New Years Eve - 12/31/16

Today's puzzle takes us to Virginia.  How time flies!  It seems just yesterday I was posting for:

New Years Eve - 2015

Tomorrow we'll kick off year 7 of daily puzzles!

Oops - 12/30/16

Today's puzzle takes us to Minnesota.  Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later.  In wrapping up my bookmark for 2016 caches just now, I realized I somehow managed to overlook 12/30, so I'm plugging this in after the fact on the morning of New Year's Day:

Oops


Tomorrow (which was actually yesterday) takes us to Virginia.

Jimmy Fallon's Band - 12/29/16

Today's puzzle takes us to Rhode Island.  Back in the day, I was a bit of a night owl, and regularly watched Johnny Carson and David Letterman on late-night television.  I was very familiar with their sidekicks, bands, and all their usual skits (I still love a good top-10 list).   Today I rarely watch late-night TV when it airs anymore, but I have been known to catch up on some of the skits via you-tube (I'd love to see a carpool karaoke puzzle ... if you've seen one, please pass it along!).  But I have watched enough to recognize:

The Roots

Tomorrow we'll ...

Not your run of the mill cell tower - 12/28/16

Today's puzzle, which can be found not far to the south of me here in New York, is meant as a field puzzle but resourceful folks can solve it from home.  I was fascinated by the history it discusses, and definitely want to take a trip down to check out:

BINGHAMTON'S FIRST CELL TOWER #2

Tomorrow we'll be in ...

Porta Potty - 12/27/16

Today's New York puzzle is one I came across recently before traveling through the area.  Just when I think I've seen just about everything I see a puzzle like this one, entitled:

Porta Potty

Tomorrow we'll be in New York for another day.

Let's Celebrate Boxing Day - 12/26/16

Today we travel to Canada's Ontario province.  It's December 26th, so:

Let's Celebrate - Boxing Day

Tomorrow we'll be in ...

Merry Christmas! - 12/25/16

With today's puzzle from Finland:

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Tomorrow we'll ...

Who loves you, baby? - 12/24/16

Today's puzzle takes us to California for a little word game:

Doctor WHO-WHO Loves You Baby! Word Sandwich Game1

Tomorrow we'll be in ...

The Tenebrus Code - 12/23/16

Today's New York puzzle is one that I first looked at years ago, and came across it again while checking out possible caches I could grab when going to pick up my son for the holidays.  I was pleased that on this go-round I was able to crack:

The Tenebrus Code

P.S.  If you can get a copy of the NY Times from last Sunday, it contains a huge Puzzle section this week, including the largest crossword puzzle they've ever published.  Lots of fun in there, and some short bios of the puzzle-makers, which I found quite interesting.  Enjoy!

Tomorrow we'll be in ...

Merry Christmas Rash - 12/22/16

If you're not familiar with the Massachusetts "RASH" puzzles that I have featured before, the title of today's post might have you wondering what in the world I am thinking.  These fun (but tricky) word puzzles are a great mental workout.  I actually wasn't sure I was going to get through this one in time to post it this season, but over the course of a few days the last stubborn ones fell in to place.  Have a:

Rash #5: Merry Christmas

Tomorrow we'll be in New York.

12 Days - 12/21/16

Today's North Carolina puzzle is a spin-off from another puzzle that was itself a spin-off of one of my all time favorite puzzles.  Try your luck with:

12 Days of Caching

Tomorrow we'll be in ...

Gift Wrapped - 12/20/16

I thought today's California puzzle was a perfect fit for this time of year, seeing as it's been nicely:

Gift Wrapped

Tomorrow we'll be in North Carolina.

He's a Mean One - 12/19/16

As a kid growing up the advent calendar was one of my favorite traditions.  The one we had was a very simple paper one with little windows that opened, revealing pictures and verses.  Today I have a wooden one and another fabric one that I bring out every year ... they both feature trees where you hang a little ornament each day from Dec. 1 to Dec. 24.  Today's puzzle from Sweden is one of 24 that were released as part of a series of daily caches called the "Swedish Mystery Calendar."  What a fun idea. I chose this one because it features another character I remember well from childhood:

Nötknäckarkalendern 2011-03 The Grinch   

Tomorrow we'll ...

