The Start of Something…

When I starting geocaching, I had no idea what I was doing….really. My first two caches (both DNF’s) were puzzle caches I assumed were regular caches, as I had no idea there was a difference. I spent thirty minutes at both looking in trash cans and shrubs for a “cache”, whatever that was. Giving it one final try I moved on to a Neondion cache with more DNF’s then finds. Needless to say I was frustrated and wanted to quit. It wasn’t until three days later that I found my first cache in Odell park and the journey (and fun) began.

I’m sure there are many people that share my initial experience with caching. Some who leave the sport and never come back. I knew of no one who even knew what caching was that I could ask or rely on for advice. I didn’t know of the multiple organizations and meet and greets that help new cachers start geocaching. I simply picked up my Garmin and headed out the door. Had I known what a global community geocaching hosted I would have surely utilized some of the resources available.

I recently had the joy of my FTWFTF….First to watch first to find, to say, I watched my friend find his first cache. I stood by as the cache dangled inches from his face as he puzzled over where it could be, only to see his eyes light up when he made the find. I have to say it was quite an experience. I mapped out an area to show him some of the different types of caches and was surprised when he started making finds before me. It goes without saying that I think he’s hooked.

Along with Pat,(Lasertuna) two of my good friends(husband and wife team Michaud0413) from a few years back recently took the plunge into the wild and crazy world that is geocaching. Pat, Scott and I all work in the same office which lends itself nicely to a few cache attacks at odd hours (3am is our fav) as we tend to work the graveyard shift. As I’ve been flying more or less solo for the first four years of caching it has brought a whole new meaning to “going caching” It’s not simply finding caches now, but the jokes and jabs, the being the first to find the cache we are looking for, and the laughs.

With our new found trio I find myself more apt to go for caches I would have normally passed up. Mostly urban hides I felt awkward searching for, I no longer pass up as I see it as a great chance to “show the guys” a neat hide. We all bring something to the team and it bodes well for the higher difficulty hides. It also brings a sense of community to caching that, for me, was a solitary hobby for a long time. I even attended my first Geocaching Brunch and had a blast.

With the popularity of SmartPhones geocaching is at everyone’s fingertips. I think there is no better time to encourage a friend or family member to give it a try. You never know, it may just be the start of something…