The Membership Relations Committee is happy to showcase some ArkGeo Geocachers through the "Geocacher Profile". The committee thought Phoebe Sellers aka plsellers should be the next cacher to be in the spotlight.

What is your geocaching name? plsellers

How did you choose your handle? When I first read about geocaching and went to the site, it was way before I started caching. I just shortened my name...not even realizing what creative names and otherwise were out there. After signing so many logs, I wish I had shortened it to just pls.

How long have you been geocaching? since mid 2012

How did you find your first Geocache, and which one was it? This in combo with the question above has a story behind it all. In 2009, I retired after over 45 years with the same company and for a retirement gift, one daughter (who works for Arkansas Game & Fish Commission) gave me a weekend with “Becoming an Outdoors Woman,” a program sponsored by AGFC. Of the various seminars that weekend was Geocaching....took it (along with Shotgunning and other exciting outdoor stuff), came home...didn’t know what to do with it. In 2010, paid my own way back to the Outdoors Woman weekend...took Geocaching again, came home....didn’t know what to do with it. Then in April of 2012, I saw a notice in the local paper about a G.L.A.D. Meet & Greet (GC3FQ4B), which turned out to be my first log. I went and the rest is now history. I still didn’t really know how all worked so tantillos.com, daughter of allenearl58 took the time to take me to a nearby cache, showed me how the GPS worked (I had bought a Garmin eTrex Venture—the one I used at the AGFC seminar...and still use it) and my streak began with GC1DPCF (P.I.Lot) which happens to be one of allenearl58’s hides.



Who usually goes with you when you go caching? Bronco’s girl started me off being my mentor, going with me to many, many of the Union County ones. Since she and her husband, Bronco46 still worked at the time, I did a lot by myself and still do quite a few alone. But I consider my partners to be Bronco’s Girl (still working) and Bronco46 (now retired). Have cached just a little with gmcsac. When in Houston, my grandchildren are sitting on the edges of their seat being navigators seeing what comes next (they are 12 and 14).

How long will you work on puzzle caches before you give up? I’m not much of a puzzle worker. I like puzzles in general, like crossword, etc. but most all these crypto kind get over my head in a hurry. I will work (try to work) some by myself and also in conjunction with the Broncos especially if we need one for a souvenir or if there is nothing left to complete a physical area but even then I hedge when I can. So, I tend to give up pretty quickly. I even have a puzzle book.


What town/areas have you most enjoyed caching in? Every place has their own uniqueness. I don’t have any favorites since I don’t plan vacations or trips or even weekends around the caches. If I am going somewhere tho, I do have caches loaded and ready for the area.



Do you do paperless caching? I am not paperless. I’ve cut down just a little on paper since using GSAK and learning some of the things it does. I probably would have to upgrade my GPS in order to take advantage of being paperless. I am an accountant by education and old school at that so I am still built around paper. But I do recycle my paper by printing on both sides. Talk about an ink bill.

What kind of geocaching rig do you use? I still use the one I learned on.....Garmin eTrex Venture. I have thought many times about upgrading and (just like my phone) I hate the learning curve.

Why would you recommend anyone else to take up geocaching? I do and I have. Don’t know that I have converted anyone but I do occasionally have a muggle navigator and have explained and given the website out to many friends. I have tried to encourage & recommend..... about doing it as a single, a couple, a family (all ages of children) and even us older retired people that want to stay active in mind and body. I also extol the educational aspects of learning about geography, technology of the GPS itself, history.....just general awareness of where a road might take you....old churches, old cemeteries, beautiful views, historical areas.

Where are you originally from? Born in Pulaski County, lived in Hot Spring County then moved to El Dorado in the 5th grade....so I consider myself truly from L.A. (lower Arkansas)

In what states have you geocached? Not that many......Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri.

What was your first event ever attended? It was that G.L.A.D. Meet & Greet back in April of 2012

How many caches have you found? 2750


Which type of cache container do you prefer over the rest? I read on Facebook a lot of pluses and minuses of certain containers. I don’t “dislike” any of them. They all have their ups and downs. The problematic are those that are not maintained, the ignoring the series of DNFs, etc. My supply box is filled with things to repair, replace or just clean up and out. So many are not capable of housing trackables or swag.


What was the most famous cache that you have found? I have never found a “famous” cache. However, Bronco’s Girl and I purposely drove to Marshall, Texas to sign the log of an ammo box that was brought back from Iraq by a civilian worker to his sister that he found in a building about to undergo demolition. We signed the original log.

