Congratulations to TJnAJ for 10,000 Finds!!!
Here are just a few stories and sentiments from friends who have cached with him over the years.
Please share your stories, pictures, or memories of TJnAJ in your log!
Please return the cache to it's winter friendly hiding spot and add some natural camo.
The Kid of TJnAJ
Caching with my dad is always something that I can remember fondly, whether that's geocaches that seem to drag on forever, or the
big monuments that make the journey worth it. I may not always enjoy going outside- or rather my allergies don't make the experience fun- but on the days when I can I've had great fun. I've gotten to bring along friends, and make new ones along the way, all thanks to my dad's outgoing nature. It's been great to see how happy caching makes him, even if I'm not always there as much as I used to be. I love my dad, and I'm very lucky to have him be so close with me. Geocaching gives us a great activity to bond over, and I hope
to keep doing it with him even as I grow into adulthood. Happy birthday, dad. <3
XZQ&Dad
Congratulations to TJnAJ. Whether racing for a FTF or posing for a selfie or just on a normal caching trek between events. TJnAJ have become staples of south metro caching, working on a 1000 day streak before Covid convinced everyone else to do so. Truitt's leadership on MnGCA will long be remembered, as will his running record of the state of Bart's level of frustration at appearing in selfies.
Congratulations TJnAJ!!
essap2
I don’t think any of us ever doubted that Truitt would reach 10,000 finds but I’m astonished at how quick he did. It doesn’t seem too long ago that I started seeing selfies start popping up on caches everywhere; and today, Truitt and the kid have reached 10,000.
I’ve had the pleasure of caching with Truitt on multiple caching trips and I think what distinguishes him above many other cachers is he is quite the trooper. I remember caching with him in a mosquito infested swamp north of Hugo which the average Geocacher would have called it quits but Truitt persevered and we found the cache many many mosquito bites later. Just this last weekend, I led Truitt down a steep hillside through a massive thickest thorn thickets and I look back and Truitt is still chugging along (although I think he was about ready to kill me)! It's this mentality that distinguishes the average geocacher from the truly dedicated.
The biggest impact that Truitt’s had on geocaching is the spectacular job that he has done at encouraging newer cachers into getting in it. Jumping the bridge between being a “once and done” type geocacher to a geocaching hobbyist has a high barrier of entry and Truitt has done a fantastic job of being a resource and friendly face. Overall, this is Truitt’s most profound impact on the game to the betterment of all geocachers.
Love
“Congratulations on 10k caches!!! What an achievement! Happy that some of those smileys meant our paths crossed.”
-Annie (Love)
guardrail10
Congratulations to TJ&AJ on your 10K milestone-A very awesome accomplishment-Nice Work!
I had met TJ briefly at a few events, but we hadn’t really crossed paths in the field. The areas that we live/cache in are basically on opposite sides of the Metro area. Lately I’ve been very fortunate to meet up with him at a few caches. Recently we met at a FTF attempt GCA01T5 Likeable in Lebanon. I had a great time teaming up with him to make the locate on the cache. There were a handful of other new FTF opportunities in the Park. I wanted to continue on caching with him and try for more, but unfortunately, he was on the way to work. The professional he is, my coaxing to continue didn’t work to change his mind. I’m confident we’ll meet up more in the future to do some caching.
It is awesome to see someone who is so passionate about Geocaching and being involved in fostering the sport. Many occasions he is caching with his friends and involved with their success/accomplishments. Truitt is always in such great spirits. What a nice person to be associated with. Best wishes to him with all future caching endeavors!
kirbytown
Congratulations TJnAJ!!
You are a most excellent geocacher and and I am so proud to call you my friend. I have cached more places than I ever imagined I would bc of you, and learned so much bc of you. Thank you for being my mentor and one of my favorite caching partners. I can’t wait to see where we will end up next. QTK Forever!! Happy 10K! 🍄💕🌷
agentkimmers
TJnAJ and I were both newbies to geocaching around the same time and were both figuring out how this sport worked. I first reached out to him in embarrassment that I had broken one of his new caches (the magnet had come undone). We worked together to learn what worked for hides, how to figure out puzzles, and other games within the game. One time, while out caching and searching for a difficult cache the kids said, "TJ will find this one." TJ turns to them and says, "You know my name is Truitt, right?" The kid fires back, "No, its not, its TJ!" TJ looks at me puzzled not sure what to do. I said, "Yeah, we're going with TJ." Congrats on 10,000, TJ! And remember... Mqx baxkcxbm fth mx mqx ltlan bb gxm wxlxbljkreh mqx fth rxn baxnuw ph.
Jittney
We felt like we knew Truitt way before we actually met in person due to his personalized logs and selfies. If we ever found ourselves stumped at a find we'd tell the other to scroll the logs to find that TJnAJ guy with his picture for hints!
