I wanted to start a series to provide recognition for a specific set of folks. Although there are many people deserving of being recognized, I wanted to do so for a group that has previously been overlooked. These are NOT tribute caches (whatever they are). These are Attaboy and Attagirl caches for Randolph County Geocachers for surpassing the goal of 5,000 caches AND/OR for providing extraordinary adventures for geocachers. Each cache provides an affirmation that the geocacher has passed some milestone deserving of some recognition. I've been threatening to post this series for a while and NOW is the time.
Our next Attaboy recipient is NOT a Randolph County nor does he work here. However, if you are in caching for long or know anything about geocaching, you will probably hear the name Ranger Fox. Yes, he actually has over 45,000 caches as I write this. Yes, last year he found over 10,000 caches. Yes, he has or had one of the longest streaks of finding a cache a day in the history of geocaching. Passionate? For sure! Normal? Are any of us who geocache really normal? No, he's not what most folks would call normal. Having said that, he is one of the smartest people you will meet. If it has a keyboard he can make it dance in ways you didn't know was possible. He is also one of the most generous people you will ever meet.
Ranger Fox (or at people close to him would say, Ranger Fox) has made some great contributions to caching in Randolph County. Fox has stepped up the quality of our geocaches, and they were already pretty high in this county. I will admit I go to his caches with both a sense of awe and excitement, and a sense of healthy dread. I know I will have to use my brain and resources to overcome some problem I will likely not have faced before in geocaching. If you haven't visited some of his R.C. signpost caches, you are in for an experience (how can one be scared doing signpost caches.....just wait!). More importantly, Ranger Fox has re-opened the Uwharrie National Forest to us and populated it with awesome caches and events.
Finally, there are Wherigos. Fox is a guru of wherigo and a pioneer and leader (if not the leader) of Wherigos worldwide. If you haven't done a Wherigo, you should. Attaboy, Ranger Fox! Although you are not from here you have made yourself family. Salute!