+Planojoe Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 (edited) Mods, feel free to move this if it is in the wrong forum..... I've seen similar threads, but I'd love to know why people spend their time on such a pointless game of signing hidden pieces of paper.... Here's my 2 cents, and it obviously won't apply to everyone: I found GC because of the Apple app store. I paid 10 bucks for the app. The VERY FIRST night, within 30 minutes of loading the app, me and my 4 kids were out finding caches. We've been at least 10 times in the last two months now. Each and every one of those nights out with the kids would've looked more like this, prior to our finding geocaching.... (5) movie tickets (even at a dollar theatre) 5 bucks (1) large popcorn 4 bucks (5) drinks 15 bucks Total cost for a CHEAP night out with the kids: 24 bucks Amount of QUALITY time spent talking with them and getting to really be a part of their lives (as opposed to glueing our eyes and ears to a screen)....... ZIPPO Total time with the family - 2.5 hours Night out caching - FREE (may 2-4 bucks in gas) Avg time spent: 4-6 hours QUALITY time talking, laughing and really being together: 4-6 hours Cost of iPhone app - after the FIRST night out? NEGATIVE 14 Bucks After 10 nights out with the kids...... NEGATIVE 230 Bucks The 40-60 hours of QUALITY time spend..... Priceless. Now this equation only works for my family, and doesn't always apply. However, even the times I've gone by myself, entertained myself, had some good alone time and spent NOTHING...... Contrast nicely to wasting my life in front of the TV or walking through the mall watching money as it seems to fall out of my pockets. The way I figure it, I'm getting paid to do it! I already owned the iPhone and already pay for the service, so the total cash outlay is 10 BUCKS!! Think I'm a fan of the iPhone app?? Geocaching?? I've never, in 40 years, found something that is good for the family, will entertain myself and mutiple kids for hours at the cost of.....free. (Which includes gestation period since I'm only 39). That's my opinion, and it's worth exactly what it cost you. What's your reason for being involved with such a silly, nerdy hobby??? Edited October 24, 2009 by Planojoe Quote Link to comment
+flask Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 (edited) i was born to it. it gives me something to do between skiing and racing bicycles. and it mimics the movements of hunting and foraging, which have mood-elevating properties. and it is an act of faith. it makes a very lovely framework on which to hang a peregrination. Edited October 24, 2009 by flask Quote Link to comment
+GIDEON-X Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 At 73 I need a excuse to wander around like I'm sort of lost and confused (out side of Senility or being Demnted)..........Cache On Quote Link to comment
+CanUK_TeamFitz Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 (edited) Before geocaching, the wife was always trying to get me out to go on walks. Now it's like I'm dragging her out all the time... Edited October 24, 2009 by _TeamFitz_ Quote Link to comment
+Curioddity Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 Discovery! I've lived right here in Costa Mesa for the last 8 years and I learned more about it and the surrounding county in the 5 months I've been geocaching than I did in the entire 7-1/2 years leading up to it. That's not why I started, but it's one of the main reasons I remain as enthusiastic about geocaching as I've ever been. Pete Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 To gain more knowledge of the area where I live and work. Now, when someone mentions a place, I can think about it a little and say "oh, yeah, there's that geocache there"... Why do I geocache? Because it is fun. Why is it fun? That's a rather long answer, and almost definitely of no interest to the majority of readers, so I'll skip it here. Quote Link to comment
+spektrum2 Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 (edited) Our Geocaching was out of control untill we tried VIAGRA.....Just Kidding!!!!!! That commerical was just on....who writes this stuff...? Anyway...... Planojoe you nailed it,from a entertainment $/per hour standpoint its fantastic value,good exercise and quality time well spent,add to that the tech side and all the off shoots of that,it exercises the ole grey matter as well.Its a great hobby that can be just as interesting on a rainy day learning something, or out exploring and hunting on a sunny day.Works for me,indoors or out. Edited:Because I quoted the wrong product after watching another commerical.Apologies to the CIALIS guy who lost his socks,wallet and had a flat tire all in the same morning.I sincerely hope your day got better. Edited October 25, 2009 by spektrum2 Quote Link to comment
+bittsen Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 (edited) Geocaching surely IS pointless. There is no logical reason for it to exist unless you believe in the mimicry of hunting and foraging that humans have within them as a survival instinct. Surely, beyond that the hobby of geocaching IS pointless but less pointless than... Rock collecting Stamp collecting Bird watching Train sets Doll collecting Cocal Cola memorabilia Watching TV Sports watching Sport fishing (as opposed to the need for food) Gambling Sight Seeing Beach combing Sailing Coin collecting Board games ...and the list goes on. Geocaching plays the same role in many lives as any other hobby. It keeps us from losing our mind and going on a killing spree (or is that just me?). So, why ask why? Edited October 25, 2009 by bittsen Quote Link to comment
