The Geocaching Tree of Ease (The opposite of Angst)

[+Snoogans]

Hey gang,

 

My long time forum & geocaching friend, LepraStone   suggested that the community might like to highlight the more positive aspects of geocaching that keeps us all coming back for more. Especially since quite a lot of us have been at it for more than two decades and it might be helpful for new Cachers to share their good vibrations too 

 

To summarize our "Geocaching Tree of Ease" so far:

 

We have an atmosphere rich with CO22 that is represented by one atom of "Cache placement ( C ) and two atoms of "cache finding." (O2) 

 

We have a rich medium for the growth of "ease" in our soil, which is represented by a friendly, diverse and all-inclusive geocaching community. 

 

The water (H2O) that nourishes the tree is geocaching community involvement by both geocachers and volunteers. 

 

Our tree of ease is fertilized by positive interaction between geocachers whether online or in person. 

 

The roots of our tree are based in actual participation and experience in geocaching as an activity.... Hiding, finding, & moving trackables. 

 

The trunk of our tree emerges over time and as experience grows, a true geocacher seeks out the company of other likeminded geocachers at geocaching events and in geocaching forums. 

 

From there our "Tree of Ease" branches out in many directions. 

 

The named branches of our tree so far: (To be determined by the community.)

 

 

This is where the discussion begins: (As we stand at the base of our "Tree of Ease+ and look up individual branches will be easily identifiable.)

 

What are the positive aspects of geocaching to you?

 

 

For me it was finding "My People." Geocaching changed my life for the better in many unintended ways.

 

Just a few examples of how geocaching has changed my life...

 

I met a group of lifelong friends. Some have been my friend for 23 years now.

 

I met my wife (Fishgirl27) just days into planning to help host the very first Mega event. As of about now we have been together for 20 years, (shortly after GW3 where JoGPS handed me GW4 to take back to Texas) and we have a son (The Snooglet) who is almost 18 years old. Our wedding was about 50% attended by geocachers.

 

I received the gift of a canine companion from JoyRose & Hubby Bull, who was with us for 18.5 years, (Cujo the Cache Monster) I really miss that little boy. *sniff*

 

I have racked up a long list of accomplishments that make the time, effort, and money more than well spent and have given me half a lifetime of fond memories.

 

Thanks for the suggestion LepraStone!

 

Edited June 14 by Snoogans

[+The Leprechauns]

Thank you to @Snoogans for starting this positive thread.  I'll begin by adding to the branch already described.  I, too, met my life partner through geocaching.  She was volunteering at the registration desk at 2018's GeoWoodstock Giga Event in Cincinnati, and I got in line with my buddy Rock Chalk to pick up our registration packets.  Fast forward to 2025: Goldilocks513 and I are married, and I now live happily in Cincinnati.  Our wedding in 2022 was pretty epic, as it took place on the waterfront outside of Geocaching HQ during the 20th Anniversary Celebration.  Bryan Roth officiated, Rock Chalk was my best man, and our flower girl is the daughter of a geocaching friend I've known for 20 years.  100% of the attendees were geocachers!

 

I propose that this branch of the Tree of Ease be called: The best things found in geocaching are lifelong friends.

 

[RuideAlmeida]

11 minutes ago, The Leprechauns said:

Bryan Roth officiated, Rock Chalk was my best man...

 

Good memories with your best man and other lackeys... from the past.

 

 

[+The Leprechauns]

Time to suggest a new branch for the Tree of Ease.  My name for this branch is: "The best use of social media for geocaching is to promote Ease, not Angst."

 

Whether it's these forums, Facebook, X, Reddit, Tik-Tok, Instagram or anything else, one can find both Ease and Angst.  For every complaint rant about technical problems on the website or app, there should be three posts congratulating a geocacher for a milestone find.  For every accusation that a geocacher is "cheating," there should be three posts welcoming a newbie to our sport and answering their questions about how to play the game.  For every post about poorly maintained caches or absent owners, there should be three posts raving about awesome new gadget caches and helpful, prolific cache owners.  And so on.

 

I see a lot of social media that's very positive, from friends planning cache outings together, to the excitement around Giga Events, Mega Events and Block Parties.  The negative social media gets more "buzz," but fundamentally that branch on the Tree of Angst is weaker than the branch on the Tree of Ease.  We all just need to take care of the right Tree.