A Busy Spring in SLAGA-Land
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- Written by Terri Nealon
- Hits: 1308
Our St. Louis Area Geocachers Association (SLAGA) is a fun and active organization, whose mission is to "improve the family-oriented activity of geocaching while encouraging responsible stewardship of public lands in cooperation with land managers." SLAGA accomplishes its mission by holding a variety of events from social picnics and gatherings, to community land clean up projects, to educational classes and workshops for both members and those just learning about geocaching. The past few weeks have seen SLAGA proudly exercise its mission with two CITO (Cache In Trash Out) events, a Food Truck social, the annual Spring Picnic, and two geocaching classes.
On the cold and windy morning of Saturday April 22, 2023, more than 45 geocachers participated at two clean up events. The CITO at Bellefontaine Cemetery (GCA458T), hosted by LFrank and Denmother (John and Laurie El Frank), involved trash pick up around the perimeter of the cemetery. But LFrank commented that, "the wind was blowing the trash in as fast as we were picking it up," so the 35 attendees literally had their hands full accomplishing their task. Some new geocachers and geocachers from California and Massachusetts were there to help as well. Light refreshments were provided and the attendees received a special gift from the cemetery staff.
While trash bags were being filled at Bellefontaine, about 13 miles away a different kind of clean up was underway. The 2023 CITO - Imperial Crown Pet Cemetery (GCA45WD), an annual spring event, was hosted by Hobbit Taz and CribbageWitch (Mark and Shirley Derr). Due to overlapping times with the other CITO, this clean up started with about 10 active SLAGA members working to raise and level headstones, mulch garden areas, cut and remove hanging and dead branches from trees, and pick up debris, downed limbs and previous cut tree pieces throughout the cemetery. A nice refreshement spread was provided in the warm cemetery office where workers could take a break from the cold and wind. Later in the morning about 5-6 additional members, who'd already cleaned up at Bellefontaine, came to lend a helping hand. Both CITOs were a success and everyone had a good time while providing clean up service.
20th Anniversary MOGA
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- Written by Terri Nealon
- Hits: 1418
When the announcement was made, at the closing of 2022 MOGA, that this year's event would be held in Flint, Michigan, many folks thought that it would be way to cold, and rightly so. Temperatures during mid April in Flint average 29* to 54*F and rarely above 69*F with frequent rain and snow. But as geocachers rolled into town for this year's 20th Anniversary event, they were met with four gorgeous days of sunshine and temperatures in the 80*s, with a high on competition day reaching 89*F. Ironically, the day after the main event, Flint temperature dropped to 31*F and it snowed. It's obvious the MOGA 'Gods' were smiling on this 2023 MEGA Event.
Despite the driving distance and what could have been cold weather, there were 24 SLAGA members (plus one 4-legged caching buddy) that participated in this year's MOGA. All those who competed also placed and earned medals, which is an awesome accomplishment and a wonderful representation of SLAGA at the event. Strider and Bluebeadman were honored for having participated in every MOGA since it's inception. Strider won 1st place individual competition in his age/gender group. Crowesfeat30 took 3rd place individual competition in her age/gender group. The team of Jerry2554 and ZLA placed 2nd in the puzzle solving competition. Geokid12 competed twice and won 1st place individual and 3rd place in the 2-person team competitions in his age/gender groups. And the 4-person MonkEBarrz team of Monk-e-Arms, barrz duo, and Paulgracie took 1st place in their age/gender group. Way to go SLAGA Competitors! The rest of us absolutely enjoyed finding local Adventure Labs, geocaching around the state grabbing webcams and ECs, visiting Canada, and participating in the numerous activities arranged by the MOGA Team.
Best of SLAGA 2022
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- Written by John Layman
- Hits: 1618
Best of SLAGA, Favorite Caches Placed in 2022
As determined by favorite points for caches placed within the 100 mile radius SLAGA territory during the year 2022
By cache type
| Traditional | The Doctor Loves Books! Library & TB Hotel | StormRider22 & jray131 | GC9XEK4 |
| Multicache | Daily Dose of Happiness US #4 - Contact High | Iamgrateful | GC9ME3R |
| Challenge | It's a Streakin' Challenge | Breezy406 | GC9KXTF |
| Earthcache | The County has another cave! | StormRider22 | GC9QJFX |
| Puzzle | Day 6 - 2022 Cachemas -Smell the Season! TB HOTEL | HiddenCrazy | GCA1RJQ |
| Wherigo | 100 Acre Wood | Forest-Ghost | GC9JEFY |
| Letterbox Hybrid (tie) | Prayer Labyrinth Letterbox (Daytime Only) | steve.n.erin | GCA0V1C |
| Letterbox Hybrid (tie) | Creative Spaces: Wentzville's Hidden Gem | OohLookItsARabbit | GC9NFG7 |
By overall favorite points awarded
| 29 | The Doctor Loves Books! Library & TB Hotel | StormRider22 & jray131 | GC9XEK4 | Traditional |
| 20 | Day 6 - 2022 Cachemas -Smell the Season! TB HOTEL | HiddenCrazy | GCA1RJQ | Unknown |
| 19 | Lighthouse | JaxFam09 | GC9PXBJ | Traditional |
| 18 | Prayer Labyrinth Letterbox (Daytime Only) | steve.n.erin | GCA0V1C | Letterbox Hybrid |
| 18 | Day 4 - 2022 Cachemas: Don't rat me out! | ILIKEDOGS11 | GCA1T06 | Traditional |
| 18 | Creative Spaces: Wentzville's Hidden Gem | OohLookItsARabbit | GC9NFG7 | Letterbox Hybrid |
| 18 | Daily Dose of Happiness US #4 - Contact High | Iamgrateful | GC9ME3R | Multi |
| 18 | The Missing Piece | LEchterWhite | GC9NWGT |
Traditional |
| 16 | BONUS CACHE-Black Madonna Shrine & Grottos A-LABS | TerriBikes+ and MrsSpongy | GC9RDCK | Unknown |
| 15 | Steampunk Wanda | LEchterWhite | GC9Q5Z9 | Traditional |
Congrats and thanks to the Cache Owners and everyone else who continues to create and support quality caches in the St. Louis area!
