12-13-14 Event of a Life Time

As I slow down my caching career, I do intend to stay involved with my attendence to area events.  Right now, I have desire to travel much past 50 miles for an event.

The event did grab my interest, I have gone of my way to grab caches by this cache owner, where most are interesting.  Being it was in an out of the way location I was very suprised with the high turn out.  Since the weather was pleasent, many of the cachers hit the Land Between the Lakes area.  Minnie Mouse and myself didn't leave home until mid-afternoon and went after two nearby caches:  KYGT Kenlake State Resort Park and Moonshine.  At Kenlake state park we visited the lodge and briefly spoke to the staff about geocaching and we may return to the area to try out their archery range once I purchase a crossbow next year.

The event was at a restaurant and like events at those type of locations it's difficult to mingle around.  Since I was not the host, I didn't have the obligation to mingle.  In those types of settings, conversation is normally limited to those sitting nearby.  We were the first arrive and about 15 minutes later, we were joined by shoot25, the explained they were very new to the game and attending their first event.  Next to join us was kat-as-trophy, I had recalled seeing the name on a few logs that were emailed to me.  I had the impression that I was sitting by some very new cachers.  kat-as-trophy reported she is residing between Gleason and McKenzie, which is not far from home.  When I read the logs of the event the following day I was overcome that I was not speaking to a new cacher, but someone with as much or more experience than myself, but wondered about why she asked how to log a trackable.  In years past, I kept track of geocaching profiles but with so many phone cachers running around, the cache a few days and quit, I don't pay much attention.  I researched more of the profile and she has over 4,300 finds.

For the most part of nearly 10 years of caching, I have been the numbers leader in Weakley County.  My only competition was from littleluckyclover from about 7 years ago.  Now I wonder about my semi geo-retirement.....

Duck Season

With possession of the Tennessee Lifetime Sportsman Hunting/Fishing License, I've been duck hunting on two occasions, but by invitation from experienced duck hunters.

I have always been facinated by the stories from peers who were duck hunters and wanted to experience this sport for myself.  Last year I was invited to a private blind between Sharon and Sidonia, TN.  On that day, we saw a few ducks but not able to take any shots.  Prior to the hunt, I did purchase a duck call and after blowing it a couple of times in the blind; other hunters asked that I put the call away and return when I have more experience.

Last weekend was a hunting weekend for me.  Saturday evening I did attempt to get another deer.  But, nothing came around and the hunt was eventful due falling when a gate that I've crossed more than a dozen times fell taking me with it.  I did suffer a strained neck and sprained left wrist.

Following morning, I got up at 3 am in order to meeting a peer duck hunter in Camden, TN at 5 am.  My neck was sore, but I was more concerned for my wrist.  I use a pump shotgun and a painful wrist will make shooting very difficult.

We arrived at the boat put in place, I won't call it a landing.  My partner had to drive his 4X4 truck into the water to unload the boat in the dark.  The others accomplished that duty while I put on my hunting coveralls and chest waders.  We boated into the Tennessee River to the blind that is located on an island.  I did observe the area for possible future geoacaches, but I feel that it would be difficult to maintain since this location is over an hour from home.

We settled into the blind before the sunrise.  I was amazed from the other duck hunters of their experience that they could see the ducks in the pre-dawn light and know the species.  We shot at ducks all morning to after 9 am.  Two of the hunters left for church services and two of us stayed for about 45 minutes later as we attempted to bring in Canada geese.  I ended up going home with one canvas back duck.  Overall, the group shot down about 7 ducks.  I did hit two but I could only take home one canvas back.

After hunting season last year, I hit some area stores for end of season clothing and equipment.  Best purchase was the insulated hunting coveralls for about $60.  At Gander Mtn. in Jackson, I scored on the 5 mm chest waders for just over $100.  The duck hunt last weekend was the first use of the waders I could not complain.  While the waders are difficult to walk in due to being so new; I was able to help load the boat since I could walk in water that was over waist deep.

Trip to Panama City Beach, Florida

We had discussed a trip to Florida the last two years.  Browsing hotel rates, I found making the trip in summer time was very expensive.  I have seen friends of mine in Facebook make the trip in October and found through those people, hotel rates were less expensive, tourist shops with discounts and overall crowds were lower in number.  We timed our trip with minie mouse's fall break.

We left for Nashville on a Friday for the airport and were aided in transportation by two Nashville area cachers which saved us over $75 in long term parking.  Our flight was rocky on the way to Florida as the flight detoured around a storm.  We arrived after dark in Panama City Beach and walked around the area of the hotel.

