When & Where: DINNER & MEETING - SAT 7 AUGUST 2004 at 5:00PM at Spirit Canyon Lodge, 684 Highway 35 @ Mile Marker 22. Directions from Las Cruces: Interstate 10W to Deming, NM. Take Hwy 180 N to Hwy 61 E. Stay on Hwy 61 until it ends at Hwy 152. Turn left for about 1/2 mile then turn right onto Hwy 35.
In addition to regular fare they offer some old fashioned German food & it is supposed to be fantastic! EMAIL US with the number of people in your group & your 'probable' menu choice (either regular menu or German food choice). We need to have the final reservation in by AUGUST 2ND! Thanks.
Team Scrawling of Tombstone has offered for us to socialize before and after dinner at his Cottonwood Cottage @ Spirit Canyon Lodge. This social time is "no host" so please B.Y.O.B./drinks, etc. We will be gathering there before we head to the cafe!
Please be ready to share geocaching stories for the: most unique cache container, difficult find, most challenging, most memorable, favorite multi/mini/regular cache finds, etc. Besides just having fun getting to know each other & sharing caching stories - prizes will be given for:
Person who traveled the farthest to attend event. Person with the most caches found (posted by 8/6) Person with the most caches hidden by 8/6 (other than your hosts @ 27)Newest official geocacherPerson with the least caches hiddenPerson with the most 1st to find
There are several Travel Bugs attending for bug exchanges. If you bring a travel bug to swap, please print the Bug's Page so their name & goal won't be a mystery.
There will be a door prize drawing for a brand new Jeep 4X4 Travel Bug that has never been circulated.
We are placing two new permanent caches nearby that will be ready by 5:00 PM on Friday, August 6th. Watch for: WINGS 'N THINGS and 16 TONS (zip code 88061). Cache sheet handouts will be available at the event. Also, there are several new caches in the Deming area (thanks, Roadman,1&Crossroad,2) and over 20 caches in the Silver City area.
After dinner, we will have a special one-day cache: Mass Dash for Your Stashe Cache.
Early August is the peak migration period for the hummingbird in the Gila. Those of you who wish to stay overnight in the area may be interested in the HUMMINGBIRD BANDING by renowned birding expert Joan Day-Martin at Grey Feathers Lodge. Grey Feathers Bird Sanctuary is located about 4 miles past Spirit Canyon Lodge at the intersection of 35 & 15 (N33d 02.444/W108d 12.836). Hummingbird banding (weather & birds permitting) will take place from 7AM-10AM on August 7th and again on August 8th. At l:00 PM each day is a special slide presentation.
After dinner on the 7th you are invited to visit with us in the Lodge living room to view a great short movie on Hummingbirds. If you don't know what a gorget is - you should find out if you plan to go to the banding Sunday morning.
Lodging info:
Spirit Canyon Lodge: (505) 536-9459 www.spiritcanyon.com-No children except in cottages). Light snacks & beverages complimentary - full breakfast additional cost
Grey Feathers Lodge B&B: This is a quaint small lodge. No TV - NOT the Hilton - BUT, they will have around 50 feeders on their outdoor porches where they feed from 4,000 to 5,000 hummingbirds daily. If you've never stood within inches of so many little hummers or had them land on your finger - you will be amazed! We have a block of rooms reserved under Las Cruces Geocachers. Full breakfast is included. Call (505) 536-3206 or go to: www.greyfeathers.com to reserve your room. Bring binoculars & have your camera ready!
Camping & cabins nearby at Lake Roberts: (505) 536-9929
Lake Roberts Motel: (505) 536-9393
If you have any ideas that you would like to contribute please email us. Remember to post a note to this cache if you plan to attend. We look forward to sharing the evening with you!