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A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

Harper and Me: a geocoin journey

November 21, 2022

When I first started geocaching in 2008, one of the first caches I found had a geocoin in it. It was a diabetes awareness one and it looked beautiful. Being a type-2 diabetic, I was enamored by it. We grabbed it to move along. I held it for a few days before understanding trackables and eventually releasing it back into the wild. 

But I was hooked. 

Geocoins were gorgeous. These items were detailed and so nice to hold. While travel bugs are nice, geocoins are amazing. Sometimes they were hard to find, though. People stole them or held onto them for way too long. 

My personal collection grew through events or purchasing etc. I even finally was able to buy one of those diabetes awareness coins when they were made available for the public to purchase. In mid-2010, our local geocaching group decided to make a coin. Group members had the chance to purchase them and then we placed an order of about 150, give or take. The coins came out wonderful, but it was a simple design. I didn’t have to design on that one – we gave the company (Oak Coins) the rough design and they brought it to life.

softball29 personal geocoin
The front of my personal geocoin.

I always knew I wanted a personal geocoin. For years, though, I wrestled with the costs and knowing if I was going to invest in one, it had to be a design I loved and something I believed in. I didn’t just want a coin for the sake of having a coin. To me, a coin is much like a tattoo. With the investment being so high, it had to be something where there was passion. 

Did I want a softball and some bats, because my geocaching name was softball29? Did I want something just to have it? Nah. That’s what pathtags are for. They are much cheaper, and I have plenty of different pathtags (many still available for trade …)

So, I kept on plodding along. I’ve seen some wonderful personal geocoins. So many have things that make you want that coin. There’s a personal touch, a story or something completely else. 

Then Harper came along. Harper is my first dog and it took nearly two years for me to settle on a breed (golden retriever) and to be able to find a puppy. I looked at rescues and shelters as well, but nobody seemed to have a golden or one that “fit”. And with the pandemic, I’m sure if they were out there, they went fast. 

I accidentally came across the breeder that had Harper and I’m glad I did. Though highly frustrating at times, she’s been such an important piece to my world over the last year and a half. For my physical and mental health, I can’t even speak to the importance of having her. I’ve also learned a lot from her and have had the chance to meet people because of different dog interests. To say that she’s become my best friend is an understatement. 

Back of personal geocoin.
The back of my personal gocoin.

Once she grew some, we started exploring a ton. She geocached with me and with friends. She loves being outside. Sometimes it can be a chore to get her in the car to travel to these spots, but once we get somewhere she loves it. She’s been on major trips (including this summer’s 2,600-mile, 11-state trip), short trips, and anything in between. 

So there’s my passion. 

The more I started thinking about it, the more I realized I finally had my geocoin idea. It was Harper and me. It meant something to me. It was my passion. It was something worth spending that kind of money on but how would I pull it off? What would I do with the design? 

Who would design the coin was never in question. Chris Mackey is one of the most well-known and respected coin designers out there. I’ve known him, obviously through geocaching, for more than a decade. He’s designed the bulk of my Pathtags as well. But just having the designer picked doesn’t mean the idea is set. 

Again, it had to mean something. 

When I started geocaching, my name came because of my love of playing softball and my uniform number. Looking back, I probably could have come up with something better, alas, it was a moniker I used in different places already, But other hobbies include photography and board games and writing/blogging etc. So how would I turn this into an idea that made sense?

Then it just happens. 

My original plan was simple – to take a photo of me and Harper on one side of the coin, and one of just Harper on the back side of the coin and frame it like a Polaroid. Then have a saying on one side and our names on the other – with her Instagram handle (you can follow at @harper_dublin). 

The blueprint of the front side of the geocoin.

Sometimes miscommunication works out best though. 

I likely didn’t explain this well enough. So as I was talking the idea out with Chris, this coin just developed into its final version. It started to be more about the whole idea, not just something small. For those of you who are old enough to remember traditional Polaroids, or for those who may use them now, one of the things to do was use a marker and write on the white part … it could be signatures or dates or whatever. But we all did it. 

That’s what this coin developed into. 

I knew from the beginning I wanted the part with me and Harper to be how I sign us on a geocaching log. And on the opposite side – my original idea was a much longer quote, but it just came down to “Adventure Awaits.” 

Back of blueprint of coin
The blueprint for the back of the geocoin.

As for the photos? 

I am not the best selfie taking person, but I’m getting better, especially with Harper. I had one I took at the end of the winter of me and her on a trail. The sky was blue behind us and it was just one of those photos I really liked. It’s rare for me to like photos with me in them! 

The back took a little work as it was a photo I took in Banff National Park on a trip a few years ago and Chris worked his magic to put Harper into the scene. It’s crazy to see the ability of somebody work with several photos and turn it into what the coin became. 

It’s not a small one, either. 

The coin is 2.5 inches, which is awesome. It has a thickness of 3mm, so it feels truly solid. The colors, too, pop. There are a total of 150 coins that were minted, so I hope to trade over time. All of them have geocaching trackable numbers. Alas, just 100 are part of the trade batch. 

And this is the first time I’m mentioning this, but there are three versions. They are all black nickel finish etc., but there are three looks. 

The first is the one, which is open to trades, you can see in photos here. Two others are numbered limited editions. One is numbered to 35 (limited edition) and the second is numbered to 15 (extra limited edition). I have yet to decide the plan on what I will use the special ones for. They are not going to be easy to obtain and it will likely take me a while to decide. I can say that I’ve already stashed away a few full sets that will be off limits for a good long time. So that XLE is really going to be tough to get – but it is super cool, I will say that. 

The journey getting to this point and having my own coin has been enjoyable. I have ideas for another coin in the future, but I’m going to wait a bit before jumping back into this process. But it definitely will have Harper on it!