+cachensfun Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 You forgot to put down the $30.00 bucks for the Premium Membership. LOL Quote Link to comment
+DragonsWest Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 (edited) I find it's a self-fulfilling prophecy sorta fing - the more I cache, the more I want to cache. I started in this back in 2003, but took a lengthy hiatus at about 30 finds. I had something else taking up my time - road biking, which didn't afford much spare time for caching. Besides, the last time I looked there were only about 20 caches within miles of where I lived and I'd found most of them. Others required more planning and travel. Well, I crashed hard on my road bike and it took a couple years to fully heal the torn muscles in my back (here's some info folks: bones knit fast, torn muscle does not!) I got back into biking briefly, but just wasn't up to the risk of crashing again. Then I started getting lazy and putting on some weight. Didn't like that much and decided geocaching was a good idea as it got me out and about, so I should look into it again. I 2007 I borrowed a GPSr from a friend and tried it out again. Liked it, so I figured I needed to buy another GPSr (my old Etrex Vists flaked out on me) Somewhere in 2008 I became a bit more active and this year I've picked up some real momentum. It's fun. It takes me places. It gives me something to do when I'm traveling. It also keeps me fit. Now, within a few miles of where I live are about 200 caches (a few of them mine ) and I'm genuinely having fun with it. It is a cheap hobby, as many can be visited by biking or hiking and short drives are all that's needed to the parks with them. California, along the central coast at least, is flush with state and county parks. Great places to go and walk about. So there's much more left to see. There's also fellow geocachers around who I can go hiking or biking with, more active anyway than it was in 2003. Edited October 25, 2009 by DragonsWest Quote Link to comment
+Planojoe Posted October 25, 2009 Author Share Posted October 25, 2009 Point taken.... Add 30 bucks for membership. I didn't expect the number of responses; I gotta vote for best reason so far: Stop myself from going on a killing spree!! EVERYONE around Portland, OR: HIDE MORE CACHES, and for God's sake, bittsen please find them ALL! Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 Geocaching plays the same role in many lives as any other hobby. It keeps us from losing our mind and going on a killing spree (or is that just me?). Note to self : be very careful when caching around Portland Nice avatar, BTW. Quote Link to comment
+gmcpower98 Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 Yes, quality time with my 15 y/o daughter. She loves the hunt and gives an exited "yessss"! when we make the find. Just bought her 2 more T.B. tags for T.B.s she wants to send out. Made her day....her responce.....a big hug and "thank you daddy"! PRICELESS !!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment
+DENelson83 Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 It gives me an excuse to go for a nice brisk walk. Quote Link to comment
+DragonsWest Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 Yes, quality time with my 15 y/o daughter. She loves the hunt and gives an exited "yessss"! when we make the find. Just bought her 2 more T.B. tags for T.B.s she wants to send out. Made her day....her responce.....a big hug and "thank you daddy"! PRICELESS !!!!!!!!!! You, sir, have a rare and wonderful teenager there. I work in a school district and it seems once they hit 12 and have a mobile phone, you're just the one who pays the bill. Well done raising that one! Quote Link to comment
+SHENNY-TLC Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 I cache cuz as everyone knows, every little boy wants to be a pirate and hunt for treasure. Well It took me 40 years of being a "wanna-be" pirate till I found geocaching , so now I can go "hunting" for treasures like a real pirate and not look crazy..... ok well I still look crazy ,but all my freinds don't think of me as a freak anymore ..... ok ok they still do but now Im a crazy freak with a GPSr and a purpose. Ya and the purpose it to trudge thru the brush and brambles, creeks and streams to sign a little piece of paper. I love this sport.... or hobby .. or recreation ... or activity.. or ???? Quote Link to comment
+ngrrfan Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 Oh come on...... We all know it's a great way to meet women!! Need I say more? Quote Link to comment
+bittsen Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 Oh come on...... We all know it's a great way to meet women!! Need I say more? Come to think of it, I DID meet a woman geocaching. ~shaking my head~ I should have gotten her phone number Quote Link to comment
+TheAlabamaRambler Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 ... I'd love to know why people spend their time on such a pointless game of signing hidden pieces of paper.... Here's my 2 cents, and it obviously won't apply to everyone: Great reasons, and many more in the replies. Ask the kids what they like about it, combine their reasons with yours and send it to me as an article for our free magazine The Online Geocacher. I will combine your article with some of the replies and it will be a great inspiration for families to get together to cache! Quote Link to comment
