Today I'm celebrating the 5th anniversary of my very first official find. My daughter and I successfully located and logged 'The Avengers - Iron Man' (GC5KP42) ... sadly, now archived ... five years ago today. We were super chuffed to be taking our first step into such a cool hobby! Little did I know at the time what an important part of my life the geoverse would become.
While brainstorming about the name and location for this commemorative hide, I discovered that "pulling a fiver" is actually a thing, referring to hauling a fifth wheel travel trailer with a pickup truck. It's supposed to be easier to handle, more cost effective and provide better living space than its conventional camper counterparts. It's also more convenient than a traditional recreational vehicle because you can unhook the hitch and drive your truck around by itself.
So, all this learning about different ways of going camping got me thinking about all those fine geofolk I've heard of spending their entire vacations (and even retirement) doing exactly that. Traveling around with some sort of portable home in tow, visiting amazing places and doing lots of caching as they go. What a fun and exciting life of adventure that would be!
Anyway, I latched onto this idea because ... well, it went along with the concept of the cache, especially taking into consideration the play on words incorporating old Richard Stanhope's good name.
As far as choosing a meaningful location for this hide, I grew up coming here to play, swim (in the original pool) and ride rides, as did my mother when she was young. So naturally, I brought my own kids here often to enjoy all the neat stuff North Carolina's oldest public park has to offer.
If you're game to hear me rave-on about how unique and special this place is while sharing a fond memory or two, please check-out my other cache placed closer to campus side of the park called 'Got Any *More* Grapes.' Of course you can just make the find and sign the log without having to read the novelette if you'd rather. That's perfectly fine too 😁
This hide is a micro so please be sure you bring a pen to sign your very awesome geoname. Also, there was just enough room to include a FTF wooden nickel for the lucky first-finder!
It's been challenging trying to identify spots here at Pullen Park that would allow for stealth and discretion. Hopefully this little corner will provide enough cover to facilitate finding, signing and replacing the cache without drawing excessive attention.
Don't you just love it when a CO says "use stealth" for a hide they've placed near an incredibly busy, crowded, high muggle area 😆 Seriously though, do try not to be TOO obvious.
While you're here, you might enjoy taking a few moments to admire the lovely flower garden and maybe read the interesting educational sign about a zoo that used to be housed in this space.
Happy caching everyone! Here's to the next five years ... and beyond!
**Congratulations to elisaraptor and tyrawledactyl for snagging FTF honors 😃🎉