When we were still fairly new and caching in Rosemount, we found a TJnAJ hide. We decided to leave a nice log for his efforts. We did not expect a friendly reply thanking us for the log and hoping to run into each other sometime. We thought that was pretty cool.
After spending time with Truitt during several caching excursions and events, we can say that we admire what a great ambassador he is for the sport. He is knowledgeable, funny, kind and welcoming to everyone he meets.
We're happy to be geo-friends and are totally okay when you want to use Jim as your personal tree climber! 😉
Congratulations, Truitt, on 10,000+ finds!
- Jittney (Jim & Brittney)
gypsylove
10,000! Huge milestone. Congratulations!
We met online long before in person. You were a big help with all of my questions, plotting and planning. You were gracious in helping my granddaughter and I when we were doing the Fargo-Moorhead tour. We really appreciated that. I think we finally met in person at the Eerie Pennsylvania Woods Scavenger Hunt X - Alien Edition and shared many adventures together after that. Cheers to your accomplishment!
ASL Girl
I'm Dianna, a.k.a. ASL Girl, from the South Metro. I first met TJ at a Halloween Hoopla event a few years ago. I had recently obtained The Key and he reached out to me requesting it. I gladly obliged and agreed to bring it to the Hoopla event. Within seconds of meeting TJ, I knew he was a real guy. The authentic, genuine, Real Deal Lucille. We exchanged PAFs and the rest is history. I've cached with him several times and found that he is as kind and caring as he is dry-wittedly funny. Be prepared to have a loud groan or hairball immediately hurled your way if you come up with a pun or a really bad one-liner though. (I have a lot of personal experience in this area) As I've said, Truitt is a truly wonderful guy. From acceptance on the homefront to understanding out in the community (my disabilities can sometimes cause communication difficulties, yet he patiently waits things out), Truitt is someone that anyone would be proud and honored to call a friend. I am one of those fortunate ones. Congratulations Truitt on a milestone that is as remarkable as you. Looking forward to joining you in and following along with you on your future caching journeys.
mnkat
This cache is a tribute to TJnAJ! If you are not familiar with him, look at some of his logs. Anything stand out? TJnAJ takes a picture at each cache he finds. If you check several, you will notice that he caches with a wide variety of people! I have had some really great times caching with him! If you have not had a chance to cache with him you should! He is kind, funny and brave! I don’t know anyone who is so open to caching with others and is so genuinely nice! I’m glad to have caches with you TJ! I look forward to many more adventures.
Queenie
10K? Incredible! And in such a relatively short time, too! WOW! AND within those 10,000 finds are close to 11,000 selfies and other snaps; countless numbers of caching friends, new and old; a myriad of adventures in Minnesota and thoughout the world.
You were the first cacher to invite me out to cache without mnkat. (yes, I was a little freaked out that someone I barely knew asked me to cache with them...) Thank goodness I said yes. We've shared countless adventures laden with laughter, good conversation, smileys and the occasional frownie. You have been a fantastic and patient teacher, answered my endless questions, and taken me to some amazing caches even though you had previously found them. So TJ...
CONGRATULATIONS! HUZZAH! HIP HIP HOORAY for TJ's BIG 10K
giacaches
Truitt,
Congratulations on 10k! Wow, what a great accomplishment. I'm glad to have logged a few of those with you and look forward to more shared adventures during your next ten thousand finds.
Cheers and sending all my best from Seattle,
Gia
Best Girl
I, Best Girl, of the Holy Strollers team, first met TJ at a new cache. I was sitting in my car having just submitted my FTF log when I noticed a fella looking very much like a non muggle wandering around GZ. Thinking he was a cacher I watched him for a bit, decided he was, and popped out to say hello. As I recall I let him continue searching for it on his own. Since the coords were slightly off we decided to play the hot and cold game which then led to a find. After a nice chit chat, we walked together to find other nearby caches in the park, TJ being very considerate of my disability and “slowness”, staying by my side making sure I stayed safe and sound. He did not hesitate to walk at my pace and offered a helping hand when needed. This kind gesture meant a great deal to me and I have not forgotten it! We have since met at many caches and events and have always enjoyed a fun search together for an FTF, nice chit chat and, of course, selfies.
Proceed to posted coordinates where you will find a Dakota County Parks educational sign. Use the information from the sign to figure out the coords for Stage 2.
Stage 2: N 44 54.ABC W 093 04.XYZ
A = How many words are in the title of the sign?
B = How many calendar years are shown on the black arrows pointing to the tree slice's rings. (Don't overthink this one.)
C = The number of words in the lower right hand corner + 2 ( Look and count carefully!)
XYZ = The number of years a mighty oak could live - 173