GC7MPJF AR_"Smokey And The Bandit" Tribute Cache (Unknown Cache) in Georgia, United States created by talk2azs

This cache has been archived.

Geocaching HQ Admin: From June 06, 2018 until March 06, 2019, Geocaching HQ conducted an Augmented Reality (AR) experiment. During that time, cache owners were allowed to submit Mystery Caches that required the finder to download and use an AR app to find the cache. The goal of the experiment was to see how the geocaching community would use AR technology. Cache owners placed more than 600 AR caches around the world!

Unfortunately, the AR apps which met HQ’s requirements for the experiment have been or are currently in the process of being discontinued. As a result, it is currently not possible for finders to have the AR experience that was originally intended. Therefore, HQ has decided to archive all active AR caches placed during the experiment period. We are respectfully requesting that all AR cache owners please remove the cache container and contents as soon as possible.

As technology evolves, we look forward to seeing how Augmented Reality might have future applications for geocaching. Thank you to all cache owners who participated in the experiment!

GC7MPJF ▼

A cache by talk2azs Message this owner

Hidden : 10/8/2018

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

***IN MEMORY OF THE BANDIT***
Burt Reynolds
February 11, 1936 - September 6, 2018

ANOTHER TALK2AZS CACHE HIDE ORIGINAL!!!

The posted coordinates take you to the putting green of hole 18 at a local golf course.
DO NOT GO THERE!!!

IMPORTANT FUN NOTICE!!!
If you would like to get an idea of what this cache hunt is like, there is a video on Youtube where Josh Boggs, goes on the air with the Geocache Talk Network. The title of the video is:
"Show 148 AR Geocache Run with Josh Boggs"
If you would like to view the video, CLICK HERE"

NOTE: The difficulty rating of 5 is due to the drive. The cache hide is actually rated a 1.5!

This cache is a part of the Geocaching experiment of AR(Augmented Reality) caches.
Since Groundspeak at the time of experimentation had extended the experiment time for this type of cache, I thought it was time to take AR caches to the next level of creativity and show what other creative ideas can be implemented.
This cache hunt was originally created as a WherIGo, but the reliability of WIG cartridges and the cartridge players have not been good. I have found AR's to be much more reliable, so the game play was ported over from my original WIG cartridge.
Please enjoy this cache hunt if you find yourself to be a
REAL TOUGH, DIE HARD GEOCACHER!

IMPORTANT NOTE:
You will need either a second phone or tablet device with Internet access to finish this hunt.
AND
BYOP...Bring You Own Pen to sign the log!

Metaverse ALERT!
Metaverse has been officially RETIRED!!.

I believe I have found another AR provider that will work great for this AR cache.
That AR provider is PlugXR. The website is https://www.plugxr.com

But in the meantime, take a look at another solution I came up with that is currently active on this cache page. I am working with GCHQ to try and get my AR solution on the approved list.

Seeing how this is now the second time an AR app provider has quit supporting their AR experience divisions, I decided to build my own AR hosting server. It's called the TALK2AZS AR Web Server

For this cache hunt you will not need to download and install any additional apps on your mobile device. It simply uses you device's camera app to scan a QR code, and the web browser to open up the web app to run the experiences through it.

How to use the TALK2AZS AR EXPERIENCE WEB APP
This web app requires you to use your Android or Apple web browser and device camera to scan QR codes. Make sure your web browser is enabled to run JavaScript. Apple tends to have Javascript disabled by default, so check your Safari browser for this.

To use the TALK2AZS AR EXPERIENCE WEB APP, open your camera app and scan the QR codes in the images below. The AR Experience should open up in your web browser. If not, just follow the on screen instructions.

Below is a QR code you can scan with your device's camera, which will launch a TEST Experience to see if your device is configured properly.

ONE ADDITIONAL REQUEST!!!
In order to help Groundspeak with their future decisions on this type of cache hide, they are in need of your input. Groundspeak requests that you please fill out a survey after you have hunted this cache.

“This cache is part of an experiment that allows the use of Augmented Reality (AR) apps to find the cache. At the end of this experiment, Geocaching HQ will decide if this cache will be grandfathered or archived. Geocaching HQ reserves the right to archive this cache at any time if conditions change. If you have found this cache and would like to give feedback on your experience, please fill out this survey.”

FTF HONORS GO TO:
In alphabetical order...
GeoMonkeyTiger!, kiteflyerbec
LRHG73, MOTgeo,
and poeanne
I must say that I, TALK2AZS, also had a lot of fun on a virtual ride along sitting in front of my computer and chatting with the hunters via email and GC messaging during their roadtrip!