+TheAlabamaRambler Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 Oh come on...... We all know it's a great way to meet women!! Need I say more? It worked for Snoogans... Quote Link to comment
Contra1971 Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 I am amazed the Iphone app is as accurate as it is...I am impressed I don't have an IPhone but glad to hear it Quote Link to comment
+Vater_Araignee Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 ARRRG! B'En not allowed hunt by wife! B'En see people move like prey! B'En think easy kill! ARRRG! B'En supplement urge! Then Vater beats down the neo-primitive to... ARRRG! B'En make kids get off lazy butt! I'd say 75% of the time I fib and say we are going caching just to go for hikes. Quote Link to comment
+lcandela123 Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 more or less pointless than golf? Quote Link to comment
+mjs3350 Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 The iPhone app was really the reason I got into geocaching too. I'd heard of it before and it sounded interesting, but was never motivated enough to make the initial investment in gps. I found the geocaching app and thought "hey, it's only 10$, I'll give it a shot", and it's been a lot of fun. I do it mostly for the outdoors aspect..I'd rather hike a few miles and find one cache than find 5 micros that are 10 feet from the car. I've since picked up a Garmin 60cx, but that's only because the iPhone can be unreliable in the woods. It has worked for probably 85% of my attempts, but I don't want to hike a mountain and not get the cache because my gps couldn't get signal. The iPhone isn't the end-all-be-all geocache tool, but it's awesome for getting people into geocaching, and for the convenience of access to the site on the fly. Quote Link to comment
+journey4truth Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Oh come on...... We all know it's a great way to meet women!! Need I say more? I approve this message. I'm only getting started and I find it's not so much the geocache itself that holds value but where it takes you. I'm finding new places to explore and see the world that never in a million years would have occurred to me had it not been for geocaching. Quote Link to comment
+ngrrfan Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 (edited) Oh come on...... We all know it's a great way to meet women!! Need I say more? I approve this message. I'm only getting started and I find it's not so much the geocache itself that holds value but where it takes you. I'm finding new places to explore and see the world that never in a million years would have occurred to me had it not been for geocaching. Besides my first comment, you are right. I've been shown more things by the people that I cache with. Places that I knew existed but never took the time to explore. By the same token, I've shown them places that they never have seen, so it's been mutually "educational" and exciting for us. Guess that's why most of our caches involve hiking in the suburban areas, saving the urban ones for when the weather isn't the greatest. We rack up at least 4 miles each time out, and like today only 3 caches. And yes, my caching partners are women. Edited October 27, 2009 by ngrrfan Quote Link to comment
AZcachemeister Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Yeah, a total waste of time, as you have demonstrated. Better off going downtown to score that new game for the X-Box. Quote Link to comment
+Sol seaker Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 more or less pointless than golf? GOLF???? OMG!! At least we explore new places all the time instead of walk around in little circles. We get out and see the world, instead of sticking to carefully cultured greenery. Well this game is pretty pointless though really. last weekend my geo-BF said I'd have a thousand cache finds by this time next year (I just hit 500 this weekend), and I replied, "Yeah, unless we take up something with meaning, like feeding the homeless." Someone in another thread eariler this year was trying to make the game seem less juvenile to friends by not calling muggles muggles. They wanted it to seem more sophisticated. Come on, this is hunting tupperware. Dumb game pointless. We could be using the time and gas money to save the world, but no, we're out hunting boxes with military satelites. But I did a night cache for the first time last weekend. Very fun. I'm going to go out and get some more. Quote Link to comment
Tahosa and Sons Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Sometimes I can sneak my walker out of the Nursing Home and take a very long walk up a good mountain. And so far I haven't found any nerds up there. But I have found a very sick mountain lion that just ate a nerd. And the cat told me that they just don't like Old Goats they are just too tough to hunt down and kill, besides they carry some heat. Quote Link to comment
