Block Party 2014 - The EPIC Goal

Block Party 2014-- Epic Trip Goal
Número Uno!!!


As previously mentioned, the Block Party was a bucket-list item for Clyde.  After much planning, after long hours of driving, after landmark visits, after Alpine Horn blowing, and after many caches and photo-opts, August 16, 2014 was finally here.     The Tick-Magnets arrived about 45 minutes before the official start time and found the party in full swing.  With Mac in her "special wardrobe", we quickly were surrounded by many of our newest friends (see birthday post).   We made our way to our Super Secret Mega Picture spot that hopefully would ensure our being easily seen.   We are awaiting the photo processing to see if we were even in the proximity of the frame.

After the picture, we all made our way to pick up our pre-ordered bag-o-goodies.    We all met great folks while waiting in our designated spots.

The time came to make the Official Middle Georgia Travel Bug Race Car drop off.   When bringing some 35 newly released TBs to a HERD of TB seekers, it doesn't take long for the racers to find their 1st travel companions.   Within minutes, all the racers were in the hands of Cachers ready to send them on their way.  Also at the TB table, the HeadQuarters Cache was available for all to sign.  YAY!!!  New souvenir and new find icon!!!

Mac's favorite trackable!

With that business tended to, it was time to make our way to the Lab Caches and local caching.   By first, a quick stop by the venders to find the ever elusive Total Milage Traveled contest prize!!!  Wonder who will win???

Lab caches became the goal of the day-- and what better way to start than with the Brewery Tour.    First on the list is Bad Jimmy's where you pick up your complimentary tasting mug to start the tour.    We enjoyed it so much, we decided a pint with lunch was a necessity.  The brew house didn't serve food, but they had a great relationship with the Belgium Restaurant next door.   A phone call from the bar stool and POOF!!  Lunch was delivered to our bar table--- ya just gotta love that!!

While enjoying the beer and atmosphere, two cachers came in and we all struck up a conversation.   Ends up they called California home.  We really enjoyed chatting with CKAYAKS and mblatch.   They told us if we went through Vegas,  there was a MUST DO cache!!   We also met up with 2 ladies from Oregon City, Oregon.    LadyOrca and schlappeseppel were just a hoot!

After lunch, we departed from "California" and took off to brewery #2.   Oddly enough, LadyOrca and schlappeseppel were there and "California" strolled in after us......me thinks me sees a trend.    Ends up,  the ladies from Oregon City were working their way around on foot.    One quick massive overhaul to the geo-mobile (aka: throw everything randomly into the back cargo) and we had 2 more seats.   The 5 of us snagged all the brewery tasting labs along with a few others, all while sharing stories an laughs.   Geocaching at it's BEST!!

One lab visit was to Archie McPhee store.   What a hoot that place was-- bacon candy canes, (and 240 other bacon items-- to include a board game, Christmas ornament, and jelly beans-- and they even had a "Mr Bacon" like the Pirates have!!),  weird masks, 40 year old plastic snow globes, an gi-normous display of PEZ dispensers, and 54 tons of other completely useless stuff.   One thing the TTMs had to partake in was the photo booth.     Talk about deer in the headlights!!  Pictures are priceless!!

After that adventure, we thought it best to call it a day.  We took LadyOrca and schlappeseppel back to their hostel and head north to our hotel area for an event.   Ends up we never made it to the event--- let's just say "Squirrel" was the theme of the evening.

In need of a grocery run, we rolled into Mac's favorite store for restocking.   It's amazing how much fun we can have just grocery shopping!!!  With that task done, it was time to head out to the hotel and get the bags organized for the 2nd leg of our trip!!

Block Party ---CHECK !!!

~Swiz