[Az-Geocaching] Wow continued... what you enjoy about geocaching

Tue Aug 23 13:11:56 MST 2005

That is oh so wrong to leave us hanging like that.  How many caches did you
end up with?  :)

Brian
Team A.I.

-----Original Message-----
From: az-geocaching-bounces at listserv.azgeocaching.com
[mailto:az-geocaching-bounces at listserv.azgeocaching.com] On Behalf Of Jared
Ross
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 1:59 PM
To: listserv at azgeocaching.com
Subject: [Az-Geocaching] Wow continued... what you enjoy about geocaching

Good story RTW. I actually came across your log entry
for that Ballooning find and enjoyed reading the log
and seeing the pictures. I also appreciate your "rule
of thumb" and we practice a seemingly identical rule.

Since this has turned into a very fun topic to read
about how each individuals enjoy the game, I felt like
throwing our story into the mix. Now, Heather and I
are fairly new to the game still (December 04) but we
quickly became addicts. For us it doesn't really
matter where the cache is because one way or another
it's going to get us outside. I've only lived in the
valley for a little over a year and Geocaching has
been such an important tool in helping me learn my way
around. Now as unpopular as it seems to be, we do
enjoy the "numbers" aspect of the game.

Note that I didn't say we ONLY enjoy the numbers
aspect, but it's one area of the hobby we like. It's
largely a personal thing and while we also enjoy
hiking to caches and searching for difficult caches,
easy urban micros have a place in our caching hearts
too. In fact, two of our most memorable moments
caching together are on opposite sides of the
spectrum.

We spent a sunday morning hiking around in the
Thunderbird Park area. Now granted there are quite a
number of caches in this area, but on this day the
cache finds were merely a bonus for the awesome views
and hiking that we did. Now, I'm a competitive guy and
a lot of that is self-competition. When I go hiking
I'm competing against myself to see if I can hike
higher/farther than I think I can. That same
self-competitiveness (if it isn't a word, it should
be, haha) plays a part in our geocaching.

Our second most memorable moment of caching was
actually just this past weekend. Heather and I have
been trying to push ourselves to the limit with our
"Cache-til-U-Crache" adventures. Our first outing back
in July was a long 17 hours of caching in the valley.
This past weekend we set out for 24 non-stop hours of
caching. Now of course we are aware that there's a
numbers record for most finds in a day and that
obviously played a part in our motivation. But it
takes more than just a numbers record to make you
cache for that long. The day was very long and
required nearly 350miles of driving and in the end we
decided that nearly 23 hours was long enough for this
outing. Heather and I had a blast doing it though. We
had both been so busy with work and other things that
we really hadn't had much time together. Not only did
we get to spend a much needed FULL day together, but
we improved our communication skills and teamwork
skills, something that will hopefully make us a better
couple. 

So while the numbers game isn't something for everyone
and seems to be viewed rather negatively by a large
portion of the caching community here, it does have
its positives. Its pushed us to try harder in beating
our own personal goals. Its helped us to realize the
power of setting/achieving goals and has helped us
with non-caching related goals. Its helped us become a
closer and better couple. And not to mention its
helped me find and even better way to waste my gas
money! :)

Aside from all the urban caching we've done recently,
I am looking forward to getting some nice hikes in and
seeing some amazing sights soon. I'm currently not
suppose to be doing any hiking right now due to a
pinched sciatic nerve, but rest assured that once my
physical therapy is done, I'm looking forward to a few
really fun hikes. Maybe we can even get a few groups
together for some weekend caching/hiking.

Keep on responding to this, it's really enjoyable
reading about how each individual/team makes
geocaching fun for them.

