This challenge goes to the daredevils that search the adventure and go beyond the ordinary to reach the extraordinary. Since I started geocaching 2+ years ago, searching for the ancestors of today's caches has been always a passion for me. Every out-of-state trip includes a thoroughly research to see if I can deviate my route somehow closer to any of this old venerable caches.
To log this cache as a find you need to fulfill one simple requirement: You need to find at least 5 of any of the state first active caches in the USA or Canada.
I think that a geocacher should not challenge fellow geocachers to achieve something that him or her is not willing to achieve itself if it has not been achieved yet. Ergo here comes my challenge to all of you daredevils.
The story of this challenge started a couple of years ago when by chance I stopped at Mingo. I did not know anything about Mingo at that time. I was on my way to Colorado for a weekend and I wanted to find caches along the interstate I-70. At that time I was really into trackables, TBs and GCs so Mingo popped up on my screen as a gold mine full of trackables so I included it in my stops along my route. To my surprise when I pulled over and retrieved the logbook I started reading all the amazing logs other cachers have left behind. I could not believe it when I realized that I have just found by chance the oldest active cache in the world. That was the moment when the flame ignited within myself. Since then I started searching for old caches. Later that year I found about the Jasmer challenge which by the way I am about to complete but still need three 2000's caches.
Anyways so far I have found five of the states firsts caches and I invite you to join me in the search for these grandfather caches. I am still in the search for more oldies. All five I found are located in states near by:
Every find was an adventure worth the effort and the time. Having such old gems of geocaching under my belt gives me a very fulfilling feeling. I am sure most of my fellow KC cachers already have one for starters because we have one right in our own backyard here in Kansas City.
I include a very helpful list of bookmarks which list all 66 state/provinces first caches in the United States (including Hawai'i and Alaska) and Canada. There are only two caches that have been archived since this list was put together: Wyoming's and Quebec's first caches are gone.
The cache is not at the listed coordinates but about 200 feet to the NE going across the bridge. About 15 feet off the trail locate a tree that has an opening on the roots. You will not see the cache but will need to feel it. Use the spoiler picture if you cannot locate the hideout trunk.
If you plan to take on this challenge first you need to find the cache and sign the log. Then when you post your Found It log include those state firsts caches that you have visited and if you wish (completely optional and up to you, of course) share the odyssey that you went through and the excitement of achieving these awesome geocaching milestones under your belt.
Here is the link to the bookmarked list: Oldest active state/province caches.