Yule Logs - 12/18/16

When I first saw the title of today's Connecticut cache, I thought it might be about people who went geocaching on Christmas and wrote about it in their logs.  It turns out hat's not what it's about, but I bet it could be a fun puzzle.  The Yule log is a tradition that I know a lot of people enjoy, but my only experience with one is in the form of the "Buche de Noel" that my mother made for her French students once or twice.  Likewise, the actual subject of today's puzzle.  I'm aware of it, but it's not something that I indulge in on a yearly basis (I'm more of a "Wonderful Life" fan):

#3 - Yule Logs  

Tomorrow we'll be in Sweden.

Ask and you shall receive ... - 12/17/16

I put out a call for holiday-themed puzzles last week, and I received a nice selection of them.  The one I'm featuring today is from a series of 35(!) Christmas carol-themed caches that form a geo-art Christmas tree in Wisconsin.  I was very familiar with the images used the first 24, having used them in a cache of my own, but the one in this puzzle was one I hadn't seen before:

CCC 33

Tomorrow we'll ...

Red Herring Code - 12/16/16

I think it's great fun when cachers collaborate at a distance with each other on their puzzles.  I have had fun putting out a group of collaborative caches with puzzlers in California and Texas, and have talked with someone in Ohio about doing another.  Testing and helping other cachers create their puzzles is another thing I enjoy.  Today's Delaware puzzle (for which I was allowed sneak-peak pre-publication) is the result of a creative international collaboration.   You can bet there will be lots of funny business going on in the brand new:

Red Herring Code

(P.S.  Full disclosure:  my sneak-peak included an as-yet-to-be-posted hint ... kudos to whoever gets the FTS without it!)

Tomorrow we'll be in ..

Curbside Pickup - 12/15/16

Today's Rhode Island puzzle caught my eye recently, and I knew I'd have to post it in honor of my friend's husband, who is soon to retire from his position at a company devoted to:

Curbside Pickup

Tomorrow we'll be in Delaware.

A Big Break - 12/14/16

Today's Australian puzzle, which I worked on as a beta-tester, brought back some memories for me.  See if you recall:

Tom B's Big Break

Tomorrow we'll be in ...

Tunnel Vision - 12/13/16

Today's Australian puzzle landed in my inbox recently, and I enjoyed its interesting bits of geology and history. In order to get through it you might need to develop a bit of:

Tunnel Vision

Tomorrow we'll be in Australia for another day.

Calling Mrs. Claus - 12/12/16

Today's puzzle takes us to Massachusetts.  As Christmas gets closer I enjoy pulling out my themed clothing, jewelry, and other accessories. Some of the sweaters and sweatshirts are over 20 years old (and starting to show their age, unfortunately ... but I keep wearing them anyway).  One of my more recent favorites is a purse I made from some striking red batik fabric with white reindeer and snowflakes.  I took it to class the other night and one of my students reacted with words to this effect:

Calling Mrs. Claus

Tomorrow we'll be in Australia.  If anyone has any other seasonal puzzles they think other folks would enjoy, please send them along to me. Christmas puzzles are the most common ones out there, but puzzles for any and all holidays are welcome.

No Ducks Today - 12/11/16

Today we find ourselves in Massachusetts.  After yesterday's rather ducky puzzle I thought I'd look for another one.  Unfortunately there are:

no ducks or candles here.

Tomorrow we'll be in Australia.

Keeping Our Ducks in a Row - 12/10/16

Today's Pennsylvania puzzle will require you to get your ducks in a row:

Duck you Old Crow!

Tomorrow we'll be in ...

