On Your Mark, Get Set -- Geocaching Travel Bug Races!

You can almost feel the anticipation when ever this one particular style of geocache racing is about to begin. Each of the racers are poised for the start and all eager to be the first to the finish line. Get Ready.. Set.... GO!


No I am not referring to going down to your local speedway where you can smell the exhaust and feel the sound of the cars as they wiz past. Instead I am talking about a Geocaching race using travelers better known as Travel Bugs thus a travel bug race. 

Over the years I have participated in several travel bug races and they can have all the spills, chills and thrills as the auto ones. So how do they work?

The concept is simple with some variants depending on who are actually running them. In a nutshell all you need are a bunch of geocachers who are willing to enter their own travel bug for the race itself. A race can be tracked by distance in an allotted amount of time, point system which can be calculated until a certain point amount is achieved or the most points based on an amount of time or a combination of the above.  The idea is an official starting date begins the race and a finishing goal ends it. Who ever achieves the goal the best- wins.

Depending on how the race starts there can either be all the racers begin in the same geocache at once or they must be registered into a geocache somewhere on a particular date. Then it is up to other geocachers to find them and move them from geocache to geocache. It can be a lot of fun to watch and also a bit frustrating at times. Just like any race things happen. Your racer could be held for an extended period of time by a geocacher who doesn’t realize it is in a race. It can go the wrong way instead of what the goal states. They can be lost, forgotten or misplaced. On the flip side a geocacher can take the racer to a distant country tacking on big miles. You just never know. Either way I highly recommend starting or participating in a travel bug race when you get a chance. At the very least it is a great way to meet fellow geocachers. At best, them be some great bragging rights!
I you have any questions about travel bug races be sure and email me. I will be glad to tell you what I know.

- HHH


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GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
and watch me on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv)
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Where Have All The Geocaching FTF (First To Find) Hounds Gone?

HeadHardHat Back in 2008

I have been recently going through my blog's (GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?) archives and found myself all the way back to 2008 where I found a post of my first FTF or in geocaching terminology a First To Find.

How exciting it was learning of the new posting and actually getting to the geocache before anyone else. I remember opening the geocache with my heart pounding in my chest. Nervously examining the log book and realizing that there were no other signatures - CLEAN SHEETS - oh joy, rapture! Then to discover the coolest of the cool, a FTF Prize, which consisted of a bunch of military navy memorabilia that I still hold dear as a collectible.  How cool is that?!?  As my obsession grew with FTFs I had incorporated alerts which immediately went to my email if a new geocache was published in my area. Then an assessment had to be made of me actually getting there first and what the consequences would be if I left at that moment to obtain it. For example, how mad my wife would be because it was 1:30am or my boss because it was during a work day; decisions, decisions. I can't tell you how many times I have bumped into law enforcement officers in the wee hours of the night with flashlight in hand and looking in small crevices via strange locations. All part of the the FTF fun.

 Then there were the FTF hounds. Those are the dozen or so geocachers in a local area that all love getting the FTF before anyone else. Which then makes it a race and potential bragging rights for the winner and sad disappointment for the rest - nanners. Of course that just added a whole new level of excitement for FTFs.

Those were the days.

Now in 2012 I really don't hear so much anymore about FTFs, at least not with the same fervor I used to. In my career I have over 100 under my belt but I have to admit they have lost the sparkle they once had for me and I am curious if that is the same for the geocaching community or is it just my perspective?

In years past FTFs for many it was a competition for bragging rights in the geocaching community but if it has lost it's zing then why? I don't hear about FTF prizes anymore either. For many of the geocaches that I have placed I would always have some sort of FTF prize waiting. Even purchased FTF geocoins to go to the winner. As stated, don't hear about them as much anymore - pity.

So the big question is how do we get people motivated again for FTFs? Why are FTFs loosing their appeal and how can we correct it? What are your views? Let me know so I can spread the word. Would love to hear from you.

-HHH



-------------------------------------------------------
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
and watch me on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv)
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
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Geocaching World is LIVE tonight at 6:30pm ET!

Geocaching World is LIVE tonight at 6:30pm ET! 

We want to know, what NOT to do when caching. Add your comments below. We will see you all tonight in that chat room: www.RVNewsNet.com/live
-------------------------------------------------------
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
and watch me on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv)
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat

Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Geocache Maintenance: Bison Tube O-Ring Replacement

Geocaching Bison Tubes

Many geocachers know that geocache maintenance is extremely important when it comes to the continual fun and overall satisfaction of the geocaching experience.

Why you may ask?

