Alright, gather 'round, ye GPS-wielding wizards and puzzle-solving sorcerers! Let's convene before the glorious, nay, legendary Ocala First To Find Frenzy, a day where we trade sleep for scurrying through the woods like caffeinated squirrels.
We're here to do a few things, mostly involving remembering how we tripped over roots and misread coordinates in past years. We'll also be forming teams. Or, more accurately, we'll be forming alliances of convenience, likely to dissolve the moment someone finds a cooler full of snacks.
And of course, we'll be engaging in the time-honored tradition of wild guessing. "It's gotta be near the swamp!" someone will say confidently, while another mutters, "Nah, they'll hide 'em on the sugar-sanded forest trail this time." Because, let's face it, that's just how the OFTFF rolls.
But, more importantly, we're here to raise a glass (or a travel mug full of lukewarm coffee, no judgment) to the one, the only, acahingcat. A geocaching titan, a finder of epic proportions, a legend whispered in the rustling leaves of a thousand hidden caches. He was the kind of geocacher who could find a nano in a snowdrift while blindfolded, probably.
Think of all the times he probably laughed at us as we wandered aimlessly through the woods. Think of all the caches he found before we even knew they existed. Think of all the times he probably had a perfectly organized geocaching bag, while ours looked like a squirrel had a yard sale in it.
He was a prolific finder, a master of the hunt, and, let's be honest, probably knew where all the best muggle-free spots were. So, let's raise a toast to acahingcat, the man, the myth, the legend., May his GPS always have full bars, and may his caches always be found.
But as we gather to remember Jimmy for this the Final Ocala First to Find Frenzy, we would be remiss if the did not remember and salute Julie, as a driving force that accompanled Jimmy and pushed him on these adventures. She has continued to be the inspiration. Still putting out the caches for this final event and inspiring all involved in continuing this event for one more year,
And, as always, feel free to ignore me entirely and just sit in the corner quietly. Food and drink are optional, but remembering the sheer absurdity of geocaching is mandatory.