Caching Name: dukemom1
Real Name: Linda Conner
How did you become involved in geocaching?
flipflopski invited our group of retired Seaford teachers to try geocaching. Our first outing was on June 23, 2015, and I was hooked!
How did you choose your caching name?
At the time, my daughter was a graduate student at Duke University. I convinced my husband to try geocaching, and he chose the name, dukedad. Because dukemom was already taken, I decided on dukemom 1.
What type of cache do you prefer seeking – traditional, multi, and puzzle, virtual?
Traditional for sure! I am not puzzle-oriented, so unless it’s an easy field puzzle I prefer traditional caches or multi caches that have only a couple of stages. It is frustrating to have gathered coordinates from five to seven stages only to find that the final stage has been muggled. That has actually happened twice.
Which caches were the most challenging, either physically/mentally?
Terrain and long trails can be a big physical challenge for me, so I need to find geocaches with easy access and nearby parking. My husband and I recently celebrated Valentine’s Day by finding the oldest cache in Delaware. It was a beautiful weather day. It took a lot of effort to walk that far, but spending a glorious Valentine afternoon walking in the woods with the man I have loved for so many years was worth the Aleve and the recuperation period!
What are your current geocaching goals?
I make little challenges for myself. I have found geocaches beginning with every letter of the alphabet, qualifying for tabbikat’s “Delaware’s Alphabet Soup Challenge”, but I can’t log it until I get upstate to find the final! I have conquered hiding a geocache for every letter of the alphabet, and now I am working on creating and sending out a TB for every letter of the alphabet. It’s the little things in life that keep us going!
Where have you always wanted to go caching but haven’t?
Because I was already a senior citizen when I started geocaching, I have missed many lifetime opportunities to geocache in states that I have visited. So, from this time forward, my goal is to geocache in every state that I visit. No specific location.
What is your most memorable caching experience?
Driving on the beach at Daytona Beach and introducing geocaching to my brother and sister-in-law was a memorable day. We parked on the sand and proceeded to look under the boardwalk for GC69D5K. After looking around, we found nothing unusual except for a dead rat up in the corner. My sister-in law ran! I cautiously observed “the rat” for a moment or two and then displayed my bravery (or stupidity) by picking up an empty beer bottle and nudging the thing a few times before determining that it was actually Velcro-d in place! I don’t know what kind of REAL fur was covering that “thing”, but nobody else would touch it! Scored a FIND and replaced as found!
What do you like about geocaching?
I like that geocaching takes us to places we ordinarily would never discover. While geocaching Delmarva or elsewhere, I am totally in love with the discovery!
Do you have some favorite caches in the area?
I have awarded favorites to lots of geocaches for many different reasons. I like geocaches that stir an emotion: I like historical geocaches such as churches, historical markers, cemeteries, etc., but we are so fortunate that our peninsula also offers us the scenic beauty of the Chesapeake Bay areas and the Atlantic beaches. I appreciate the effort and creativity that geocachers put into their hides, and I love the geocaches that are safe and interesting to children. Some favorite geocaches just make me laugh or sing!
Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
I don’t go sailing, do sports, or ride a motorcycle anymore. I enjoy reading, writing, watching TV, camping, beachcombing, and eating out!