Do you use disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries? Mostly rechargeable but I always carry disposable along.....also extra power packs to make sure phone never is discharged.

Do you enjoy hiding or finding more as your part of the hobby? Probably finding.

Do you have a personal goal in mind when you make a hide? Not really. I just figure I need to give back to the game. Someone has to hide so we will always have something out there to find.


What is your favorite type of cache hide? Never really thought about it much, but I guess I’d rather do either recycled “something” or a gadget style. But, it’s not gonna be real complicated gadget since my mind is not like that. I have really seen some very creative ones on Facebook.

Out of all your hides, what are your personal favorites that you take pride in? I don’t know that I have any special favorites. I did a series on color...getting away from the norm of camouflage but researching what various colors have meant across time; each having their own special place in our color wheel as well as historical.

What do you think the proper hide to find ratio should be to keep the sport fresh? I know this at times is controversial. Some say not before 100, some more, some says it doesn’t matter. Personally, it just hit me that if I didn’t, who do I automatically “assume” would do it. I had probably 1500 before I did any so I was really feeling guilty. By that time, I had seen many containers, many locations, gotten many ideas, saw the pitfalls so I felt like it was time. It was right before the souvenir month of August 2013 which we were finding one each day. In my area, we were having to venture pretty far away (for us); so, several of us started hiding that among me, bronco46, bronco’s girl, arkfiremedic, gmcsac and a few others down this direction, I think we placed close to 300 new ones. I do think that a new cacher shouldn’t just jump in and start hiding; not that they are not smart enough but that they need to know what works in their specific area, general protocols, getting permissions, learn more about using phones vs. handheld GPS to place. I’ve seen a few profiles that have zero finds but have started hiding...maybe they just aren’t logging them. The newer ones in our area have actually done a pretty good job.


How did you end up getting into this wacky hobby? Pretty well explained in a question at the beginning.


What's your favorite geocache? There’s been several unusual and very creative but I guess GC30NTJ comes to mind since I don’t have much time to think on it.

If money was no object, where would you like to go geocaching? Never really given it any thought. I don’t go to exotic places..went on a cruise before I started caching or that would have been fun....no scuba stuff though. I don’t fly and I don’t camp. I would like to just get in the car pointed in whatever direction and just go. So, if anyone needs a partner.......


Do you like geocaching by yourself or in a group? Both have their place. More pairs of eyes or have bulldog stamina are certainly strong advantages but by oneself means you can spread your stuff all around. I can hardly even fit another person in my geotruck because of my supplies, swag and tools.

How many First to Finds do you have? I only have 37 true FTF, a few more of Co-Tri and Group

Are you a First to Find person who is always set on go and if so, how many miles out do you have your settings on to get notifications? I have notifications set out about 50 miles but not for FTF. I am not a FTF hound always set on ready. I do notifications just to add to my GSAK location so when I’m going in a certain direction, all I do is just one more quick review of the mapped area, download to GPS and out the door (really a little more than that but you get the idea).


Do you have any other hobbies besides geocaching? Not necessarily hobbies, but I am active in other things. I am a Master Gardener, on the Advisory Committee of the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, Trustee Board member of the local Barton Library, on the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Union County administered through our local community college, take care of my church library, Poll Captain during election time, Board of the local EHC (Extension Homemakers Clubs), an extension of U of A. and a few other things. I am an avid reader, having 4 stories going at once (audio tapes in each vehicle—I listen while caching), Kindle while watching TV, actual book when in bed)....and; yes, occasionally I have to backtrack to remind myself of the plot. Oh, I’m a wannabe crafter if that counts.

The Membership Relations Committee is happy to showcase some ArkGeo Geocachers through the "Geocacher Profile". The committee thought Eric Bond aka bondebond should be the next cacher to be in the spotlight.

What is your geocaching name?
bondebond

How did you choose your handle?
It came from trying to find a unique profile name early on when the Internet was still getting its legs under it. I've been in IT for over 20 years and on the Internet even longer. It is a play on my name and some little known British secret spy agent that's always plagued me through my childhood and adult life. The profile's bond...ebond.

