I was once asked, "What do you think about geocaching competitions?" This has always been a hard question to answer. I like the aspect of competition as long as it is friendly and safe. In Arthur's blog, he mentioned the Northern folks moving people to get to the next cache. Although they are very competitive, I must share how they got that way.
In 2004 when we had the first MOGA, or MIGC, we had a group of 4 people come down from Minnesota. Hawn state park was a really tough park for Geocaching in a single day. We had the competition on Saturday for individuals and on Sunday for team courses. Before the team competition, the Minnesota crew was loading up in the van to head back. We knew they paid for the team competition and Bridget confronted them just before they pulled out of the parking lot. They indicated that they were too exhausted to compete and Bridget told them that they came all that way from way up North, they should at least give it a try.
Pictured above, JT, Moe the Sleaze, Towlebooth and Silent Bob.
After Bridget had talked these guys into staying, three of them competed in the team course and picked up an extra person. I think it might have been Phantom491 from Arkansas. Moe was too tired to compete so he sat out. They took first place and from that point on, they became the team to beat.
So you see... It was Bridget's fault. If she wouldn't have talked them into competing, they would have simply went back to Minnesota and some other team would have won. Now they make the trip each year to hold the title of best four person team.
This year should be interesting. Everyone is out to get them. So much so, that they are coming with T-Shirts with a big target printed on them. They donated a trophy, called the Minnesota Cup, which will be displayed at MOGA and up for grabs to the four person team winning the competition.
Although I think they are competitive, I don't see them shoving people out of their way. I think it got overstated, possibly inflated, about what happened. They are a serious bunch but, they have a lot of fun and they are a blast to hang out with.
Hawn offered a diverse landscape
This years event will be more of a rolling hill scenery than the jagged edge rocks that hawn had to offer. There were some really cool places to hide caches at Hawn. The struggle we had at Mark Twain Lake is that everything hidden will have to do with fallen trees and rotting logs. There might be a few surprises but, few is the key word.
Bring Your Bathing Suit
This is a beautiful lake and I am sure that everyone attending will enjoy this great scenery. I am looking forward to finding a few caches. I will be there for 11 days enjoying the sunshine and beautiful weather we will have at MOGA!
Oh yeah, before I forget... Geocoins.. We have received a
shipment of coins for the event. However, I had to order another 100
coins because of the demand. I am hoping that I will get them before
the event but chances are, they will arrive after.
That's all for today. More to Come! Stay Tuned!
Mike
Brawny Bear