2009-06-26 33 -84

Graticule

About

This hash point is on my way home. There is no reason why I couldn't take 2 minutes to stop at this hash point.

Expedition

NWoodruff

I had checked the Geohash map early today and found that this hash point was less than a half mile out of my way almost on the interstate.

Since Google Maps no longer allows you to send actual GPS points to a Garmin GPS, I started using EasyGPS. Since I knew almost exactly where the hash point was, I only programmed my eTrex with a turn point into the parking lot and the actual GeoHash location.

At the end of the day, I gathered up my stuff and ran out of work. I ride my bike to my truck and then hop on the interstate. I knew which exit on the interstate to get off on, so I only turn on my eTrex as I exit the interstate.

As I sit on the off ramp at the stop light waiting to turn left on to Windy Hill road, I start flipping through my routes to today's hash point. I suddenly realize that I forgot to press the Send button on EasyGPS to send the coordinates to the eTrex.

I turn on NorthEast Parkway hoping that I would recognize the the building that the hash point was at and possibly go for a no batteries Geohash.

After driving around for about 10 minutes of not recognizing the buildings, I hit on the idea that maybe I could find someone in one of the buildings still at work on Friday at 6:30pm.... It was a long shot but I thought I would try it.

The first building I tried, NOBODY home. None of the 6 floors was any one in the building. The building in the adjacent parking lot, I saw lights on the 3rd floor. I ran across the parking lot and into the building. I first looked on the first floor and I saw a man come out of one of the offices. I talked with him for a few seconds and he said that he was the last one to leave and didn't have access to the internet in his office.

I then make it up to the third floor. The consumer credit counseling service. There are plenty of people there behind glass doors. I knock on the door and a guy my age comes to the door, I explain that I am lost and that I needed to look up a website for an address.

He says that he can't let me in but if I give him the address of the web site he would look it up. I tell him how to get there via google and then how to click on "Today's location" once he finds the Atlanta page.

He goes back into the office and I wait. And wait, and wait. 15 minutes he comes back out and says "Sorry, the website that you need is blocked at our company". I said thanks and then left.

I drive across the street to the CeBeyond building. I walk up to the building and it is a secured building meaning that you need a card key to get into the building. I press the intercom button hoping that maybe a security guard would answer..... Nothing. Nobody answered.

A young guy comes out of the building, maybe early 20's or so. He sees me and asks if he could help me. I explain again that I am lost and need to look up an address on the internet. He says that he isn't going back into the building but... He pulls out his cell phone and brings up Google.

Fantastic. I tell him to search on XKCD and Atlanta. The XKCD Atlanta page displays. I tell him to click on today's location. I was perplexed on how the map would display on a cell phone. I was in luck that only the coordinates display when you are using a cell phone. He asks me if that is what I need. Ecstatic that was it, I hurry to enter the numbers into the eTrex.

I then select the goto option. 0.2 miles to go. I was almost there. I thanked the guy and rushed out to my truck, thinking... I got to get one of those cell phones.

I drive back out to the main street and head north. As the direction points due east, I pull into the Hotel parking lot. I race to the back of the parking lot and it is blocked off from the office building parking lot.

I hop out and take a picture of the gate blocking my drive to the hash point. I have to walk the rest of the way.

I found the hash point and took a couple of picture. I then headed back on my drive home to Norcross.

Gallery

Photo Gallery
Coming from the wrong direction I pulled into the wrong parking lot. I'll have to walk the last 400 feet.
1.25 feet to go. Close enough.
Time of meetup.
Date of meetup.
Stupid Grin™