How long have you been geocaching?
That all depends on how you want to start the counter. I found my first geocache on July 7, 2007 as a muggle. I stumbled upon it while inspecting a strange natural formation in the bowl of a valley in Taylor Park, CO. I found an ammo can (Pretzel's Playhouse, GCPVFF), read the log and instructions and signed the log. I muggled another the following day but was unable to find it later online to log it. Then I had a dry spell, probably the longest in AR history until 2012 when the Veatches got me back into it. It wasn't really until August of 2014 that I REALLY got back into it with vigor. So, the answer is either 8 years or 1 year.

How did you find your first Geocache, and which one was it?
Ooops. I answered that above. I have since taken several extended family members to the cache a few years after I discovered it and they all signed the log. I've yet to turn any of them into geocachers. And the last time to visit it showed that it was now archived.

Who usually goes with you when you go caching?
Wait. You mean people go along with you? I usually am by myself although I will generally let Tha_Hill know if I'm going some place remote. I'll send him a GC code or two of some of my targets so the authorities know where to start the search. My kids (ages 11 and 8 can sometimes be convinced to actually go and my wife is supportive but firmly a muggle at heart. Tha_Hill and I will make caching trips and have done a few all-nighters, especially when the Monopoly series was about to be archived. What a marathon night that was.

How long will you work on puzzle caches before you give up?
Puzzles...sigh. The bane of my geocaching experience. Since we had a puzzle-solving Meet-n-Greet in Searcy, I've been encouraged to give them more effort. I will say that I gave one of Floaten's WAY too much time this year when I was bound and determined to get FTF on one of his puzzles. I didn't but it wasn't for a lack of trying. I still haven't solved it. Once I determine to solve a particular one, I try to avoid asking for hints but a nudge or two is always welcome. On average, many days to a week on any given puzzle.

What town/areas have you most enjoyed caching in?
Obviously, Woodwalker and others set me up perfectly in Searcy with several hundred to get acquainted with the sport. I really liked seeing the variety around here. My most favorite kinds are the ones to get me out in nature, though. Making a run on cemetery caches was sort of a strange, creepy feeling at first but now I appreciate getting out in the quiet solitude found there so often as well as a chance to learn a little history of some people.

Do you do paperless caching?
Pretty quickly, I went paperless after upgrading to premium membership and could make notes in my account about each geocache. I did have a little spiral bound notebook in my vehicle used for making field puzzle notes, etc and still use it for that purpose but no more printing out sheets of info.

What kind of geocaching rig do you use?
I have a Garmin gpsmaps 64st that is good for remote areas without cellular signal but by and large, I use my Samsung Galaxy S5 with c:geo. I love pulling down the satellite imagery for that final level of detail for GZ. It's pretty accurate, at least for my taste. Of course, you have to put the device in your pocket at some point and let geosense do some work.

Why would you recommend anyone else to take up geocaching?
Because it's a great way to lose yourself for an hour or a day with very little likelihood of actually being permanently lost. That said, I still do carry a compass in my kit along with the extra batteries, just in case. I love getting out in nature and it seems like today's kids have to have some tie-in with electronics to get their attention, so this is a great fit. I'm the troopmaster of our Trail Life USA troop in Searcy and have incorporated geocaching in several of our camp-outs. Woolly Hollow State Park will never be same after we came through.

Where are you originally from?
I grew up in Oklahoma after moving from Kentucky at age 3. From there, it was 4 years of college in Arkansas, two years in Texas, 9 years in Wisconsin, 5 years in Kansas and now back to Arkansas.

In what states have you geocached?
In not so many as I would like to but that's the great part of geocaching - there's always another one just down the road a little further. I have geocached in 8 states so far: Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Mississippi. We're going to Florida in January, so that will be at least one more state, if not several on the way to and from.

What was your first event ever attended?
It was the Pi Day 3.14 hosted by Mathseeker. It was a great event and showed me how much fun it can be to gather with fellow geocachers and pick their brains. Unfortunately, my Thursdays are always spoken for so I've not been able to attend the monthly meet and greets.

How many caches have you found?
I have only a paltry 653 finds. I generally geocache during my lunch period and have pretty much cleared everything out within reasonable driving distance of a lunchtime so I will probably slow way down on finding new caches.

Which type of cache container do you prefer over the rest?
Oh, of course it will always be the ammo can but really, any container that had a unique or challenging way of being found or opened.

What was the most famous cache that you have found?
It has to be Mingo. We drive a lot to Colorado to visit my wife's family. I think it was around 2:00 in the morning when I pulled off of the highway at a desolate spot. With no gas stations around, my wife groggily asked me if everything was OK. I was giddy, mostly because of the sleep deprivation but excited regardless. I could not convince the kids to ink the log so they will just have to find it on their own some time.

