        A telescoping inspection mirror

·        A personal floatation device

·        Massive quantities of bug spray

·        Backpack hydration bladder full of water

·        A four-legged caching partner

·        Podcasts about geocaching loaded on an MP3 player

·        Membership in a local geocaching group, like the Iowa Geocachers Association

·        A change of socks

·        Some Rope

·        A PDA loaded with geocache data

·        Someone who loves them at home to send out a search party

·        Sunblock

·        A boat

·        Trekking poles

·        A tent

·        Orange clothing for hunting season

·        Information on geocaching to give to muggles and law enforcement officers

·        Bail money

·        A cell phone with a good charge and pre-loaded phone-a-friend list

·        A sense of humor

·        Sunglasses

·        A bear bell

·        A compass

·        A stocking cap

·        Tweezers

·        A good chiropractor on retainer

·        Knee pads

·        A radiation suit

·        Dollar store swag

·        A digital SLR with a telescopic lens

·        A metal detector (extra points for Tupperware detection mode!)

·        At least a dozen geocaching t-shirts

·        A pre-loaded debit card for emergencies

·        Travelbugs to move along

·        A two-legged caching partner

·        One of those GPS beacon thingies for alerting the helicopter rescue crew

·        Some replacement logs and cache containers

·        A desire for adventure

·        A fully detailed online profile of statistics (and know it by rote)

·        A special signature item to leave in great caches, like a Pathtag

·        A premium membership at geocaching.com for the sake of voting for great caches

·        A bag to carry out trash (CITO!)

·        Trail mix and jerky

·        A small pot for boiling water, just in case

·        A magnifying glass for small logs and multi-cache coordinates

·        Pain medication

·        A handkerchief

·        An underwater camera

·        A bicycle

·        A sturdy lanyard and holster for previously mentioned GPSr

·        Hotel rewards club membership

·        Canoe paddles

·        A monkey or two

·        Vacation pay

·        Medical insurance

·        A good muggle deception technique

·        A tow rope

·        A rain poncho

·        Flora and fauna identification materials

That should get you close.  Also, please be sure to log all visits, even if you didn’t get the cache.  We want to know when it’s being attempted!  Please refrain from spoilers – we wouldn’t want anyone to know exactly what’s needed off that list, would we? Oh, yeah - the final's a .50 cal ammo can.  And please, for the sake of the frustration of all those who follow you, put everything back exactly as you found it!  Have fun!