DocWahala

1. when, where and what geocoin did you see first? 2. when and what geocoin did you first buy? 3. when did you make your first personal coin? N/A if you haven't yet, why not? 4. when and what did you trade your first geocoin? 5. did you find the forums first or a geocoin first? 1 - My first coin was the World Diabetees Day coin. I will always remember this one, because we had only been caching a week, and had already scheduled a road trip from Mississippi to Texas, and this was my first time planning a 600 mile road trip to also include looking for caches which were close to the highway, my first time setting out to go to a specific cache looking for a coin, the first time I found an ammo can, the first time the cache wasnt on the ground, and the first time someone driving by honked their horn and shouted "keep looking!" 2-First coins: Army coin, EMT coin (both to commemerate what Ive done before), Air Force Coin (commemerate my Dad), Mississippi Geocachers (birthplace of son), Louisianna State coin (first state visited). Couldn't pick just one because each of these were on my first order. 3 - Would you believe I only lasted 1 month? I finished my days off in Mississippi, had a great month caching, and then had to go back to Nigeria, so while I was over, I started working on my first design. Am working with the vendor, and hope to go to samples some time soon. 4 - Whoops, cant say Ive actually traded ......YET (Besides, everythig I have is generic, nothing on anyone's trade list). 5 - Ok...Im used to doing everything backwards. I found out about the word "geocaching" when I was in Nigeria, surfing the internet and researching RVs. I still had 2 months left before I could go back to the states, so in the mean time, I was reading everything I could find. All the knowledge books, and as many of the forums as I could. I would say not only did I find the Forums before I found my first coin, I found the Forums before I even set out to look for my first cache. Wow...writing all of that was a lot of fun! Thanks, appreciate it! DocWahala

This is definitely one thread I could not wait to get back and finish reading. I was able to catch up and read a few during one of my layovers, but wasnt able to read them all. Well, now I'm back in the states, and have finished reading/responding to 3 full days worth of emails from work. Guess what I get to do now? Spend the rest of my off time reading about Geocaching, and having fun working on my own coin project. Mr G - At both Nigerian airports, when I was buying something to eat, I was trying to get different bills for the change. I didnt get everything I wanted, but I do have a good start. I am going to have to ask for just a few days to get a package ready, I'm not at MY house... I diverted flights so I could be with my parents. My dad is undergoing chemo, and I want my mom to take a break. BUT.. I do have some bills for you!! And when I return, Im going to round out the collection, (and even replace some of the ones Im sending, with new bills). Heads up - this go round, it will be all Nigeria Naira. When I return, Im going to try to have one of my guys send me some bills from Cameroon. And who knows... maybe later this year I'll have a chance to return to Namibia, or finally get to go to Angola. Will make it a point to be on the look out for something different. Heck, I'll see if I can get ahold of my brother before he rotates back to the states. He works Singapore and has layover in Moscow. If I dont get any this time, I should have some in about 8 weeks. DocWahala

Mr G! I wasn't expecting to see any feedback for my post, but am happy it caught your attention. I'm sorry I don't have much more time left before I have to head out with my driver and begin my return travels back to the states. But...!!!! When I do return, I'm coming back here, and I'd be more than happy to talk about the banknotes - if you're interested in having some, just let me know. We'll touch base and share more details - you have my word! DocWahala

All right, but before I start this story, let me set a bit of the backdrop. See, I work in the oil & gas and I spend a lot of time in West Africa. Everything from Ivory Coast to Namibia and all points between. So, there I was, researching RV campers, when I "stumble" across this word I've never heard of: Geocaching. Next thing I know, I'm spending the next 7 weeks of my Nigeria time, reading about geocaching. And I spend PLENTY-PLENTY time in the geocaching forums. While I'm there, I learn there is a group of geocachers in my home state. Cut to the end of the story, I'm having a great time my first month on the trails. I hit the 100 mark, and I have a 5 year old son, who goes with me, and at the end of each day, he always says "That was fun. Can we geocache again tomorrow." Well, my days off came to an end, and I needed to head back to Nigeria. I was not only sad because I was leaving my family, I wanted to go my first "Event", but it was going to take place a week after I left. I told everyone how much I wanted to go, but wasn't going to be able to. Now... 6 of the top 10 Geocachers in my home state, not only were going to go to the event, they diverted their travel plan, so they would be able to go "find" the cache at my driveway. They not only came by, they made sure that 5 year old I had writing so much about, was going to be home. They all came over, my wife had cakes, coffee and finger sandwiches made up, and they spent a good hour plus, meeting my son, and entertaining him. These are folks I haven't "actually" met. But they knew I was disappointed in not being able to go to their event, and when I told me son I wasn't going to be able to go (my rotation schedule changed), they came to him. And not only spent some him - they brought him a hand-crafted walking stick, with its own geocoin. My son tells me it is so much better than the one I brought back from Japan 30 years ago. He is so proud of it, he took it with him to Texas to show his grandparents. Now, I haven't made it back home yet... I leave Nigeria tomorrow. Not only am I looking forward to spending time with my family, I can not wait to actually meet the people who went out of there way, to show me .... what geocaching is all about. DocWahala

Pink for valentine - good.... Black/White for marriage - might be too somber. (I know Tuxedo colors, but it also makes me think of Morticians). Marriage - think Tiffany and their recognizable Blue. And every bride has heard this one: "Something old, something new...something borrowed, something blue. DocWahala - hopes his wife notices he's trying to be romantic

As a personal rule of thumb, I've only bought state and country coins from places I've actually been to. But then again... I've flown over Moscow. And personal rules are meant to be "interpretted" as I see fit. So count me in for 3 (1-keep, 1-drop, 1-trade). DocWahala

I read the "Grit Happens" and wondered "maybe an idea for a coin?" DocWahala

Still available?

Feb-14 @ 37.50 DocWahala

Not my team of choice, but here's my bet: Pittsburgh 28, Green Bay 21. DocWahala