GeoTalk - A Loss

I just heard the heartbreaking news that Darren Osborne (Spindoc Bob) lost his battle to cancer.

Darren was the long-time host of Australia's GeoTalk podcast. He told the most wonderful tales about caching in the Outback, and the roving reports just fed my urge to explore.

It deeply saddens me as as I remember many of his last episodes talked of completing a major Australia historic cache challenge - heartbreaking knowing it won't happen. I'm so sad for his family.

He had a fabulous accent and kindest voice. I still have his congratulatory email when I won a geocoin on his final show.

His nephew, Ryan Osborne, has started a fund for cancer research and honoring Darren here.

You can still access his podcasts on iTunes or at the show's website. This is a great loss.

2013 NSW Geocoin - Winner!

I received my envelope from Australia yesterday!  I told you a few weeks ago that I was the lucky GeoTalk podcast’s winner.  My 2013 NSW geocoin arrived in the mail!

Isn’t she a beaut?  It celebrates the Wasp Head Earthcache in Murramarang, NSW.  

Do you know what’s ironic?  I won it because I submitted my 2014 geo-goals for the podcast.  What was my main goal?  To visit more Earth Caches this year!

I’m so geeked to add it to my collection!

Geotalk Winner!

Just listened to Episode 104 of the GeoTalk podcast ("caching down under") and heard my name! And it was pronounced correctly TWICE!

I forgot during one of Darren's (Spindoc Bob) recent podcasts that he requested listeners to email their 2014 geocaching goals (mine was to complete a dozen Earth caches plus more quality caches in 2014). My name was drawn, and I won a 2013 New South Wales Geocoin! Awesome!

I love this show.  I love the roving reports from Australia and New Zealand.  I love hearing about the types of caches they find, the challenges they complete, the dangers they deal with. Caching "down under" is on my bucket list, but I don't know if I'll ever afford it.  I can dream while listening to this podcast, though.

I have to admit that I've been lucky, of late.  I won several geocoins through GeoGearheads last Fall, Detroit Zoo tickets through their caching series, a Huron Metropark pass in their MGA13 drawing, Travel Fleas via the Podcache Show, a flashlight during a live taping of GeoGearheads about a week ago, and another flashlight during the taping of the Chicago Geocaching Podcast's 100th episode.  

I thank my lucky caching stars!