Lexicology - 12/9/16

Today's puzzle takes us to Singapore for a fun little exercise in:

Lexicology

Tomorrow we'll be in ...

Snaux - 12/8/16

Yesterday I was talking about snow, and now today's puzzle takes us to Texas, where I'm betting most of their white stuff is:

Faux Snow

Tomorrow we'll be in Delaware.

Snowflake - 12/7/16

Today we travel to Croatia for a seasonal puzzle (at least, in the northern hemisphere).  We've already had snow in upstate New York ... some very warm days followed by a cold front bringing a lot of air from farther north led to some pretty nasty bands of lake effect snow, which we usually don't have here in Ithaca.  It's all melted now, but I expect it won't be long before we see more of the white stuff. I don't enjoy shoveling it (or driving in it) but I admit to a certain fascination with the:

Snowflake / Snjezna pahuljica

Tomorrow we'll ...

Geocaching 101 - 12/6/16

Today's puzzle takes you not far from where I live in New York.  It's the last week of classes for the semester for me, so in addition to trying to get ready for the holidays, I'm neck deep in grading papers, and preparing exams.  Here's a little test for you in:

Geocaching 101 

Tomorrow we'll be in ...

Altered States - 12/5/16

Today's California puzzle landed in my inbox recently and I knew I wanted to pass it along to you, even though I don't normally recommend spending a lot of time in:

Altered States

Tomorrow we'll ...

Stitched Together - 12/4/16

Today we find ourselves in Washington state for another day. (So, am I weird that I always say "Washington state" to distinguish from Washington, D.C.?  Probably.)  I recently accompanied my neighbor to a quilt shop I'd driven past on many occasions but never visited.  I was looking for one thing, which I didn't find, but discovered a bunch of other stuff I didn't even know I wanted.  I got two puzzle-related fabrics and a bunch of really cool geometric prints with bright colors interspersed with black.  I have no idea what I'll do with all of it ... for right now I'm content to just admire it.  Some day I will get it:

Stitched Together

Tomorrow we'll be in ...

A Walk in the Woods - 12/3/16

Today's puzzle takes us to Washington state.  When I first started geocaching and found myself hiking out in the woods, fording (small) streams, and looking for blaze marks on trees, it was a very new experience.  I like that geocaching has gotten me at least interested in getting outside for a walk in the woods, even if my efforts don't rise to the level of what most outdoor enthusiasts might call "hiking."  I've never really understood the appeal of long distance hiking, and have been fascinated by people who hike the Appalachian trail, which passes not far from where I grew up (I knew that in an abstract way, but just looked up how close it actually is).  I recently enjoyed listening to the audio book of Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods," (I enjoyed some parts more than others) and would like to see the movie some time.  All that talk about being in the woods did at least get me thinking about doing some caching.  I hope it won't be too long until:

The Puzzler Hikes Again

Tomorrow we'll ...   

Ready ... 12/2/16

Today's Ohio puzzle was sent to me by someone who enjoyed it, and I had a lot of fun working on it with another puzzler from the Buckeye state.  It's definitely helpful to work in tandem with someone else so that you can catch any small mistakes that the other makes as you go.  It's not a quick solve but there's a lot of fun along the way, so clear the decks and get:

Ready Player Two

Tomorrow we'll be in ...

Happy Birthday A! - 12/1/16

If it weren't for the "A" in teamajk I don't know if I ever would have gotten involved in geocaching.  It was his love of everything map-based that got me thinking he might enjoy the game.  As a little kid he could be kept amused for hours by giving him a handful of paper and a pencil and asking him to draw a map.  Not only was he content to reproduce maps he had memorized, but he also enjoyed making up his own maps with fanciful place names ... I think my favorite of those had all the places names incorporating the names of different dinosaurs.  It's hard to believe he's turning 18 today and is off at school.  But it's not hard to believe he's planning to major in Geography.  In his honor today, I bring you this puzzle from Ohio involving:

Lines on a Map

Tomorrow we'll be in Ohio for another day.