+skraeling Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I geocache because... I find it to be fun - both urban and out in the middle of nowhere. I can do it alone or with a bunch of people and have fun either way. As someone else pointed out several posts back: Stamp collecting Coin collecting ... Why do any of those things? How are they any less nerdy? Unfortunately, I have not been able to get the wife or kids interested. On those rare occasions when we travel, they all get this pained look when I say "ooo, there is a cache there, I want to go get it"... to the point that I just bite my tongue and pass it by. Quote Link to comment
+skraeling Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 more or less pointless than golf? GOLF???? OMG!! At least we explore new places all the time instead of walk around in little circles. We get out and see the world, instead of sticking to carefully cultured greenery. Well to be fair, we DO walk around in little circles... then slightly bigger... and bigger... until we find the cache. But those circles are done all over the place instead of on the same golf park. Quote Link to comment
+Sol seaker Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Unfortunately, I have not been able to get the wife or kids interested. On those rare occasions when we travel, they all get this pained look when I say "ooo, there is a cache there, I want to go get it"... to the point that I just bite my tongue and pass it by. oh that is so sad. My boyfriend used to be with someone like that. He'd been caching for 7 years when I met him and only had a little over 100 finds. The most he was ever "allowed" was one cache on a trip. It's a good way for us to spend time together. We enjoy a good walk in the woods or a reason to get the boat out (boat caches). He's now up to 600 caches. about 100 in his first seven years, and then the other five hundred in the following seven months. Gets us out. Keeps us out of trouble. It also gives us common ground. When we have an argument and aren't speaking, generally the first words we have are something like, "Did you see that there is a new cache down at the park?" Bridges the gap. Then we're fine again. Quote Link to comment
bradly22 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I cache because, well.... it's all I know.. Quote Link to comment
Clan Riffster Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I do it 'cuz Keystone promised free beer... Quote Link to comment
+Castle Mischief Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 ...and it mimics the movements of hunting and foraging, which have mood-elevating properties. and it is an act of faith. it makes a very lovely framework on which to hang a peregrination. Thank you for putting to words what I have been feeling but not quite able to put my finger on. And thanks for giving me a new word (peregrination) and a trip to the dictionary. Quote Link to comment
+okie-wan Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Yes, quality time with my 15 y/o daughter. She loves the hunt and gives an exited "yessss"! when we make the find. Just bought her 2 more T.B. tags for T.B.s she wants to send out. Made her day....her responce.....a big hug and "thank you daddy"! PRICELESS !!!!!!!!!! Truly the "Holy Grail" of all caches. You go DAD! Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Why would anyone Geocache? Seems pretty pointless doesn't it?Cathy? Is that you? Quote Link to comment
+geodarts Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 "I looked at the trees and I realized that they all came to points, and the little branches came to points, and the houses came to point. I thought, 'Oh! Everything has a point, and if it doesn't, then there's a point to it.'" – Harry Nilsson Quote Link to comment
+TeamOxford Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 "Why people spend their time on such a pointless game of signing hidden pieces of paper?" One word - groupies! Quote Link to comment
+The VanDucks Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Hurray for Planojoe! I love your explanation of geocaching! Our only regret is that the hobby came along after our three kids were grown and gone from home; however, we have gotten our daughter and her husband hooked on it, and our grandchildren (from our other daughter ) also love to go caching with us when we visit them. Nothing is more important than that time spent with your family enjoying life together! Quote Link to comment
+spektrum2 Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 I do it 'cuz Keystone promised free beer... LOL....so did he cough up the suds or not? Quote Link to comment
+TeamVasquez Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 and it mimics the movements of hunting and foraging, which have mood-elevating properties. I have tried to put those thoughts into words but was never able to do it in so few words when describing the feelings I get when I go out looking for caches. To add on, its fairly inexpensive yet as time consuming as yo u allow it to be, can involve the family on an outing or helps with that just need some "me time". It gets us to places that we probably wouldnt have stumbled on, some great scenary and exercise. It can be planned or just spur of the moment taking targets of opportunity. Sooo many times when out running errands with my beautiful wife I will turn on the gps before we move on and if its something close we will "Bonny and Clyde" it. She is the gettaway driver while I go run for the cache. Something really "caliente" about that. Quote Link to comment
