A Fifth Year Gone By

Five years.

Five years …

Even as I write the words and look back through the Archives, I can’t believe it. I’ve been writing this for five years. The only reason I am not overcome by the enormity of it is because I felt the same when I hit the one-, two-, three-, and four-year marks. Somehow, I have become accustomed to the feeling. And yet, I can still barely fathom it. Five years. And even more perplexing is the idea that many of you have been rolling along with me throughout it all. I can’t begin to thank you all. I’m just glad that I’m able to give you all some kind of diversion or curiosity or joy into your lives. Just know that as long as I have it in me to create this, I shall do so.

So here I am again, 1,794 caches after my last anniversary. This has been a strange year for me because this has been the first year in which I’ve found no new counties (or county equivalents). Believe me, it wasn’t entirely intentional. I knew my travels would be limited this year because I had to deal with some things I had been putting off so I could go places, see things, and get more caches. Instead of hot, sweet county action, I’ve told everyday stories of caching around home. Instead of feeling wistful, longing to sail (or, in my case, drive) beyond the sunset, and worrying about whether I could sustain new entries just around Austin, it’s been enough to relate my small, local tales. If nothing else, it should prove that everyone has a story to tell, that not every good story has to be some epic undertaking, and that every cache can be a little speck of magic if you let it.

I’m finally doing something I threatened to do two years ago on my third anniversary. A number of creators have acquired patrons for their work. Well, I’m finally selling out and seeking patrons for mine. I intend to keep doing this regardless, but if you want to help, here’s your chance. Between Patreon, Bluesky, and the social media outlet formerly known as Twitter, I’m joining the Twenty-First Century!

All that said, some of you may already know that I have no intention of remaining in one place. Plans have been in the works for quite some time for my next great adventure, a multi-state trek with a bevy of other cachers, some previously featured, others new to the narrative. I am also making further plans for my next trip after that. I’m busy trying to decide whether I make it a trip connecting with previous travels or if I head for new lands untrodden by my proverbially sandaled feet. I’ve got at least two Megas on the schedule for the next year, with a third on my mind. And, of course, I have resolved the things that were keeping me at home. Very little is holding me back, and I’ve got a lot of deferred road-tripping to make up for!

Raise your glasses, my friends! Year Five ends! Here’s to Year Six!