This is a simple meet and greet to celebrate Big Blue Switch Day, the day that started it all for us geocachers
On May 2, 2000, just past midnight, the U.S government discontinued its use of Selective Availability in order to make GPS more responsive to civil and commercial users worldwide. 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. Prior to this date, only the military had the ability to receive accurate GPS readings. Now, the world and all its wonderful people could pinpoint their precise location. For reasons unknown, this is often referred to as the flipping of the “Big Blue Switch”.
The very next day, a computer consultant named Dave Ulmer hid a black bucket in the woods near Portland, Oregon. Along with a logbook and pencil, he left various prize items including videos, books, software, and a slingshot, then posted the coordinates online.
N 45° 17.460 W 122° 24.800
Three days later, the container was located by Mike Teague. Now, twenty-one years later, geocaching has become a global phenomenon to get off the couch and get outside.
Come out and celebrate with us!! The event ends at 2pm, then we will be headed into the swamp to collect the trail of geocaches, and there may be a few new ones to pop the day of this event
We will have grilled hot dogs, chips and snacks, and a small variety of sodas and water (alcoholic drinks or glass bottles are prohibited here) and there will be some GeoSwag for the ones in attendance