+striker3 Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Well, I went on my first cache hunt today. Why would I keep on doing this? Look at the happiness on that boy's face after finding his first piece of "treasure", that is all the reason I need right there. Quote Link to comment
+power69 Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Mods, feel free to move this if it is in the wrong forum..... I've seen similar threads, but I'd love to know why people spend their time on such a pointless game of signing hidden pieces of paper.... Here's my 2 cents, and it obviously won't apply to everyone: I found GC because of the Apple app store. I paid 10 bucks for the app. The VERY FIRST night, within 30 minutes of loading the app, me and my 4 kids were out finding caches. We've been at least 10 times in the last two months now. Each and every one of those nights out with the kids would've looked more like this, prior to our finding geocaching.... (5) movie tickets (even at a dollar theatre) 5 bucks (1) large popcorn 4 bucks (5) drinks 15 bucks Total cost for a CHEAP night out with the kids: 24 bucks Amount of QUALITY time spent talking with them and getting to really be a part of their lives (as opposed to glueing our eyes and ears to a screen)....... ZIPPO Total time with the family - 2.5 hours Night out caching - FREE (may 2-4 bucks in gas) Avg time spent: 4-6 hours QUALITY time talking, laughing and really being together: 4-6 hours Cost of iPhone app - after the FIRST night out? NEGATIVE 14 Bucks After 10 nights out with the kids...... NEGATIVE 230 Bucks The 40-60 hours of QUALITY time spend..... Priceless. Now this equation only works for my family, and doesn't always apply. However, even the times I've gone by myself, entertained myself, had some good alone time and spent NOTHING...... Contrast nicely to wasting my life in front of the TV or walking through the mall watching money as it seems to fall out of my pockets. The way I figure it, I'm getting paid to do it! I already owned the iPhone and already pay for the service, so the total cash outlay is 10 BUCKS!! Think I'm a fan of the iPhone app?? Geocaching?? I've never, in 40 years, found something that is good for the family, will entertain myself and mutiple kids for hours at the cost of.....free. (Which includes gestation period since I'm only 39). That's my opinion, and it's worth exactly what it cost you. What's your reason for being involved with such a silly, nerdy hobby??? dollar theatre? $4 large popcorn?????? this actually exists somewhere? Quote Link to comment
+6079smithw Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Well, I went on my first cache hunt today. Why would I keep on doing this? Look at the happiness on that boy's face after finding his first piece of "treasure", that is all the reason I need right there. PRICELESS! That explains it all! Quote Link to comment
+Vater_Araignee Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 dollar theatre? $4 large popcorn?????? this actually exists somewhere? <--- Yup. Cinemark Movies 16 at Universal Mall is the first place that comes to my mind and the last time I was there popcorn was 5 bucks. Cinemark has hundreds of locations and only 1 theater in Michigan so the $1 price could just be a Michigan thing. end jack ---/> Quote Link to comment
+journey4truth Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Besides my first comment, you are right. I've been shown more things by the people that I cache with. Places that I knew existed but never took the time to explore. By the same token, I've shown them places that they never have seen, so it's been mutually "educational" and exciting for us. Guess that's why most of our caches involve hiking in the suburban areas, saving the urban ones for when the weather isn't the greatest. We rack up at least 4 miles each time out, and like today only 3 caches. And yes, my caching partners are women. It's interesting that the first official cache I found took me to an area of the city that was actually quiet and had a magnificent view. Never thought I could experience that in a city as big as NYC. Now if only I could find a cacher of the female persuasion to share in my enthusiasm... Quote Link to comment
+bittsen Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Now if only I could find a cacher of the female persuasion to share in my enthusiasm... I feel your pain... but if I have a choice, can I have two of them? Quote Link to comment
+ben31cache Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 I travel...a LOT! All over the place (worldwide). Before I found geocaching, I'd sit in my hotel room. I may go out for an hour or two, to look around, but that would be it. Now, I look forward to finding time during the trip to look for geocaches. I'm almost never in my room, unless it's dark and I'm going to bed. I forces me to exercise, it forces me to explore new places, it forces me to find new friends, thank God I found this hobby! Quote Link to comment
+journey4truth Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Now if only I could find a cacher of the female persuasion to share in my enthusiasm... I feel your pain... but if I have a choice, can I have two of them? Greedy! I have to admit though, geocaching does get me out there to meet people, since I'm typically a techno-hermit who likes to hide under the bed while watching Psych or Burn Notice on the USA network. Just never been much of a people person. They have cooties! Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.