Saturday, The Main Event

 I can't imagine the planning, worry, rescheduling, stress and sleepless nights the organizers for the Mingo Madness Event must have experienced since 2018 when the seed was planted. Geocachers knew about the event June 23, 2019 which was scheduled for May 2, 2020. We all know what happened to that date. It was then rescheduled for September 12, 2020 when most of us thought Covid-19 would be over and the world would be back to normal. And again, the date had to be changed to May 8, 2021. The world has not returned to normal, but geocachers came to Colby KS anyway to celebrate the 20th birthday of the oldest, active geocache.

We started the day late because we really needed a good night of sleep after the previous day! We arrived at the main event mid-morning, found some friends to visit, and collect the one cache related to the event we did not collect the day before. 

Then it was off to find more of the creative gadget geocaches placed in Colby. 

This cache was Hannah's Butterfly House created by the young daughter of the cache owner. When we arrived at the location, we were the only people there. We were quickly joined by a guy and gal.

The locks were magnetized and removal-able. The lock needed 4 numbers to open and release the cache log book.

The size of the group grew quickly, some offering very politely to help, but no one knowing exactly what had to be done to get 4 numbers from the 8 colorful blocks. Since the cache was a butterfly theme, the initial thought was to create butterflies, which might reveal painted numbers.

It was at this point I recognized a group of geocachers from North Dakota, several of whom we had met, some of whom I knew only by their name. I left the trouble shooters and went visiting.

I truly have no idea how long it took that group of 3 (2 on-lookers) to figure out what to do, but they were polite enough to let us know they had solved the puzzle and we could sign the logbook. I made certain our names were on the tablet before they put everything back!

This is the group from ND. One graduated high school with our son. One is a very distant relative of Hubby. One is the guru of geocaches in Gilby ND and attended one of my events in AZ. One is responsible for creating the GeoTour of Fargo Moorhead. One is a good bud of a Watertown MS teacher we know. We had an awesome visit! Small world.

This was my favorite cache of the day because we had no one waiting to help us solve it. It was a simple concept. Books are Fun at the Colby Library. The 3 small wooden books, of different sizes matched the black boxes on the inside door. Each book had a hole. When the correct book was aligned to the correct black box, a number was revealed through the hole in the book. Three numbers were needed to open the lock. Simple, but solvable. Creative and fun.

This one at the Visitor's Center required two 9 volt battery to complete the operation. A wire on the left needed to be connected to the correct 1 of 6 metal nodes. The wire on the right had to find the correct 1 of 10 nodes. We did not have a 9 volt battery with us, but the volunteer at the Visitor's Center was leaving and offered to loan two to us.

The older gentleman was so talkative and helpful and probably very pleased to visit with someone as I don't imagine many geocachers actually went inside the Visitor's Center. He also helped narrow the choices to open the drawer and reveal the log book. 

The frog needed to be released from his cell. Again, one we could figure out on our own. No ones in line waiting for or watching us to show our ineptness. Again, lots of time and creativity went into creating this cache. ALL of these gadget caches were created by the same person, who lives in Hays KS about 50 miles away. 

We completed what we wanted to do in Colby, so we headed south to Mingo (it will have it's own blog post) and then to Oakley because there was an Adventure Lab and several geocaches.

Do you think we can find the location of this cache?????

Another 10 caches from this location.

The statuary at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center. (We did not go inside.)

There was one more event Saturday evening. The Travel Bugs was the main entertainment. He is known for his songs about geocaching. He has played at events in the US and in Europe. He has a good voice and entertaining songs.

I figure this guy took wearing a mask to a whole new level! I know he could not see well with his armadillo head because he kept lifting it to look around. His shirt said something about armadillos.

As we were driving back to the camp ground at the end of the day, we received a phone call from our geocaching friend in Germany. Josef had planned to attend Mingo before Covid-19 struck. He shared how his part of Germany is still in a semi-lock down state: he had to have a negative test before he could get a haircut. Department stores are only open by appointment. Grocery stores are open, but at a minimal level. Restaurants are not open other than for take-out. He is tested twice a week at work. He has received his first vaccine shot and gets his second in mid-June. Masks are mandatory. 

Josef was not the only European or out of country person who had planned to attend Mingo Madness. Canadian geocachers were also not in attendance. And as many times as the date changed, so did plans for geocachers. The organizers had no idea how many people would invade the area. I will say, the eating establishments were prepared with enough staff and service was speedy and excellent in Colby. 

When I looked at the attendance just before posting this blog, 516 people posted they had attended the event. Maybe another 200 came along with those 516 who are not geocachers or might be family members. It will be interesting to see the final count. We had a great time. After a year of being so cautious and socially distant, this outdoor event just filled my soul. But I'm ready to head home...