Tell us about your caching name.
Rinauldi is a nickname that I was given in Jr. High School. There isn’t much of a story behind it, but here it is anyway. One of my closest friends had parents who did a lot of international travel. His mom was from France and his father from Rio and they had family spread everywhere. Of course, has was often brought along. For some reason I reminded him of someone he knew from his travels named Renalto, but he thought Rinauldi sounded cooler and started calling me that. I couldn’t walk down the hall at school without hearing “HEY RinnnnnAAAAALDI!” It stuck. College was no escape as we both went to the same school and pledged the same fraternity. I guess at some point I embraced it and made it my own. I came with me into the early days of computer BBS’s because no one used real names – even back in the early 80’s, and the same friends were still online.
Tell us how you started caching/how were you introduced to caching.
In my younger days I did a lot of wilderness backpacking. My career aspirations were to be a Geologist and I managed to hike large sections of the high desert and the Rockies. Through the years, time got in the way and I stopped. About a year ago, a friend suggested that we pick it back up. It lasted for a whole one outing, but I ended up with new gear and a Magellan eXplorist XL. It didn’t see much use until I chanced upon a few Geocaching blogs. It sounded fun and there was a cache within a 10 minute walk of my house. I tried it, loved it, and have been hooked every since.
Tell us about your receiver.
As I mentioned, I have an eXplorist XL with a 1GB SIM card. If I knew when I bought it what I know now, I would have something different. On the other hand, it does the job. I’ve already decided that I’ll be upgrading this Christmas (unless Santa comes early) to either a higher end Garmin or (drum roll, please) the Triton 2000. I’ve not been impressed with Magellan support since they were sold, so that may be a deciding factor. I’m so anxious to see the Triton though.
Tell us about any software/hardware or other gadgets that help you cache
The primary tool I use is GSAK. I have Mapsend Topo, but I haven’t touched it since the maps were loaded to the GPSr. I used to download the additional files for the eBook reader on my Blackjack, but those seem to have disappeared. Work just gave me a Treo with PalmOS so I’m starting to look at the paperless thing again now that I have a tool that can handle it. For the most part, it’s Pocket Query->GSAK->GPS and go.
What essentials are in your cache bag?
I try to travel light. I generally carry just a camelback with water, first aid kit, extra batteries, a telescoping mirror, utility knife, flashlight, compass, OFF, and a few trinkets. Humm, is that light? If it is less than a mile, or less than a three difficulty, the bag is usually in the car with a trinket or two in the pockets.
What is your favorite thing about caching?
Must I pick just one? If so, it would be “discovery.” I love to discover new things, sights, places, history, facts, trivia, etc. Caching always gives me these things. I’ve learnt more history in my short time caching than I did in school. A close second would be the people I have met. We have lived in the area for almost eight years now. My biggest complaint was always the unfriendly, itinerant people. So many are “just passing through” that it seems they feel an investment in getting to know someone or actually making a friend is too much to bother with. The caching community is different. I’ve never met a friendlier group of people who care so much about what they do, and those they do it with. I can honestly say it is the first group where I can’t find anyone I don’t like. (Of course, I haven’t met everyone yet. *grin*)
Tell us about your favorite cache or type of cache.
My ideal cache would be traditional, in a beautiful area, and both a challenge to get to and to find. I haven’t made the time to do many of these. However, I like any cache that presents a challenge. Event caches are up there on my list too and I’m already watching GeoBash08.
Tell us about a memorable caching experience.
The most memorable caches for me are the ones I’ve had to work hard at figuring out. Although I’d have no problems finding similar caches now, I will always remember “Uncommon Costco” and “Leaves.” I’m on a team that is at stage four of Blood and Guts and desperately trying to make sense of things enough to get to the final. As for most memorable, that one will be hard to beat. I’ve already invested more time in it than I did in many of my college classes.
Tell us about your other interests or areas of expertise.
I came to the area to manage large Information Technology contracts and love what I do. (Although I don’t love commuting to DC to do it. Chantilly is a dream.) I’m often the last point of escalation for technical problems and like being able to find solutions. As I mentioned, I also love to backpack and someday hope to find someone else to pack with. My other hobbies are Genealogy, Book Collecting, and Sports Card collecting.