If you have personal coins etc., and are interested in trading, drop a line in the comments or find me via geocaching.com. Would love to see your coin and see if we can make a deal!

I may also, eventually, do a giveaway or two on the blog and/or social media at some point in the future. But I’m enjoying the trade aspect for now!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail me at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also find me on Instagram @hoohaa29. Harper is also on Instagram @harper_dublin.

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  1. James Conway, PhD says

    November 22, 2022

    Hello,
    I would be interested in trading personal coins. Chris also designed mine, which coincidentally, has a Golden on one side.

    Reply
  2. Lisa says

    November 29, 2022

    I love this post!! I know nothing about geocaching and don’t really understand it, but the coin design is awesome and your testimony is truly amazing. I enjoyed everything about your story.
    Lisa recently posted..Florida beaches and tropical stormsMy Profile

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hoohaa29

She was so still for this photo. Make sure you f She was so still for this photo. 

Make sure you follow her on Instagram at: @harper_dublin !

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun
Life is good. #goldenretriever #dog #bestfriend Life is good. 

#goldenretriever #dog #bestfriend #dogsofinstagram #selfie #lifeisgood #enjoylife #instagood #iphonephotography #photography
After a nice snowy walk! ❄️❄️❄️ #gold After a nice snowy walk! ❄️❄️❄️

#goldenretriever #snow #winter #dog #dogsofinstagram #photography #photooftheday #ınstagood
Harper is counting down to Santa Paws! You know, Harper is counting down to Santa Paws! 

You know, of course, Santa Paws travels with Santa Clause, making sure to find treats and toys for all the good little doggies! (We know they are all deserving, right?) So, Harper put out some milk for the big guy, carrots for Rudolph and the reindeer, and special cookies for Santa Paws! She is ready! 

#SantaPaws #Christmas2022 #HarperChristmas #MyDogHarper #GoldenRetriever #DogsofInstagram #PhotoOfTheDay #Photography #Christmas #IPhoneography
One of the best parts about having Harper as my be One of the best parts about having Harper as my best friend… ❤️
Couldn't resist stopping on the way to work to sna Couldn't resist stopping on the way to work to snap this shot. The colors in the sky were fantastic and the scene was nice looking (though, to be fair, I drove by what I think would have been a better scene -- the valley and hills full of snow etc.)

#Snow #Winter #Sky #Color #InstaLove #photooftheday #picoftheday #iPhoneography #nature #love #instalove #photography #happy #smile #photo
The best of times??? 🤪🤪🤪 The best of times??? 🤪🤪🤪
Just a break on our morning walk … #goldenretri Just a break on our morning walk …

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #mydogharper
Tired. Tired.
Harper is ready for tonight! Let’s go Phillies! Harper is ready for tonight! Let’s go Phillies! 

#phillies #ringthebell #baseball #dog #goldenretriever
I look at her and sometimes still can’t believe I look at her and sometimes still can’t believe I have her. It’s been a year and four months and she makes me smile and laugh more each day. It’s amazing how much a dog changes your look on life, and how much joy they can bring. 

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta
I’ve recently realized how many photos I have to I’ve recently realized how many photos I have to post here, as well as on Harper’s (@harper_dublin) account). So, as I start to transfer photos, I’ll try and catch up. So photos coming could be from all seasons and who knows when. 🤣

This one is recent from the courthouse square in Delhi. We had some pretty good fall colors this year. 

#fall #delhiny #seasons #iphoneonly #love #photography #photooftheday #instagood #happy #picoftheday
From a few weeks ago. I was trying to get Harper t From a few weeks ago. I was trying to get Harper to put her paws on the bridge and looked out, but she was more content jumping on me and looking up. I do love the way she seems to be looking at me.
Instagram post 17992900117561614 Instagram post 17992900117561614
Couldn’t resist a quick stop this morning with t Couldn’t resist a quick stop this morning with the fog and frost settled in. 

Hamden Covered Bridge 

#coveredbridge #coveredbridges #bridge #fog #frost #nature #upstatenewyork
Harper’s friend Lucy is around this weekend! #g Harper’s friend Lucy is around this weekend!

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta #outside #sunshine #friends
So… @harper_dublin wants to know why she can’t So… @harper_dublin wants to know why she can’t have @mallons_homemade_sticky_buns.
This is why we can’t have nice things. Saw this This is why we can’t have nice things. Saw this on me morning walk Friday with Harper. Likely some college kids, but also as chance at local hooligans. I had Harper so not a lot I could do, but I managed to get the cart off the chair. (See second photo) This was in a local park.
Harper is ready for #nationalfetchday on October 1 Harper is ready for #nationalfetchday on October 15! @chuckitfetchgames 

Should be fun! @discgolfdarren @harmm23
Starting to feel like fall! #fall #nature #autum Starting to feel like fall! 

#fall #nature #autumn #colors #foliage #instagood #seasonchange #leaves #leaves🍁
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P.J. Harmer

P.J. Harmer
A video looking at my first year and a half of owning a golden retriever, my first dog. It's had its ups and downs, but I've truly loved the ride and look forward to the future. 

Music: Happy before we get old by Michael Shynes via Artlist. 

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
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Thank you for watching. :)
When these boxes come, there usually some excitement. But this one ... is the ultimate unboxing! 

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Music: Happy to be Happy (Dapun)

► My blog: http://www.hoohaa.com
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I hate being in front of the camera, but also realize sometimes it's not the worst thing in the world. So, I'm getting better with it. Week 4's theme was all about us and having us in front of the camera, so I tried to come up with a creative way to do it. 

#cielovideo52 #52weekchallenge #week4 #weeklychallenge

Music: Infinite Wonder (Ben Fox)

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