CCCooperAgency
CCCooperAgency
Interviewed March 2007
This smiling lady holding a Delaware Geocachers Geocoin is Lynn AKA CCCooperAgency. Lynn actually lives in Pennsylvania. So how is it that she is our Featured Geocacher for this month?
As CCCooperAgency Lynn has achieved almost legendary status. At this writing she has found almost 19,000 caches. In addition she has placed almost 500 caches. In fact, she and a California based geocacher (Team Alamo) are the number 1 and number 2 hold the title of most prolific geocachers. On any given day you can be sure you will find CCCooperAgency listed in one of these two positions. Most often it is as number 1. But there's an even better reason.
Folks who geocache in Delaware have seen her name written in logs throughout the state. Likewise you can find numerous Delaware Geocache on-line log entries where she relates her adventures while seeking Delaware Geocachers. And, several Delaware Geocachers have run into her out on the trail. In short, CCCooperAgency can certainly be counted among the Delaware Geocachers.
Lynn also attends many of our Delaware Geocaching Events including some of the New Castle County Monthly events.
Here's an interview that will help you learn a bit more about her.
Your geocaching.com profile shows that you found your first cache on Jan 11 2001. That's just a few months after geocaching began. How did you learn of geocaching and what was there about it that caught your interest?
Our first geocache find:
GC159 - Governor Dick Cache by GeoJoe, adopted by Klatch (GC159)
" May 25, 2001 by CCCooperAgency(18838 found) This was our 1st cache! We hide the SGL trails near Gov. Dick all the time & had some general idea where to head in...hubby found it 1st as I was coming up through the rocks underneath after finding the rock....very great find..nobody on trails last night...misty rainy weather but we had a blast! Left a keychain & took a snake. THANKS GeoJoe!"
In 9/00, my husband purchased our first GPS - a "plain vanilla" yellow Garmin Etrex. His engineering background had acquainted him with the technology but it wasn't until former President Clinton ordered the GPS selective availability turned off on May 1, 2000 that he found it practical to purchase a GPS unit. Ironically, this purchase was his (wedding) anniversary "gift to self". He now refers to this as the "gift that keeps on taking." From 9/00 until 5/01, he "played" with his new "toy". We regularly explored the trails near Governor Dick, including Dinosaur Rock and SGL #145 unaware of the geocache hidden there and no, we didn't get lost.
This was about to change. On 5/24/01 while researching the history surrounding Mount Gretna, I was linked to www.geocaching.com to GC159. Immediately I told my husband that I'd found a "use" for his "toy" and he quickly pointed out that it was one way to look at it. We went right over and found the cache. At the time we had no understanding of how rock faces can affect the signal and "bounce." Inside a week, we'd found all the caches in our area
Your "official" geocaching username is CCCooperAgency. Tell us a bit about how you selected this name
My husband is on the quiet side. He was adamant that we preserve our privacy. Since Cooper is not only my maiden name but the name of our (family-owned) business, it was "us" without divulging too much about our private life.
Geocaching and technology go together. Everyone knows that technology never stops evolving. What was the technology like when you started caching? For example, what features did your gps have? Which gps do you currently use?
Our first GPS was the Garmin (yellow) Etrex. We've owned 10 models over the years -both Garmin and Magellan products. 3 of these 10 have been Garmin units. My present (working) GPS is a Magellan Sportrak Map and my husband is "breaking in" the Magellan Explorist 210 for my "next" unit.
You are Pennsylvania based. How did you learn of Delaware geocaches? What was there about Delaware geocaches that caught your attention.
Week by week, our geo-radius expanded. We had cached-out our "local" area inside the first week and then moved our "territory" to "within 1 hour's drive". In 2001, caches were not as frequently placed or areas densely cache-populated. Our hour's drive extended further in several directions. Since Pennsylvania is a rather large state, it was more economical, time and fuel-wise to visit our neighboring states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, etc. I am a person who thrives on variety and challenge and geocaching offers both. Seeing other places in the USA and now, the world have always been a keen interest. Every state or country has something unique to offer and I enjoy each for their cachet (pun intended).We formerly had a series of HAPPY CACHES placed in every state and several countries. The names were derived from each state's nickname. So it was fun to learn more about each state.
