Flashes of Panic

Here’s an activity I never expected to find myself doing thanks to geocaching: book binding.

See, each cache has a log. That’s pretty much the definition of a cache: a hidden container with a published location (hidden so you won’t find it if you’re not looking for it) which contains a log; if you find it, you sign the log. You log online as well, of course, and since the online logs allow for including photos, etc. they can be more satisfying, particularly when the cache is a “micro cache” (sizes ranging from film canisters to Altoids tins) and the log that fits in it is small. Regular caches are generally gallon-sized or larger, tupperware or (best) ammunition canisters from Army-Navy stores; they’ve got “trade items” inside (take something, leave something, generally on the dollar-store value range.) You can throw in pretty much any notebook (though preferably something tough, because odds are good it will get wet) as a log.

Micros are like bacteria; they’re highly specialized to their location. One common micro container is a magnetic key container, like you’d use to attach a spare key to your car in some hidden location. So, there’s some art to making a log which will fit in a micro container. There’s a guy in our area who is very, very good at it, and I feel like [my one micro][2] (one of the round Altoids tins) should at least attempt his standard.

My original log was a stack of small-cut paper (two or three sheets cut down to several dozen smaller sections) with a staple driven through, and the staple end wrapped with duct tape. Unfortunately, it hasn’t held up; the last finder reported, “the log is a mess.” So this morning I’ve been making a replacement. Again, a few sheets of paper cut into raffle-ticket-sized strips and laid atop each other, this time to be folded to make a “signature.” This I actually sewed together with a needle and thread (wishing for a tougher needle, but it worked. Tougher thread wouldn’t be bad either.) I’ve smeared white glue on the binding threads, and I’m waiting for that to dry; once it’s done, I’ll put clear tape around the outside and a small strip of duct tape on the “spine.” Voila: a case-bound micro log. Hopefully it will last longer than the four or five months the first log did.

Actually, I just hope I can retrieve the container unobtrusively and replace it without being seen.

Now playing: About You from The Heat by Jesse Malin