2009-04-11 42 -84

From Geohashing
Sat 11 Apr 2009 in Lansing:
42.5143502, -84.6418935
geohashing.info google osm bing/os kml crox


About

Today's hash point was located in the yard of a house in a pleasant neighborhood of Eaton Rapids.

Expedition

I was quite excited for this expedition since my schedule actually allowed me to geohash at 4pm on a Saturday, it was a pleasant day, and the point appeared to be in an accessible location. The satellite pictures did not zoom in too far, but the street configuration on the map made the point appear to be in someone's backyard in Eaton Rapids. Given the date and time, I really hoped I would meet someone geohashing for the first time. On the other hand, given my graticule, I was doubtful that would actually happen.

I made the quick drive down to Eaton Rapids. It was the first time I had been there. It is an older, but pretty town. I drove over a bridge, from which I could see a nice little island park, and shortly thereafter arrived on the street of the hash right around 4pm. I drove down the street to try to determine exactly which backyard the point would be in. Having gotten a good idea, I drove around the block and parked the car on a nearby street. I then approached what I thought was the correct house and knocked on the door a couple times. No one answered, the backyard was fenced in, and I appeared to be out of luck. I began walking and looking at the GPS to see just how close I could get. To my surprise, as I approached the north end of the yard, the latitude on my GPS was still not north enough. The point was actually in the lot next door! I might still have a chance!

Reaching the next house up the road, I knocked on the door. A nice older Latina woman on an oxygen tank answered. I had printed out a diplomatic passport for just such an occasion. I introduced myself, handed her the passport, briefly explained geohashing, and asked if I could take a picture of her backyard. She didn't see any problem with it, so I thanked her and proceeded. As it turned out, the hash point was more off the side of her driveway near her house than in her backyard. I got the GPS reading and took a picture of that point. Not wanting to confuse her or cause any ill will, I went ahead and went to the backyard to take a couple pictures. Sadly, by a quarter after 4pm, no one else had shown up. After exploring Eaton Rapids a little bit, I went home.

Achievements

Landgeohash.png
excellentdude earned the Land geohash achievement
by reaching the (42, -84) geohash on 2009-04-11.
Consecutivegeohash.jpg
excellentdude earned the Consecutive geohash achievement
by reaching 3 consecutive hash points starting on 2009-04-10.
Centurion0.png
excellentdude earned the xkcd Nullaturion achievement
by attending 1 Saturday meetup.
Gift.PNG
excellentdude earned the Ambassador achievement
by obtaining permission to access the (42, -84) geohash on 2009-04-11.

Photos