Groundspeak Portal

So today... {yup, story time}... I decided to try the other way.  Talk to the Owner of an A&W restaurant...

I walked in, asked if I could take a picture of the exterior of the A&W... the woman behind the counter goes to get the owner.  He comes out and asks how he can help me, and I ask again to take a picture of the exterior.

He looks at me "Umm... No"  then he thinks about it for a second and says with a curious voice... "Why would you want to?"

So I explain the activity, go back to my car and get a copy of the unfinished brochure, and within 4 minutes total the Owner is posing for a photo at the main counter.  The woman behind the counter is telling me that her kids use GPS units to "Find Tupperware in the Woods", to which I whip out my Ontario Geocaching Association business cards.  The Owner is asking about GPS units, and what can be included in the listing of the A&W.

Total time, about 15 minutes... totally worth every minute.  But you definitely have to get the chance to explain yourself.

I'll be creating the listing later tonight.

BQ

166 AUTO AUCTION NEON

Is it just the trend of things?

I got questioned today as well. I was obviously!!! taking a picture of a Neon Light at the 166 Auto Auction today the owner pulled up in his Hummer and ask if I needed help.

Well I have been through this here (in the forums recently) and in person so many times I asked him if I could waymark his sign.

I got that look you know the one.

But took the opportunity to explain it and before long he was giving me his e-mail address and I was giving him my phone number. I also told him I would e-mail him once the mark passed peer review.

I would like to thank the Officers for being so fast and approving it. I sent him the e-mail with all the links. So maybe we will see what comes of this. I am awaiting his return answer.

I like talking to people you never know who you might meet. Or what you might learn. I found another mark today with the help of local Old timers. It is called Smith Station of the Butterfield Stage line.

I have looked and looked for it but finally stopped today and asked an old farmer and he said well you know down roun rockhouse circle yous come ta a big spring,taint that un but the nex littlun. off en on the leff ther in de big holler. Thurs a little rock house nur the spring justun pass dat.

I am just having fun but thats what finding this stuff is to me fun and excitement.

the blue quasar:

<snip>
Total time, about 15 minutes... totally worth every minute.  But you definitely have to get the chance to explain yourself.

BQ

As I said earlier in the thread, muggles are not a bad thing in waymarking.  You just have to be prepared to explain things.  I recently was taking pictures in a small river town and the owner of one of buildings I was taking pictures of came out and asked why I was taking a picture.  I explained I take pictures of every building on the National Register I can find.  His response was that's great, and wished more people would appreciate old buildings.  I ended up talking to him for 10 minutes, he told me about a couple other buildings they are trying to get registered and then I went on my way.

the blue quasar:

But you definitely have to get the chance to explain yourself.


BQ

Sometimes you have to make the chance to explain what you're up to. Crush the muggle like a china cup! No not really, but how often does one get to paraphrase "Plan 9 From Outer Space"?

And the award for the best use of a muggle in a mockumentary goes to Leona Farkle of Team Farkle 7. We recently came across this huge Chevy Bowtie in Neon and it got declined. Undaunted, Leona gets someone at the location on the phone and was told that there was a plaque dedicating the sign to the people of Genessee County. The guy must have never read it before, as he got a little choked up reading it to her. We went back to photograph the plaque and then it occurred to us, 1986 the year of the dedication was the year GM's plant in Flint (where the sign originated) closed. They called it reorginized. Who remembers Micheal Moore's "Roger and Me"? We do.

BruceS:

I agree with Lep totally on this.  I have more positive contact with people while waymarking and at times welcome "muggles" as they often can give you information not available elsewhere.  I have had people ask why I was taking a picture of one building when the better building is across the street and will point out some detail of the building I would have missed.  The building across the street often is on my list and it great to get their input.  Also while taking pictures of an old convent in St. Louis, I had a conversation with an older lady about how great the day was for taking pictures and how wonderful the convent looked.  The older lady was an 80+ year old nun who had been in the order for 63 years.  She invited me in and brought be on a private tour of the entire convent explaining history as we walked. I have found most people like to talk about their buildings or sites especially if there is some history involved. 

- Just came across this  post  by Bruce,  by accident, which reminded me of some of my experiences.

- When researching "Carnegie Libraries" I usually speak to the  librarian  to elicit more information before taking photos of  the interior and always found them forthcoming. At times they also pose for photos.(In Hanover Ontario I even received a complete guided tour of the old library and the now incorporated council chambers)

- A few weeks ago when trying to find a new 'Ontario Provincial Plaque'   outside our Provincial Parliament building the security guard directed me to an information officer who then made a couple phone calls before printing out a photo of the plaque on their computer and informing me that the actual installation would only take place later some time in November.

 - I find this interaction more rewarding which in turn can be more informative for the Waymark I will be submitting.

Wow, this is an old thread!
Hikenutty's story scares me! If you can get in trouble for taking pics at a tourist spot.... but then again, gparkes has had the same thing happen right here in my neck of the woods, right across the street from the OKC Bombing Memorial (if memory serves me right).

Hamquilter has told me some wonderful stories of her waymarking adventures while recording NRHP and dated buildings. She loves it when someone spots her taking pics, comes out to talk to her, and gives her tons of information that she otherwise wouldn't have known. People can be very helpful when they find out what you are doing.

In Tucson I was at a virtual cache at a church, when I approached a group of members talking closer to the building. They answered my question, asked what I was doing, and then told me about some great spots and a wonderful mural that I might enjoy waymarking while in town.