What's the biggest difference between geocaching when you started
In the early days, there was not the proliferation of cachers or geocaches. You had to "earn" your smiley in those days. Most of the earlier geocaches involved something of interest - historical, scenic or just to acquaint you with the hider's "special place". You didn't see the Cache & Dash variety. To accumulate a "high number find count" in those days, meant leaving before dawn and returning after midnight with the children in their pajamas. Food/beverage were packed in with pillows and blankets. Today, there is no reason someone can not reach a 1,000 find count in an extremely short time frame. Quite easily, you select a very cache-rich area and cache hard. For example, when the Germans visited for GW4 they not only participated on the 24 Hours World Record Run and held the title with close to 350 cache finds but during their 2 week or so stay accumulated more than 600 finds So inside 2 weeks, someone can achieve a high numbers count. I don't wish to say that it de-values the game because the game (for me) is not numbers-based. It is about (my) personal discoveries and journey along the way. It's always been a parallel to life.
You and geocacher Team Alamo have consistently had the greatest number of finds of any geocachers? Do you know Team Alamo? If so, have you ever been geocaching with him?
The first geocacher with a "high numbers count" was actually STMC -which stands for Show Me The Cache from Louisville, KY. In the early days of geocaching, 100 was a huge find count. He was the "Grand-Daddy" of geocaching with more than 250 finds back in 2001. He actually challenged and encouraged me to "go for it" just before Thanksgiving, 2001. His intention was to enjoy the holidays and that I should continue caching. I bypassed STMC and the rest of the geocaching community from December, 2001 until September, 2006 at that time, TeamAlamo's find count exceeded mine.
Before TeamAlamo, there have been other "contenders" including but not limited to BruceS (St. Charles, Missouri), Lil' Otter (Wisconsin) and even StayFloopy (No. N J). But again, it's all in how you view the game. For me, it was a passion that goes beyond the "numbers". It is about people and places more so than mere numbers. About what you GIVE and not just TAKE.
And, TeamAlamo and I have "bumped into" each caching at GW2, GW3 and GW4. On January 4th of this year, I hosted him at an event held in York, PA - "Remember the Alamo!". Several PA cachers and I gave him a geo-tour of South Central PA, including night caching.
With almost 19,000 cache finds to your credit you must have been caching just about everywhere. With all that experience, do you have a favorite region?
That is one question that receives the same answer wherever I am - My favorite place is the place that I am caching today. ;) Seems a logical question but you have to understand my "logic."
With this huge number of finds you must go caching quite frequently. How much time do you devote to geocaching?
Until recently, I devoted an enormous percentage of the past several years to the game. When not "out caching", I am usually planning trips or logging. If you take into consideration the time my husband spends routing trips and preparing my GPS and PDA, it is a huge personal investment.
I've recently come to my senses and have made cut backs. The family and business have been unequally yoked with my passion for geocaching and it is now time for balance.
Have you had any memorable experiences while seeking a cache?
Well, I’ve never found a body or a lost treasure, that would be memorable. On a caching trip with rflester and MikeOtt to New Jersey, we were accosted by the Pennsville police because someone from a nearby bank called and said we were casing the place (see the logs and pics at GCYV5A “Swingin’ in Jersey (close to 295)”.
Who is involved with the CCCooper team and your family? How much does each family member participate and do they have specialized roles?
Originally when we started geocaching, it was a FAMILY activity consisting of my husband Kevin, me, son Craig (now age 16) and daughter Nina (now age 10) - Lucy the older daughter always had her own separate account as she was away on a senior trip in Outer Banks, NC the entire 1st week we discovered geocaching. Since she absolutely adored the VW NEW BEETLE, her 1st screen name was TheREALBug which she later changed to SBUX (Starbucks being another favorite place/thing).
As the distances between caches grew, my husband "decreed" that it made better sense to put in more time in a cache location as opposed to driving a larger distance for a few caches SO that is how we ended up taking the family out "during the wee hours" and returning after midnight the following "day". That grew old for the younger ones as well as my husband. Lucy enjoyed it as much as I at the time so she joined up with me for caching expeditions into new territories - Ohio - Michigan - Tennessee - the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, etc etc.
