12 Things Only Geocachers Do

1. Point out the location of geocaches as they pass them in a car

My long-suffering muggle family and friends might humour me for the first few times I declare ‘there’s a cache just over there on that railings,’ almost taking their eye out with the sudden point of my finger, accompanied by an air of triumph, as if I have just pointed out an A-List celebrity getting out of a Range Rover. Much eye-rolling will ensue after the fourth or fifth GZ declaration.

2. Linger for an unreasonable amount of time in the Tupperware aisle of the supermarket

You know it’s time to go when the store manager approaches you and whispers in a soothing tone, “I’m sorry miss but we’re closing”, ever so gently ushering you towards the car. It’s definitely a problem if you’re in a 24 hour supermarket. But look at all the Lock & Locks! So pretty….

3. Give directions to other geocachers using caches as points of reference

“Turn left after Art Deco Dublin: Archer’s Garage and then it’s around the corner on the right after Kristian’s Cache. If you get to the Merrion Square cache, you’ve gone too far.” It really is the most effective way to give directions to a fellow geocacher. That, or GPS coordinates 😉

4. Run out the door wearing pyjamas to be the first to write on a piece of paper

First of all, plenty of people now leave the house wearing pyjamas. Personally, I prefer to change out of the clothes I wear in bed before leaving the house, but all rules and sense of dignity go out the window when there is a blank logbook crying out for your geocaching username.

5. Care less about whether their vacation hotel is close to the beach/restaurants/shops and more about how many geocaches there are in the area

“Honey, I found a great deal on this 5 star hotel right on the beach.” “Ok, let me check it out.” Immediately opens geocaching map and sees a tumbleweed rolling across the screen but no geocaches. “No…. This isn’t right at all….I think we can find a better deal somewhere else.”

6. Randomly check trees/guardrails/lamp post skirts just in case there’s a cache hidden there

Nothing to do while your muggle half is shopping? Why not check out this railing outside just in case there’s an archived/not yet published nano stuck on it?

7. Not know the actual real names of many people they count as friends

Muggles might think it’s a bit odd but it’s really not. What’s more odd is when you hear geocachers’ real names. “Dave? Who’s Dave? Oh, you mean FrostyMcFruitLoops! Yes, we’re very good friends.”

8. Put the prefix ‘geo’ on far too many words

“Do you have a pen?” “I have this geopen.” “Where are you going on vacation this year?” “We’re going on a geovacation to Portugal.” Where there’s a word, there’s a ‘geo’ to be added to it.

9. Shout at the TV “there’s a cache there!” when you see a familiar GZ

Refer to initial humouring and subsequent eye-rolling in number 1 above.

10. Set up elaborate photo shoots for metal dog tags attached to keyrings/soft toys/plastic figurines

Many of us have shed a tear for a travel bug we have watched leave home only to never return home again, condemned to the bottom of someone’s geobag forever. So, when we find someone else’s bug that wants to be photographed in specific locations or with specific items, we are only too happy to oblige. Completely normal behaviour and don’t let any muggle tell you otherwise.

11. Find pens/pencils all over the house and car, as well as in the pockets of every coat and bag

The number one rule of geocaching is to sign the logbook. To do this, you need a writing implement. Best to hide hundreds of them absolutely everywhere “just in case”.

12. Buy particular food brands just for the container

Altoids? No, I actually hate the taste of them. *Empties entire contents in to the bin and goes off in search of a logsheet and some magnets*.

 

Can you think of anything else geocachers do that muggles don’t? Let me know in the comments!

Happy caching!

Sarah

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