GC4W3AC * Coins and Trackables
of the Realm at M's Castle (Letterbox)
originated with the idea that Morgan Hill is a perfect location for a much needed trackables hotel. As with most of my hides the idea is always conceived without clarity of where I am going to go with it. Over time, mulling it over in my brain, the concept behind the idea reveals itself, develops, and a cache is born. Some are more beautiful than others, but none are placed without a few brain cells being energized along the way. This is a perfect example. You, as a cacher, will determine how beautifully successful this delivered idea becomes.
With this one Team Spirit is the operative concept. In my early days of caching I thought it was a perfect sport for individuals. The rules are all about honor. There are no rules about wearing particular colors, or acquiring specific gear. As long as you can get the job done TO YOUR OWN STANDARDS you've scored. It is ultimately all self-monitoring, according to the spirit of the sport.
Over time I realized how much of a Team sport it really is. The teams are loosely defined by the groups seeking out caches together at any given time. In our case, we've developed a solid team of and "for three" of us (Team 43). It began accidentally. It continued thru serendipity, thriving with a spirit of adventure, laughter, compatibility on most aspects of our caching and personal values, family, travel together, and so much more. We're always redefining ourselves as a team, as life's challenges and events affect each of us individually. We all stay close to our compatible personal values, and respect each other's contribution, and celebrate our differences that only add a variety of aspects to who we are as a team.
But there is more to individual "teams" of cachers sharing finds along the way. The Team consists of all the cache owners out there too. Without their "guidance" individuals and team-cachers would have no direction or anywhere to go. Develop that idea into the multitude of ways those team players entice us to play the game .... such a variety in hides, concepts, etc ... and then you have the team players who create the playing field. In other words, when you put the CO into Caching, you end up with the C-O-a-c-h-es. Did I say bad puns and word play are always part of our play?
Another important team in caching these days are the COs who are putting out challenges. The gauntlet is thrown onto the field of play, and suddenly there is a frenzy of directed searching for the qualifiers requested. A whole other aspect of the game is created.
Teamwork by all is also evident when a cacher sees, and fulfills, a need to do cache maintenance for COs along the way.
As it is, geocaching is an ever-evolving sport, designed for and by individual play, enhanced by the fluidity of "team" play.
As much as we are each affected by the team aspect of geocaching, it is still an individual sport. Even when playing with a team our individual goals, milestones, and accomplishments are the most meaningful ... to ourselves alone. There's only playful competitiveness in thinking your "score" matters when compared to anyone else's numbers.
Personally, I favor playing on, with and as a team. As competitive as I am personally, I'm also a middle-child from a large family, a mom, a grandma, and so on. My basic thought processes tend to be as a "team player" first, individual somewhere down the list. I find greatest pleasure in recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of those around me.
My heart bursts with pride when You WIN!
I can't help but laugh spontaneously on the rarer times when I WIN!
Most of all, I am abundantly delighted when we can yell out the car window .... WE WIN!
Stated another way, Team Spirit is most rewarding when you just Give It Away! with gusto!
....and that's the truth!
Congratulations & Welcome to local hometown cachers, (FTF) and GoodLife (STF), for Storming the Castle (or at least braving the storm) to warm the welcome mat of the Castle. Good to have your visit, as always!
****Yes, the name of the cache has some odd characters. If you are "into" challenge caches you might find a few requiring symbols that are hard to find ... except in this title.