When she "left" 12/04 I continued to geocache as it was very uplifting to have something "outside myself" to think about and friends to share life's joys and disappointments with. My family will still share an occasional event with me and G(e)O NINA! set up her own Premium Members Account some time back and met her goal of 1,000 finds (which she is quick to point out that her find count is far from accurate as I did NOT go back and log ALL those caches she found with the family - it was just too much time)...she actually prefers creating and placing caches and I like her ideas better than some of my own!
Kevin and Nina just cached with me on Saturday but only 6 caches and that's something considering the snow - but again, this was close to home. My husband's role is to do all the tech preparation necessary to make my caching lite and fun. He has an engineering background and is fascinated with that aspect of the game (technology) while I enjoy it for the thrill of the hunt and the camaraderie. So it is a good match. He has my routes all carefully mapped/detailed out and I just get in the car and go find caches. We call him "the man behind the curtain" like in the Wizard of Oz.
It's been said that you are willing to go to extremes to make a find. Why would people say this?
Probably my stubborn nature - instead of turning back and going another way around an " obstacle", I've found ways to "overcome" them. Some are humorous yet effective.
Being 5'3" and not by nature a physically active person, geocaching has taught me a great deal about stretching one's self and pushing your limits, mentally as well as physically. I do not advocate taking ridiculous chances - know your limits and respect them, especially in extreme weather. I no longer go geocaching during thunderstorms, heavy snowfall or ice storms.
Which type of cache do you prefer seeking - traditional, multi, puzzle or virtual?
My body, soul and spirit prefer the nice hikes - one that takes you out and away from the "rat race" - a scenic view coupled with the exhilaration of making your body work. BUT I am always passionate enough about this game to pursue whatever is inside my "radius"...that includes all of the above. AND the 48 hrs day is always fun. Caching and sleeping in your vehicle, consuming way too much caffeine. And always the challenge of getting inside the hider's mind.
Which find was the most challenging?
Team Vinny & Sue (Frederick, MD) have a Psycho Urban Cache series that involved several geocachers with varying "talents". That was fun and challenging. We each contributed in our area of "expertise".
Do you have a your favorite or favorites?
Any along the Appalachian Trail. I'm realistic and realize the commitment it would take to hike the entire length of the AT so it's always a pleasure to cache along a section of it. High & Low by Lux & DocDiTTo (GCQNG5) - combines puzzle with physical challenge. It took several of us on a few trips to finally score the find. I've returned with other cachers several times to enjoy it all over. This was also a CITO
What's the most unusual thing you've found in a cache?
$20 bill. Another cache, 2 pairs of ladies panties. You never know what you'll find.
How do Delaware caches compare with the many other places where you have cached?
Delaware has a great core group that is welcoming to newbies and out-of-staters. With the internet and mega events, the geo community is not as large as one may think - I like to coin the phrase it's a nano world. We share in each other's experience and communication is fast.
Do you have any good stories or interesting experiences or adventures with a Delaware Geocacher?
Scrolling the Stream East by Crisis_12 (GCCDC2) - Although NOT a Delaware cache, it was an amusing twist of circumstances involving geocachers from Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. This cache and its two companion caches on the west bank of the White Clay Creek were placed just before the hider was deployed. The coords on all three were incorrect but the cache hider returned home on furlough and corrected the two WESTERN bank caches' coordinates. He ASSUMED that GCCDC2 was correct because someone had logged a (false) find on it. This find was actually for another geocache and it was input incorrectly under this waypoint.
Cachers involved in seeking this cache numerous times were: MikeOtt, metazbad, jimmycache, the Dam Trolls, dww9...but it was ultimately af4nc who was FTF with hard-earned information provided by MikeOtt via communications with the cache hider. It was never intended to be a short stroll to the cache but I "short cutted" it by coming directly over from the companion cache on the west bank. And the odd, funny thing about this cache was finding MikeOtt's glove by the original GZ (incorrect coords led amazingly to an area that met the cache description). I remarked in my log about finding a glove and Mike said it was his. Later visits, the glove was still at the 1st (incorrect) set of coordinates but by my final (successful) trip, the glove had migrated to be hanging off a tree branch creek-side. I retrieved the glove and placed it in one of Mike's own caches.
