Adventure Awaits this New Year!
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- Written by Terri Nealon
- Hits: 1433
It is said that January is a 'magical' month to welcome the new and cherish possibilities and surprises that lie ahead. SLAGAs Adventure Awaits 2025 embraces this adage with a first time 'park-theme' for the monthly challenge, as well as their unusual pictorial method of informing this journalist of the January monthly winner.
What a surprise indeed? After having participated every month during the inaugural year of the Adventure Awaits Challenges, and after writing some very interesting articles about other geocachers that won, this journalist knew the slim chance of having her own name pulled from the many qualifying entries. While thrilled to have won, it quickly dawned on me, however, that I now had the strange task of writing an article about myself. So here goes...
As many of you know, my geo-nickname is TerriBikes+, so you've probably also guessed that a favorite hobby of mine is bicycling. I started riding a hybrid mountain bike in spring of 2012. While searching online for new and different trails to ride, I came across a review that mentioned that there were several geocaches along the trail. "What the heck is a geocache," I remember saying aloud, but it didn't take long for me to find out and soon discover a whole new world of outdoor fun!
So in July of 2012, I started caching during the few remaining warm weather months. Having little experience with this game, and not knowing many people, I assumed cold weather months were a natural hiatus, haha, so I then accrued a 118 day 'slump' before caching again. Fast-forward a year caching and experience, and I felt a driving need to continuously find daily caches until my find streak outnumbered my slump. Prompted by the 2013 HQ incentive of "31 days of August" souvenirs, I did just that and cached for the next 120 days. Since I still love bike riding, I often now blend my two favorite hobbies for an even better adventure. I am thankful my love of cycling introduced me to my new love of caching.
Obviously, I go caching in the winter months now. I've enjoyed participating monthly in SLAGAs Adventure Awaits, not only as my way of supporting this great organization, but because it gets me outdoors (often with a more defined purpose) especially in weather or at times that aren't all that convenient for me. It also encourages me to attend events and socialize more often. For this January's 'park' criteria, I could have found any cache in any park, but I challenged myself a bit more. I chose to find geocaches with the word 'park' or the name/initials of a park in the title. My qualifying caches include:
GC8H15J Just a preform in JB
GCAHFEZ Walk in the park (Drace)
GCANFPM A Walk In The (Stookey) Park
GCAW583 Queeny Park 2024 - 20 Years of Hides
GCATKRT SLAGA Winter Potluck & Cabin Fever 2025 (Jefferson Barracks).
These monthly challenge incentives are fun, but my very favorite type of geocaches are the far and few between earthcaches, of which I have found 365 to date, of my 8250 total finds. That total includes caches from all 50 of the United States and 13 other countries so far. I enjoy geocaching and especially ECs probably due to my natural love of outdoors and my degree and young adult career of Geological Engineering. But I'm an odd mix actually. I'm outdoorsy, yes, but I have a passion for theatrical arts as well. If you don't find me biking, hiking, or kayaking for a cache, you may find me wearing a costume at a Halloween geo-event or at a Mega 'Gumshoe Ball' (with my partner in crime MrsSpongy), or donning festive face glitter at a holiday Happy Hour event occasionally.
While I enjoy socializing at geoevents often, I'm not actually that social of a butterfly. I don't mind and am quite comfortable spending time alone and have trekked many a mile on solo adventures too. Don't get me wrong though....I love my caching buddies, look forward to planned outings, welcome new caching friends, and wouldn't trade a single moment of fun I've had with my friends.
Some of my favorite geocaching memories include attending the first ever USA GIGA with friends, GC5AX15 GeoWoodstock 2018, and traveling to the northwest states with my husband to experience some geocaching history, which checked off some huge geo-bucket list items. Not only did I visit GC Headquarters and the 'Original Stash Tribute Plaque,' but I thoroughly enjoyed bike riding through the long, dark Snoqualmie Tunnel in Washington to find "Mission 9: Tunnel of Light" APE Project geocache at the far end. Another memorable cache find was "Europe's Oldest GC43" when I climbed up the hill from the path along St.George's Channel near Bray, Ireland for that smiley. And still, there's a lot of world I'd like to see and geocache in, including returning to Thailand some day, I hope, as I remember that beautiful country fondly from living there for six months when I was in grade school.
I'm grateful for winning the January Adventure Awaits challenge, but feel lucky too as the month represents fresh starts and new possibilities. For me, that's exciting both personally and for new geocaching adventures in my future.
Winter Potluck 2025-SLAGA Style
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- Written by Terri Nealon
- Hits: 1217
It was time to break free from the cabin fever here in St.Louis, and the SLAGA Winter Potluck 2025 Event was the ticket out! Over 80 geocachers met at the Pavilion at Lemay facility in Jefferson Barracks park on January 25, 2025.
This highlight event was hosted by LFrank and Denmother, with the help of many volunteers. Set-up/Clean-up crew included Mixed Breed, SWAseeker, arabbit&ubuck, Repmul, and spiritwolf922. The potluck food organizers were MrsSpongy, jray131 and Stormrider. At the registration/GeoBingo table were How-D and magpie, alongside nan-d1955 and GeoKid12 performing their board officer duties. The Trackable table was overseen by stargazer61, and raffle tickets were sold by Loonwoman and Bluedaisey. The efforts of ibew ret proved advantageous for 50/50 ticket sales as the winning purse amounted to $125.
During the event, geocachers always enjoy each others' company and share caching stories, but could also play games (GeoBingo and 50/50), participate in the raffle, visit and exchange trackables, and munch down on gobs of delicious food as well! Each family brought a shared dish to help feed the group, including chicken, sliders, dollar sandwiches, mostaccioli, pasta and other casseroles, salads, vegetables, fruit, breads, soups, desserts and more! No one in attendance went hunger at this enormous potluck spread!
