Spotlight Cache: If You Want To Run With The Big Dogs… Greyhound

#NationalDogDay (August 26) Its the dog days of summer and no better time to celebrate #NationalDogDay. Today we’re spotlighting a challenging multi-cache hidden in Clifton, Virginia. If You Want To Run With The Big Dogs… Greyhound (GC123T7) was hidden by BBQ back in 2007. Not only will finders get a well deserved block filled in on their D/T grid – this is a 3.5/4.5 – but they will also get to add their name to the log book of Northern Virginia’s elite. Here’s what some of its finders have said about it: “I’m still in shock after this cache and hoping to find the right number of beers to make the pain go away.”“We walked a total of 8.19 miles.”“Guess some people are just gluttons for punishment …”“This one seemed a lot easier on paper!”“I started out early and refreshed. However, the bluebells distracted me. I ended up taking lots … Continue reading

Spotlight Cache: Catnip Scramble

#InternationalCatDay (August 8) Today we’re celebrating #InternationalCatDay by spotlighting this fun Letterbox Hybrid cache in Annandale. Catnip Scramble (GC8471C) was placed by CWillyPngn in 2019. In this fun walk through the park, geocachers will follow Jiji the black cat as he makes his way down trails, through tunnels, and even does a little waypoint projecting before finally getting to a regular sized container. Fans of Studio Ghibli films will immediately recognize this furry companion from the movie Kiki’s Delivery Service. Winner of 2019 NoVAGO Best Kids Cache AND Best Letterbox Hybrid. Congratulations! … Continue reading

Finding a Geocache on Memorial Day – or any day

Memorial Day is holiday to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. While observing Memorial Day, you might want to consider visiting one of these geocaches in Northern Virginia. Semper Fidelis Memorial Trail You will be following part of the Marine Corp Museum’s Semper Fidelis Memorial Trail – about 3/4 mile of walking – visiting statues and memorials along the way. This Werigo geocache by robbitandpaul was a 2015 NoVAGO Cache Award Winner! National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico. The trail is open from 9 to 9 and the museum is open 9 to 6. Place of Honor  One of several caches at the place of highest honor, Arlington National Cemetery, this walk should take you under an hour and will take you to two different locations. This virtual by Bigcall has been on the map since 2002. Arlington National Cemetery Uncommon Valor  … Continue reading

NoVAGO Members in the Spotlight

NoVAGO Members have been going above and beyond representing our hobby over the last few months. On June 9, 2018 Hooclass2002, Sassyinmyheart, and PlatoAddict along with others were honored for their participation in the Find Your Chesapeake Geotour Kickoff Event in Pennsylvania.  Both Sassy (Pictured above) and Hooclass placed geocaches in Virginia for the geotour, while Plato was recognized for her contributions by staffing the FYC Table at Geowoodstock 2018 in Ohio. On May 6, 2018 DePhogration (Pictured above) and PlatoAddict were also both speakers at Geowoodstock 2018.  Set on the Land of Oz stage at Coney Island, Plato gave a Cachetur.no demonstration and DePho gave his presentation “Geocaching & Avoiding the Bomb Squad.” On May 18th Platoaddict (Pictured above) was a guest on the GeoGearHeads Podcast episode #333 titled cachetour.no I.  This episode was broadcast and recorded live on YOUTUBE. Podcasters ChrisOfTheNorthWest and DarrylW4 talked with her about Cachetur.no. … Continue reading

January 2016 Member Spotlight: Sassyinmyheart

1. Tell us about your caching name. Back in 11th grade, I had to create my first email for Finance class. Sassy was my first dog and her companionship meant a lot to me and she had passed by then, so I gave my email sassyinmyheart. It’s cute because cachers think I’m sassy so it just fits I suppose 2. How were you introduced to Geocaching and what was the first cache you found? My first job, which I’ve been at 10 years now, is the Porter Library (CRRL Branch) and my supervisor asked me to shelf read because there were NO patrons in the building and we were caught up on book drop. I went out to the 600s and started. I came upon a strange looking book, that when I opened it, was hollow. I was so confused. I read the blurb on the cover, and wondered if … Continue reading

