Delaware Geocaching

April 13, 2017
(Thur) 6 PM to 8 PM
Seaford Eagle Diner
23412 Sussex Highway
Seaford, DE

Hostanut, LadyH and the Scrapple-ers will co-host this event the 2nd Thursday of each month….same time and same place.

Join us for good food, good company and good conversation!

ALL are welcome!:
-newbies, experienced and even those that just want to learn about geocaching -Delaware cachers and cachers visiting from other states

Food and drink is available for individual purchase.
Bring any trackables that you wish to exchange.

https://www.geocachingde.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Team-TA.pdf

Caching Name:  Forbez

Real Name:  John Forbes

1.     How did you become involved in geocaching?   I found out about geocaching with the first car gps that we bought in 07 that had some preloaded. We never found it and forgot about it for a few years until while involved with Boy scouts as a leader and during summer camp they were offering the merit badge. After summer camp that year while on vacation and sitting on a beach I downloaded the app and have been hooked ever since.

2.     How did you choose your caching name?      My name came about as a nickname from a pirate canoe trip from when my kids were younger and in karate we were known as El FORBÉZ

3.     What type of cache do you prefer seeking – traditional, multi, and puzzle, virtual?    I enjoy all types of caches, especially those that we can find. I am not terribly fond of earth caches as sometimes there is just so much work involved.

4.     Which caches were the most challenging, either physically/mentally?     The most mentally challenging caches to me would be some of the puzzles we have done. I didn’t get into this game to solve puzzles as even though I spend a lot of my time troubleshooting I’m not much of a puzzle solver. I think over time we have learned some good tricks. Some peoples puzzles I just don’t think I’ll ever understand.

5.     What are your current geocaching goals?     My 2017 goals are to finish my d/t grid a third time, to finish the Space2081 series that I have been working on for some time now and possibly fill my Jasmer grid.

6.     Where have you always wanted to go caching but haven’t?     I can’t say there is anywhere I have really wished I could go to go caching as I enjoy caching were ever we go.

7.     What is your most memorable caching experience?     This is a hard one to answer as we almost always turn an outing into an adventure and have fun making memories. There are great memories of epic caching trips or those of caching mishaps of getting vehicles buried in mud or puddles deeper than I care to admit, or run-ins with snakes or nasty bugs. We have even had fun times while sinking kayaks.

8.     What do you like about geocaching?     The best part about geocaching is the community of cachers that I have become a part of. I have met so many great people over the years whether at the many events I love attending or just through outings to go caching. We have made many friends that we have met through geocaching that we do things together outside of caching and I can see us being friends for years to come.

9.     Do you have some favorite caches in the area?     I can’t say that I have any favorite caches as there have been so many great ones along the way, and some not so good caches.

10.  Do you have any other hobbies or interests?     My other hobby is riding my motorcycle, so when I can combine the two of them then all is right with the world.

Caching Name: benlorma07

Real Name: Ben & Lorma Miller

1. How did you become involved in geocaching?
We read an article, years ago in the News Journal about the DE geotrail and geocaching. We decided to try it on a visit to Myrtle Beach State Park in September 2013. We were using a different app and it stated if you had problems, ask someone in the gift shop for help. It was an ammo box located behind the counter in the gift shop, which we thought was a little weird. There is also a second one located outside nearby (in case the gift shop is closed).
We tried it again, about 7 months later at Lums pond, had a much better experience and have been caching ever since.

2. How did you choose your caching name?
It’s just a mash up of our first names and a random number.

3. What type of cache do you prefer seeking – traditional, multi, and puzzle, virtual?
We like to take long hikes or do challenge caches (multi or traditional), and we also like puzzle and letterbox caches as well.

4. Which caches were the most challenging, either physically/mentally?
Physically, we’d say Overlooking the C&D canal (gc16FJD) because of hard bushwack and getting stuck in the dark 15 minutues after we found the cache. The other one would be Dry Hill Top (gc2948) because we didn’t know the area, hiked up a mountain side only to find a nice trail to get back down; however, we couldn’t go back the way we came up and hiked another hour or so to get to a nearby event where some nice cachers drove us back to our car. Apparently, the road we were parked on wasn’t even on some maps.
Mentally, we’d have to go with the following puzzle caches: History of
Cryptography (gc5802Z) by Ivorybilledbirder, The Cache of Wolfenstien Enigma (gc3YTTM), and A Song of Ice Cold Beer and Fire (gc4ZHRK), both by Captnkirk17. Also quite a few from Waypointed, Pafishingmom and Mike Ott have helped keep our mental gymnastics on par.

