"The Best Finds...

There is currently no goal for this item.

...Are Other Geocachers"

This was given to me on June 12, 2014 at GC54WTA "A Dozen Hundredths" by surprise visitors from way out of town, who I was thrilled just happened to be in the area at the time to make it a states-stretching shindig!  It was an event I held to mark the intentional end of my cache-a-day streak, reaching 1,200 days in a row and being happy with that end date.

I thought about keeping this one in my collection because I've never seen one like it, and because of the reason it was given to me, but the message printed on it's face is so true that I wanted to share it.  Either it'll end up in hands of Geocachers who have already learned that the real treasures are the other people you'll come into contact with, or it'll end up in the hands of newer Geocachers who have yet to had to pleasure of mingling with the masses and going on journies together.

In the strictest sense of the message, I have gone on FTF runs where I found out I wasn't alone, and more than the thrill of the competitive find was the laughter and joy we had while sharing it.  I've experienced DNFs that also end up as accidental group ventures and yet there's just something about running into others that makes even a 'did not find' a fun excursion for me (at least we're all frustrated together).  Events, well there's nothing quite like mingling with a bunch of other 'outdoors' nerds' with the conversation and happiness flowing like crazy.  There have been hikes and outtings that involved people I now consider my friends, and this lovely craze we all enjoy so much.  And those friends, well they are true gems, I appreciate each and every one of them.  A big, collective family of friendly, outgoing and slightly nutty people (admit it, not a one of us is normal, because normal is boring), that I would've never would've been blessed to know had it not been for this!  Not to mention that there is something truly rewarding about bringing old friends into the fold as well, and cementing relationships with togetherness in a manner only Geocaching can provide.

A long time ago in a land far away I was told by one such friend, "If you're going up here alone and I'm free I'll come with you, just give me a call."  I didn't get it then because he'd already cached out the area.  Maybe I hadn't fully anticipated the draw of the companionship, maybe I had gone into my shell for so long that it was taking me a while to come back out.  But now, well I get it.  Because I too will go anywhere my buddies would like, whether I personally have a smile to gain out of it or none of the locations will be new to me.  For getting out, being together, seeing amazing things and having fun with those you enjoy is the most important part.