Runfrog

Runfrog

Interviewed January 2006

This month's featured geocacher is Runfrog. Last month we featured one of his sites as our featured geocache. If you read that article you know why he also goes by the nickname of stickerboy. (If you missed that article it is still available in the featured geocaches section of this web site.) Be sure to also visit some of Runfrog's cache site descriptions on www.geocaching.com. You'll discover he has a great sense of humor.

Runfrog is also known as Gwynn. Here's an interview that should help you get to know him even better.

I've had a hard time doing the interview, I've thought long and hard about the answers, so here we go......

First I have to say that I feel totally undeserving of this. I can think of several others that deserve it far more than I, Mike Ott, not so much for the number of caches he has found but for the caches he has hidden, especially the Mason Dixon series, then HORN229 for both his hides (now that he's found his stride his hides have become more devious... especially Seven Stories High) and the number of caches he has found in a short time, then TeKnight, one hide but its a doozey and his number of finds, Metazbad and the Wonder Dog Dundee also come to mind... lots of cache finds and some very devious hides as well.. and of course you covered Hart last month (just keep him and his wife away from bunnies). And regardless of where you live one has to mention CCCooperAgency.. the World Leader, simply awesome.

How did you become involved with geocaching - and how long have you been doing it?
I bought my first GPS in 2000 and used it just for fun. Then sometime in 2002 I read an article in the NY Times about Geocaching and thought this might be fun. But it took me until July of 2003 to find my first cache, Mike Ott's "Don't Fence Me In". This was not only my first find but my most memorable. Our eldest daughter was recovering from her first bout of a chronic illness and we did this together, it meant a lot to me. It was her first time outside in over two months.

How many caches have you found so far?
To date I have 209 finds, my latest was Horn's Seven Stories High.

Which type of cache do you prefer seeking - traditional, multi, puzzle or virtual?
I pretty much like all types of caches, with the exception of the parking lot light pole cache. But, thinking about it perhaps this type of cache speaks to us about our society... Parking lots are pretty ubiquitous.. Makes one think of the line in the Carly Simon song "Pave paradise put up a parking lot".

Which find was the most challenging?
My most challenging cache had to be TeKnight's "Getting Around To It", mainly because I walked in. It took me three tries. My first attempt I followed my GPS and it led me astray. My second attempt was ruined due to vegetation and a high tide. My third attempt was long, hot and miserable.... But I got the sucker.

Which was the easiest?
Easiest.......... No comment.

Which was your favorite?
My favorite... WOW!!! That is one tough question........ The Trolls "14-6" comes to mind as well as Horn's "Seven stories High" and "Alapocas Cache" but Mike Ott's Mason Dixon part 2" and Teknight's. Plus several other's. Picking my favorite is just too hard, they all are excellent caches that I highly recommend.

What's the most unusual thing you've found in a cache?
Not sure if this is unusual or not, I thought it was pretty strange for someone to leave cigarettes in a cache, the "Arroyo Boulder Cache" in New Mexico. I thought it was in very poor taste. But, I also found a condom (unused) in another. What are these folks thinking, oh, they aren't.

Have you had any memorable experiences while seeking a cache?
TeKnight's "Getting Around To It" was pretty memorable. First the Osprey's in the marsh, I watched them for a good 25 minutes while I ate lunch. Then there was the guy in the boat fishing, I came walking around this bend and there he was..... The look on his face was great. He just stared at me with his jaw in his boat and he was standing. I just waved.

What advice would you give to a beginning geocacher?
For the beginning cacher.......... be persistent, carry extra batteries.

How many caches have you placed?
I currently have six or seven active caches.

Have any of them proven to be more "popular" than what you expected?
Most popular... either "Mixed Up Multi at Da Pond" or Estrella's SBUX REDUX". But I think it has to be Estrella's. Its in plain sight yet its not obvious. Many folks have been to it two, three..... five times before they SEE. I love reading the logs and would like to know each and every one of them.

Have any of them proven to be more difficult to find than you expected?
More difficult.... see above answer. Though I am proud that CCCooperAency had to return to the "Mixed Up Multi" more than once, that puts a big grin on my face.

Have any of them been muggled? If, so how did you handle this?
Only one was muggled. I cancelled it.

What advice would you give to someone designing a cache placement?
My advice to someone hiding a cache... no light poles caches and be creative. You can be creative in a parking lot too.

What's your best caching story?
My best caching story... eeeeeeeeeeeel... Has to be the day I went with Howie.. Howie we miss you.. We went to Fair Hill Park in Maryland to cache. I got my first two and then asked him if he had these, he said something like "Yeah, let's get some more". I think I did 11 that day and about number 7 I asked " Aren't you going to find any?". His answer "Nah, I just wanted to watch you and laugh". Nice guy. Actually he is.

Beside geocaching, what other things do you like to do?
Besides Geocaching..... Is there anything else.. Okay breath. Actually I'm an avid runner and racer, hence my name, I mountain bike, like hiking, yard work, enjoy my kids (2 daughters 19 and 7.. yup same parents), gourmet cooking and good conversation about anything.

Which Delaware cache site would you'd like to see featured on the web page and why?
Which Delaware cache would I like to see featured here...... A really tough question.. but I think it would have to be the Dam Trolls "14-6". Lots of DNF's and few finds. I can't think of the right word to describe it, its one of those that makes you want to bang your head on the wall once you find it. No one to date has had an easy time of it. Kudos to the Trolls.

Sorry I'm so wordy, but............take care
Peace
Runfrog... aka Gwynn

No need for the apology, Gwynn. Our thanks to you for sharing these answers with us.

P. S. Those with sharp eyes (a kind of necessary attribute for geocachers) should be able to spot Runfrog among those who attended the Into to GPS and Geocaching class. Check the photo gallery section of this web site for the pictures.