SO you asked for thoughts and here's mine as briefly as i can. I think one thing about the hobby i dig most is that there is no "correct" way to geocache. You just do what you like to do and leave out the things you dont. To each their own, But for me personally Im more quality over quantity, in both finding and hiding. i have come to enjoy being a co and creating experiences for cachers above the getting smileys . i wasnt able to find any thing still to this day with the type of experience to keep me excited and ready for the next find. I have had a few great moments but nothing like the feedback an responses i was receiving from the community and logs explaining their adventures and expressing there enjoyments of my hides. i believe the hobby is falling in to the wanting PNG's over the hikes or unique caches. everyone jus wants that quick smiley for your map and on to the next cause once its found ,You pretty much never find same one again and defiantly dont get 2 smileys even if you did. id rather go get one geocache that was unique container,beautiful place, learn something new, feel that sense of true accomplishment (considering you dont actually win get or reward with anything ,its all virtual or accolades from the community anyways)then go find 100 caches on a PT,especially the power trails where more than 1/2 are questionable at best with no parking ,home owners watching you be out of place, and onlookers of everyone thinking we some crazy and steer the non cachers away from at least knowing the great , priceless ,endless aspects that this awesome hobby does have to offer .... side note if u want to see some original one of a kind hides and caches ,including gadget cache and few other cool series check my geocaches out under my profile after all i am the KingoftheHide JCACHE