I have launched what I believe to be the first travel bug of its kind - a video travel bug! Its purpose is to land two great guys from Erie, PA on the reality show "The Amazing Race". Before we get to the details of the bug, here is some history.

When I was in the 7th grade, I became friends with my English teacher, Bob Henninger. He was a super guy who immediately took an interest in me and wanted to see me develop into a person of good character. He was like a father to me and we continued our friendship throughout my school years and beyond. Now, 25 years later, we travel together, double date with our wives, write and act in dramas and theatre presentations, go to movies, go for walks, and generally just enjoy making each other and the people around us laugh. Once, we even starred in a local television commercial together! Though 20 years apart in age, (35 and 55) we manage to be best of friends.

One day it struck us that we would be ideal candidates for "The Amazing Race", the Emmy winning reality show where teams of two individuals race around the world in the attempt to win the one million dollar prize. I believe that Bob and I are destined to be on that show! So, we put together a humorous application package and mailed it off. Then what happened? Nothing! Does someone actually view all of these thousands of tapes? We are sure that, if the right people see our work, they would find us irresistable. It then dawned on me that I could use my favorite hobby of geocaching as a way to get our video to the desk of the Amazing Race production staff. What if I sent the actual video across the country through the network of rugged geocachers, via a travel bug, right into the hands of an Amazing Race producer?

There are so many things that could go wrong in this process. This geocaching chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Just one geocacher could decide to be irresponsible and not move the travel bug at all, or take it in the wrong direction. It's also possible that absolutely no person will know any of the Amazing Race producers. But, we prefer to think positive. So, here's my travel bug - Travel Bug #TBG1K5. Put it on your watch list and cheer us on. Maybe you will see us on the Amazing Race. You can tell which team we are -- we're the winning team wearing the geocaching T-shirts!

What follows is the description right from the travel bug package. There is one paragraph directed toward the "Amazing Race" producer that I have not included. Enjoy...

Be a part of geocaching history! Introducing the first video travel bug designed to get its owners on a television reality show. We are Bob and Dan from Erie, Pennsylvania. We have been friends for 25 years and want to be on the CBS show "The Amazing Race", the exciting reality series featuring 12 teams of 2 that race around the globe to a finish line where the winners split a million dollars! Check it out at www.CBS.com.

Bob and Dan have already sent in their 10 page application along with video and passport. Now the goal is to get this bug directly into the hands of an Amazing Race producer. We are confident that if someone on the production staff views our video, they will want to meet us.

Anyone can claim they made a great 3 minute application video - WE SHOW YOU ! You don't need to be a fan of "The Amazing Race" to enjoy this, but there are a few in-jokes only diehard fans will appreciate. The video is in MPEG format. Feel free to make a copy of this CD but please handle with care and do not make modifications of any kind! If it is damaged or unplayable - contact me immediately (J Marac) through Geocaching.com and I will replace it.

ATTENTION - PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS TRAVEL BUG UNLESS YOU CAN: 1) PUT IT IN A FREQUENTLY VISITED CACHE, AND 2) DO SO IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. Not sure which way to send it? Steer this TB towards California! THANK YOU!

What about Bob? Bob is a high school history teacher (a weapon of mass instruction). He has a Masters Degree in Theatre and enjoys sailing and building. Married for 25 years with 4 children.

Dan (Geocaching username: JMarac) works for the USPS - an exciting guy trapped in a boring job. Married for 12 years with 2 great kids. He enjoys computers, movies, and is the creative genius behind this travel bug.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?? Do you know any of the following Amazing Race producers? Jerry Bruckheimer, Elise Doganieri, Burt Van Muster, Jonathan Littman, Patrick Cariaga, or Ryan Simpkins? Most geocachers will not know these people personally - and we realize this is an extreme long shot - but we are not intimidated by the odds! If you can't give this to one of the producers, just keep it heading towards California, there lies the best chance for this to get into the right hands. Remember: each step gets us closer.

Also you can cheer us on by posting messages, or writing a review of the video on the geocaching/track travel bugs page. Have a camera? Upload a digital picture of yourself or group so we can have a photo record of everyone who helped us on our journey! We will send personal feedback thanking you for your involvement.

If you are the final geocacher who delivers this to an Amazing Race producer - Take note! All the progress this bug has made to this point is now in your hands. Please take this bug, a printout from the travel bug page showing all the comments from the people who moved it along, and be prepared to give an explanation of what geocaching is and how this bug came to you. We will not forget your kindness and will send you a small token of our appreciation. It's a big challenge - but you can do it.