"GeoBirding"
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- Written by Terri Nealon
- Hits: 1461
NORTHERN CARDINAL AND RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER
If you look up "GeoBirding," you won't find it in the dictionary. It seems like an accurate term though, for combining the adventure of geocaching with the love of bird watching, and both are great ways to enjoy the outdoors. While at a recent event, the subject of seeing numerous Bluebirds while geocaching came up, and jasjaq123, Sally, mentioned that she takes great pleasure in birding and often combines both hobbies.
First a little clarification. Bird watching involves observing wild birds because they happen to be there, maybe at your feeder, on a walk, or while geocaching. But birding is a bit more intense. It's the act of seeking out and enjoying learning about these wild birds. It typically involves using binoculars, taking photos, using apps or books to identify birds by sight and sound, and keeping a journal.
OSPREY WILLET
Birds are beautiful and colorful. They streak through the sky or sit atop a tree branch or on water's edge. These feathered friends all differ from one another. They each have their unique behavior, appearance and sound. Birds can't help but fascinate us. So as outdoor adventurers, geocachers almost always see birds along a trail, and without realizing it, become at least novice bird watchers. But there are those with more of a desire to learn about these winged wonders and enjoy birding, instead of just watching birds while geocaching. Sally is one of them.
Tis the Season to CITO
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- Written by Terri Nealon
- Hits: 1393
Cache In Trash Out® (CITO) events began in 2002 and are environmental initiatives that help preserve the natural beauty of cache-friendly spaces, such as parks, conservation lands, rivers and streams, forests, roadsides, cemeteries, and more. Per geocaching.com/CITO webpage, more than 363,000 people have volunteered at 18,000 CITO events worldwide since its inception. For several years now, virtual souvenirs have been awarded for attendance. Currently GC.com promotes clean-up efforts by dividing the year into two CITO seasons. For 2023, the CITO seasons run from Mar. 1 through May 31, and Sept. 1 through Nov. 30. Earn a souvenir by hosting or attending a CITO during a season.
"It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
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- Written by Terri Nealon
- Hits: 2037
The Target: Proffit Mountain Cache (GCA1A3)
The Stats: D2/T4.5, ~16 mile distance, ~885 ft elevation change
The Time: September 30 through October 2, 2022
The Adventurers: Spiritwolf922 and socibutte
After many months of excruciating training, hard-core research, and detailed planning, the adventurers conquered their long-time, bucket list goal of hiking some of the most rugged terrain in Missouri along the Ozark Trail (OT) and camping overnight atop a mountain with amazing scenery, to obtain a single geocache.
While it was on her long-time to-do list, Spiritwolf 922 (Patricia) never actually thought she'd accomplish this hike and cache, as it was in the middle of nowhere and on a previous OT hike, she found she was 'woefully unprepared' for the terrain and distance. Socibutte (Melissa) on the other hand, had been waiting for years in hopes of finding someone crazy enough to attempt this much-desired adventure of hers, after hearing about the trail from her son. (Needless to say, he is now a bit jealous that mom completed it first!) So as luck and the world of geocaching would have it, these two discovered their common interest in casual passing and the rest is history. But here's a recap in hopes it might entice future Proffit Mountain geocachers.
Although Melissa often hikes, runs, caches, and travels solo, she decided an overnight backpacking trip was not the best idea for a solo venture. So she was only too glad when Patricia welcomed the idea of this new experience that would undoubtedly be a bit challenging. And while Patricia still had some concerns over accomplishing their goal, it was more comforting to have just a single friend who would understand and not be disappointed if at any point they needed to turn back. This would also be a good 'test' to see if they both enjoyed this new type of exploration. So this dynamic duo made their decision and developed their well thought-out plan to conquer Proffit Mountain by Fall 2022, and began planning six months before their trip.
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