Catnap

We're both upset that our Travel Bug, Pal, disappeared in Texas, a victim of an apparent "sniper" -- someone who takes pleasure in stealing travel bugs. This individual even left a note taunting us. You can see it in the log: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...6c-cac8bdf154da Our travel bug, Pal, traveled for two years and nearly 15,000 miles, to Hawaii, and back to the East Coast before ending up in Texas. We are both just sick with the idea that he is gone for good. So yes, we do understand and sympathize with anyone who has had a TB go missing. --Catnap.

After finding about a dozen caches, I'm starting to get into the fun of moving travel bugs. I'm on a two-day business trip to Dallas from Boston, MA. Before I left, I stopped and picked up some travel bugs that I knew wanted to head west. When I got here, I used the two-hour break in between meetings to drive 10 miles to the nearest pair of caches that I knew had travel bugs in them. After finding them I'm bringing them back with me to Boston, knowing I'll be able to move them about 1,500 miles from here, in only a day. Travel bugs add depth to this sport by providing a different "flavor" if you will. Honestly, if it weren't for the travel bug idea, I probably wouldn't have taken the time on this trip to locate different geocaches. When I want to have a relaxing hike, geocaching is a wonderful way to explore new wilderness areas with my family. On quick-hit business trips like this, I like swooping in to grab a bug and then taking it back with me. I feel as if I have a mission. It's an entirely different kind of "quest" that keeps things exciting for me and provides a new facet to the sport. --Catnap.