Well it has been another interesting year. Many highs, some lows. We seem to have weathered dealing with another year of COVID-19 with its variants, a heat dome, fires and more recently flooding. However despite all the hardships and low moments it is always amazing the good that comes from it - people truly rise to the occasion to help each other.
Our family personally experienced the generosity of others (a friendship made through Geocaching) - helping us check on our place in the US, our place we could not get to in over two years. Thank you T@bbywmn and Treefoil for checking on our place, doing some maintenance that was required but ultimately giving us peace of mind that our place was okay.
Sparrowfall* and I were able to help give back a little by filling sand bags at Albert Dyck Park during the extreme flooding events in the Fraser Valley. The first day we volunteered there were about 10-15 people helping out, the second time we went there were well over 100-150 people. Volunteers from all over the community were there to help - young & old. The community spirit that we experienced was amazing. People working hard to fill bags in a downpour, others bringing hot drinks and a hot meals - quite staggering how many bags were filled.
Another positive experience was participating in the various CITO events during the year - geocachers giving back to their local communities and carrying out a variety of tasks - cleanups, removing invasive species, trees planting etc. I suggested to Geocaching HQ we should create an "EMERGENCY CITO" a caching event that could be published more quickly - geocachers are always eager to help out others in need!
I think 2022 will be a great year and very much looking forward to it. Hopefully a slow disappearance of COVID-19, more international travel and Geocaching, AND don't forget the most incredible event in 2022 - GEOWOODSTOCK XVIII (GW XVIII). Please share information with fellow geocachers and even more importantly share with NEW geocachers - and there are many newbies that have found this fun activity, called geocaching, during the last two years. Let them know what a rare chance they have to attend what promises to be an incredible EVENT ever hosted in Canada (IMHO).
I'm looking forward to hosting this little year end event, swap some stories, swap some TBs and just reminisce over what has all happened in the past year and what things we have to look forward to in 2022.
DETAILS
WHERE: Campbell Picnic Shelter in Centennial Park
- small covered area by the water / spray park
(West side of Mill Lake)
DATE : December 31st
TIME : 14:00-14:30
Abiding by : Public health guidelines Public Health
I'll bring some Hot Chocolate & Donuts, of course you are welcome to bring something yourself if you would like!
See you all there.