Peace, Love and Caching!
Jared of AZBliss02

--- Roping The Wind <arizcowboy at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 
> 
> >From: "PATRICK FINLEY" <Fastball50 at msn.com>
> >Reply-To: listserv at azgeocaching.com
> >To: <listserv at azgeocaching.com>
> >Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Wow
> >Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 21:35:52 -0700
> >
> >I think Ken has hit the nail on the head. This is a
> game/hobby folks! I 
> >think some of you take this >WAY to seriously. We
> too were obsessed with 
> >geocaching and the numbers for quite awhile, but
> >after stepping back a 
> >little, realized that in the whole realm of things,
> this doesn't mean 
> >squat. We >now enjoy going after caches that we
> really "want" to pursue, 
> >instead of just going after caches >to add to our
> numbers. We exceeded our 
> >personal goals and realized just how
> >compulsive/obsessive this game can 
> >be. Of course, where we are located right now, we
> probably >couldn't get 
> >20-25 caches in a day, anyway. Geocaching is
> supposed to be "fun", and I 
> >think some >of you have seemed to lost sight of
> that. There's plenty of 
> >other things to do out there, and >maybe some of
> you who spend hours on the 
> >computer everyday, should keep that in mind. The
> >best days I ever had in 
> >Geocaching have been the days where myself, AJ.JR,
> Sprocket, Highway 
> > >Havoc, Malcolm of Taylor's Tomb Raiders, RTW, and
> various other cachers 
> >have taken tough hikes >to beautiful places and
> gotten only one cache in a 
> >day. Sharing the day with your friends in the
> >outdoors is what it's all 
> >about. It seems anymore that the the majority of
> posts on the listserv have 
> > >nothing to do with caching or discussing
> geocaching, but are more of a 
> >social nature If thats the >direction the listserv
> is heading ,than so be 
> >it. I've never shyed away from expressing my
> opinion, >and Jeff has stated 
> >how HE feels about co-FTF's, which is only HIS
> opinion. I'm sure Jeff has 
> >other >things going on in his life right now, but
> it's really nobody elses 
> >business. Also,Trisha has other >things going on in
> her life right now that 
> >are a lot more important than geocaching and I
> would >guess she's put 
> >things into perspective. Just let it go and move on
> to something else, like 
> >the next >pizza event or whatever.............<<
> 
> I agree. I used to be big into the numbers. In fact,
> the day I started 
> geocaching was the day I decided I was going to go
> after #1 in the AZ 
> rankings! :)) I think it was two years later when I
> finally hit that #1 
> spot. I took a second stab at it and held it again
> for a short time later 
> down the road. Today, I just geocache strictly for
> fun. I dont even look at 
> the azgeocaching rankings much anymore. I
> acccomplished my goal and now I 
> can kick back and just enjoy each cache I find. I
> truly enjoy the same types 
> of caches that Flatiron enjoys. That being the
> wilderness type and hiking 
> caches. Just being outdoors in the country. I am
> currently up in Sedona 
> where I spend my summers now. All the caches up here
> are of this nature and 
> I have truly enjoyed each and every one I do up
> here. I like to enjoy the 
> hike and take my time at each cache. I am not in a
> rush to move on to 
> another one anymore. I do the caches I enjoy doing
> and just dont bother with 
> the ones that I do not enjoy. One of the most unique
> caches I ever done was 
> when I took my balloon and ascended up to the top of
> a rock (Shiver Me 
> Timbers cache) to claim a first find. Oh, and there
> was NO co-FTF jeff! I 
> claimed the first find officially! LOL Although we
> all worked together to 
> make each of our finds possible that morning... not
> even I could have found 
> that cache without the help of the other geocachers
> and my crew. If there is 
> a true Co-FTF.. this would have been the cache (but
> since it was my 
> balloon.... we all agreed to let me sign the logbook
> first and claim the 
> first find! LOL).  I was in the company of Rugerdog,
> AJ.JR and Flatiron and 
> we had an awsome time. That was probably the most
> fun I had ever had 
> geocaching. It was a very social and fun morning.
> For me, combining two 
> things that I enjoy doing most... made for a grand
> adventure. Anytime I can 
> get out and go for a hike for a cache with another
> team is always fun and 
> makes the hunt more enjoyable and social. I havent
> found a cache in over a 
> month now. In fact, I found my first cache since
> July 23rd just a couple of 
> days ago. Up here, I now have to drive 30 miles just
> to find one cache. With 
> the cost of gas these days... I just dont bother to
> go caching much. 
> Anyways, back to the topic.. I must say that when I
> was caching for the 
> numbers and seeking that #1 status... I also found
> my attitude toward the 
> game a bit different than it is now. It irritated me
> when I saw what "I 
> considered to be"  a not so legitimate 'find' log or
> whatever (and I will 
> not get into what I consider not legitimate for fear
> of someone drilling me 
> a new a**hole on the listserv! LOL). I always kept
> it to myself though and 
> perhaps in some private discussions with other
> cachers. But to each their 
> own... everyone is welcome to play the game as they
> see fit. My personal 
> rule of thumb... a rule I have had since the first
> day I geocached and still 
> a rule today... if I cant put my name in the cache
> logbook, I dont claim a 
> find log on it. To me, just putting my eyes on the
> cache isn't a find. If 
> there is a rattlesnake sitting on the cache... I
> will either move it or wait 
> for it to move, because I have to get that logbook
> in my hands to sign it. 
> But that is just how I prefer to play the game. I
> dont care how others play. 
> These days, I dont have to rush off to find another
> cache for a 'big 
> numbers' day and I dont mind waiting for the snake
> to leave on it's own! :))
> 
> Scott
> Team Ropingthewind
> 
> 
>
____________________________________________________________
> Az-Geocaching mailing list listserv at azgeocaching.com
> To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe
> visit:
>
http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching
> 
> Arizona's Geocaching Resource
> http://www.azgeocaching.com
> 

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 
____________________________________________________________
Az-Geocaching mailing list listserv at azgeocaching.com
To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit:
http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching

Arizona's Geocaching Resource
http://www.azgeocaching.com

DISCLAIMER:
This message is confidential, intended only for the named recipient(s) and may contain information that is privileged or exempt from disclosure under applicable law.  If you are not the intended recipient(s), you are notified that the dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you receive this message in error, or are not the named recipient(s), please notify the sender at either the e-mail address or by calling the telephone number associated with this transmission. Please delete this e-mail from your computer (or discard this fax).  Thank You.