5. What are your current geocaching goals?
Getting up with some local cachers and doing the DOD challenge caches in NJ. Visiting other state parks, and checking out some more geotours or bike and hike areas is high up on our priority list. Finding a place to put a night cache in the area is also on our bucket list.

6. Where have you always wanted to go caching but haven ’ t?
HQ in Seattle, WA and down in West Virginia to check out some really cool gadget caches.

7. What is your most memorable caching experience?
Spending a week in Massachusetts this July, attending events leading up to the Berkshire mega event, meeting other cachers from all over and also doing the 1,000 steps caches in Mount Union, PA.

8. What do you like about geocaching?
Meeting up with friends, like Spooky Dame and others to cache around and enjoy nature. We love the camaraderie that comes with this hobby, most everyone is very friendly and helpful.

9. Do you have some favorite caches in the area?
Catfishing (gc4QTGE) by Amanda and Knobbie, In Brightest Day, In
Blackest Night Cache (gc6VYXB) by Martin Mitchell , and of course all
Spooky Dame caches, especially The Ghost of Toot-toot McGuillicutty
(gc6BD1T).

10. Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
Sports, gardening, and jigsaw puzzles.

Caching Name: Huntingkids04

Real Name: Gail Ashe

1. How did you become involved in geocaching?
My sister-in-law told me about it when we were on vacation together in Georgia.
I didn’t check it out until I got back to Delaware, little did I know I was driving through five states I could have been caching in!

2. How did you choose your caching name?
The twins had just finished hunting school and they were born in 04. I thought that geocaching would be strictly for them – boy was I wrong.

3. What type of cache do you prefer seeking – traditional, multi, and puzzle, virtual?
Definitely not multis – virtuals are fun because they take you to some unique places but I would say traditionals are my favorites.

4. Which caches were the most challenging, either physically/mentally?
I love the challenging hiking and climbing caches.
The puzzle caches could take or leave.

5. What are your current geocaching goals?
To cache with my friends as much as possible! Would have been nice to hit 3,000 this year but that’s not going to happen.

6. Where have you always wanted to go caching but haven’t?
Central Park, NY City – Arches and Bridges
I read that cache description about two years ago and have wanted to go ever since. (one day I’ll convince my geo-buddies to go)

7. What is your most memorable caching experience?
So many memorable experiences as I am sure all people say but the one that I enjoyed most was the 1st Metro Mega in NJ. OliversOuting and I went to Duke Farm on our way up to the event. It was a chilly beautiful fall day. Easy puzzles and great traditionals throughout the property and at the end we were rewarded with a Path Tag. Perfect caching day.
I almost forgot HQ was awesome! Oregon and Washington were stunning.
8. What do you like about geocaching?
The best part of geocaching is the friendships I have made – hands down!

9. Do you have some favorite caches in the area?
Your Key to Cache – was one of first we did as a family
Waypointed told me it was a must do with the kids.

Raiders of the lost cache in PA
Went to an event there in September two years ago

Canal trail
Lots of fun biking that with MartinMitchell

10. Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
I like to run, spend time with family and friends, cook and read.
Love getting away to new places

Caching Name:  Joshinchains

Real Name:  Josh Brown

1. How did you become involved in geocaching? My friend Jimmy (SimmyJellers) had mentioned it to me a couple times, but I really knew nothing about it.  One morning we met up to go hiking at a park and ride where there was a cache he had previously found.  He asked if I’d like to find my first cache, I did, and we proceeded to find several more that day while hiking and I haven’t stopped.

2.  How did you choose your caching name? It is a name I’ve used online and for gaming since I was a teenager.  It just combines my favorite band growing up (Alice in Chains) with my first name.