There is a kind of legend here in Delaware regarding how you found a certain White Clay Creek based cache. It is said that you had no problem wading in 40 degree water that came up to your knees so you could quickly get to the other side of the creek. Care to comment?
Same cache as described in (the previous) Question -March 26, 2003 by CCCooperAgency (18838 found)
This was the only 1 out of the 3 that didn't have new coordinates so I PLUNGED into the creek & waded to the EAST side - plenty of area where lightning has struck & found an excellent hiding spot SANS cache at ground zero - also found a brand ZERO (new) ski glove within inches of the spot. Did the other cacher get this one mixed up with GCCDC7 when he logged the find? - the description sounds more like it...no mud on this side of the stream - just the hill to climb.
Does anyone have access to the weather charts in the time period from March 26, 2003 until I found this particular cache? LOL.
You are quite an inspiration to a lot of people but what advice would you give to a beginning geocacher?
Enjoy yourself. Know that limits were meant to be challenged. There is always room for growth until you die. Reach out and you will find others extending hands of friendship back to you. Don't take yourself too seriously - just relax and laugh. Life's too short to wear a frown - maybe that's why the concept of "smiley" for each cache find is so appealing. But honestly it is a GAME and what YOU put into it.
Your geocaching.com profile indicates you have placed 490 caches since June 2001. That's about 80 cache placement a year - more than 1 each week on average. With all the time needed to make all those finds, how do you find time to also keep up such a full schedule of hides?
Our first hide was because we wanted to give back to something that gave us so much fun. In the beginning, we tried to place 1 cache for every 10 we found. Well that's no longer practical. Typically I hide caches based on an idea, theme or certain location. Often, caches revolve around an event.
Early 2005, I archived almost all my geocaches and carefully evaluated which ones to re-instate. Since that time, many caching friends partner with me to help maintain these hides. "Partnership" can come in the form of an email to put me on top of any maintenance concern OR as simple as replacing a logsheet. Help comes in all shapes and sizes and I am quick to reciprocate in any way possible.
Following up on the previous questions, how do you locate so many good hiding spots?
Just keep my eyes open. I am really more amazed that others don't notice these spots! It always boggles my mind that more "good" spots aren't being used.
What about maintenance on this large number of hides?
Since early '05, when I archived a huge number of geocaches, I no longer keep them all up and running. As an idea or spot becomes "obsolete" for various reason, I am not shy about archiving the listing. If a cache has a serious muggle or weather issue, it's not sensible to continue it. Besides, free-ing up "space" for other hiders is good for me. :)
Have any of your cache hides proven to be more "popular" than you expected?
Sometimes the simplest hide proves more difficult that intended. Contrary wise, some of the hides that I felt more challenging were a snap for folks to find. No figuring how this happens.
Have geocachers found any of them more difficult to find than you expected?
Yes I get accused (falsely) of being "evil" but also the opposite has been said "I got inside CCCA's head" - honestly I don't know what I'm thinking of from one moment to the next so it amazes me that someone (and especially a newbie who has never met me) seems to think they have a" handle" on me.
What's your best caching story - the one you tell others to let them know the kind of fun and adventures one can have while geocaching?
Usually something related to getting muddy, wet or bloody ;) The story is whatever humorous incident most recently occurred.
What advice would you give to someone designing a cache placement?
Start simple. Choose a location you enjoy visiting. Go out and select potential hiding spot and then you know what lends itself size and material-wise to the hide.
Beside geocaching, what other things do you like to do?
I enjoy my family and friends. Also, the (family-owned) business because I had to return to the" real" world. Balance play and work. Reading and cooking are activities that I enjoy at home. Research on topics of interest. Am also learning a foreign language.
What question did you expect us to ask but we didn't? And, what's the answer?
Why geocaching? What's its appeal? Especially considering that I was NEVER an "outdoors"person before geocaching, except for the year or so of hiking just prior to discovering the game. The appeal is multifaceted. It challenges one to attempt more than they considered themselves capable of. It takes you beyond yourself. Every day is a new adventure. You choose the number and frequency of your finds as well as the level of terrain and difficulty - the area you cache in is as wide as the day is long. You can see the world in a whole new way. The friendships exponentially increase the fun factor.
Our thanks to Lynn (CCC00perAgency) for sharing these answers with us.
