Distribution of Stages/Finals

I've been thinking about locations for the caches / stages related to our puzzles...

1) Should we strive to coordinate reasonable spacing so that there isn't a cluster of PMC2 caches too close to each other. I was thinking that maybe a separation of about the distance of a county or 1/2 a county would be a good thing. Was there any feedback from the original series with regard to the distribution? Or course some folks might prefer that the finals are close to each other for a quick round-up of completed caches, while others may prefer that they are separated enough that they each are their own experience (but maybe which could be shared over a day/weekend trip to collect the finals). BUT - having this as just a guideline so as not to stifle creativity or stages already chosen or limit those unable to drive/maintain too far.

2) Are PMC2 puzzles with physical (real or virtual) stages frowned upon? I think the answer was that it is up to us as the puzzle creators. Of course for those way out of town, if it requires multiple visits (well it does have to be challenging...), then there might be some disgruntled cachers. But... mixing real life with abstract puzzles can enhance the experience, and need not cause multiple trips for a good puzzle solver. And maybe there are ways around field visits such as clever use of online tools...

These two issues both kinda tie together as they deal with consideration for the solvers.

As to the spacing of the caches we do not want them super close to each other. On the original we wound up with a fairly decent spacing. You could drive to a central location and spend a weekend and get four of them. But then you were travelling back to that area for the final. I do not think there should be an actual guideline. When I chose everyone, their normal cache placement area seemed to work nicely. This time there are 3 in the NYC area and that would make for a nice trip for the solver.

What I would like to do is create a map as we are making the series with all the PMCs from all four series on it just to get a general idea of how much travelling you were to do if you were to complete all four series and the event. I think what I will do is start a thread in each of the forums asking people to tell me when they have their POSTED coords (not actual) and add them to the map as I get them.

Ultimately it is YOUR cache and should be placed just like any other cache you would place I would recommend that if there is a possibility that two trips may be needed then there should be something mentioned to that effect on the cache page. On the original, of the groups that found the final, some were in NJ and were centrally located, but one group (Sue-Cat) came from MD and did the whole challenge. Dean (Muddy and Amused) also did the whole challenge and logged his whole journey.

Total driving mileage: 3228.12 Miles (it adds up quick!).
Total drive time: 67 Hours, 29 Minutes.
Total mileage in boat: 5.66 Miles (Thanks again CJ!!!).
Total hiked miles: 14.83
First PMC found: 09/08/2008
Final PMC found: 01/24/2009
Total days from start to finish: 138
Most PMCs found in one day: 3 (tied: 10-19-08 & 11-23-08).
PMC FTF's: 4
PMC STF's: 5
PMC DNFs: 1 (PMC - The Order -- do this one in a group if you can).
Favorite Puzzle: PMC - Quick Brown Fox +- 25
Hardest Terrain: PMC - The Song of the Master Sun.
Easiest Terrain: PMC - Clueless Again.

How is that for some stats? I would love to see what Sue's looked like!

Thanks. Great stuff to consider.