Caching Name: Ngauger
Real Name: Mike Pizzano
1. How did you become involved in Geocaching?
My Step-Daughter FioraY (Jessica) went on a trip to meet a few online gaming friends in Texas in September 2006. One of them was a Geocacher. He took them all to a hide and when she returned home, she explained it to me. I always liked maps and mapping, so I went with her to find Peek-A-Boo (GCWBKQ), I was hooked!
2. How did you choose your caching name?
N Gauger is actually how it is pronounced, representative of my love for trains, railroad history and model railroading. I started out in N gauge trains and am now in G scale, the large ones, but I kept the Ngauger name since I first signed on the internet. I try to put an element of railroad learning in each of my caches.
3. What type of cache do you prefer seeking – traditional, multi, and puzzle, virtual?
I like traditional. I also like finding virtuals, since most of them teach some sort of history. It’s a shame that they are not accepted anymore. I began caching too late to really enjoy placing a bunch of them. I mainly cache alone, so I stay with 2.5 – 2.5 D/T and below.
4. Which caches were the most challenging, either physically/mentally?
Physically Challenging: Duck Creek – GC10PDR In the first FSC Challenge, which went by the moniker C.A.C.H.E. (Cache Around the Colonial Hundreds Event). It was a 5 mile hike, my longest ever hike, it gave me a great chance to spend quality time with the kids. (Kestrela1 and FioraY)
Mentally Challenging: most any puzzle cache, I have difficulty doing all but the most elementary ones.
5. What are your current geocaching goals?
I’d really like to make it to 1000 finds by the end of the year. I’d also like to do more rails to trails hikes, I like the idea of a cache every .1 miles
6. Where have you always wanted to go caching but haven’t?
I really don’t travel much; I’m planning to do the Delaware Star soon. I’d like to do some in Maryland and Northern New Jersey too.
7. What is your most memorable caching experience?
Duck Creek, and since I live in PA, I’ll mention that we did a Sudoku cache in Media, PA and that was neat, since I like to do Sudoku puzzles.
My first hide was interesting, it’s been archived now (More Railroad History GCZ58Q) It was in a short tree stump. Someone kept moving the stump (to presumably sit on, in the woods) so the cache location would randomly change by about 15 ft from GZ. There were plenty of nearby hiding places that were not as secure, so it threw some cachers off. As far as I know, everyone that looked for it made the find.
8. What do you like about geocaching?
Learning about history, and visiting new places relatively close to home that I would never visit, if I wasn’t seeking ammo cans or Tupperware in the woods.
9. Do you have some favorite caches in the area?
If Events count, I enjoy attending the C.I.T.O. events and the DE picnics.
As far as caches: BB 2.0 – Back From The Dead GC5Q7C9 – I’ve been friends with the store owner since 1980.
I enjoyed finding the FSC caches that have been placed over the years.
10. Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
Model railroading – I have a 13 X 10 G scale layout in my basement. I also read books and comic books. I also watch the Flyer’s, Phillies, Indy Car and the NHRA.
