Geocaching and dating

Good morning everyone.  This week's fun fact is total finds in a single day.  For Manitoba geocachers, that would be JB and ruylopez who both have found 1,040 geocaches in a single day.  In North Dakota, that honor goes to bdvx with 455.

This particular topic has been kicking around in my head for awhile now.  I wasn't sure if or how I could present such a subject.  What is it like to be a geocacher and single?  Since I am both, I can provide some thoughts and questions.  Oddly enough, it just happens to be Valentine's Day as I start to compose this blog.  I like to have pictures with my blogs that pertain to the subject.  Since I don't have any pictures that relate to today's subject, it'll just be random caches that I've found over the years.  

(an awesome set up that required some head scratching to open)

I have been asked by muggle friends if there's a dating or singles section in geocaching for the single geocacher to meet other single geocachers.  Simple answer.  No.  The only way to meet other single geocachers is to attend events or by chance while out geocaching.

My first question is:  should a single geocacher date another single geocacher?

I remember sitting with a couple other geocachers before a meeting and we touched on this topic.  They felt that I should be dating another geocacher and not a muggle.  The conversation continued with who has dated who.  Almost like Hollywood gossip, but it was geocaching gossip.  Geocacher A was dating Geocacher B.  They split up.  Geocacher B is now dating Geocacher D, who was with Geocacher C, but D split up with C.  I need a score card now just to keep up.  There were other names dropped as well as having dated other geocachers.  

(not exactly what we call a zombie cache)

Is it better to be dating a muggle?  They might become interested, get their own account and join in on the fun.  Or they might be slightly interested, but not enough to have an account, but are willing to tag along on some adventures.  Basically become an educated muggle.

I see geocaching couples going on fun adventures together.  It is fun having another geocacher tagging along on road trips.  Part of the reason why I haven't made it down to Gilby, North Dakota yet.  I want to tackle these amazing caches and share the fun with someone else.  I don't want to go alone.  Some of these couples joined geocaching together.  Some met as a result of geocaching.

One of the risks you could run into, and this will happen in dating in general, is the affection not returned.  To quote the opening lines of J. Geils Band's 'Love Stinks': "You love her, but she loves him, and he loves somebody else, you just can't win".  There are a few downsides to this scenerio if you're a geocacher.  Firstly, all that sparkle in your eye can turn to hurt and disdain.  You could feel like a fool for having interest in them and therefore, embarrassed.  That's typical for any potential relationship, not just a geocaching relationship.  Secondly, depending on how hurt you are, you won't want any contact with that geocacher you admired so much.  That could mean missing out on events because you don't want to be in the same room as them and no one will know why you have vanished.  

(R.I.P. Ivanna)

Another question:  what if you don't find anyone of interest in your area? Do you want to explore the possibility of a long distance relationship?  How far are you willing to go?  Since Winnipeg is the geocaching center of Manitoba (Dauphin will give a strong arguement to that), where else is there to look in Manitoba?  Do you look in Ontario? Saskatchewan?  Maybe North Dakota or Minnesota?

Having been the stats guy, I know there are more people who either geocache casually, or have dropped out, than regular die-hard cachers.  Those casual geocachers probably don't attend events.  No one will ever know their true identity.  It's possible that one of them could be single and a good match for you.  You'll never know.  

(a couple of older caches that I've found)

Dating another geocacher would be a good fit.  At least they understand the game, and are willing to go on the adventures with you.  The breakup could be ugly and ruin the game and fun for you.  Dating a muggle would mean educating them and hope they understand some of the craziness we do (dropping everything we're doing to go chase after an FTF).  As mentioned already, they could become geocachers themselves.  If they remain a muggle and the relationship doesn't work out, you can double binge to chase the blues away.  Double binge?  Go find as many geocaches as you can while feasting on chocolate.  The perfect remedy for a geocacher's broken heart.  What if this new muggle partner doesn't really care for geocaching and wants you to give up the hobby?  Now you're in a spot where a hard decision has to be made.  Geocaching or new muggle partner?  If you choose geocaching, make sure you're well stocked in chocolate to help chase the blues away.  One bit of advice, don't use log sheets to wipe away your tears.

As for me; I think I'll stick to dating a casual geocacher or a muggle and hope I can convert them into geocachers, or at the very least, an educated muggle.  It's the safest way to go.  There's plenty of upside to dating a die-hard geocacher, but the downside is too much of a risk.  Having that constant reminder of a failed relationship (or potential relationship) in my face would be enough to ruin the game for me to the point where I could see me quitting as a result.  I wear my heart on my sleeve so when I hurt, I hurt big time.

If only Geocaching HQ did have a geocaching dating app.  It could be Plenty of Geocachers or Geocaching Harmony or Geocacher Match.

For those who celebrated Valentine's Day, hopefully you had a good day.  For the rest of us who celebrate Singles Awareness Day (the day after Valentine's Day), hopefully we made it through Valentine's unscathed.  That's it for this week.  Until next time, be safe, be happy, have fun, enjoy, and date a muggle.  Peace out.