Do you use disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries?
I start with rechargeable, but have ultra alkalines as backups.

Do you enjoy hiding or finding more as your part of the hobby?
I've really gotten into hiding as much as finding geocaches. I had to be a copy-cat and start up a few bird house themed caches in town. One is a reasonable homage to WestVirginia Tim's, something of an amalgamation with a twist. The other is, as far as I know or can tell, a totally unique field puzzle cache that I expect to be found once or twice a year, at best. In its first three months, there is still no FTF on it. That's just me being mean/evil/warped. But I really enjoy the geocaches that take me places I would never have gone on my own. I appreciate the efforts hiders go, especially after seeing what it takes first hand to place some.

Do you have a personal goal in mind when you make a hide?
While I have some PnGs, I generally like to place something with a twist. Most all of the natural features around my area have been covered so I look for something as a hide that is out of the ordinary types or a variation on a theme, or something altogether different for this area.

What is your favorite type of cache hide?
I like things that you have to manipulated, like the I.C. series in Cabot. I really like something that takes you on a journey, either through hiking with my feet, solving something with my brain or fiddling with something with my hands.

Out of all your hides, what are your personal favorites that you take pride in?
While I really like my bird house themed geocaches, my favorite is actually Oliver's Twist, GC5KMRZ, that has only been found by two different groups of cachers since it was placed. I consider a very easy multi that is fun for kids and families. It will require something of a hike so it doesn't get very much traffic. But my dog (Oliver) still loves to go with me to check on it from time to time.

What do you think the proper hide to find ratio should be to keep the sport fresh?
For me, it's been more of a shuffling between finding and hiding. If one starts to slow down, I shift interest to the other side and that sort of fires me back up.

How did you end up getting into this wacky hobby?
Only through sheer dumb luck at Pretzel's Playhouse, and combined years later with wacky friends who still are introducing new people to the sport in our area.

What's your favorite geocache?
That's a tough one. There was a virtual in Colorado that had my family taking a picture of ourselves next to bronze donkeys in Cripple Creek but I would say that getting Batters Up GC134V5 was one tough cookie and will always rank in my top three.

If money was no object, where would you like to go geocaching?
Planet Earth...all of it.

Do you like geocaching by yourself or in a group?
I really enjoy getting away by myself and recharging. However, even this introvert enjoys a good run with a crowd.

How many First to Finds do you have?
I have 21 FTFs even though my stats say 20. The 21st was by a college student in town that really did a great job of bringing new styles into our area.

Are you a First to Find person who is always set on go and if so, how many miles out do you have your settings on to get notifications?
With angel06 soaking up most of the FTFs up that way and Little Rock being very adequately covered, I do take anything nearer to home base pretty seriously although my notification range is the 30 mile radius. I didn't realize at first that I needed to set notifications on each different geocache type until I got skunked on a few but that was quickly remedied.

Do you have any other hobbies besides geocaching?
Wait, geocaching is considered ONLY a hobby???

The Membership Relations Committee is happy to showcase some ArkGeo Geocachers through the "Geocacher Profile". The committee thought EuGene Smith aka bUTCH46 should be the next cacher to be in the spotlight.

What is your geocaching name? bUTCH46

How did you choose your handle? Butch is my nickname and 46 my birth year, then I decided on the reverse capitalization just to be different.



How long have you been geocaching? Since 30 June 2014

How did you find your first Geocache, and which one was it? While on a family vacation I overheard my brother-in-law and nephew making plans to do some caching and asked them to show me about this geocaching thing. They agreed, but I would have to find the first cache (which they would choose for me). Well, I plodded back and forth over 1/4 mile of dry sand on a 6 stage letterbox, "Waikiki Wildlife" (GC300T6) . . . lived through it and became a caching masochist!


Who usually goes with you when you go caching? I guess I have cached the most with Coon&bud, KSDS97, Summitlady, and Angel06

How long will you work on puzzle caches before you give up? I don't consider myself to be the brightest bulb in the box, and after about 30 seconds of having it proven to me by most of those tough puzzles, I throw in the towel.

What town/areas have you most enjoyed caching in? I guess in parks and on trails, as this old body needs the exercise and I feel great once the soreness subsides.

Do you do paperless caching? Rarely. I generally cache by coordinates.