3.  What type of cache do you prefer seeking – traditional, multi, and puzzle, virtual? I don’t necessarily have a preference of type.  I really like a cache that takes me on a cool hike, or to a historical spot. I guess if I had to pick, it would be virtual because they tend to take you to some of the coolest spots.
4.  Which caches were the most challenging, either physically/mentally? As far as physically challenging, I would have to say some of the caches I did while in Yosemite such as Climbing Giant’s Staircase (GC2M27Q). I found this earthcache while hiking the panoramic trail, an all day, very tough hike.  Mentally, I’d go with some of the WVTim gadget caches.

5. What are your current geocaching goals? I don’t really have a lot right now, other than trying to keep my Terrain and Difficulty stats each above 2 and finding all the year 2000 caches I come across.

6. Where have you always wanted to go caching but haven’t?  I don’t really have any particular place, but I want to travel and hike everywhere, and I always try to grab at least one cache when I’m in a new location.

7. What is your most memorable caching experience?  Most of my memorable caching experiences come from my friends and I making fun of each other while out on the trail.  One time in particular SimmyJellers, C1nn4m0n and I headed to NJ to tackle the Manunka Chunk Tunnels (GC82B5 – now archived, unfortunately) – Cinn had sent us an email telling us to come prepared to get very dirty.  We ignored her and each wore brand new hiking boots. Cinn came in rain boots and we teased her mercilessly…until we ended up knee deep in mud in the tunnels, ruining our brand new boots, and she got to turn the tables and make fun of us for the rest of the day for not listening.  All in all it made for a really fun day and was one of my favorite caches.

8. What do you like about geocaching?  It has given me a new way to explore when I go to a new place.  Many times you get to find local treasures that aren’t the normal tourist spots through geocaching. I’ve always loved to hike and caching had added something extra to that for me.

9. Do you have some favorite caches in the area?  My version of “in the area” is probably a little more far reaching than others as I don’t do a ton of caching near my home in Delaware.  My favorite cache is actually a three part cache located just south of Lancaster in Pennsylvania – Black Beast of Aaaaarrrrrrggghhh (GC470MW), Rabbit of Caerbannog (GC470Q8), and What is Your Quest? (GC4737P).  It’s a series loosely based on Monty Python. It’s a lot of fun, puts you in some physically challenging places, and brings you to a cool area in the woods. I also really enjoyed the earthcache at Ringing Rocks (GCPRGX) in Bucks County, PA. My girls had a blast doing that one with me. Finally, I would say The Bloodiest Day (GC1PWNV) the wherigo at Antietam. This takes you on a really cool walk around the battlefield to many historical spots.

10. Do you have any other hobbies or interests?   I enjoy backpacking, hiking, kayaking – mostly things that I’ve really been able to tie in witch caching! I also really enjoy going to see live music (if that’s a hobby).

Caching Name: Puppydog
Real Name: Tami Abshire

1. How did you become involved in Geocaching?
Former co-worker told me about it and took me out to give it a try in May 2007. Started with South Jersey Geocachers caching and camping in the Pine Barrens one weekend.

2. How did you choose your caching name?
I love dogs, so it just kind of fit me.

3. What type of cache do you prefer seeking – traditional, multi, and puzzle, virtual?
Usually traditional, unless a cache can’t be placed there because it’s a historical place or inside a building. Then I prefer a virtual so I can learn the history of the place or area. I enjoy some puzzles, like Sudoku or Kakuro, but not the super tough puzzles with ciphers or difficult math/answers.

4. Which caches were the most challenging, either physically/mentally?I’ve done a few physically challenging caches over the years, but not regularly, as I often cache alone! One (now archived) cache I did with a group in PA was “High and Low”, involving climbing a mountain, then searching in a cave for an ammo can. Another, more recent physically challenging cache, also in PA, was “Stanley’s Hideout”. The previous weekend’s snow didn’t make the climb up the side of the mountain and a semi-bushwacking search any easier! Both caches I chose to do as “milestones”.

5. What are your current geocaching goals?
I would like to fill in all of my Geocaching profile charts, including all D/T combinations and caches found every day of the year.

6. Where have you always wanted to go caching but haven’t?
Lots of places, really, but Alaska, Hawaii, and Germany would top my list. I’d love to find at least one cache in every state someday, but I most enjoy seeing new places and learning some interesting history along the way. I’d love to get to Germany where my roots are, but probably not any time real soon.

