2014-08-17 41 -86

Location

In someone's front yard near the Tippecanoe River, Etna Green, Indiana, USA

Participants

Plans

Will try for 41 -86 this afternoon, prob. ca. 430 pm. Mcbaneg -- Mcbaneg (talk) @41.8835,-87.6229 12:55, 17 August 2014 (EDT)

Expedition

I had been in Chicago with the family and Hannah for the weekend, and had parked my car at Michigan City, IN and ridden the commuter train in. On Sunday I returned home alone, arriving at the car around 3 pm. Hashpoints in graticules both southwest and south of home looked accessible, so I dedicated the rest of the day to trying to pick them up.

This one was in someone's yard in a newish residential area on a peninsula formed by the Tippecanoe River. When I arrived around 4:45 pm there seemed to be a barbecue going on in the driveway that included both the residents and a couple of visitors. As I parked the car two small boys on bicycles came by and gave me a good look. I asked if they lived at the house, and they said no. I walked up the driveway, introduced myself, and explained that I was playing an internet game and wanted to ask permission to walk through the front yard and take some pictures. The guy said "Sure, you go right ahead, buddy", and then "Do you get paid for this?"

I walked out toward the hashpoint, and when I was taking the proof-screenshot and starting to photograph an interesting little decorative garden, he walked out toward me, wanting to talk some more about geohashing and how it worked. I asked if I could take a picture of him in front of the house, and he returned the favor and took a pic of me with his own camera. I gave him a business card so he would have an email address to send it to and get a link to the expedition report if he wanted. So far, I haven't heard from him.

As I was leaving the neighborhood in the car, one of the little boys waved his arms over his head to flag me down. His bike was lying on the grass next to him. I stopped and got out, and he showed me that the chain had come off the sprockets on his bike. He and I worked on it together for a moment, attracting both his friend and a couple of moms. The friend and I got the chain back in place, the kid rode off happily, and I returned to the car and headed for 2014-08-17 41 -85.