Darla Lathrum Fallen Heros Memorial Ride

Today we helped with the Defender's Darla Lathrum Fallen Heros Memorial Ride. Darla is the Corrections Officer that was killed at Charlotte Correctional Institution on June 11, 2003. Proceeds from the Poker Run will benefit Corrections Officer James Perrine. Officer Perrine was seriously injured on his way home from work, when he stopped to help a stranded motorist on
I-75 and was struck by a hit and run driver. We had a great day and the weather couldn't have been better! Wormie buddied up with Stix and was sure that she was all of that and a bag of chips! Thanks to Florida Motor Sports, The Nav-a-Gator, The Loony Bin, Buffalo Wild Wings, TheFrosty Mug and Boomers for hosting stops.

Fort Myers Riverfront Then and Now

I'm proud to say that my Way-Tour "Fort Myers Riverfront Then and Now" was approved! Bill and I had a great time researching Downtown Ft Myers and photographing the waymarks. This tour shows off some of the waymarks that I am most proud of. I love the Photo's then and now category and National Register of Historic Places. I was especially pleased with Fort Myers Pleasure Pier, since there is nothing there anymore. http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5Z4T

What is that thing in your profile picture?

WHAT IS THAT THING?

This my friends is a box oven. It is an outdoor cooking technique that GS teaches as part of "Advanced Troop Camp" training. Leaders must have this training in order to take their troops "primative camping." Now please keep in mind that not only did I grow up as a Girl Scout right here in SW Florida, but I have also been "primative camping" since I was a kid and have taken my own kids on many successful trips to "parts unknown." But being a good leader with a desire to take my troop to the woods, I took ATC and thought I learned to make an oven out of a cardboard box. So off to camp we go and our box oven went up in flames. A few years later I am asked to do a demonstration of outdoor cooking skillls and somehow "Box Oven" is in the list of things to demonstrate. Being a "Good Scout" I gave it another try and guess what happened? Yep, Another Bon Fire! So I've burned up 2 of these contraptions and have decided that I can eat just fine without a box oven. Who want's to bake in the woods anyway? So another couple of years pass and I'm honored that I have been asked to help train "ATC" to new leaders, I tell them up front that I am not allowed to do Box Ovens without adult supervision.(That's my adult holding the fire extinguisher...) I am proud to say that we made great tasting turn-overs in that box and I now have a "certification card" for this skill. I am also the proud owner of a Coleman Propane Oven!

Flickr! Check 'em out!

I've uploaded some of my pics to Flickr...Check them out! I'm no Pro, but I like 'em !

Waymarking Thoughts

I am completely enjoying Waymarking and all the learning opportunities that it offers me. I'm discovering our local area's history, which is really kind of sad since I've lived here most of my life and much of it is new info for me. I guess we learn when we're ready. We're also reliving the years that we've been here, "Do you remember when?" I've come to discover though, that some people just take themselves (or this game) way too seriously. I wonder why some feel the need to respond to declined waymark posts with "mean spirited" comments? I can think of a few examples out of my own experiences. I will try to resist the urge to "defend" the waymarks as I review those comments. I have been called "lazy", been told to buy a new camera, and had single word denials followed by !!! with no explaination at all. Now mind you, these experiences are not the norm. Most responses simply ask for corrections, clarifications or more information and are constructive and helpful. These I learn from. The others simply make me not want to post to that category anymore. Great are the reviewers who offer constructive comments. Greater still are the ones who take the time to write a small note when a waymark is approved. I always look at the emails to see what the reviewer had to say. It helps me know what to do or not do next time. I think most of us try to give their waymarks the best description we can. "I think this place is neat...You will too." Granted, there isn't always much information available about some places and what the heck do you say about a McDonalds? Thanks to the reviewers out there who offer praise and guidance to us "newbies!"
Well, I supppose I need to go to work...

Oscar Scherer State Park

We had A "close encounter" with this little fellow. Florida Scrub Jays are a threatened species and this one has no fear what so ever. It's sad that so many animals in our state parks have been fed and have lost their fear of humans. I've never stayed in a state park that I haven't been approached by racoons or armadillos begging for food. This guy flew right into a group of nearly 20 people. On the plus side it gave us the opportunity to teach the girls about Leave No Trace principles and outdoor etiquette.

Girl Scout Geocaching Day @ Oscar Scherer

Dragon, Daisey and I had a fantastic day Saturday at Oscar Scherer State Park introducing Girl Scouts to Geocaching. We had about 15 girls come out and we found 4 of the caches in the park. We came at the last one from the wrong side of the creek and had to cross it and climb a steep bank. It was awesome to see the girls work together to get everyone over and up and to see the looks on their faces when they accomplished their goal! Great teamwork ladies! After a good bit of hiking in sugar sand I sure am sore. I'll bet the girls all slept well Saturday night!

My first approved waymark

The Fort Denaud Swing Bridge was my first approved posting and continues to be one of my favorites. I love this area and hadn't seen a swing bridge since the one on Fort Myers Beach was demolished to build the sky bridge.

So why start a blog?

Marbill is a geocaching and waymarking team in Punta Gorda, FL. Bandaid is the Mary part of the team. Where did you come up with Bandaid? I hear that question alot! It's my GS "camp" name and was given to me about 7 years ago by a group of girls at "Winter Camp." As a 40 something Girl Scout and Geocacher/Waymarker, this seems like a neat way to share adventures and information. My hubby rides with a Motorcycle Club called the Defenders, so we can share those adventures here too. Besides, my GS Troop consists of teenagers and this way they can't call me a "Dork"...LOL!
I wear many different hats and am always on the go. First and formost there is the "Mom" hat. We have an older son who is grown with 2 babies of his own (Yes, there is also the grandma hat) and 3 still at home. In my work hat I am a Nurse. In my Girl Scout hat I am a Troop Leader, Trainer, and Program Helper. In my Motorcycle Helmet I am the nut on the back of the bike taking pictures at 60mph. I wear my waymarking hat almost all the time. Waymarking has become a favorite activity and a great way to look at my world through a new pair of glasses. I'm having a great time and learning a ton about local history. I'm excited to be planning a Waymarking "pathway" for our Girl Scout Council over the summer. I am currently involved in setting up a benefit ride with my husband using many of the "memorial" waymarks posted in our local area and will be helping out with our first Council Geocaching Event through GS at Oscar Scherer on March 14th.