Wow. BQ, you practically took the words out of my mouth. Geocaching fills a void in my life that had always been missing. I look forward to my next day of cache hunting right after I finish my current day. I try to get out once or twice a week. Each day is different. Sometimes I like a tough challenge either mentally or physically, sometimes a bunch of easier caches, sometimes it’s the thrill of the hunt, other times, to go somewhere I’ve never been but always wanted to visit. Sometimes its to get together with other geocachers to hang out with while searching. Other times, I prefer solitude while I search. I feel I’ve found my niche with this sport, and have enjoyed it since day one. Great to see it growing each month. I hope it continues to do so.

[This message has been edited by brkster (edited 11-02-2005).]

I love the outdoors. Being one with nature is the best. It is my time to think, when I cache alone, it is my time to build friendships, when I cache with others. It’s great exercise no matter who I’m with. Sometimes I set a goal for finds…. sometimes I just go. I appreciate what others have done out there, taking time, effort and money, to place these items so myself and all of us can enjoy it.

It is a time to see places and things most people won’t see in their lifetime, because they probably don’t even realize these places are there and often in the own back yards.

It is a more fulfilling way to spend a vacation, rather then doing ALL touristy things. Again… often times taking me to places I would not have seen otherwise. Hubby and I enjoy the really old cemetaries, looking at the oldest birth dates,etc, pondering what life was like back then. To see out-of-the-way places and unique finds.

My list goes on and on. Most of all I have to say it is a chance to meet down to earth people, of all ages, who have similar interests. I have made some wonderful friends with so many of you….especially the group at my Up Nord Event. Cachers, for the most part are very special people and I am very greatful for having bought that ONE copy of Wisconsin Trails magazine, with that little article about Geocaching!

Luv ya guys!!

Anne

quote:

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Originally posted by Folk Trakers:
Hey Beast: who are you calling children? Team Synergy is fueled by Double Stuffs!

Also, what is R.A.S.H?….other than the effect I have after I finish caching in a very prickly, thorny area.

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Now if the shoe fits…
you may have to take my foot out of it.

R.A.S.H.: Recreation, Activity, Sport, Hobby

~tb

[This message has been edited by Trudy & the beast (edited 11-02-2005).]

I cache because I can. In a world where I feel pointless and out of place, I can forget everything that makes me sad or angry and find something that makes me happy. While geocaching I can spend time with myself and not feel alone — I am going and seeking what others have done before me. I feel a part of something larger than myself. I love the out of doors anyways, but that can be a very desolate and solitary thing — geocaching makes me part of the bigger picture.

Geocaching is not a R.A.S.H (although I like the term a lot) for me — it’s just what I do.

Bec

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There are no shortcuts to any place worth going

Ha! Russ you crack me up! A couple things in terms of your comments, my friend, and, yes, I guess I will be the first to admit that we are honored to call you friend! First, I do believe you are related to Ron–you guys kind of look alike. Second, I know from having had to carry you up a couple of hills that you haven’t lost any weight! In fact, I think you are getting heavier…. Oh, and I spoke with your parole officer and he said no way he is letting you out this weekend; he knows you intend to knock over a Pick-N-Save for Oreos!

Thank you Queenie for such a great thread! Your choice of topic, and response, shows your insight, love, and understanding of this great adventure we call geocaching. We feel lucky, like others who in this thread have so profoundly stated, to have found this sport which has brought us so much joy, friendship, and fun! It all began with Professor reading about geocaching in a magazine while sitting in the sauna at the West Bend YMCA….

When the Beast speaks, as he has above, I think it is almost always worth it to listen to him (one exception that comes to mind involves his undergarments, but that’s another story! ). Ahem, anyway, we believe strongly, like the Beast, that it is about the bonds of friendship. We feel honored to have met so many great people: to become friends, to laugh together, hunt caches together, tell stories together, and encounter the often awesome wonders we would have probably never encountered outside of geocaching.

Another thing we love about geocaching are the adventures and, maybe even more, the stories that come out of them! I love it when I get the privilege of reading one of JThorson’s hilarious logs! Or when someone logs that they really enjoyed one of our caches. Heck, I even love it when Russell trips me, sprints to the cache site and finds the dang thing, and then dances around singing, “Go Garmin, Go Garmin”; or when we were Up Nord and Anne tried to put everyone to sleep with Jazz! I hate to admit it, but I even love the logs from Astro-Don complaining about bugs or the cold! Okay…I will even go so far as to say (like I have a choice) that I love it when Earth Angel gets the van stuck in another ditch!

While there is so much to love about geocaching, and I could go on and on, I will finish by reflecting a little bit about what motivates us to go for the numbers we have strove for over these last two years. Both Earth Angel and I were raised as competitive athletes. Tami was once a nationally-ranked triathelete, and I played football (briefly for the Chicago Blitz). The sport aspect of geocaching, challenging ourselves against our own goals, pushing ourselves physically, appeals to that nature. Often hiking over 20 miles in a day, or caching for 18 hours straight, for some strange reason thrills us. Having said that, and not denying that the numbers do mean something to us, we also try to promote and grow Wisconsin geocaching (really, an Evil Monkey, in his own twisted way, promotes geocaching!), and do our small part in trying to make the environment a little better than before we were there. We believe strongly in the freedom and individuality of geocaching, and respect individual interpretations of what is important. Have we make mistakes? You bet. Yet who hasn’t? But I think the important thing is that we are growing and learning as individuals, as a family, and as a great community of friends!

Thank you all for being such an important part of our geocaching experience and our lives. We feel honored and blessed to know you, and we look forward to so many more great times together!
-Wade (Professor)