Early To Rise - An FTF Story

😁 FTF #530 😁
9:20 AM - What a beautiful day for a mid-morning hike on this popular O'Melveny Park trail. The parking lot was full so, Sue and I parked across the street on Sesnon Blvd. Once we reached the top of the park loop, Sue (who recently had a knee replacement) continued around on the loop while I continued north, toward ground zero, on the Bee Canyon single track trail.
Lots of birds were singing and chirping while setting up their Springtime nests. It wasn't long before I arrived at the turn-off to the cache and, after a mild scramble up the mound, I began my search. Nice to find a regular sized cache for a change (and an ammo can at that)! The log book suggested that there was a nano geocoin inside for the FTF but I never spotted it. There were however, four full-sized trackables inside the TB bag (all activated) and, I discovered all four of them plus, I also enjoyed looking through the eclectic assortment of fun trade items.
I signed the FTF line on the cover at 9:20 AM, and left a log entry on that pristine first page of the log book... didn't make any trades.
Thanks, NoCladCoinage. 🙂 Happy caching!

😁 FTF #529 😁
10:48 AM - I stopped by after sipping coffee and trading caching stories at the CCC Coffee Week 2025: Tuesday event this morning.
It is a gorgeous day for a bit of scrambling on the rocks of Stoney Point Park and, an even better day for learning a thing or two about the geology here! I used to do a little technical climbing here with some of my rock climbing college buddies years ago. If we weren't climbing local, we could often be found climbing and camping up in Joshua Tree.
I definitely enjoyed reading the lessons brought to light through this earthcache. From waypoint one, I was able to spot the roadcut between a couple of trees and the large sandstone outcrop (a Valley landmark) boldly stood before me. I made notes on both examples and then moved on to waypoint two. The sandstone sample there provided me with an up-close, hands-on view, which revealed a plethora of details, I had not previously noticed.
My answers have been sent via message and I absolutes enjoyed the geology lesson.
Thanks, PDKat. 🙂 Happy caching!

😁 FTF #528 😁
1:45 PM - I had a heck of a time reading any of the names and dates on the cabin as they are all very faint. Once I located all the names, dates and addresses, however, I took pictures of them so that I could magnify them and try and get the exact numbers needed. A few of them became clearer to me but some remained difficult to read, even with the ability to magnify the pictures.
After doing the required math, I headed off for the cache. The coordinates that I came up with were telling me to cross the stream, which would be much higher than the listed 2.0 terrain rating so, I knew something was amiss.
I decided to alter the coordinate numbers that I might have gotten wrong and began looking in each new spot until... Eventually, I hit pay dirt with my second number change and found the the crafty cache!
I then took a way-point reading and discovered for certain, exactly which letter had given me trouble. It turned out to be "D". The month is very faint and can be interpreted in a couple possible ways.
It is an excellent cache location and the final, once found, is a hoot. I made a pathtag trade and signed the FTF spot on the front page of the logbook. Woo-Hoo! 😁
I loved reading about hydographers and thoroughly enjoyed visiting the cabin... FAV-point.
Thanks, GS1720. 🙂 Happy caching!
PS - The is no cell service at the cache location nor any wi-fi at Pie in the Sky (great pie, brisket and pulled pork) so... checking on the coordinates with Certitude wasn't in the cards (the nearest cell service is down at Tom's Place).

😁 FTF #527 😁
10:45 AM - I stopped by with Sue for a late mid-morning stroll around the park and, of course, this latest cache. No pressure... just a leisurely walk over to a well-placed cache with a pristine log-sheet, followed by a "Woo-Hoo!" and, of course, an FTF dance. 😁
I enjoyed the latest pearl of wisdom included within cache... seems to be signature ingredient and, always a pleasure to read. Beautiful day for caching and strolling! Lots of dog owners with their furry friends enjoying a romp around Libbit Park as well. 😎
Thanks, GScottSerrano. 🙂 Happy caching!

😁 FTF #526 😁
11:20 AM - Sue and I took a drive into Little Round Valley this morning on our way to Tom's Place... one of my favorite valleys in the area. There was a small flock of sheep lounging on the other side of Rainbow Tarns Road when I went for the cache. Beautiful location!
Thanks, GS1720. 🙂 Happy caching!