2012-03-18 41 -88

Sun 18 Mar 2012 in Aurora: 41.8819343, -88.1932346 geohashing.info google osm bing/os kml crox

Location

Today's location is in West Chicago just off of Main Street, a fairly accessible hash. Near a commercial area, but in the front yard of a house.

Planning

Haberdasher plans to drive over there around 3:30 with a few drag-along friends. I have to go to DeKalb anyway, and it's on the way there. Not sure who's still active in the Aurora graticule, but anybody interested in meeting up? -Haberdasher 18:41, 18 March 2012 (UTC)

Nobody else. Ah well, it was worth a shot. -Haberdasher 01:44, 19 March 2012 (UTC)

Participants

• Haberdasher
• Haberdasher's mother
• Momo, a friend
• Susala, a friend

Expedition

Since I had to drop my friend Momo off in DeKalb and meet up with friends, and this hash was more or less on the way there, it was a no-brainer for me. Since reaching hashes is somewhat difficult for me (as I lack a GPS or non-walking mode of transportation), I started planning all the achievements I could get while scouring Google Maps for information about the area. After getting directions off Google Maps, finding the location of the nearest Squishy vendor, and digging up an old Twister board, my group headed off the DeKalb, with the hashpoint as a pit stop on the way.

After discussing directions with my mother, I used the GPS to find our way to the intersection nearest to the hash point, and the parking lot close to it. After reaching the parking lot, I relied on what I remembered from Google Maps to guide my expedition. The trip took longer than I expected, and the 3:30 estimate I posted originally turned into 4:00 soon enough.

Once in the parking lot, I explained the basics of geohashing to the group. My mother and Momo refused to leave the car, but Susala agreed to join me, under the condition that I not take pictures of her. After agreeing to this condition, we headed to the hash.

The hash was in the front yard of a house, very close to the house itself, perhaps under the roof's overhang. The house looked empty, perhaps abandoned, though there was no sign saying that it was up for sale or lease. Nevertheless, I didn't try asking the occupants for permission, as they appeared unavailable.

After a brief discussion of the legality of taking pictures while on the front yard and a few botched attempts to take my own picture, I convinced Susala to take my picture while we were both near or on the hash. I walked around a bit to ensure that I hit the hash, then headed back to the car.

While in the car, I asked that our group visit the nearby Taco Bell, and we all agreed. While there, I picked up a GeoSquishy (more specifically, a strawberry-flavored Frutista Freeze) while the rest of our group got various other refreshments before continuing our journey.

Apologies for the poor photo quality, I've lost the charger for my digital camera so all I could use was my cell phone camera.

Photos

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  Hash point from the parking lot

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  At the hash

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  Stupid Grin

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  Time

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  Taco Bell sign

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  Enjoying my geosquishy

Achievements

Haberdasher earned the Land geohash achievement by reaching the (41, -88) geohash on 2012-03-18.

Haberdasher earned the Drag-along achievement by reaching the (41, -88) geohash on 2012-03-18.

Haberdasher earned the First Sip GeoSquishy Achievement by enjoying a slushy carbonated beverage at the (41, -88) geohash on 2012-03-18.

Haberdasher earned the 5 Star GeoSquishy Achievement by earning 5 stars all at the (41, -88) geohash on 2012-03-18.