STF HONORS GO TO:
In alphabetical order...
dslrtist, KODZ, and Shilo

TTF HONORS GO TO:
In alphabetical order...
c&s 143, cache-n-kerry
hockeyhick, josh.boggs
payton25, thgoonies

Electronic log of trip completion times.
UPDATED AUTOMATICALLY AFTER EVERY COMPLETED ROUND TRIP DRIVE!!!

ERROR DISPLAYING THE IMAGE! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW IMAGE PROPERLY!

The data in the above electronic log book is used as automated
electronic proof that your hunt was completed legitimately.
**Entering your name is optional!!!

============================
CACHE HUNT DESCRIPTION
============================
Big and Little Enos Burdette have a proposal for you!

Big Enos is working on a crossword puzzle, but he is in need to fill one more word to finish it. The only problem is, that to get this word, Big Enos would need to visit the old state line Post Office government building in Texarkana, Texas. But Big Enos is not in the mood, nor does he have the time to go to Texarkana and get the information himself. Knowing that you like to play the game we all know as Geocaching, he thought of you when he decided to propose this challenge to you.

In addition to claiming a smiley for this cache, you have the opportunity to find a cache in at least 6 states in one day, maybe even 7 if you plan your trip properly.(Hint:The state of Oklahoma is not that far from Texarkana!)... Big Enos proposes that you drive to the FAMOUS Texarkana Post Office Government building located on the Texas/Arkansas state line, find the information he needs and be back within 28 hours with the needed information. The 28 hour timer will start after you type in the word START into the first AR scan at the coordinates of the Starting Area. You will then have to answer a simple question about that area to be given the location of your next task and stopping point.(WINK:

A Texarkana beer for the CO is optional!

)

Don't bother asking Big Enos, why it is so important he finishes this puzzle? Little Enos will most likely quickly respond with, "Because he likes crossword puzzles.....DUMMY!"

This road trip will require you to make multiple stops at Rest Areas and possibly some various 24 hour Travel Centers along the way to and from Texarkana. At each stop you will be asked a question about the area before you can continue on down the road towards your next stop. You will be traveling on Interstate 20 to Shreveport, Louisiana and then North on Interstate 49 to Texarkana, Arkansas/Texas and then back to Georgia after making a few stops along the way and then finally back to the Starting/Finishing line.
The Starting/Finishing line is located at the coordinates: N33 41.991 W084 23.584, right outside the gate of the Lakewood Fairgrounds. On the other side of the gate and then down the hill is where the beginning and end of the movie, "Smokey And The Bandit" were filmed in 1977. This location is now home to a movie studio and access to the actual area of the Truck Rodeo/races is restricted.

So can the drive from Atlanta to Texarkana and back to Atlanta
be done in 28 hours?
Someone has already done the homework for this.
CLICK HERE to visit that web page for the answer to that question.

BEFORE YOU ACCEPT BIG ENOS'S PROPOSAL, PLEASE READ EVERYTHING BELOW!!!
Suggestions for your long roadtrip:
1> You may contact me to let me know when you will make the drive. I will do my best to make myself available in case you need Virtual AR assistance during your trip.
2> Get a good night sleep before starting this cache hunt!
3> You should have a reliable vehicle for this trip. I actually had a rental car when I made this trip.
4> PLAN your trip! It is suggested you start your trip at sunrise. According to the Atlanta Police, the Starting/Finishing area is safer during daylight hours. In other words, DO NOT MAKE YOURSELF A TARGET FOR CRIME!
5> Take a friend or a fellow Geocacher with you on this trip. The more the merrier! AND SAFER!
6> Have more than one mobile device that can run the AR Experiences with you. A backup is always good to have.
7> DON'T forget to bring your mobile device chargers!!!
8> Bring along a pen and paper to take physical notes such as your game recovery code and the coordinates to your next stopping points.
9> Have an additional device with you that is capable of displaying all the graphics on this cache page.
10> Print the images and QR Codes below on this cache page. You should be able to scan the printed images on paper.
11> When scanning the printed images at night, use the light on your phone by turning the flashlight mode on.
12> At some stops, the AR will ask you to walk to different coordinates to retrieve some additional information. So bring along an additional GPS device to make your hunt a little easier.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND ON YOUR EPIC, HISTORICAL, AND THIS ONCE IN A LIFETIME CACHE HUNTING ROAD TRIP EXPERIENCE:
1> A few issues have been discovered when it comes to mobile signals in certain areas. In order to respect the lawyers wishes at Groundspeak, I will not mention the cell carriers by their names and mention them by their first 2 letters.
The carriers AT, VE, and SP have not had any issues with this cache. SP has had some minor issues when it comes to signal strength, but their signal is there.
Discount cell providers such as TM, CO, and other big box brands have recently had issues. TM apparently has many dead spots along I-20, especially in the state of Louisiana. CO, being a cable TV provider, has a mobile service that relies on WiFi signals from the millions of hot-spots it has around the country. Rest areas and truck stops along the interstates across the country may not provide this service.
A GOOD SOLUTION: If you have a hunter that uses AT or VE along for the ride, and you are having signal issues, ask them to turn on their phone hot-spot so you can connect to the Internet that way.

