Meet Bloodhounded

You might recognize this contributor's name as one of the operators of CacheCrazy.  Kevin has returned the favor of posting on my blog and I am glad he did!  Kevin is the first out-of-state geocacher to be interviewed on here.  I enjoy following his blog and have kept in contact with Kevin via email.  I hope you enjoy reading his answers as much as I did!

Statistics

How long you’ve been caching: Since February of 2009

Location: Northeast PA, The Pocono's

Number of caches found: 182

Number of caches hidden: 27

Q: Have you ever looked for a cache after dark? Describe your experience.

A: Yes, and not intentionally. We started a 4.5/4.5 at 4:30 PM in the afternoon and by the time we finally made it back to the car it was 10:30 PM. We found the final in the dark with only one flashlight between us I have to say it added a fair amount of difficulty to the find for sure. Then we got turned around (yes, even with the GPSr we went about two mile out of our way thinking we were on the right path, wrong.) In the end it was a blast.

Q: What’s the best part of geocaching? Are there any drawbacks?

A: For me personally, it's all about sharing your adventures with others and just plain old having fun. I am a hider who likes to seek too but that's just me.

The only drawback is that there is just not enough time to go as often as I like and the obsession  continues.

Q: Do you ever worry about anything when you are alone looking for a cache? (i.e. other people, getting hurt, animals)

A: I like to cache with groups but often go alone. Some times I will say that coming across a stranger out in the middle of nowhere is a little freaky. I don't trust people. I never worry about wildlife and always have some form of communication so just short of death by injury, I'm covered.

Q: What is the best way/strategy to get kids involved?

A: Great question! Children are the future of our sport. I have never had a problem taking a bunch of kids caching, I encourage it. All you have to say is, "who wants to go on a treasure hunt?" and you have a car full of kids excited to go! Reach out to scout troops, church youth groups, CYC or YMCA and The Big Brother Big Sister program will hook you up with a group as an event and who knows, maybe a little bro or sis on the go forward.

Q: What’s your favorite grab so far? Why?

A: Hands down, A Walk Into Darkness is my favorite because we were caching with a bunch of fun folks and the challenge was intense but fun and it took hours to complete. I loved it!

Q: What has been your most difficult or challenging find? Describe your experience.

A: To date it is North vs. South it's a black magnetic nano on a cannon in a small memorial of the Civil War. This cache drove me nuts! I was there three times and finally brought the whole family and we went over it inch by inch and my wife Dawn actually made the find. No matter, I was so happy to get this one off the list:)

Q: Do you have a least favorite cache? Why is it your least favorite?

A:  I never met a cache I didn't like! I do not have many finds because I really don't do geojunk. I see caches come up and read the logs that they were in ziplock bags, high traffic areas and such. I don't waste my time on stuff like that. There have been a few that I thought was going to be great and it turned out to be a "deflating" at best.

Q: What is the most interesting thing you’ve found or taken from a cache?

A: I once found a real Swiss Franc in a cache, I still have it and traded a golden US dollar coin for it. I wish more folks would use foreign money in caches. It's cool and interesting to find not to mention what better to find in a treasure hunt than money, right? 

Q: What is the strangest or most unique place you’ve ever found a cache? Describe it.

A: Near my home is a VFW club that has a real US Vietnam helicopter that you can actually climb on board, strap yourself in and work all the controls. It's a great toy to play with and preserved fairly well. The cache was tough but I found it after about two hours of playing and seeking. Then I saw one day that the cache was archived! Say it ain't so! I got in touch with the CO and adopted that baby so kids of all ages can continue to live out the same experience that I had. Today it's called War Dogs and is a dedication to K9  units and the important role they play in today's military.

Q: Have you ever arrived at a cache and discovered someone was looking for it as well?

A: Yes, we were hell bent on getting a FTF on our friends geocache that he recently hid. When we got there the place was empty but within minutes a car pulls up and out pops a husband and wife team with the husband toting a GPSr. I knew right away that we were going to have company. We chatted and they turned out to be fun loving folks who were after the same goal. They ended up getting the FTF because we underestimated the time to do all of the stages and had to leave to take my son to a commitment. We did return the next day and made the find.

Q: Do you know of any altercations between cachers looking for the same cache at once?

A: I haven't heard of any negative altercations but have heard many stories of folks meeting folks and making friends.

