Early start, full day. I was up at 5:40, well rested and ready for my last day in Seattle before heading to Calgary tomorrow. After the usual breakfast and preparation, I set out for another day of geocaching.

A short walk brought me to bus line 50 again, followed by a transfer to the bus to Fremont. Today’s main focus: Geocaching HQ. I’d been here before in April 2019, but with the new special caches completed recently, a return visit was necessary. This time, they’ve launched the HQ Geotour 2.0 – a fresh version with a “cool” name. 😄

I’d planned a small meet-and-greet event at AB Ernst Park for noon, and my HQ tour ticket was booked for 14:00. In between, I aimed to complete the Geotour’s nine caches. The bus dropped me near the Fremont Troll, where I began. After two caches, I decided efficiency was key and grabbed a Lime pass to use an e-scooter – the fastest way to get everything done in time.

Of course, mistakes happen. I failed to double-check coordinates after solving a puzzle, typing in “39” instead of “38.” That sent me 1.7 km in the wrong direction. When I arrived to find nothing, I realized the cache had been just 200 meters from where I’d started. Now it was nearly 2 km away. At least it made full use of my Lime pass minutes.

Eventually, I found it where it should have been. By then, my phone was nearly dead, so I took a break on a bench by the river to recharge – a peaceful pause before continuing. With seven of nine caches done, it was time for the event.

I set up the banner and logbook. The first to arrive was a group from the Czech Republic – not too talkative, but eager to get cache answers. A young local cacher and two more locals followed, and soon some HQ staff joined in (the park is close to their office). They brought gifts: tags, and one even gave me a family coin – a generous surprise. We chatted about caching and travel until it was time for them to return to work and for me to finish the Geotour.

Another Lime pass later, the job was done. All nine caches complete. I grabbed a drink and headed to HQ. The day had started with mild weather, but by now it was hot and humid again.

At HQ, I ran into the Czechs once more – they seemed convinced they were the stars of the day – but I focused on my visit: stamping the Geotour passport, taking photo booth pictures, logging travel bugs and coins, and picking up memorabilia. I bought the Geotour coin, the trifecta coin, an HQ coin, stickers, and a t-shirt a friend in Calgary had asked for.

The Geocaching Trifecta is a well-known goal among cachers:
1. Original Stash Tribute Plaque in Beavercreek, Oregon – marking the location of the first geocache (May 2000).

2. Geocaching HQ in Seattle, Washington – the game’s official home.

3. Project APE Cache – Mission 9: Tunnel of Light in the Cascade Mountains – one of only two remaining APE caches worldwide.

Completing all three in one trip is considered a true geocaching pilgrimage.

After my purchases, I’d spent enough to get a free 2022 Lackey coin. Satisfied, I left HQ at 15:30 with time to explore. I took the 40 bus toward downtown, hopped off near the Space Needle, and used the last of my Lime pass to get there. My first meal since breakfast was a quick McDonald’s stop – cheap, available, and filling.

I grabbed a cache near the tower, then took the Monorail back to the city center. Sitting up front beside the operator, I was allowed to press the whistle button twice before departure – my mom would confirm I’ve always loved pressing buttons. The $4 ride was pricey, but worth it.

After a short break under shady trees with something to drink, I returned to my Airbnb via Line 1 and bus 50. The evening was spent packing, charging devices, writing this blog, and eating bread for dinner. And there will be a talk with Hertz about a product they  charged me for without consent.

Tomorrow, it’s time to fly to Canada. I hear I’m awaited there – and I’m looking forward to it.