Check out the SLAGA Apparel Store!
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- Written by Robert Klemme
- Hits: 1033
As announced at the Winter Potluck, SLAGA apparel featuring our new mascot Louie the Lion will be available for purchase for a limited time!
Buy yours today!
https://slaga2025store.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Store closes FEBRUARY 16, 2025 11:59 PM.
Best of SLAGA 2024
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- Written by John Layman
- Hits: 1269
Best of SLAGA, Favorite Caches Placed in 2024
Of the ~390 new caches published in the 100 mile radius SLAGA territory in 2024, these are the top caches, as determined by % of favorite points awarded.
By cache type
| Puzzle | Zodiac ? | mathmanbill | GCAYFD0 |
| Letterbox Hybrid | Deeplight | Forest-Ghost | GCAK695 |
| Multicache | The Keepers Curse ?????? | StLouisNavigator | GCAYV9V |
| AL Bonus | Mythical Creatures Adventure Lab Bonus Cache | NEgirl55 | GCAV8HD |
| Wherigo | Woodland Sprite | tricks33 | GCAQ7NB |
| Virtual | Looking Up - Virtual Reward 4.0 | Mike Fitz | GCAJFQZ |
| Earthcache | Geodes to Enjoy! | Oilbear125 | GCAV2JN |
By overall % of favorite points awarded
| 100 | Zodiac ? | mathmanbill | GCAYFD0 | Puzzle |
| 85 | Deeplight | Forest-Ghost | GCAK695 | Letterbox Hybrid |
| 71 | ROLLING FRUSTRATION | weadog1 | GCAY0NT | Traditional |
| 68 | The Keepers Curse ?????? | StLouisNavigator | GCAYV9V | Multicache |
| 67 | Day 2 - 2024 Cachemas Flashlights in the Dark! | Strider | GCB0F4Z | Multicache |
| 65 | A Day at the Dog Park | HiddenCrazy | GCAMPWV | Traditional |
| 64 | Da Turdy Point Buck! | HiddenCrazy | GCAM3Y8 | Traditional |
| 64 | Fear the Reaper | 2roadtrippers | GCAYXKX | Traditional |
| 63 | Stewy's Nontraditional Gas Station Cache | stewy1966 | GCAM8BA | Traditional |
| 63 | Jail Time Tom Goes to The Potty | gugandgal8484 | GCANHJ5 | Traditional |
Congrats and thanks to the Cache Owners and everyone else who continues to create and support quality caches in the St. Louis area!
Making a Difference During the Holidays - Christmas Bash '24
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- Written by Terri Nealon
- Hits: 1088
The month of December started with a bang when geofriends gathered at the "Christmas Bash in SLAGA-Land" Event held on December 7 at Sugarfire Smokehouse in Arnold, MO. This merry event was hosted by Nan (nan-d1955) and accompanied by her jolly elves, Carolyn (MrsSpongy), Sandy (Swelgus), Susan (Treasure Isle); Sandy and Mike (Breezy406); Lynette and Mark (Turtleladi1020nhubs). Attendees enjoyed delicious food, fun and fellowship. And one in attendence, Jan S. (JanS03), was presented with her 25,000 finds jacket to a rousing round of applause! (Her friend Sandy happened to have worn hers that day too.)
Some of the event fun included the UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER CONTEST. Several attendees wore their ugly Christmas sweaters to the event and had to mingle so people could admire their sweaters. Everyone voted by ballot and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners were announced. This year's Ugly Sweater winners were:
1st place to “Hubs” (Mark R.) $25 Panera gift card
2nd place to “BAPrn" (Barbara P.) $10 Burger King gift card
3rd place to “NEgirl55" (Carol S.) $10 Taco Bell gift card
While cachers always have a great time socializing, they are also very generous and kind folks. At this event non-perishable food items and toys were collected and given to Circle of Concern Food Pantry and Social Services Agency. In total, 220 pounds of food for the pantry and 68 toys/gifts for children were donated this year. These contributions really make a difference to families in need, not just during the holidays but year round. In appreciation, Nan gave treat bags to those that contributed this year.
The event was a grand success and full of merriment! There were tales of your 2024 caching trips as well as some upcoming 2025 adventures. Some traded travel bugs at the event. Chuckles over ugly sweaters could be heard and good ole holiday cheer was shared by all in attendance. "The food was tasty, converstation merry, and everyone really seemed to be in a festive mood," commented the hostess, Nan. She thanks all who attended and donated charitable items, those who participated in the ugly sweater contest, all her elves, and those who helped box up the food and toys and load the cars.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY CACHEMAS TO ALL!
Cache Odyssey Coming Soon to a State Near You
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- Written by John Layman
- Hits: 1237
Gas up your Cheverolet to see the USA! Coming soon to a US state near you, per Geocache Talk Network:
Cache Odyssey is an exciting project aimed at creating the nation’s first fully accessible set of GeoTours, where every geocache is thoughtfully designed to be handicap-accessible.
There will be one Cache Odyssey cache in each US state, similar to Cache Across America. Each cache will be a Letterbox Hybrid with a unique stamp (collect all 50), will be a T1, and will be size Regular or larger. They say that "all are going to be amazing". For the statistically addicted there will be a leader board so you can follow the obsessed on their hunt or check your standings. Leaderboard Link
Each cache is also included in one of 6 GeoTours divided up by regions, so you can collect 6 new GeoTour souvenirs. There is a rumor that there will be a 7th souvenir for those who collect all 6 regional souvenirs.
All of the caches will publish on December 29th at 7pm CST, so start your engines
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