7. What is your most memorable caching experience?
I don’t have one in particular, but one I did really enjoy was going to GeoWoodstock in the Seattle, WA, area. I spent quite a bit of my trip out there sight-seeing, with some caching in there too, but the GW was incredible and the APE cache and some of the “pop-up” events surrounding GW were the best!

8. What do you like about Geocaching?
Seeing new places I would not have otherwise visited or maybe not have even heard of. Travelling and sight-seeing. Re-living history, whether it be a town, a building, or a battlefield.

9. Do you have some favorite caches in the area?
Quite a few! And many others in PA and WV not too far away. Many of my favorites have been archived over the years, but here’s a list of some still active locally.
*Great Scott!
*Cat Fishing
*Eagle Eye on the Vegas Strip (all three Eagle Eye puzzles were fun!)
*Blank Check (the puzzle, not the hide)
*PMC Lite Iscohedron
*I AIN’T GOT NOOOOO BODY
*Ms. Dooley’s Little Free Library (just a short drive into PA from Newark, DE)

10. Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
Sudoku, listening to country music and sometimes country line dancing, dogs, and sleeping!

Caching Name:  lpyankeefan

Real Name:  Larry Potter

1. How did you become involved in Geocaching?
The Herald-Mail (a local newspaper in Hagerstown, MD) ran an article about Geocaching in August of 2003. Like quite a few other folks I decided to take a look at the website and join. Unfortunately I had two problems. 1.) No GPSr and 2.) A two year old toddler (and a nine year old son) who took up much of my free time. Fast forward to March 19, 2005 and a very warm day. At the time we were always looking for cheaper alternatives for fun. I remembered the account and knew a local who geocached. I took a look at the website, read the pages on a few caches that could potentially be found without a GPSr, grabbed the kids and headed out the door. We found seven that day. Two of those seven are still active after all these years. :) It’s been all downhill since! ;)

2.  How did you choose your caching name?
lpyankeefan – pretty self explanatory. My initials are (l)arry (p)otter and I’m a New York Yankees fan. Don’t hate! There are plenty of us around the globe! :D

3.  What type of cache do you prefer seeking – traditional, multi, and puzzle, virtual?
Honestly I don’t have any particular preference and will hunt for anything and everything. Due to their relative scarcity and the fact that they continue to be archived as time goes on I’ll go out of my way for Webcams, Virtuals and Earthcaches. Puzzles are my Achilles heel as I’m more apt to want to hike and hunt rather than sit at home in front of the computer solving puzzles that some of the greatest mind in the Mid-Atlantic have created. This means you rehobch! ;) Most of the time if I’ve claimed a puzzle it’s due to one of my friends having solved it and me joining them for the hunt. I’ll say so in my log which usually includes something along the lines of “Yep! I have NO idea how to solve this one but I was with _____ and then do and did. Thanks for the smiley!”

As to my other ‘favorite’ cache type…events. I absolutely love them. Events, Megas, CITO’s, Mazes…Yep! I’ve hosted quite a few and attended many, many, MANY more. I’ve enjoyed the friendships that I’ve made as a result. Literally folks from across the country and around the globe.

4.  Which caches were the most challenging, either physically/mentally?
The most challenging cache I’ve completed was GC83C6 – Anasazi Ruins by zinnware located in the Grand Canyon. It’s a virtual cache owned by a local Pennsylvania cacher that’s so remote that it’s only been ‘found’ by two dozen cachers in fifteen years. Considering our group accounted for almost a third of those finds that leaves an average of 1-2 finds per year otherwise. I won’t regale my story of woe yet again but if you’d like to read a bit more check out the cache page for my log and if you’re so inclined check out the closest caches as they tell the story of our rim to rim trek of the Grand Canyon between 10/01/2011-10/06/2011. The absolute toughest cache I’ve ever done and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

An honorary mention goes to GCY72P – Psycho Urban Cache #13 – Impossible! Give Up Now! Yes, it’s been found by fifty people but they’ve all actually climbed the seventy foot tall stone pillar in the middle of the Potomac River near Shepherdstown, WV. The merry little band that I was a part of figured out a way to retrieve the container, sign the logbook and replace it on top of it’s lofty perch all without leaving ground level. It definitely wasn’t easy but smurf76, vyper4, BJ&Snurt101, Phideo, donbadabon, Maryland Steelers Fan, GLM, GoGayleGo, The_Incredibles, maxboost1998, and eXtremeJeep all shared a hard earned smiley and claimed FTF on this devilish cache.