What kind of geocaching rig do you use? Normally a Garmin E-Trex Vista, and occasionally a Garmin Oregon 450 or 600.


Why would you recommend anyone else to take up geocaching? It's fun, challenging, good for exercise, and you meet many nice and fun people

Where are you originally from? Born in Fayetteville, raised hither, thither, and yon - Arkansas, Virginia, Maine, & Maryland.

In what states have you geocached? AL, AR, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, & WV

What was your first event ever attended? July 2014 C.A.G.E. Meet & Greet (24 July 2014)

How many caches have you found? 1,743

Which type of cache container do you prefer over the rest? Baby Coke bottle and bison tube.

What was the most famous cache that you have found? Hmmm? Don't know that I have found any "famous" caches.

Do you use disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries? Both

Do you enjoy hiding or finding more as your part of the hobby? Finding

Do you have a personal goal in mind when you make a hide? Usually I try to have a small challenge to the find, but I may on occasion employ a little bit of "evil" in my hides.

What is your favorite type of cache hide? One that poses a bit of challenge to find but with a minimum of DNF's

Out of all your hides, what are your personal favorites that you take pride in? Still Curvy, Where's Skelly, and Quality Drive North Spur

What do you think the proper hide to find ratio should be to keep the sport fresh? I don't think of a ratio per se, rather I think it best to not hide more than you can reasonably maintain.

How did you end up getting into this wacky hobby? I overheard family members talking about caching and asked to go along (see the 4th question).

What's your favorite geocache? Urban Cammo (It was in Clinton, but recently stolen)

If money was no object, where would you like to go geocaching? The Pacific NW and New England.

Do you like geocaching by yourself or in a group? I prefer the company of 1-3 other cachers

How many First to Finds do you have? Best I can recall I have less than 10 FTF's

Are you a First to Find person who is always set on go and if so, how many miles out do you have your settings on to get notifications? I actually don't think much about FTF's, although I jumped at a few early on then lost interest in going after them. I have no clue what my notification settings are.

Do you have any other hobbies besides geocaching? Older motor scooters, Genealogy, watching DVDs of Operas, Ballets, Musicals, and cartoons.

The Membership Relations Committee is happy to showcase some ArkGeo Geocachers through the "Geocacher Profile". The committee thought Chris Rasmussen aka Razz007 should be the next cacher to be in the spotlight.

What is your geocaching name?
Razz007


How did you choose your handle?
The name sort of chose me many, many years ago. Rasmussen is a difficult name to say, so my friends just started calling me “Razz” and it stuck. I added the “007” part primarily because “Razz” was already taken, but also because I’m a huge James Bond fan. Geocaching sort of seemed like a spy game to me since you have to hide from muggles, so I thought it was a good match!

How long have you been geocaching?
I’ve been caching since 08/28/10

How did you find your first Geocache, and which one was it?
The first cache I found was LCCC – Mt. Pleasant owned by MathSeeker. I had downloaded the free Geocaching app and it said that there was a “cache” up the road. I had no idea what this was all about so I headed out to check it out. Sure enough, there was a container there and the rest is history!


Who usually goes with you when you go caching?
I started caching with DaTexanBoy before he retired due to health reasons. I then joined up with KSDS97 (then Paladinds1961) and TheFab5WillisClan for regular outings and later on with Floaten. However, almost always in tow is my main man, the infamous Mini-Razz. My son has logged many miles with me and is a great companion. The small hands have helped out more times than I can count to get those hard to reach caches!

How long will you work on puzzle caches before you give up?
Oh wow! I can’t even begin to log the amount of time I’ve spent working on a particularly pesky puzzle. My O.C.D. and A.D.D. are often at odds. I will work some puzzles to death until they’re solved, or I will work on it on and off for days or weeks at a time.

What town/areas have you most enjoyed caching in?
Searcy and Jacksonville had some great caches when I first started out. There was such a wide variety of hides and containers that really made it worth it! I also enjoyed visiting the various Arkansas State Parks. I don’t think I would have taken the time to visit all 52 of them had it not been for caching.



Do you do paperless caching?
Yep. I came into the game at a time when the technology had evolved to the point where downloading GPX files to your GPSr or using your smartphone were the preferred caching method.

What kind of geocaching rig do you use?
I use a Garmin Dakota 20 and my iPhone 6.


