Delaware's WebCam Caches by Glenn

Delaware's WebCam Caches
by Glenn
Photos from the logs of each cache as posted on www.geocaching.com

In March we reviewed Delaware's virtual caches. It was noted these were the only caches of this type left; groundspeak no longer approves the creation of this kind of cache. Those that are in existence can stay but should they be taken down they cannot be reactivated.

This month we review another cache category that has the same restrictions - webcam caches.

While we had 6 virtuals to review there are only 2 webcam caches left in Delaware. Both were created by the same geocacher - Glenn.

A webcam cache really is in a category all by itself. It is the only kind of geocache where you must enlist the assistance of a helper who does not come out on the trail with you to find the geocache.

Most of us are familiar with security cameras. We all seen them in stores, parking lots, and on various buildings. A while back someone got the great idea to put the images captured by a number of these kinds of cameras on the internet. Indeed there are still many web sites that feature live images from webcams so everyone can see such things as traffic conditions, weather conditions, or just look at beautiful and sometimes amazing images.

Geocachers such as Glenn saw these cameras in another way. To these geocachers webcams provided a way for geocachers to visit - in person - the place where the webcam was located and then have their visit recorded as a visual log that they had been there.

To accomplish this a geocacher wishing to log a webcam geocache site would need to enlist the help of a partner who would stay by their computer and monitor the website where the images from the webcam were being displayed. The geocacher, meanwhile, would travel to the location of the webcam cache. Once there they would contact their "back home" assistant (usually by cell phone). And then the fun begins.

The back home assistant must be sure they are viewing live images and not stored images. Once they are sure of that they must look carefully at the images and see if they can spot their friends. If they can - great. But it they can't then the "back home" assistant needs to tell the geocachers to move around until they are on screen. This can take a while. All this time the geocachers at the webcam cache site need to try to blend in as well as they can.

Once the "back home" helper is sure they see the geocacher appearing on the webcam image on their computer the assistant needs to do a screen copy. Hopefully the assistant has mastered this skill beforehand. When the screen copy has been made the assistant gives the geocacher an all clear and the geocacher can leave the area. But it's not over yet.

When the geocacher gets back home they need to obtain a copy of the screen image showing them at the webcam site. Once they have that the geocacher can log onto www.geocaching.com and log their "find". Their log entry MUST include the image since this it the equivalent of having signed the log one usually finds in a geocaching container.

From the description above you can see that there's a lot of work involved with "finding" and "logging" a webcam cache. Perhaps the fact that there is no log, and that the success of the whole adventure hinges on the work of the "back home" assistant is what caused groundspeak to decide that this category of geocache should not continue.

But maybe you disagree. Maybe the above description sounds like a lot of fun to you. If so, you are in luck. Delaware still has two webcam geocache sites. Both are in Sussex County. In fact, both are just several miles from each other. That's the good news.

The not so good news is that both are in beach areas. During the summer months just getting to the beach area is a challenge. Add to that the challenge of finding the webcam site and getting into proper position so the image can be copied and you might conclude that these caches are better done during the other months of the year.

We agree.

In fact we think NOW is the perfect time to do both of these caches. You still have about 2 months before this area fills with the summer crowds. You should know, though, that both of these caches are members only caches. That means you need to be a premium member of geocaching.com in order to log these finds.

Bethany Beach Webcam
(GC49CB) by Glenn Placed 4/6/2002

Bethany Beach is on Route 1 South of Rehoboth Beach. Follow route out of Rehoboth and you can't possibly miss it. There are no other roads. You'll find yourself driving along a narrow spit of land with water close by on both side. The Atlantic Ocean will be visible on to the East as well as some of Delaware's famous sand dunes. To the West is Rehoboth Bay.

When you are nearing Bethany the land will widen considerably. Keep your eyes open for the massive carving. That's where you will need to turn East to get near the area of the webcam. Actually finding it will be up to you.

It might be a good idea to go onto the internet and Google Bethany Beach where you will find a listing for the web cam. We strongly suggest that you and your "back home" assistant become well acquainted with how to find this web site.

That's about all we're going to tell you but we do have something to show you. For more information check out the www.geocaching. com listing for this cache. Glenn has supplied a detailed set of directions that should be most helpful. The site went up in April of 2002. In the 5 years it has been operation folks have visited it throughout the year and at all times of the day and night. As of April 2007 89 logs have been posted along with 91 images. Your's could be next.

Below is a collage of screen shots taken from the logs of the Bethany Beach WebCam site. You notice several things. First you'll see that a lot of Delaware Geocachers have visited and logged this site. Second you'll get a good idea of where you will need to be to appear on camera. And third, you'll notice that this area has changed over the 5 years this cache has been up. In particular notice what happens to the clock.

Rehoboth Beach Webcam
(GC49CC) by Glenn Placed 4/6/2002

On the same day Glenn created the Bethany Beach WebCam he also created this site. Perhaps due to the larger population in Rehoboth - especially during the summer - this site has been visited less frequently than the Bethany site. During its 5 year history 77 logs have been posted along with 84 images.

Like the Bethany site, Glenn has placed a good set of directions in the on-line description on www.geocaching.com. There is one difference, however.

Geocacher Sine has remarked that this site is a bit trickier to find due to several webcams in the area. It would definitely be a good idea to google Rehoboth to find the web sites for the Rehoboth web cam. Then when you travel to this area you will be prepared and able to find the right one.

Since Rehoboth is such a well know place there's not much need to give driving directions. Also the Delaware road signs do a good job of letting you know which roads lead to the beach. Your biggest challenge will be getting here before the crowds and then finding the correct webcam to use.

Below is another collage of images taken from the logs of the Rehoboth WebCam site. Like the Bethany collage you notice several things. First you'll see that a lot of Delaware Geocachers have visited and logged this site including a rare glimpse of the person who approves all the Delaware geocaches. Second you'll get a good idea of variety of places where you may need to be in order to appear on camera. And third, you'll notice folks come here all hours of the day and all seasons of the year. And take notice of which Delaware Geocaching team was the first to log this site also.