5. What are your current geocaching goals?
Ha! My first current cache goal doesn’t actually involve hunting for more caches. It’s to catch up on my logging. I’m horribly behind. HORRIBLY. Thank goodness for the log that my GPSr keeps and the friends that I normally cache with keep VERY good notes. As long as I’ve got the GC Code, date and time I’m usually pretty good with the actual logs. I usually try to write individual logs for each cache and tell an ongoing narrative.

Actual caching goals include:
1.) Completing GC38GBN – ABC 123 – An Alphanumeric Challenge
by wirtz which is the closest unfound challenge cache to my house. Durm and strang! I’m tired of seeing the darned thing! 1.5 miles! Auuugh! I just need to take a day to drive to Richmond, VA to grab the last couple that I need.
2.) Completing the Jasmer Challenge. I currently need May, June and November of 2000 and January of 2001. Hoping to complete it in the next six months or so…

6. Where have you always wanted to go caching but haven’t?
Tough call. My watch list is ridiculous. I’ve got caches from around the world watch listed and live vicariously through others logs. While I will hunt and log almost any cache I still truly enjoy the places that take my breath away. Give me a hike and a vista to observe the world and I’m happiest.

7. What is your most memorable caching experience?
The five day rim to rim hike of the Grand Canyon in October of 2011. Over 105* at the bottom of the canyon the first and second day with a cold front ushering in torrential rainfall, frigid temps. and even snow when we ‘summited’ the south rim on the fifth day. As I said above, I’d LOVE to do it again.

8. What do you like about Geocaching?
The friends that I’ve made along the way. A few have moved elsewhere but a special few have been years long. You know who you all are. :)

9. Do you have some favorite caches in the area?
Soooo many to choose from and I’m afraid that I’ll forget to mention something that should be so please do check the favorites list under mygeocaching.com profile. This past weekend included a visit with my daughter, her bestie and other geocaching friends to Breezewood, PA to attend TheRichFather’s 10th Annual Abandoned Turnpike Bike Ride. Two events, thirty plus caches and two very dark tunnels through ridges in south-central PA. A fun time was had by all!

10. Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
Artwork and reading. I used to have much more time for creating art. Now that I’ve got a family and geocache…eh, not so much. I also read voraciously. E-books, audio books and print. It doesn’t matter to me. I’ll take a good story well written in any format.

Caching Name: SpookyDame
Real Name: Cathy Wilkins

1. How did you become involved in geocaching?
My friend Lorma (of BenLorma07) called to invite me out with her husband for a hike and to look for ‘geocaches’ which I’d heard about but didn’t fully understand. I thought we were looking for geodes which I was game for! She suggested I create an account before we went out, so I did and had my mind blown by how many caches were out there, under my nose this whole time! There was one in my own neighborhood and I decided to go get that on my own, before the hike with Lorma. I didn’t have a gps and my phone at that time was a dumb phone so I opened google earth on my desktop, plugged in the coordinates, studied the map and off I went. When I met with Lorma and told her I’d found my first cache (& also realized I wasn’t looking for a geode) she said “You blanked in?!? And you found it?!?” I had no idea what she was talking about but suddenly I felt like a hero of some kind and was ready for more. We set off for Middle Run, which involved 2dnfs and had me on my knees crawling through a deer path. That took the ‘hero’ right out of me but I was still on the hook. I begged for a gps for Christmas, it came two weeks early, I opened it on the spot and was out the door that day…for more DNF’s. Lots and lots of DNF’s. And still hooked.
2. How did you choose your caching name?
It’s a gaming name I’ve used for a few years with some online draw games so I figured I’d stick with it- easy to remember! I’m also a bit of a creep- I love spooky ghost stories, graveyards, legends & creatures, anything paranormal and anything of a mysterious nature.