2> When you finish your drive back at the Lakewood finishing area, you will be asked one more question about the area to stop the timer. So to be on the safe side, do your best to finish the round trip drive in 27.75 hours to allow yourself the extra time needed to answer the last question! After your 3rd driving stop, the AR app will display your game status, which includes the time left in your driving mission and the suggested average driving speed you need to maintain to the next stop. The speed calculation is based on a 27 hour round trip drive.

3> Someone sent me an email with a GREAT question asking me about what the affects of crossing into the Central Time Zone will do in this cache hunt. The answer is NOTHING!!! The only clock that matters is the clock in Atlanta, which is in the Eastern Time Zone. Some people might think that crossing into the Central Time Zone will gain you an hour. The answer is, you will NOT gain an hour. When you get back to the state of Georgia, you will actually lose that 1 hour you think you gained in the Central Time Zone. Most Cell phones will auto adjust the time when they detect a Time Zone change, therefore when taking this trip, DO NOT let yourself get confused by falsely thinking you have an extra hour after crossing into the state of Alabama.
TO CLARIFY A LITTLE BIT FURTHER...
The Count Down Timer in the AR app is NOT altered in any way when entering or leaving different time zones, and is NOT altered during the transition between Standard Time and Daylight Savings time! The count down timer is located on the AR game app server and has NO connection to the time on your mobile device or even the time of day on the server. The timer is a simple stopwatch that runs during your game. Remember, you can always check to see how much time you have left by scanning the "YOUR GAME STATUS QR Code" image with your AR Experience playing device at any time during your game play.

4> The good news is that unlike in the movie, Smokey And The Bandit, you do not have to factor in the time to buy a brand new Trans Am, drag Snowman out of bed, load all the beer onto Snowman’s truck, fill up the gas tank, grab a couple bites to eat at a choke-and-puke, and have a romantic encounter about half-way back from Atlanta. Assuming that it took Bandit five hours to perform all of the above, you will be using that time to answer some easy questions about each stopping area, stopping for gas, grabbing a bite to eat, and of course the option of hunting a cache in each state if you wish to do so. You just have to remain aware of the time left in your mission.

HERE IS HOW THIS AR CACHE HUNT WILL WORK:
Due to various lighting issues in AR's, you will not be scanning outdoor objects at each stopping location. You will instead be scanning the QR Code images shown below on this cache page. At each stopping area, you will be scanning the QR Code image with your camera app on your device that reflects the location of your current location. IMPORTANT NOTE: Each QR Code image, with the exception of one, will only allow the PLAY execution when you are physically located within 100 feet at each of their programmed locations! The YOUR GAME STATS QR Code image can be scanned at any time during your trip to display your current game task and stats.
Just continue following the instructions given to you at each stopping point.

To ACCEPT Big Enos's proposal, start your road trip by driving to coordinates:
N33 41.991 W084 23.584
Parking can be found at the gas station nearby. Once you are at the coordinates for the Lakewood Fairgrounds, use your AR Experience playing device, and point your camera to the "Lakewood Fairgrounds" QR Code on either your second Internet browsing device or the QR Code image printed on paper. Just follow the instructions to start your 28 hour timer, then answer a simple question about the area, and you will be on your way to Texarkana and back.

Displayed below are all the QR Code images that will be used with the your AR Scanning app.
NOTE:I was able to get these images to scan on paper after printing them.

The QR Code image below is a scan anywhere AR image.
Scan this QR Code to view your current stats and tasks at any time during your game play.

IMAGE CANNOT BE DISPLAYED DUE TO THE BLACKLISTING OF IMAGE PROXY SERVER IP ADDRESSES! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW IMAGE PROPERLY!

The rest of these images will only play the experience when you are within
100 feet of their programmed coordinates.
BE ADVISED: You will NOT be using all of the QR Codes shown below. The game server is programmed to select 7 of the 10 programmed stops for your trip.