October 2012 Spotlight: B-Sharps

Tell us about your caching name B-Sharps was bestowed upon us during the GC2R3K0 incident. You’ll have to check that cache page out for more details. Our original name was .trabpukciP but we immediately realized how horrible that was and it gave us an idea for our first cache. How were you introduced to Geocaching and what was the first cache you found? Geocaching was just something we learned about through osmosis. We wanted to go hiking one day and so we loaded up coordinates for GCGCCF. It was all we needed to start the addiction full on. Tell us about your receiver and any other “tools” (hardware and software) that help you cache: Heather frequently calls me a tool, so I would say that I’m the most important tool aside from our Garmin Oregon 450. What essential items do you always carry in your cache bag? Other tools have been, chain saws, … Continue reading

June 2008 Spotlight: TeamWeathergirl

TEAM WEATHERGIRL – What a great caching bunch! Tell us about your caching name. I work in the weather business bouncing between the National Weather Service and managing weather satellite development programs. My daughter got enamored with weather and picked up the nickname of “Weathergirl” at a young age. Weathergirl has four brothers and being the only girl is not always easy. Since she was the most enthusiastic about geocaching when we started, we went with her nickname. In a way it helps her stand out from the male dominated crowd she lives with. Tell us about the members of Team Weathergirl and what each one of you brings to the caching experience. Our youngest cacher’s nickname is Mr. O. He turns 10 this month and is the most enthusiastic about opening the cache to find the surprises inside. His most favorite treasures are matchbox cars. He likes caching with … Continue reading

April 2008 Member Spotlight: Bubba Q. Jack

Just how did Bubba Q. Jack get his nickname, will he keep his cache-a-day streak alive, and more . . . Welcome to April’s Spotlight! Tell us about your caching name. There used to be a great Bar-B-Que place on the way to Shady Side Maryland called “Pig Outs” that had the best ribs. I would drive from Arlington, Virginia just for lunch or dinner but it went out of business. In a quest to replace such wonderful ribs I went from Maine to Florida stopping at as many places to sample the fare. I’ve located several restaurants (joints) that come close but never perfect. One place was named Bubba’s and I liked the idea of adding the Q and Jack which is the nickname for John. Thus Bubba Q. Jack was created. How were you introduced to Geocaching and what was the first cache you found? After gaining 35 … Continue reading

March 2008 Member Spotlight: LionHeart

It is with great pleaure that I spotlight LionHeart this month – the man behind some of the most amazing puzzles! Tell us about your caching name. My caching name came from an old Scottish saying, “A man is a lion in his own cause”. So I have the heart of a lion when it comes to my own cause. My cause is that I have a chronic liver disease called Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). It is a characterized by inflammation, destruction and fibrosis of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts that leads to cirrhosis of the liver. PSC is often complicated by recurrent episodes of bacterial cholangitis (infection of the bile ducts with bacteria). Patients with PSC also have an increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). The cause of PSC is unknown but many investigators suspect that it is an autoimmune disease. Other etiologies, such as infectious agents, … Continue reading

February 2008 Member Spotlight: Zgrav

This month’s Member Spotlight is Zgrav and yelraM! Tell us about your caching names. My caching name is Zgrav. It is a one syllable variation on “zero gravity”, which pulls together a way to use my middle initial “Z” with some kind of science-fiction context. yelraM’s caching name is just a reverse of her real name ( Marley) . Tell us how you were introduced to Geocaching. I bought a GPS on sale because I could use it hiking outdoors. I have been a caver since I was a kid, and grew up plotting latitude and longitude on paper topo maps to mark or find cave entrances. When I looked on the internet for tips on using a GPS I discovered geocaching. I was hooked with the idea, and remember the fun of going out on those first searches. yelraM actually made our first find, which she will be quick … Continue reading