As for caching, I didn't have any set priority other than grab caches in any county I was visiting.  While in Pier Park, I picked up a skirt lifter, 10Ring.  The next day, I walked a 1/2 mile from the hotel on a foggy morning to grab an earthcache RIPS.  It was a nice earthcache but since that access to the beach is privately owned, I would like to see the cache moved to a public access.  Or at least provide coordinates of the nearest public access.

Following day it was raining and we drove around the area.  We traveled to St. Andrew's State Park and found Gator Lake and we did see an alligator at the lake.

Next day, we drove west and using my phone, I found Paddle your "Tuck" off.  We enjoyed seeing some of the country side west of the main tourism areas.

Day of our depature, we drove east and southeast to visit tourist areas that are more the the quiter types and I would find this area more desirable than Panama City Beach.  We did find a Civil War related cache, called Confederate Salt Works and cache at the location where Florida became a state, ORGT:  Constitution Convention Museum State Park.

While in Florida, I colored in the counties of:  Bay, Walton and Gulf.

August Caching

During the month of August, Groundspeak attempts to push caching in different ways.  Seeing the trend over recent years in regard to numbers, with so many highway power trails which are nothing more than a self-maintained keyholder or film canister on a guard rail; Groundspeak attempted to set up a contest for cachers to find different types of caches.

I took up the challenge and new the difficulties.  Being that I have actively cached my region for over 9 years, where would not be much in the likes of the virtual cache for me.  Regardless, I took up the challenge.

As with any challenge, I go after it headfirst.  With my employment, I have many days of annual leave to use and took off on August 1.  I headed to Murray, KY en route to the LBL and grabbed a puzzle cache.  I was easy to solve and my timing was perfect, early morning before the business was open.  Headed to the LBL to go after the different caches.  One type I needed was the Multi-Stage.  I had two on my target list and both resulted in DNF's  they were:  Hematite Doom and Buckner Cemetery.   I would re-group later in the month to find a Multi.  One of the disadvantages of solo caching is the high rate of DNF's.  

Moving on, I found two earthcaches:  Hematite Lake and Center Furnace Quarry, I found information of the cache pages interesting and learned more about the area.  I went onto a nearby area of the LBL where there was a concentration of caches, including Whereigo's.  My experience with those types of caches are very limited and I don't care to use my smartphone for caching, so they were ignored for this trip.  I found a few traditionals, one was an interesting spot that was once a major tourist area of the LBL:  Silo Overlook, I spent time looking at this area and didn't know of this location and its popularity in the 1980's.  

I ended the day with the kayak going after, LBL Fossil Beach.  Despite being hot, it was a nice kayak float on a still lake.  I did have issues with my old flipflops that tore apart on my trip.  

The following day, I made an excuse to visit Clarksville, TN for before school shopping and we stopped at The Old Customs House.  This was a nice museum to visit and encourage others to visit.  I clearned all virtuals to over 100 miles from home. 

The Multi-Stage type cache would be  most difficult but I had an easy find on  roadside with: Its all in the NUMBERS.

Pcsenn contacted me and he needed a whereigo for the August caching and went traveled to Waverly and found, Geocaching Trivia.  This was my first whereigo that I completed using my own device, a smartphone.  To our horror, we arrived at final coordinates to find the cache MIA.  I sent a message to the cache owner using the smartphone and he emailed back his phone number.  We called and obtained permission to repair this hide.

I would complete the August Challenge at a cache event in Jackson, TN

Changing hobbies

My caching has slowed down greatly.  At current rate, I am doubful I will have 300 finds this year, thus my slowest caching year since 2010.

I retired with 25 years of military services and draw disabilty from the VA.  Due to the disabilty from wartime service, I learned I could obtain the Lifetime Tennessee Sportsman License for $10.  Normally, for my age group the cost is just over $1,600.  For last two years, I only have to purchase the Type 94 Doe permit and Federal Duck stamp.

With that, I re-newed my interest in hunting; I can't seem to find the patience to fish.  Long prior to geocaching, I've been a gun owner and last 4 years have increased my collection to include a Panther Arms AR-15.  When my daughter was taking the Tennessee Hunter Safety Course, I learned that any centerfire rifle can be used for deer.  So for the past two years I've used the .223 caliber AR-15 for deer, harvesting 3 deer with the pictured rifle.  I did harvest one deer last year with a 30-30 lever action.

I have not re-newed my efforts with small game, but am preparing to hunt coyotes this spring.  Last year I did go duck hunting once and wild turkey a few times.  As my geocaching career slows down even more next year, I will increase my hunting efforts.