Caching….the experience or the find?

[Trekkin and Birdin]

Okay, I know we all like to find them. No one likes a DNF. But we’ve had some DNFs that were amazing experiences, which is why we do this in the first place….to explore and discover.

Recently, someone felt compelled to flash me a photo of them holding a fairly significant cache that we’d had an epic DNF on when it had been stolen, with the comment….”So, this is what GC— looks like when you find it!” My comment was….”we had a more interesting experience, though.” (I have to wonder why anyone feels compelled to rub a friend’s nose in it like that, but that’s another topic).

Of course we were disappointed to travel that far and not find it, but in the end….I had two new life birds, we visited an area that was completely different than we’re used to and we got a good story out of it. Do you cache for this kind of moment, or is it all about the find? Be honest. I understand we all enjoy this for different reasons.

[Mister Greenthumb]

When we travel out of state we only look for caches that have several favorites or have great scenic or interesting photos in the gallery. The dnf’s don’t bother us because we got to go to the site of these caches in places “that you would never have visited if not for geocaching”.

 

In Wisconsin we rarely go back to sites where we had a dnf to avenge it. You’re never going to find them all so why not at least visit as many interesting places as possible. I would rather say I have visited 1000 geocachers favorite spots than have found 1000 caches.

[The Happy Hodag!]

For me, the experience is what makes a cache memorable.  The experience can very from one cache to another.  For most of these caches, it might be the journey there, and those get a novel for a log.  For others, it’s the cache itself, ie, gadget caches.

 

-The Happy Hodag!

The buck stops here. . .and gets entered into Where's George.

Where's George? Stimulating the economy one EMS'ed dollar at a time.

[Team Northwoods]

The best part of geocaching is discovering what lies beyond.

***Opinions expressed are mine alone and will change based upon new information. ***

[Team Northwoods]

I really like to make an adventure out of geocaching if I can. That is one reason I have switched to going out in search of many WGA Lonely Caches. They are lonely for a reason and it is usually because they are not easy to get to although the occasion PnG is on the list.

I know I may not find the cache but what I discover along the way is what I started to focus on. That is also why I started my own website. http://www.teamnorthwoodsgeocaching.com

The best part of geocaching is discovering what lies beyond.

I like to go out exploring and learning about my surroundings. Searching for that little known place just off the beaten path. My main focus is trying to discover unique geological features, flora and fauna and areas of historical significance.

Why geocaching? Because geocaches are almost everywhere now. I  grew up hiking and wandering before geocaching.   You looked at a topo map and headed out into the unknown. If you had a GPS along, you marked a unique area with a waypoint and there it sat all alone on your GPS. Geocaches give you a destination, a record of where you have been and a platform on which to share your adventure.

When out exploring you might find a babbling brook, nice little meadow or a lost waterfall. When I find these special little places I like to share the area by hiding a geocache. Now you to can make it into your own adventure.

Here is one example of a LCG Article I wrote. http://teamnorthwoodsgeocaching.com/blog/2015/7/21/wga-lcg-deer-run-special

The fall is always a very hectic time for me to try and geocache or do anything other than work but I have been able to get out there last weekend and hopefully tomorrow.  But I have to be honest if I do not find the cache or at least a remnant I am still quite disappointed even though I have DNF PRIDE!!

***Opinions expressed are mine alone and will change based upon new information. ***

[Noonan]

Looks like we are very much in agreement. One of the reason I’ve started placing my cache series on the OC&E Trail is to experience the amazing things along the trail, whether it be geological, botanical, zoological or…some manmade things I still don’t understand.

 

And sharing these things with others.

I’ve come across more badger dens out here than I ever saw in Wisconsin (yes, I know we’re not the badger state because of the animal).

The best sig is no sig.

[Author]

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