2008-12-17 43 -83

Wed 17 Dec 2008 in Saginaw: 43.0919302, -83.7568860 geohashing.info google osm bing/os kml crox

About

The coordinates fell just east of an elementary school, just outside a small storage shed.

Expedition

excellentdude: With the short days this time of year, I drove up there just in time to beat the darkness. I missed the last turn and had to turn around. This was problematic because there weren't a lot of businesses and parking lots in the area, and the private drives were difficult to see because of the snow. Eventually I was able to turn around and make it to the hash site. The delay allowed me to hear my favorite Christmas song (O Holy Night) on the radio.  :-)

Now, I went late in the day so I would get there around 4:45 or 5pm, well after the kids would be gone. When I showed up there were lots of cars and kids bundled up still waiting to be picked up from school. It looked as if they had only let out a short time ago. I figured I shouldn't creepily wonder around school grounds taking pictures with a bunch of kids still around, so I walked in to try to tell someone what I was doing and get permission. A woman in the office seemed somewhat confused, but didn't completely dismiss me saying "Ummm, you'll have to ask the superintendent. He just walked down the hall." After a minute of nervous, awkward waiting on my part a man in a suit walked up and identified himself as the superintendent. He smiled and said "Sure, knock yourself out," adding "Watch out for the snow."

The shed I encountered was not on the Google map, but I was able to reach the hash point. I took several GPS readings and determined the exact spot to be in the middle of a bunch of steps I had taken in the snow trying to get an exact reading. I posted the closest reading below. I'm also claiming frozen hash on this one. I didn't have a thermometer with me at the hash, but I bought one shortly afterward and watched it plummet below freezing when I went outside. There was no place in the area with a temperature near freezing.

On the way home I heard We Are the Champions by Queen on the radio. I thought it was a fitting end to my first geohash.

Achievements

excellentdude earned the Land geohash achievement by reaching the (43, -83) geohash on 2008-12-17.

excellentdude earned the Frozen Geohash Achievement by reaching the (43, -83) geohash on 2008-12-17 while the temperature was 24°F).

excellentdude earned the Ambassador achievement by obtaining permission to access the (43, -83) geohash on 2008-12-17.

Photos

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  I made it!

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  The hash itself

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  Shed to the south

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  Main school buildings to the west

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  Trailer classrooms to the northwest

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  Trees to the north

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  Blurry school sign

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  Not coldest, but pretty cold!

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  Obligatory goofy smile