3. What type of cache do you prefer seeking – traditional, multi, and puzzle, virtual?
Traditional caches are my favorite….for now. I don’t have that many finds and for now traditional caches are the fastest way to getting my find count up.

4. Which caches were the most challenging, either physically  or mentally?
Mike Ott’s & Waypointed’s caches. Mike Ott’s “Treasure of the Aztecs” GC1EN52 I really thought my head was going to implode. First of course I got excited about it being on an island (followed by disappointment that it wasn’t) then could not for the life of me work out the puzzle. I resorted to bribing Lorma for the answers in exchange for a clue to one of her DNF’s (also a memorable cache- GC4A2M3 ), then promptly lost the notes & coords she gave me. I couldn’t ask her to solve again so I was forced to actually use that thing in my skull and solve for myself. I made a little replica of the calendar wheel and did it! Two weeks later I found the notes & coordinates Lorma gave me hidden safely under a drawer. Waypointed’s puzzles…there’s one in particular that makes my eyes cross and I see all the found logs for it and think “My God I’m a dope”. I do fully expect to solve them at some point…or if not solve & maybe bribe Lorma again! The most physically challenging so far was recent- A Billy Goat got the Cache GC472DF- which had me sidestepping broken glass and clinging to a hillside. WORTH IT!
5. What are your current geocaching goals?
I’ve been trying to knock out the caches closest to home and branch out from there but I’d also like to do the Canal caches soon and get my find count up. I’m always on the hunt for secluded spots in upper Delaware for some of the hides I have planned. I’d also like to join a group for a day of caching at some point and will get a chance at the MothMan festival in WV this fall.

6. Where have you always wanted to go caching but haven’t?
Anywhere that isn’t in Delaware! I have yet to step outside of the state for a cache.

7. What is your most memorable caching experience?
The first time I had a cache archived by a reviewer! A big misstep on my part- that’s what I get for getting all my information from watching YouTube videos, not asking enough questions and jumping into hiding caches without enough finds under my belt! Another memorable but good experience was when I went geocaching while serving jury duty for a murder trial in Wilmington. During our lunch breaks I desperately needed to do anything but think about what I’d been seeing or hearing that day. I knew there was a cache nearby, so every morning & every lunch break I would look for this thing in the bitter cold. The second to last day of the trial I brought another juror with me, and couldn’t find it again even with two sets of eyes. I wasn’t leaving without that cache- I needed a win that day. I marched into the coffee shop, up to cashier and whispered to him “Look, I know this is a weird question but I know you’ve seen people snooping around there so you maybe know there’s a geocache hidden out there. Can you just tell me if it’s on this side of the street?” He looked me in the eye and said “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know anything about a geocache or where it might be hidden.” then pointedly looked directly behind me and toward a certain spot. I had it within seconds of leaving the coffee shop and you could hear me whooping from King Street. It was exactly what I needed on a hard day. My fellow juror had been geocaching once with a friend of hers and enjoyed the find- it was unique cache and still hard to spot even with the cashiers help.

8. What do you like about geocaching?
I’m a recluse and I work from home so I really wasn’t getting out of the house much other than errands and working on my garden. Physically I’m in terrible shape but this game has gotten me moving again, and outside in the real world…while playing a game! I’ve visited places that are so close to home that I had no idea existed or maybe knew about but couldn’t squeeze in a reason to visit like Waypointed’s FSC-2014 Wilmington Gibraltar Gardens GC5C1YQ. I can’t get my husband to geocache but I managed to get him to revisit that place with me and he was as gob smacked as I was the first time I’d been there.

9. Do you have some favorite caches in the area?
“Your Key To Cache” naturally. It blew my mind to see how large a cache could be and how dedicated people were to the game and building a hide. I love Martin Mitchell caches- they always come with a fantastic & magical element. I also loved “Park & Grab..Maybe GC4A2M3” because of the Aha Moment I had after probably a dozen searches. I could’ve floated home after that find!

10. Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
I do! I love to read, sculpt, paint, draw and muck around in my garden & ponds. If my hands are dirty I’m a happy camper. I also love researching abandoned graveyards & cemeteries and the history behind some of those forgotten places.