Why would you recommend anyone else to take up geocaching?
Since I’ve been geocaching, I have been to places and seen things that I would not have otherwise. People can go a lifetime being active and doing outdoor things, but I don’t think many really “see” their surroundings. Caching is not just good for getting out to exercise, but it is educational, entertaining, and takes you to beautiful locations.

Where are you originally from?
Conway, AR


In what states have you geocached?
I just picked up California a few weeks ago, which brought me up to 19 states to date. Others include, AR, TN, LA, MS, MO, IA, OK, PA, NV, NH, ID, MI, AL, KS, IL, IN, NY, and TX.

What was your first event ever attended?
My first event was The Arkansas 10,000 Club Woodwalker9.


How many caches have you found?
3923


Which type of cache container do you prefer over the rest?
A good ol’ traditional ammo can, off course!

What was the most famous cache that you have found?
As far as local caches go, I have to say GC1B - Gorilla Stash. Outside of the state, I think GCB0EB – Toga Party in Las Vegas was pretty popular.


Do you use disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries?
Rechargeables.


Do you enjoy hiding or finding more as your part of the hobby?
I enjoy both equally well.


Do you have a personal goal in mind when you make a hide?
Keep them fun and maintainable.

What is your favorite type of cache hide?
I like themed and creative hides where the CO puts in the effort to make it unique and personal. You know when you’ve found such a cache because it puts a smile on your face when you find it.


Out of all your hides, what are your personal favorites that you take pride in?
I think my Traditional Ammo Can cache is my favorite to date. It’s not because it is particularly difficult, but I do get a kick out of reading the logs about how misdirected people get while looking for it. J


What do you think the proper hide to find ratio should be to keep the sport fresh?
This is a difficult question to answer directly. I agree with others when they say it should be whatever a person can maintain. I also agree that should have a reasonable amount of finds before your first hide. What I also think keeps the sport fresh is a good rotation between old and new caches. This gives the new cachers a chance to hide something in their area and share their story, and it gives veteran cachers a chance to find a new cache without having to drive miles out for a FTF.


How did you end up getting into this wacky hobby?
I was issued a new company phone for work a few years back and the first thing I did was to start downloading every app that I could find. One of those apps just happened to be the free geocaching app. I read the description and thought, surely there aren’t people hiding these ”caches” around everywhere. I took a chance on it and it said there was several just up the road from my house? I was skeptical at first, so I drove to the closest location and started looking around. Sure enough, I found the container and the swag hidden within. Wow! That was pretty neat. So I headed to the next one. Found it too! After I exceeded the number of finds the free app allowed, I went ahead and bought the official app and not long after that, my first GPS. The rest was history!


What's your favorite geocache?
GC204M4 - Lafarge Quarry Concretions. This is an Earthcache in Michigan, located at place that has a personal meaning for me. My log will explain more.

If money was no object, where would you like to go geocaching?
I’ve never been too interested in going out of the country, so I would like to concentrate my caching efforts in the good US of A with a big RV.


Do you like geocaching by yourself or in a group?
It depends on the situation and the types of caches I’m going for that day. However, I would say that my preference is to go with a partner or group.


How many First to Finds do you have?
63 and counting!


Are you a First to Find person who is always set on go and if so, how many miles out do you have your settings on to get notifications?
Yes. Yes I am! I love the smell of FTFs in the morning and have my notification set to a 40 mile radius to maximize my chances.


Do you have any other hobbies besides geocaching?
I’ve been a Transformer fan since I was a kid and have amassed quite a collection over the years. I also like woodworking whenever the opportunity arises.

The Membership Relations Committee is happy to showcase some ArkGeo Geocachers through the "Geocacher Profile". The committee thought David and Kim Solomon aka KSDS97 should be the next cachers to be in the spotlight.

What is your geocaching name? KSDS97, started out as paladinds1961

How did you choose your handle? Originally I was paladinds1961 which was a carryover from other online gaming activities. In the summer of 2013 Kim, my wife asked if we could have one name and I said sure what should it be. I started thinking and trying out different ones on different cachers and felt simple would work well, but did not think the ron white idea would work for us. I had met a great couple from Cabot that had a really neat name, KnKinCabot, and kind of thought along those lines. However KnDinCabot might just be a little bit over the top. So I used KS, Kim Solomon, DS, David Solomon and 97 because we got married in 1997. So KSDS97 it is.

How long have you been geocaching? 3.5 years, Signed up in Sept 2011, Hunted first cache in December of 2011.