Debate-ably if a geocache owner takes responsibility for their geocache hides and checks on them on a regular basis then this can improve the chances that a geocache is in the best condition possible. For example, bison tubes. Those crafty micro geocaches have been a staple and bane of geocachers for many years. The biggest complaint is usually a soggy log book and we know what the main cause is. Bad o-rings.

Bison Tube O-Rings

The one part of a bison tube that requires maintenance is the o-ring which helps seal the cap from the body. Because of age and the influence of the outside elements, the o-rings become brittle and fail. This then allows a better chance for moisture to enter and play havoc on the log.

So it is highly recommended as part of your geocaching maintenance to check and if necessary replace the bison tube o-rings. This will help in avoiding a log book of goo and keep our fellow geocachers happy.

By the way this is a random website I found that sells bison tube o-ring replacements:
http://www.drivescachecloset.com/o-ringsforbisontubes.aspx

-Enjoy!

-------------------------------------------------------
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
and watch me on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv)
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
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Google+
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Expedition Mississippi Leaves This Week!

We are going to be following Expedition Mississippi for one because it is a really great project where a group of guys kayak from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico via the mighty Mississippi and two they are including geocaching along the way. This concept was introduced to them by Producer/Co-Host Courtney Wallin via Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) and it has taken on by storm.

Long story short the adventure has begun! Be sure to keep up with us as we keep up with the Expedition Mississippi gang!

Here is the article showing the kick or is that paddle off.

http://expeditionmississippi.wordpress.com/2012/06/04/expedition-mississippi-leaves-wednesday/

-HHH

-------------------------------------------------------
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
and watch me on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv)
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
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What Is Geocaching To Headhardhat?

In a recent interview I was asked, "What is Geocaching to HeadHardHat?".  I have to admit that the question threw me off balance for a moment or two. You see normally I simply get asked, "What is Geocaching?" but this was what is Geocaching to me. That my fellow reader is quite the open question. Here is the jist of what I replied.

Geocaching to me has many faceted sides. There is the personal escape I love when Geocaching allows me the freedom to choose what type of adventure I wish to pursue that day. For example, if I want to explore a new place I have never been to before, all I have to do is look for Geocaches in that area. If I want to solve puzzles or use my cognitive skills to shake out the cobwebs there are tons of Geocaches hidden to do that. Then there is the walk in the woods for a few discoveries or go for the numbers and snag a bunch of park and grabs. It's all there for the finding.

One of my favorite facets to Geocaching has to be the outlet of making Geocaches to hide. I just love either seeing a technique used by another geocacher and thinking, "That is so cool but what if you do this..." or to come up with a cool concept and show it to other geocachers and watch how they take it and mold it to something even better. That always gives me a rush.  That is one of the reasons I make the GeoSnippits videos I do. Not to blow my own horn and say look at what I created but to plant the seed with a fellow Cacher and watch them go crazy with the idea. 

Another side of Geocaching for me is the huge social network that is available to geocachers around the world be it Twitter, Facebook, Google +, Geocaching forums, Geocaching events and just plain calling a local Cacher and saying, "Let's Go Geocaching". There are so many ways to communicate with someone in this game, sport and obsession that literally spands the globe.  I cannot tell you how many invitations I have received over the years from geocachers in other countries and within the United States that give out the welcome hand of friendship just because of this common bond for finding Tupperware in the Woods. It's amazing.

Finally there is the presence in the media where I can help spread the word about Geocaching. It all started making a YouTube video about bison tubes and the next thing you know GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorials was born. Now I have dozens of Geocaching information tidbits to help the Geocaching community enjoy our activity even more. Throw in an award winning blog "Geocache: I'm Not Obsessed... Right?" and after years of expressing my experiences and insights it has turned into a fountain of searchable information also geared to help the Geocaching community. 

Now I am co-host on the Geocaching Podcast a weekly talk show where myself, XpunkX and Darrylw4 bring up interesting discussions about our favorite past-time. Then there is the features of being on Michigan Magazine TV (RFD.tv) and now having my own TV show Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) where co-host and fellow geocacher Courtney Wallin and I bring up our own experiences and helpful information each and every week. 

So from all of this and so much more, Geocaching to me is the cumulative blood, sweat and tears that makes Headhardhat get up each day and know something new is always just around the corner. It is a whole lot of work but a whole lot of fun as well and I wouldn't have it any other way. Geocaching is my life and for however long it lasts I am going to embrace the opportunities and adventures it gives me.

-HHH


-------------------------------------------------------
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/

and watch me on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv)

Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
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Google+
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

DNR: New Geocaching Program To Take Wing Saturday « CBS Minnesota

DNR: New Geocaching Program To Take Wing Saturday « CBS Minnesota

-------------------------------------------------------
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
and watch me on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv)
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat

Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com