Phlogiston

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"clever outdoor art installation: that’s what most passersby will think as they pass GZ. Little do they know, one of these bottles is not like the others. Thanks to the custom label, geocachers should be able to locate the correct bottle easily enough. Uncorking this cache will be a whole other challenge, though. Those who partake in puzzles will know to check the cache page to decant the mystery of this cache."

Geocaching Blog

Geopause, also known as Mid Cacher Crisis, is an affliction many geocachers suffer after a decade or two of geocaching. It is more pronounced in seasoned geocachers although it has been seen in all adults. The early stages of Geopause are often overlooked.

Stages of Geopause to look for:

1. The Introspective Phase

There is a time in a geocacher's career they realize the goals they set out early in their geocaching life have not been fulfilled. There may be Challenge grids left unaccomplished. They may lament over the lack of finds in other states, provinces or other countries. Geocachers begin to feel that their find count is inadequate and DNF's become a greater source of stress. It's during this period geocachers become withdrawn. You may find them on their phones or desktop computers looking at far-off geocache hides around the world.  Depression often sets in.

2. The Blame Phase

Children who loved geocaching in elementary school undoubtedly find other interests in their teens. Their unwillingness to go geocaching with mom or dad becomes a source of frustration. Spouses who obliged the geocacher's obsession while dating have become too busy with other tasks during marriage. Work and home life tend to be seen as an antithesis to geocaching. At this stage geocachers begin to lash out. The family's lack of geocaching related enthusiasm is blamed for a seemingly low smiley count and the geocacher will exhibit a range of emotions from sulking to temper tantrums to absolute rage. Be this as it may, this is still considered an internalized phase as it is unclear if the geocacher truly knows the motivations behind his or her emotional outbursts.

3. The Fancy 4X4 Phase.

Behavior will substantially change at this point. Geocachers may buy a whole new cammo-based wardrobe or acquire the most expensive GPS. The need to geocache farther from home might urge a soccer mom car trade-in to a high powered 4X4 -- and they will proudly parade their vehicle from Event to Event making sure all will see it with the bait of a car travel bug tag. Their hides will revert from micros to regulars while their cammos become more elaborate. Still, the geo-related upgrades are only compensation. The feeling of inadequacy remains.

4. The Anger Phase

During this phase the geocacher may chastise the geocaching community itself -- complaining internally at the lack of favourite points for what they believe are the best geocache hides ever.  The geocacher may secretly accuse those with higher smiley counts as primarily bogus finds. This is also known as the catch-up phase as the find count for the inflicted geocacher increases over previous years.  The degree to which this behavior is exhibited varies among individuals but it ranges from severe to bat crap crazy.  For many geocachers this is the final stage.

5)  Acceptance

Few geocachers with documented cases of Geopause have been known to reach this phase. It is acceptance that some goals are unattainable. Geocachers find solice for what they have accomplished and find comfort in their current status within the geocaching community. The need to be the fastest to the FTF or to have more smilies than their neighbors tend to vanish.  Geocaching reverts from a lifestyle to a game. 

Be aware of the stages of Geopause and do your best to be patient with those inflicted. 

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Geocaching HQ created a souvenir for geocachers to celebrate the September equinox. To earn this souvenir, geocachers must find a total of 3 geocaches, Event Caches, and/or Adventure Lab® Locations between September 22–28, 2024.

https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2024/09/celebrating-the-september-equinox/

Just saw this post via the cross-stitching community, and thought it'd fit perfect here too! Anyone use such a device to find magnetic nanos? Or is there a different tool of the trade you never go without?

https://mastodon.social/@Stitch26/113150645821886853

"Mechanics normally use a #Mechanics Telescoping Magnetic Pick-Up Tool 2 pick up small bolts & other metal that have fallen as they work, but those who #CrossStitch, #Sew, #Quilt, etc., can use it to pick up lost pins & needles so they don't wind up goosing someone when they sit on the couch. 😅 Can be found in almost any automotive store or automotive tool section in Walmart. Some versions even have flashlights on the end!"

Everyone who found at least one cache during the challenge was awarded a souvenir today. Was anyone following the 'Cosmic Quest' souvenir challenge? Do you feel like it led you to cache more, or did you mostly ignore it?

https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2024/09/we-have-achieved-lift-off/

I was running my fingers along this metal ledge trying to find a magnetic nano cache. Came across something quite different instead - yikes! Luckily I wasn't stung, but got out of there in a hurry and left that one unfound