Q: Have you ever been approached by the police or other muggles when looking for a cache, particularly after dark?

A: Once I was looking for a cache that was hid in a public park with a neat little walking trail and stages all along it. One particular stage was near the parking area and while looking a guy pulled up and asked "what are you looking for?" I told him I was looking for a geocache and before I could explain he asked "did you lose it right around there?" I just looked at him and shook my head "yes". He said "good luck with that" and drove off. 

                                

                                

Earth Cache

We interrupt this series of interviews to bring you this ground-breaking post about earth caches.  Well actually it's pretty ordinary but seeing as it is my first earth cache, I guess I can make a big deal about it. 
Last weekend, before the rain, I took a trip to one of my favorite geocaching spots-the Bucksport area.  I had seen a few new caches pop up from a trusted cacher and wanted to head down to reach my next milestone of 300 finds. 

Find #300

Every time I've been to Bucksport, I ignore the earth cache icon that pops up on my c:geo app.  I had never done one up until this point but for some reason I always assumed they were a lot of work.  I don't know what was different about that day but I decided to log my first earth cache.  I think I was motivated by the fact that I could clear out a little space on the geocaching map. 

An earth cache is not a container but rather a place with special geological attributes.  The page for an earth cache will give information about the formation or phenomenon and then ask you to complete a task-usually take a picture or answer a question about what you're seeing.  I hadn't done anything geology related since college when I took "Rocks for Jocks."  It turned out that this apparently easy class was rather difficult for me and I would have failed had I not attended an extra-credit field trip.  Thankfully, this earth cache was much easier than my geology class.

Once I got to the formation, I had to take a picture of myself with my GPS in front of the Ordovician Penobscot Formation.  Strange name, right?  Well if you read the details about the roadcut, you'll learn a little bit more about this oddity. 

Maine has a large number of earth caches and, next year, will be hosting the first International EarthCache event.  It'll be held near Portland on September 2, 2012.  This is big news for cachers as this will be a great venue to learn more about earth caches, mingle with cachers, and trade and purchase swag.  What a unique opportunity for any level geocacher to learn more or to share experiences with others.  I'd say I'll be more on the learning end rather than the teaching end for this Mega event! 

Other photos from Bucksport

Meet masterson of the universe

Here's another character I was lucky enough to meet through social media.  I contacted him while doing my first multi cache and he was helpful and patient with all of my questions.  Not only that, but he helped me find my first trackable.  We've been on a few outings together but, since he's found most of the caches in the area, most of the time he was just keeping me and the others company while we searched.  If you've found a cache in the area, check the log and you'll probably find his name. 

Statistics

How long you’ve been caching: I started caching on May 23, 2005

Location: Bangor, Maine

Number of caches found: 696

Number of caches hidden: I have hidden a total of 5 but only two remain active today.

Q: Have you ever looked for a cache after dark? Describe your experience.

A: Yes. When I first started getting into caching seriously, I didn't care what time of day it was as long as I was out signing logs. The first cache I went out for at night was GC15RCZ GeoZoo #7 in Orrington/ Brewer. I took my brother out with me who had only been out on a few day caches. We had no idea what to expect other than that the container would be some sort of animal to fit with the rest of the series. We parked at the road and walked in using our flashlights to try and find our way to where the fire tacks started to mark the tail. On the way in, it was a cool night but there was no fog covering the fields and you could see quite a distance. In the first field, we saw two deer which were easy to spot as their big eyes glowed very bright with the flashlight beam. We watched them for a couple of minutes before they snorted and ran off into the woods. Once we found the beginning of the fire tack trail, the walk in was great. You could see several of the tacks ahead as you walked in and the final cache fit the theme wonderfully. Technically, I was the first to find after the cache was actually published so this was my first first to find even though I don't really claim it in my totals. 

Q: What’s the best part of geocaching? Are there any drawbacks?

A: The adventurous places that that geocaching takes you is very hard to beat. Exploring places you would have never known were there is great. The more you cache, the more you tend to find those unnoticed parks.

Q: Do you ever worry about anything when you are alone looking for a cache? (i.e. other people, getting hurt, animals)

A: I still get paranoid sometimes when I'm all alone in the woods and I hear noises. All it takes sometimes is a bird flying through the trees to make you notice what you can hear and how alone you can be. It reminds you that it's always good to let someone know where you intend to be going, just in case something happens.

