The Lil Otter is one of the world's leading geocachers in terms of the total number found. She is also one of our own - a board member of the WGA and an active WGA event participant for the past year. For this month's Article of the Month, we asked her to tell us about her geocaching adventures and her approach to the sport. [b]Ken Braband: Please describe a little about yourself: Where you're from, family, job, other hobbies, etc.[/b] Lil Otter: I've been on my own since the fall of 1999, (lived near Milw) moved 'upnorth' during my divorce to rebuild my life and find my smile again. My children are now young adults and are proud of my achievements in this sport and what I have accomplished on my own. I own a small gift/craft business that I open when/if I wish to. I also work for a British-based company online (really enjoy computers). I love learning carpentry and enjoy fixing up my A-frame... have also built a few sheds.. I'm not afraid to try/fail at new things.. I always love to learn. I also enjoy kayaking, floral gardening, landscaping, tennis and travel. Enjoy the history channel/do it yourself programs and movies whenever I just kick back and relax.

[b]Geocachers Use Gps Units In A Sort Of Treasure Hunt[/b] [i]This article was written by Matt Hagengruber and published in the Sunday, August 24, 2003 edition of the Wisconsin State Journal[/i] As Jeff and Bonnie Little approached the abandonded railroad tunnel, the spookiness set in, almost on cue. The temperature dropped, the skies went gray and the thunder echoed in the steep rock walls leading to the tunnel. And finally, greeting the Littles as they approached the tunnel, a fog crept out from inside.

Bobcatw98 is an active geocacher and WGA member from the northern part of our fair state. For this month's Article of the Month, we asked Bob to tell us about his geocaching adventures and his approach to the sport.

1. Please describe a little about yourself: Where you're from, family, job, other hobbies, etc.
Well, I live in St. Croix County, my wife Cat and I have a 12-year-old-daughter, and I'm a survey technician. When not working or geocaching, we like to camp, garden, hike, bike, and canoe. (Not all at the same time of course.)

Hello there young fellas

You travel along a nature trail that leads you to a beautiful stream. You climb a steep hill into the woods. You step into a park full of children at play. You find yourself staring at garbage can in the middle of a city. Each one of us follows the little arrow on our GPS to a location in the hopes of discovering something special. It’s that something special that spurs us on and makes up want to continue in our hobby.

A random sampling of active members of the Wisconsin Geocaching Association were contacted via email to determine what it is that makes them want to go geocaching. Of those contacted, twenty geocachers responded. The information was tallied and compared. Some good insight into the sport was shared, and the most popular answers are assembled here.

We may have a few of them out there... our own geocaches on which we have been meaning to do a little maintenance. Or maybe a geocache that was reported gone, and we've disabled it for two or three months. Or maybe a cache that is snow covered. Well, now is the time to get out there and get a jump start on your spring cleaning!

February has Ground Hog Day and Valentines Day. February is also the unofficial Cache Maintenance Month. During the month of February, get out there and visit your geocaches. Replace those worn and leaky containers. Clean out the junk. Replace the log book. Add a few more goodies to the container.

Ron, his wife (Geri) and two daughters (Michelle & Jaimie) make up the team EnergySaver. To date, EnergySaver has hidden 27 regular geocaches in Ozaukee County, in addition to 23 event hides.

It's very tempting after you have a few finds under your belt to run out into your neighborhood woods and place your own geocache. OK, well at least it was for me. While I personally understand your excitement, by slowing down and taking some well planned steps, you can save yourself some headaches and make that first hide something to be remembered by other geocachers.