Joe Gelardon, a veteran reporter for the Indianapolis Star newspaper, was looking for a story about mountain biking in the local parks near Indianapolis. Instead, he found geocaching and was immediately overwhelmed by the prospect of an untold story.

Standing next to a picturesque pond, gazing at some small bass in the shadows, Gelardon wondered where were the mountain bikers that frequented this network of trails. Then he spotted a solitary hiker studying some kind of electronic device.

Reaching for a story, he spoke to the hiker and asked if he had seen anyone biking on the trails. The hiker simply responded, “No, I’m geocaching.”

As would any diligent reporter, Gelardon began asking a stream of questions about geocaching, a concept totally unknown to him. “You mean there’s actually a treasure hidden in these woods?” he asked.

The geocacher (who also happens to be the author of this story) had stopped and was enthusiastically answering all sorts of questions about his hobby.Gelardon...phoned his editor. Soon it was decided that to fully understand the game, the reporter should just accompany the geocacher in quest of “treasure.”

While the pair strolled along the gravel bike path toward the cache, Gelardon, a professional journalist for 36 years, phoned his editor. Although he didn’t demand, “Stop the presses!” he did convince his boss that he had found a story much more interesting than local mountain biking.

As it became obvious that the conversation had turned into an interview, the geocacher decided to hand over the GPS receiver to the reporter and challenged him to locate the cache. A few short minutes of instruction had bolstered the confidence of the reporter.

The “magic arrow” on the receiver indicated that the hunters needed to deviate from the gravel path onto a much smaller and muddier trail. The mosquitoes were thick and the air was heavy. Gelardon rolled up his sleeves and grinned as he watch the numbers tick down on the GPSr.

“It says it should be right over there,” he said, swatting at the mosquitoes. He went straight for a large, dying tulip poplar tree. The grin remained on his face while he searched the area for 10 minutes before spotting a Tupperware container. Inside was a logbook, a disposable camera, some trinkets and a whoopee cushion.

Gelardon has been often reminded of his only geocaching adventure. Joe signed the log and left a business card and returned to churn out a very positive article about geocaching. The article appeared in the Indianapolis Star July 8, 2003.

Gelardon has been often reminded of his only geocaching adventure. He has received many phone calls, letters and emails from people wanting to learn more about the game. His friends and family were impressed with the story and even his seasoned co-workers at the newspaper office found it fascinating. Since that story was published, his newspaper has printed at least three additional articles about geocaching.

“It is an innovative hobby that involves high technology with the outdoors. It is a great way to teach orienteering,” explained Gelardon 8 months later when the geocacher in his story assumed the role of reporter and interviewed him. “It is a great way to encourage (family) bonding in the outdoors. It’s not something crazy like tying a rubber band on your leg and jumping off a bridge.”

In retrospect, what does he think of geocaching?

He answered, “It is absolutely a good thing and would be great for activities like scouting. It would make a great merit badge. It gets people away from the television and encourages them to use their brains. It teaches people about computers and the Internet.”

Will publicity attract an undesirable segment to geocaching?

“There are always idiots out there who may want to steal, or stomp on trinkets and Tupperware containers.” He explained, “Will that have a negative effect on geocaching? No. Idiots are usually lazy. It’s too much trouble for the average vandal. Geocaching is a secret deal and cachers who are skeptical about publicity are probably just happy to keep it that way.”

“There are hundreds of stories being published about geocaching. It’s not a secret anymore. It’s a popular and growing sport and people want to know about it.The TV news anchor showed his ignorance.” Technology inspired concepts tends to become cheaper and attract more and more interested parties. Very soon, you will be able to purchase an inexpensive Casio watch with GPS abilities. Everyone will have them.”

Asked about the recent, derogatory editorial comments aired on a Michigan television station during a segment about geocaching, Gelardon said that was obviously an insult to all geocachers. “The TV news anchor showed his ignorance.”

Gelardon has written stories about women who like to crochet, but just because he is not interested in that pastime, he would never make derogatory comments about it. He likes to fly fish. Some would compare that to rearranging their sock drawer, or bowling alone.

“Editorial comments should be separated from news content,” says the veteran reporter.

Joe Gelardon does not geocache because of his busy schedule. He has, however, considered installing a GPS system in his Mini-Cooper.