Q: What is the best way/strategy to get kids involved?

A: It's very easy to get kids involved if you use the word treasure instead of geocache. Kids who understand the concept of finding treasure can easily get into this if you print a small map of where you're going. It's as simple as drawing in some of your own items on the map to represent something they child might find and always include the X marking the spot. Hiding a cache with a child and checking it regularly can be fun as well. Cooper and I check on one of my caches that he hid with me and he always enjoys re-finding the cache to read the logs.

Q: What’s your favorite grab so far? Why?

A: It's very difficult to pick one cache and call it a favorite as the longer you stick with this hobby, the more people you meet and the more adventures you go on. I don't care who you are, cache #1 is unforgettable. How you do you beat that feeling of finding your first cache, the one that got you hooked? For me, the Cascade Cache will always be my favorite as it was my first find.

Q: What has been your most difficult or challenging find? Describe your experience.

A: It's the unique micro cache containers that I have the most difficulty finding. Caches that are magnetic but look like something different but still blend into their environment perfectly can make you wonder for some time. Without going into detail that might ruin it for people who haven't found it yet, Highs and Lows, GC2E01G, is such a cache. It took me a long time of trying to think like the hider to really come up with find.

Q: Do you have a least favorite cache? Why is it your least favorite?

A: Because this person is not involved in geocaching anymore, I feel there's no real harm in mentioning specifics on a question like this. Two summers ago, a campground owner going by the name of Hondohawk placed a few caches around the Bangor area without taking the time to learn what makes a good hide. Several caches where hidden on private property without permission, hints were used to throw you off of a cache location rather than finding the cache, and one was even buried in the ground. Caches were meant to be found, not frustrate people to the point where they ignore your hides. 

Q: What is the most interesting thing you’ve found or taken from a cache?

A: trackables would be a wooden item that someone carved. Its a ball in a cage carved out of a single piece of wood. The ball rattles around but cannot leave the the cage. I kept it for some time and ended up putting back into a cache for someone else to enjoy.

Q: What is the strangest or most unique place you’ve ever found a cache? Describe it.

A: GC22H1W will give anyone from Maine a good laugh but the description would ruin the fun of the cache. This is a multi cache where you rely more on the use of a compass than on your GPS itself. In just going back to look at the cache page itself, I see some local names having just done this cache within the last month or two. This is definitely worth taking the time to find and bring a camera for sure.

Q: Have you ever arrived at a cache and discovered someone was looking for it as well? 

A: Yes. While working on the list of caches from 2001, I was searching for the Ft. Mclarey cache and came across a man and his son who were trying to find the cache as well but were trying to be careful to not let me know they were searching for it. Knowing what I was doing there, I could kind of tell we were both there for the same reason. I introduced myself and we worked to find the cache together.

Q: Do you know of any altercations between cachers looking for the same cache at once?

A: I don't. I know there have been issues via email or in cache logs suggesting that someone may not have followed the time of day rules listed on a cache page but certainly no physical altercations. Its just a game after all.

Q: Have you ever been approached by the police or other muggles when looking for a cache, particularly after dark?

A: I have been approached by muggles while searching for urban caches but never law enforcement of any kind. In most cases, its not big deal to explain what it is you're doing so they just walk away. The worst thing that could happen is they might help you find the cache, just to see whats in it.

Meet drwhogrl

Although I met drwhogrl through Twitter, we have been out geocaching a couple of times together and she has given me hints on a few difficult finds.  She has over 600 finds and a nice little hide in the Bangor City Forest.  I believe she even had a cache dedicated to her by another geocacher.  She has graciously accompanied me to caches that she's already found just to give me some company.  I'm glad that geocaching gave us a common interest because now it's grown into a friendship. 


Statistics

How long you’ve been caching: 2009-present

Location: Bangor, ME

Number of caches found: 644

Number of caches hidden: 1

Q: Have you ever looked for a cache after dark? Describe your experience.

