Some good points. I like the private cache one. Sounds interesting. I was looking on the Wisconsin Geocaching site last night and they did mention some rules regarding placement. State parks, National Parks and National Monuments and I think Forests are all off limits. I believe Cook County and Lake County(IL) Forest Preserves here near Chicago is OK but I have heard that DuPage County is off limits. That may have to do with certain sensitivities since 9/11 and an interperatation of some littering laws on the books. I guess they consider the placement of a cache as abandonment and thus littering. I understand though that some local cachers are working to try and change that since many caches are actually monitored and maintained and thus not abandoned. There are many reports that Forest Preserve Rangers are confiscating caches left there. DuPage county will, supposedly, allow caches only in conjuncton with an event, by permit, but they must be removed at the conclusion of the picnic, rally or whatever. Wisconsin Geocache also mentions to make sure you have permission if you place on private property. Also your location should have access and reasonable proximity to parking. They say a searcher should not have to cross private property or a dangerous hazard ie. a highway or busy RR tracks(other than a legitimate crossing I assume) to get to your cache. They say you should also remember the accuracy of YOUR GPS and not locate your cache within 150 feet of a RR right of way or other such hazard. I think there are others and could go on and on. They are valuable to keep in mind. Anyone who might be interested in all this might think of running a GOOGLE search on GeoCaching and check out some other clubs etc. Many will have great info about getting started. Especially GeoCaching.com where they have a message board and links to other sites.

A couple things they do mention on the Wisconsin Site, about contents is that you should not include illegal or dangerous items like drugs, weapons, hazerdous materials ... Items not suitable for kids like alcohol or cigarettes..., and food which can be detected by animals and cause a bear or something to dig up your cache. Being Wisconsin they also caution about other liquid contents like drinks etc. Cold winters can cause them to freeze, expand and explode in your cache. To borrow from Alton Brown on TV Food? Not Good Eats!

Incidentally did you see the Travel Channel last night about top 10 hidden treasures? There was a segment, I think number 7, counting backwards, was Geocaching in Seattle. It was short but kind of interesting. I believe it will repeat on Sunday the 28th. Check your local listings.

While this is somewhat off topic here, I find it very interesting and am psyched over it. Especially all the ideas that are going through my head for things that I want to put into some certain caches that I have learned about, caches that I want to create, like Chips and other casino memorabilia... I even have a cutsy little name but am going to hold that close to the vest. Again, I like your thought about private caches for chippers. A series of Chipboard Caches? Maybe, if it takes off, Greg can create a GeoCache Icon to put on a ChipCache post???

OK, I will stop now before I go on and on like the energizer bunny. Now I am starting to get too goofy.