2009-05-17 42 -84
| Sun 17 May 2009 in Lansing: 42.7104108, -84.4668811 geohashing.info google osm bing/os kml crox |
Contents
About
The day's hash point was in one of Michigan State University's farms.
Expedition
excellentdude: When the coordinates for this weekend were determined, I was quite excited about Sunday's coordinates. For one, they were within walking distance of my apartment. Therefore, I had my first opportunity to get the Walk_geohash. I had to take advantage of this, because who knew when it might happen again. Second, the spot was just close enough to my office on Michigan State's campus to get me the almost honorable mention Cubicle geohash achievement. So at 11:17am, I set out.
Not having a device which gives me a track log, I took pictures of many intersection signs along the way to document my progress. I began with the intersection outside my apartment, but then not three minutes into my walk I encountered what looked like a garage sale. Upon further inspection, there was just stuff in a driveway with a sign that said "Free". Having a few things that I needed, I asked the people if I could come back later with a vehicle. They said I could have the stuff if it was still there, but they weren't going to hold it. I decided to put the geohash on hold, return home, and get my car. I ended up with a DVD case, a desk, and some Canadian-American ice skates (among other things). The stuff didn't fit well in my car, so the seller and I just carried the shelves and desk to my apartment. Those 1.80 kilometers aren't figured in my walk total below. Having scored some nice free swag, I restarted my walk at 12:02pm.
Aside from that incident, the walk was rather uneventful but scenic. After a long winter, it was great to see all the trees and flowers blossoming everywhere and the Red Cedar River flowing through campus. About an hour after I restarted, I arrived at the farm containing the hash. The point looked easily accessible as it was on university land and there were no fences around the location. That said, I could understand if people associated with the farm didn't want random people walking through it. I looked for someone working there to ask about accessing the point. As I was doing so, a woman drove through the farm in a red truck. She saw no problem with me accessing the point, so I proceeded. There were grass paths between various planted fields. I was able to walk on grass right to the hash since it was on the edge of the grass and a field.
From there, I proceeded back through campus to my office before going home because I had some stuff I needed to print off. Not usually approaching my office from this direction, I saw parts of campus I'd never seen before. Particularly good to see was the arboretum. I plan to go back there in the future and explore it sometime. I got several interesting pictures along the way that I have posted below. Eventually, I made it to my office. I printed off a short, ten-page article at the agonizing rate of one page every 90 seconds. I then headed the rest of the way home and got there just in time for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It was a great geohashing trip for many reasons on this day!
Achievements
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excellentdude earned the Land geohash achievement
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excellentdude earned the cubicle geohash almost honorable mention
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excellentdude earned the Walk geohash Achievement
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excellentdude earned the Consecutive geohash achievement
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excellentdude earned the Ambassador achievement
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Photos
We start at the intersection outside my apartment
I stopped along the way to grab a free DVD case...
...and a free desk, ice skates, and a few other things
These skates seem to be confused
Farther down the road after I restarted
Glad this wasn't me
After a long winter, things are looking great here
The biggest intersection along my walk
The Red Cedar River was high but contained
The river was close to halfway for me
Most blatant barrier encountered while geohashing
Some more nice spring flowers
Farther along my path
My first view of the hash in the distance
The last big intersection before the hash
Fortunately I left my toxic chemicals at home
MSU's main campus to the north
I arrived just in time to beat this train
Getting close to the hash
The last turn
It makes sense this would happen at a farm
Ooo! Now with SCIENCE!
Of course all the MSU cars are green
MSU even has one of these, too
I really want this to be something nefarious
Made it to the hash!
Goofy Grin
Hash is on edge between grass and field
MSU's main campus to the north
East of the hash
South of the hash
On the way to the office
This sport allows me to find cool places I can go visit later
The only bird that was still long enough for a picture
Apparently we have a cyclotron!
More nice foliage
Red Cedar River downstream
My office building
It's nice, but not new
My literal cubicle!
Very slow printer
Starting toward home...
...continuing...
...continuing...
...continuing...
Not one of those drug-encouraging schools
Now just a few blocks from home
Back where I started!
My apartment building
Recreation of the path I took