A: Normally I tend to look for geocaches during the day because it’s a lot harder at night. My friend and I searched for a few in the woods and continued to look after the sun went down and it was a lot harder than we anticipated. I have done a few caches designed to be done at night that were a lot of fun. The one I would recommend in the greater Bangor area is GCYY49 Telltale Heart geocache. Armed with flashlights we followed the fire tacks and I will admit it was spooky walking through the woods in the fall searching for that one. There are a few surprises as you look for it. ;)

Q: What’s the best part of geocaching? Are there any drawbacks?

A: I think the best part of geocaching is when you get to the coordinates and you look around and spy the cache out of the corner of your eye. I love clever hides and actually being able to find them. Also opening the geocache and finding something cool is another great part of geocaching. The drawbacks for me would be caches placed in unsafe locations or placed with no special reason.

Q: Do you ever worry about anything when you are alone looking for a cache? (i.e. other people, getting hurt, animals)

A: I have been out looking for a geocache before and realize that it was probably not a good idea for me to go out looking alone. A few times I have been creeped out by people and abandoned the search. I try to make sure I have my cell phone charged and on me in case of emergencies because I am clumsy. I also make a point of telling someone where I am going.

Q: What is the best way/strategy to get kids involved?

A: Kids seem to enjoy caching a lot when you describe it as a treasure hunt. It does help to read the description of the cache to know what you are going for and make sure it is one that the kids will enjoy. I think kids enjoy the ammo cans a lot more than the micro caches because there is stuff to trade.

Q: What’s your favorite grab so far? Why?

A: I think my favorite grab so far was doing the GC1JJ38 Maine’s Alphanumeric Cache Challenge. I traveled all over the state locating 36 caches beginning with the letters A-Z and the digits 0-9. I thought it was a unique challenge and fun to search the state to complete the challenge.

Q: What has been your most difficult or challenging find? Describe your experience.

A: Puzzle caches tend to be the most challenging for me. I would say the most difficult was GCJ938 Dyslexic Nightmare that is the Bangor City Forest. I looked all over the forest and was incredibly frustrated until amazingly I stumbled upon the cache. I explored the whole forest searching for it at all the possible coordinates, going into marshy areas and in overgrown areas. It hadn’t been found in a long time and it was a rewarding experience to be the one to find it.

Q: Do you have a least favorite cache? Why is it your least favorite?

A: I am not a fan of guardrails. What irks me about those type of caches is that it’s a easy hide and find. I want a challenge.

Q: What is the most interesting thing you’ve found or taken from a cache?

A: Its silly but I was very surprised to find a wad of cash in a cache that was near a cemetery off a dirt road (GC1DZ8N Maine Spirit Quest #34 –Moulton Cemetery). I think the cacher must have wanted to trade something badly and all they had was cash.

Q: What is the strangest or most unique place you’ve ever found a cache? Describe it.

A: I think one of the unique ones for me that stands out is the multi cache GCPPGX Island Hoppers on Pushaw Lake. I made two attempts for this one in the winter when the lake was frozen with my friend Masterson of the Universe. It was really cool to walk out on the ice and locate the stages but on our first trip we couldn’t locate the final cache. You can do the multi in the summertime with a kayak but we decided it would be better to do it in the winter. It was freezing cold out, maybe 10 degrees and a long walk, but it was beautiful being out on the lake. The second attempt required some digging in the snow but we finally located that final cache. It was unique for me because I don’t think I would have normally had a reason to be out on the lake in the middle of winter. I think that’s one of the best things about geocaching is that it takes you to places you normally wouldn’t go.

Q: Have you ever arrived at a cache and discovered someone was looking for it as well? 

A: I was involved in a mini race between five cachers to be the first to find. It was amusing to see the cars pull up and we all knew why the other person was there.

Q: Do you know of any altercations between cachers looking for the same cache at once?

A: No, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any altercations between cachers looking for the same cache. I think most cachers are understanding and often times will wait for the person to rehide it so the second person can look for it.

Q: Have you ever been approached by the police or other muggles when looking for a cache, particularly after dark?

A: I have had people ask what I was doing, but thankfully never the police. I think geocaching has become more popular so most people are aware of what it is.

Not only does drwhogrl have some great geocaching stories, but she also has some other great adventures that you can check out on her blog: http://www.wendylovesgreen.blogspot.com/ 

Meet peace out

I'm starting a series of posts about some of my friends who are also geocachers.  It's neat how you build a community of people who all have the same interest.  You might get to know a person by their geocaching handle, their hides, or even their real name.  I've come to know these people through events, meet-ups, or just chatting on-line.  Now you'll get a chance to know them better, too.

