cotontop3's Blue Canary Gold Geocoin

This geocoin is "gifted" to cotontop3, who I felt really deserved one and for other reasons that he knows.

You cannot buy this coin. You cannot trade for it. The only way to own one of these coins is for Blue Canary to deem you worthy and to "gift" it to you.

The obverse of the coin has the logo of Blue Canary, who has been geocaching since February 21, 2003. A blue canary is a term used only half in jest by firemen in referring to law enforcement officers at a hazardous materials incident. Unfortunately, Hazmat training for law enforcement has lagged behind that of fire fighters. Law enforcement is usually trained to rush immediately to any incident they are called to. Fire fighters have been trained to observe the area as they approach. Only half jokingly fire fighters are taught in responding to hazardous material incidents to observe any law enforcement officers already on the scene to see if the "Blue Canaries" appear OK or are prone on the ground. Blue Canary is a retired law enforcement officer. Also in the border of the coin are the Eagle Scout badge and the square and compass of the Masons, both of which Blue Canary is proud to be.

The reverse side shows a camp scene. Another one of Blue Canary's hobbies is buckskinning, also called mountain man or longhunter. This is basically camping using only equipment that was available prior to 1840. Camps, called rendezvous, are held at various locations around the United States throughout the year. The sky represents two astronomical events, an eclipse and a comet, that occured during the same rendezvous Blue Canary was at several years ago.