Rehobch

What's the most unusual thing you've found in a cache?
I think that the most unusual thing was some time ago when we were in Harrisonburg, VA, and we found a cache and read the log book. It had recently been signed by a Delaware cacher- Hostanut, whom we had met. I knew Delaware was a small state, but I didn't expect this! Also right up there on the list was a Rose Compass Geocoin. They are so great looking that I was amazed that someone would actually leave it in a cache! Of course, I logged it and moved it on and then was able to obtain one of my own.

Have you had any memorable experiences while seeking a cache?
In general, we both enjoy going on overnight Geocaching trips and visiting other areas. We also take our grandkids out caching and we have hooked them on the sport.

The most memorable was some time ago when we were in the "wilds" of Sussex County. We were in a fairly new vehicle and we got back to the car after a long walk and it was near the end of our caching day & we were tired. To make a long story short, we couldn't start the car. Fortunately, I called AAA for a locksmith. They said it would take some time but that one would be there. After about 30 minutes, I calmed down enough to figure out what the problem was & got the car started. I called AAA back, cancelled the service call, went home, and after some time, almost had to call AA. 

What advice would you give to a beginning geocacher?
Make sure that you know how to use your gps. Start out with easy regular size caches- save the micros until you have some experience. Talk to other cachers at events and email them if you have questions about their caches. When you go out caching in the woods make sure that you carry a cell phone and spare batteries. Also, mark your position before you enter the woods. Once you've found different types of caches, then you will know what you like the best and can start hiding your own. Above all, have fun at this.

How many caches have you placed?
As of June, 2007, 20 caches.

Have any of them proven to be more "popular" than what you expected?
Yes, Dewey's in Lewes? Even though this cache is fairly new (Feb., 2007) and hasn't been found by loads of cachers, many have already commented that they really liked this cache. I guess it is the combination of the type of hide it is and the play on words.

Have any of them proven to be more difficult to find than you expected?
Definitely! I hid BK Beach as a C&D (or so I thought)! It is in an area that kids use to drink beer so I covered it well to be sure it didn't get muggled and gave it a 2/1 rating. Well, I got DNF after DNF and nobody could even get the FTF! I had to give two better clues and raise the rating to a 5/2.5 by popular demand! It taught me that no matter how you rate your cache, there will always be differences of opinion on the ratings. Many times, it is just plain luck!

Have any of them been muggled? If, so how did you handle this?
I have had several caches muggled. Part 1 of Oceanfront in Rehoboth Beach is right on the boardwalk. I replaced that a few times until I finally had to re-hide it close by. Even then it was muggled twice more! I changed the hide for a third time & so far so good. The same thing happened to Micromaniac in Lewes and again I made changes in the hide to prevent the muggling. So far, that tactic has seemed to work.

What advice would you give to someone designing a cache placement?
Make sure that you start out on public property, with proper access and close parking. If the cache is some distance from the parking area and there are closer streets (but not necessarily any access), be sure to include parking coordinates. It is really frustrating to go to an area that
you don't know and have to hunt all over for parking and an access point. Once you get a feel for how different areas are treated, then you can start to ask for permission to place them on private property.

What's your best caching story?
I don't have one best story- just a lot of real good ones!

Most of the adventures involve going out caching with others and sharing experiences. Not only do you learn something all of the time, you have a lot of fun doing it! I also really like running into other cachers out on the trail. You get to share some local experiences and hear some good stories! But one of the best stories is that I was recently "knighted" by Runfrog. I am now Sir rehobch!

Beside geocaching, what other things do you like to do?
I like to workout at the gym regularly. I have been doing this for years and it helps keep me fit for caching. I also like to travel- especially to the Caribbean where I have done a lot of scuba diving and just relaxing on the beach. I also enjoy being a docent and giving tours at the Univ. of Delaware- College of Marine & Earth Studies in Lewes.

Which Delaware cache site would you'd like to see featured on the web page and why?
We just recently found Tidbury Triple by hart612. This is a great multi cache! It has nice walks around the lake in the park and the hides are challenging- especially the final. If it weren't for my wife, I would probably still be looking for that! Another great cache is Thurston Howell's Treasure by Delawhere- VERY unique!

You have been active as a kind of geocaching ambassador for Sussex County including organizing events. Tell us about how that came about.
After I had been caching for awhile, I wanted to meet some of the other cachers in our area & swap caching stories. So, it just seemed natural to set-up a lunch & to invite as many locals as I could. I did that twice and we really had a great time with each of them. We also had a number of cachers from northern Delaware at the last lunch, and I now know many more throughout the state. I'll probably do a lunch event in the not too distant future.

What question did you expect us to ask but we didn't? And, what's the answer?
What was my most embarrassing caching moment? When we were still fairly new to caching, I thought I knew how to use this great gps device and now I couldn't get lost. Right? Wrong! I got lost in the woods trying to find my way back from a cache- I don't remember which one & I don't want to remember either! I hadn't quite figured out about the backtrack feature yet! That sure taught me to mark my entry point into the woods.

Thanks, Jerry, for sharing these answers with us.