First up is the team peace out.  Mrs. peace out helped me get my start in geocaching.  She introduced me to Travel Bugs by showing me her big collection of coins.  World, meet the team peace out.

Statistics
How long you’ve been caching: Since July 4, 2008
Location: Lincoln, Maine
Number of caches found: 3,513
Number of caches hidden: 37

Q: Have you ever looked for a cache after dark?  Describe your experience.
A: GC1Y3F4 "Stumble in the Dark" and that's just what we were doing! We did this one with other family members on the way to a family vacation. It was one of the first night caches that we have done. We didn't know anything about the glow-in-the dark tacks that we were supposed to be looking for. I think there were six of us stumbling through the woods with flashlights looking for this one!

Q: What's the best part of geocaching? 
A: Getting outside, getting exercise, getting fresh air, exploring new territories, finding an activity that you can do with your spouse and children, getting away from the TV. We have discovered places that we have never thought we could find. Geocachers hide their caches in the most awesome spots. Taking pictures of spectacular spots. Planning vacations around caching. 

Q: Are there any drawbacks?
A: Spending money on gas to get to the caches. Wanting better equipment. Your friends have to listen to you talk about caching all the time.

Q: Do you ever worry about anything when you are alone looking for a cache? (i.e. other people, getting hurt, animals)
A: Yes, all of the above.  I've only gone out a couple of times solo and once was on a hike into the woods. It was too quiet for me. All I could think about was what animal was going to come out of the woods in front of me. Just the other day I went for a FTF at a parking spot. I was in the woods alone and heard car doors slam and I wigged. I came out of the woods as fast as I could and got into my car and stayed there until the two men left. It was scary!

Q: What is the best way to get kids involved?
A: Make it fun! Get them involved with the planning of where you will go caching. Start slow. Let them know that there will be a treasure at the end of their search. Let them hide one of their own and keep track of who comes to it. Let them have their own travel bug and keep track of it. 

Q: What’s your favorite grab so far?  Why?
A: GC1ZAE4 "Onawa Bluff" Mr. peace out found this one as a FTF. Then he came home and told me about how awesome it was and had to take me back there and show me how beautiful it was. He also had to take his geocoin there to get it started. We took a picnic lunch to the top and enjoyed the view. It is quite spectacular! 

Q: What has been your most difficult or challenging find?  Describe your experience.
A: GCWYJ6 "Mt. Blue View" Mr. peace out did this one solo. He said this one was quite the hike. He says it is a very steep climb all the way up. It took him quite a long time to reach the top. Also, GC1HHV1 "Mattamiscontis Mt." Mr. peace out says this one was difficult because there was no trail. He had to bushwhack all the way! 

Q: Do you have a least favorite cache?  Why is it your least favorite?
A: One time at a cache site I told Mr. peace out that I would not touch that container! It was covered with this gross furry stuff inside a guardrail. I don't know what it was.

Q: What is the most interesting thing you’ve found or taken from a cache?
A: We like all the coins and travel bugs, but once I remember finding this unique Native American key chain. It was very detailed. I think I still have it because it was so cool.

Q: What is the strangest or most unique place you’ve ever found a cache? 
A: GCYWC6 "Town of Davidson" We still talk about this abandoned town. There is so much history still here at this abandoned site. We even found a bank safe! We still can't believe there was a town way back here in the woods. We were so interested in this place that I went to the library and looked it up and got a copy of a book about the town and copied it. 

Q: Have you ever arrived at a cache and discovered someone was looking for it as well? 
A: Several times. We've been at a cache and had someone come upon us, also. It is always fun to meet other cachers.

Q: Do you know of any altercations between cachers looking for the same cache at once? 
A: There have been times when certain family members become frustrated with each other, but I've never seen anybody do any bodily harm.

Q: Have you ever been approached by the police or other muggles when looking for a cache, particularly after dark?
A: The police have approached us to ask us if we were okay.  muggle lady came over and asked us if we were doing a bridge inspection.

A big thank-you to peace out for doing this.  I know they were getting ready to head out on a trip, geocaching, of course.  If you're ever in the Lincoln area, check out some of their caches.  They're usually located in interesting spots and have some nice swag in them. 

Peace out!