Interview by TeamRJJO-Jenn, September 1, 2008 (originally published in the forums)
I am happy to spotlight another great cacher in our community! Be sure to check out some of his 2007 NoVAGO award winning caches:
Best Theme/Series
Be the Genealogist-Final (GC14X8B)
Best Mystery/Puzzle Cache
Be the Genealogist-Final (GC14X8B)
Cache of the Year
Be the Genealogist-Final(GC14X8B)
Tell us about your caching name.
My geocaching name “reedkickball” is from high school varsity soccer. By the time I started high school in Germany, I was almost 6’ tall, close to 200lbs, and long hair. I guess I kind of looked like a barbarian running down the soccer field. The bench would grunt, “Reed Kick Ball!” when I had the ball. I thought it was kind of funny. I was pretty good at soccer, either that or my size just scared the other kids. So when I was making Internet names, I decided on that, instead of my college nickname, which was “Blotto”. Don’t ask.
How were you introduced to Geocaching and what was the first cache you found?
I really don’t remember which geocache was the first one found, because I geocached with my cousins “Coalcachers”, before I set up my account without logging any. I did caches in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and DC before creating an account. Obviously they were the ones that introduced me to geocaching.
During the summer of ’06, two of the college-age children (one of them is now “coalcachers2”) of “Coalcachers” stayed at my house for the summer, taking advantage of internships around DC. The two of them bought me the GPS receiver (which is the one I still use) for allowing them to stay at my house. That day, I set up my account, and went out to find, with “coalcachers2” my first recorded cache, which was “Powell Creek View” (GCHCFP ). The very next weekend we went to Fountainhead, looking for caches there, and we were going to walk the whole 17 mile Bull Run-Occoquan Trail, but only made it to Bull Run Marina.
Tell us about your receiver and any other “tools” (hardware and software) that help you cache.
I have a Garmin Etrex Legend, I keep thinking that I’ll buy something else, but really haven’t decided on what to buy or use. The low end Garmin Etrex, works just fine. I just got a blackberry last week, trying to figure out how to use it to help.
What essential items do you always carry in your cache bag?
I do most of my caching during the week, I have only have about 300 on the weekend. So, because of that, I really don’t have a “Cache Bag”. But I do have some tools that I take everywhere with me. First I have a pen that folds up, has a mini-carabiner to connect to my keys. When it unfolds, it lights up, making it easy to sign logs at night. Second, also on my key chain, I have a Util-Key, which has a knife, and screwdriver, and is the same size as a key. Great to pull out logs from those annoying nanos. And lastly, being a weekday cacher, I ALWAYS have a change of clothing in the car.
Do you trade items in and out of caches? Do you have any “signature” swag?
Honestly, I really don’t trade out items, and I don’t have any “signature” swag. I know I’m really boring, maybe I should invest in getting some. But I do move travel bugs, and geocoins as much as I possibly can.
What is your favorite thing about caching?
My favorite thing, is finding something new. I love finding caches that highlight history, like “Brentsville Courthouse” (GC10742), “Town History in Herndon” (GCYE86), or any of the caches in Arlington National Cemetery. I love seeing nature, and the difference in terrains (incredible difference around Northern Virginia). You get to see the difference from above the fall line, and below the fall line.
When you’re away from the area, this hobby always gives you something to do, rather than sitting in a hotel room watching the local-I don’t care-news.
Do you cache by yourself or with a partner?
I almost always cache by myself. Not because I don’t like other people, but because people don’t like me. Oh maybe not, but most of my caching time is a half hour here, a half hour there, when I’m running around Northern Virginia. I’d rather cache with others, but that’s usually reserved for weekends. I’ve had wonderful times geocaching with cphug184, Bubba Q. Jack, Hobo Dude, Blakeley Pirates, TrevorandKate, nondescript and others.
Tell us about your favorite cache.
I can’t say that I have a absolute favorite cache, but I do have a list online. Some of my favorites are multis by TwoWheelin’ (specifically “The Little Difficult” GCJT5W) series, the caches in Fountainhead. I’ve enjoyed the “Landmarks” (GC13YD6) caches. I really enjoy the “Big Dog” caches (Although I still have to do mastiff”).
What is your favorite type of cache (micro, multi, traditional, etc.)?
I seem to avoid everything but traditionals. But I’ve found that when I have time, I usually enjoy Multi-caches more than any other caches. Either the multiple stages, or the fill in the blank multi-caches I enjoy. There usually feels like more of a sense of accomplishment than traditionals. Puzzles I enjoy, if I can solve them.
Tell us about a memorable caching experience that you have had.
One of my favorite times, was going on the “Bulldog” cache (GC14213) by _BBQ_, with cphug184, hobo_dude, and Bubba Q. Jack. Even though I was still at the end of healing from a knee injury, I was still able to hobble around enough to get it done. The views were great, and walking with the other cachers was great as well.
I’ve had many other experiences as well, but usually the best are when I’m out with other people.
Where (states/countries) have you cached?
Ok, here my list:
Massachusetts
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Maryland
Virginia
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
Colorado
Washington
Idaho
Germany
The reason for a lot of these different places have to do with where my family is. My brother in South Carolina, my cousins in Florida and New Jersey. The rest of my family from Massachusetts. My wife’s family in Washington State, and my parents in Germany.
Tell us about your other interests or areas of expertise.
I’m a computer dork, it’s what I do for a living. As you may know from my caches, I do a lot of genealogy. It goes in hand and hand with my interest of history. I’m also very interested in geography, and cartography. With all those interests, geocaching, with it’s tendency to bring me to these interesting historical areas, combined with the cartographic aspect, is an activity that I’ve easily gotten addicted to.
Have you converted any muggles into Geocachers?
I’ve converted, cajoled, and forced other family members that have geocached, to make an account, and log their experiences. Of these they are: MrE00, SCReeds, M.Capt, SusanandAlan, Y?Hoff, Peznt, Catola.
Have you set any goals for yourself this year?
My goals that I’m trying to do, is finish the Virginia Delorme, and the Maryland/Delaware Delorme. I want to do the Mastiff (GC11NCM) cache, and then eventually get to the point, of starting a weekend geocaching day trip to some place in the area. I want to do more geocaching in Fredericksburg, and do some WeirdHarold caches. I’ve heard a lot about them. I also want to get to Loudoun county, and finish the Dendrology Series, and do some more FlyingMoose caches.