How did you find your first Geocache, and which one was it? In December of 2011 we found GC217V2 All Geocachers Raise Your Paws. This was a very easy Ammo Can hide to find. It was not the first cache I hunted, that was GC34GJ7 Edumacation: Magness Creek Elementary School and the closest to the house. My daughter had a sleepover and we loaded our first gpsr an etrex that required manual loading and the girls into the car and went hunting. Now at that time the only thing I knew about micros was that it was a film can. I punched in the numbers and off we went and went and went and went. Dang this thing can’t make its mind up where it wants me to go. We looked everywhere it wasn't. SO we called it a day and went home. A couple of days later we decided to try a much easier cache and went after All Geocachers Raise Your Paws. In fact I saw it as I drove up to it.

Who usually goes with you when you go caching? Festess, Razz007, Floaten, bUTCH46, Wife and Daughter when I can get them to.

How long will you work on puzzle caches before you give up? I never give up so forever.

What town/areas have you most enjoyed caching in? Way too many to name, but Jackson TN, Fort Smith AR, Murfreesboro, AR and Hot Springs do come to mind.

Do you do paperless caching? Yes

What kind of geocaching rig do you use? Android Phone with GCDROID App, Garmin Orgeon 600 GPSR

Why would you recommend anyone else to take up geocaching? Because it’s fun. It gets you outside and takes you to places you might never ever get to see otherwise.

Where are you originally from? Hartsville, SC

In what states have you geocached?AR, MO, TN, MS, AL, FL, LA. Yes TX is missing which is a story for another day.

What was your first event ever attended? GC3QZEB ArkGeo Celebrating Top Kitty

How many caches have you found? Around 4500

Which type of cache container do you prefer over the rest? All of them but I like the homemade one best. Or one where you have done something different with.

What was the most famous cache that you have found? Well what makes it famous, oldest or most favorite points? I have found Gorilla Stash, the oldest cache in Arkansas and most recently Bonita Lakes the oldest cache in Mississippi, July 18, 2015. Which hold the 1st and 3rd spots on the favorite point list. However my personnel favorite famous cache ranks number 2 in favorite points at 233. GC9CBB The Grotto in Memphis TN. If you have never found it, you should and I can say without a doubt if not for caching I would never have seen this.

Do you use disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries? I have used both but most of the time I use rechargeable.

Do you enjoy hiding or finding more as your part of the hobby? Hard question, but hiding wins because it allows you to live the adventure over and over with each and every log posted.

Do you have a personal goal in mind when you make a hide? Sometimes, I have some that honor milestones and some just because someone needs a gimmie.

What is your favorite type of cache hide? The next one of course. However some of the most memorial ones are pesky micros but a good ammo can regular is greatly welcomed.

Out of all your hides, what are your personal favorites that you take pride in? The Gumball Rally Series. When I started caching there were great power trail and runs in a lot of places that people talked about all the time. I wanted Central Arkansas to be the place others wanted to come cache. So one day as Mark Willis and I were out caching we hatched Gumball Rally and started hiding them. On Jan 1 of 2013 Festess and I were off on a cache run and the first caches post and then BAM the found it logs started coming. Well a few months later Willis and I went caching in Van Buran County and we found a flyer in a cache about good places to cache and Gumball made the list. Then Fort Smith Area Caches came in and hunted them and people just kept coming.

What do you think the proper hide to find ratio should be to keep the sport fresh? Whatever you can keep up with.

How did you end up getting into this wacky hobby? Festess told Kim and I about it and she thought it would be a fun thing to do as we were out camping. Then I met theFab5willisclan, Mark Willis and the two of us along with Festess did a 100 cache day The Great Arkansas River Road series Labor Day 2012. The Obsession and hook was sunk in deep.

What's your favorite geocache? Can’t decide there are too many. Different one for different reasons. Look at my favorite list and pick one.

If money was no object, where would you like to go geocaching? Not so much where but with who. I would free some of my caching friends and go do some awesome caches. It is always more fun when you share.

Do you like geocaching by yourself or in a group? I like group caching because it gives more eyes and creates more fun stories to tell.

How many First to Finds do you have? 30 or 40 maybe.

Are you a First to Find person who is always set on go and if so, how many miles out do you have your settings on to get notifications? yes, Max 50 miles but I don't always go. I was gunning for it until I got the first one. It was as bad as getting my first first date.

Do you have any other hobbies besides geocaching? Coin collecting, golf, camping, hiking, and talking.