Geocaching is not solely about hunting hidden containers and scribbling your
moniker on a log sheet. Geocaching is intended to be an environmentally
friendly activity, so, in keeping with that concept, geocachers periodically
get together at what's known as CITO ("Cache In, Trash Out") events, where the focus is on cleaning up litter.
As they do each year, friends Tom & Linda (a.k.a.
Skyhawk63 & Punkins19) hosted a CITO event this morning near their place
in Browns Summit, NC, along a stretch of rural road that they adopted in honor
of Tom's parents. I got up early and headed down to the event ("Bud & Ann Memorial CITO Spring 2025") where a fair number of geocachers were gathering to attack trash. For the next hour and
a half, we scoured a mile-long stretch of the roadway, which passes through a
lovely section of forest along the Haw River. By the time we were done, one
would have been hard-pressed to find a speck of garbage along there with a
magnifying glass.
To cap off the morning's work, Tom & Linda then hosted a
lunch event ("Post-CITO Lagagna Fest—Yum!) at
their place, featuring Linda's fantastic homemade lasagna. Afterward, friend Diefenbaker (a.k.a. Scott) and I set our sights on a bunch of new geocaches around Reidsville, which we knocked out during the rest of the afternoon. A good, productive time from start to finish.
The CITO event was long-planned, and I'm glad I took part in it; however, I was sad to miss the local "Hands Off!" protest, as many folks of my acquaintance attended them around the country. I applaud everyone who turned out for these important—and peaceful—protests, as Trump's executive power has gotten far enough out of hand to frighten to anyone who reveres the United States Constitution. MAGAts sure as hell don't, and it's way past time to see a change.
