The Adventures of Sprowkey is part of a series following the whereabouts of a trackable geocaching item. Actual locations and events surrounding this trackable item form the basis for a fictional narrative, creating a unique and interactive geocaching experience. For more background on this series, see the first installment of The Adventures of Sprowkey. 

Fifty miles is an admirable distance to cover in the desert heat, especially when one can’t even remember much of the journey. After leaving the care of Special Agent Eagle Eye, Sprowkey headed northwest out of Tucson, brimming with confidence and a renewed energy. His best guess put him at just a few hundred miles from his destination, though it was only a few dozen miles into the trek when his newly found drive dried up, quite literally.

Majorly miscalculating essential water supplies vital to a desert journey resulted in rapid dehydration, and ultimately, severe heat exhaustion. With no help in sight, and no other viable options, Sprowkey forged ahead. The desert heat developed a personality of its own, morphing into a blurry, pulsing, adversary. With every step his head pounded, as the sun seared his skin and the wind pummeled him with rocks and sand.

And then, in almost an instant, it was over. The pain was gone. The throbbing headaches and nausea passed, and everything became very still.  Was this the end? He casually contemplated this question, while wondering why he wasn’t considerably more concerned at such a thought, when he noticed the voices.

He could now make out a few distinct, yet mumbled voices that grew increasingly louder. He opened his eyes, initially focusing on the enormous cactus looming high above him, before noticing the three characters actually standing right in front of him.

“He’s comin’ to!”

“Better watch it – we don’t know who this feller is or where he came from.”

“Hey there, partner, have some more water. You’ve been out for over a day. This here is F. Dawg and Kandy Kane. I’m L.A. Roaming Gnome, but they call me Roman. Welcome to beautiful Picacho Peak State Park!”

Kandy Kane

Farfr Dawg

Roamin’ Roman

Miles traveled since last stop: 293

Total miles traveled: 7490

Previously:

The Adventures of Sprowkey, Chapter 7

The Adventures of Sprowkey is part of a series following the whereabouts of a trackable geocaching item. Actual locations and events surrounding this trackable item form the basis for a fictional narrative, creating a unique and interactive geocaching experience. For more background on this series, see the first installment of The Adventures of Sprowkey. According to our most current tracking information, Sprowkey is somewhere along the southwestern border of Arizona, now in the safe hands of Special Agent Eagle Eye. Together, they have slowly and carefully been making their way west through southern Arizona.

This is quite a change compared to the cold start that Sprowkey experienced in the frigid northeast. Half a year later and Sprowkey is trying to adapt to temperatures well over one hundred degrees (currently 108°). Luckily, Eagle Eye is quite at home with such bone-dry climates, not to mention the many dangers  seen around these parts.

Eagle Eye has proved to be a man of few words, just as Boomer had warned. Clearly, he prefers to travel alone, which is fair enough, just as long as he can safely get Sprowkey that much closer to his destination.

Total miles traveled: 7081

Previously:

The Adventures of Sprowkey: Chapter 6, Tucson

The Adventures of Sprowkey is part of a series following the whereabouts of a trackable geocaching item. Actual locations and events surrounding this trackable item form the basis for a fictional narrative, creating a unique and interactive geocaching experience. For more background on this series, see the first installment of The Adventures of Sprowkey. 
Sprowkey was becoming quite comfortable at Traveler’s Rest. He hadn’t felt this welcome amongst others since being separated from his true family. The camaraderie was nourishing to his spirit, and he would have happily stayed and rested here a bit longer, had an amazing opportunity not fallen into his lap. An experienced and fearless traveler, whom people only know as “Boomer,” had returned to Traveler’s Rest once again. Boomer’s travels have taken her around the world, so on the rare occasions that she manages to visit her home away from home, all work ceases for a short-lived celebration, until the next adventure begins.

Thomas the Donkey saw her return as a sign, and tasked Boomer with the job of guiding Sprowkey further west towards his destination. Having been indebted to Thomas for over a decade, she had felt that she may never have a chance to repay the debt. Therefore, it was without hesitation that Boomer accepted the assignment.

After an emotional goodbye with Thomas, Farm Cat, and the rest of the clan, Sprowkey and Boomer set off on a southern course, stopping in North Carolina to take care of some of Boomer’s other “business” before continuing on to Tucson, Arizona, where their journey together would come to an end. Boomer had taken Sprowkey as far west as was possible, and it was more than he could ever have hoped to accomplish in such a short time. It was now time to part ways.

For the time being, Sprowkey is lying low in a geo-hotel occupied by other weary travelers and rough characters. According to Boomer, a trustworthy acquaintance will find him and further assist him in his travels. While he has not had any trouble here yet, these folk are nothing like the close-knit clan at Traveler’s Rest. They all appear to be ruthless nomads looking out for no one but themselves. Will this “acquaintance” prove any different?

Total miles traveled: 6604

Previously:

The Adventures of Sprowkey: Chapter 5

After fleeing from the soggy marshes of Pathway to Panache, Sprowkey has finally completed  what has been his longest and most grueling journey to date. It is here at Traveler’s Rest, a whopping eighty miles west, that Sprowkey has made the acquaintance of a motley band of characters that call themselves the Travelers.

Farm Cat was the one to make first contact with the weary red drifter. He was hunting for food on the outskirts of camp when he caught the scent of something that was clearly alien to this land. On an ordinary day he could have easily caught Sprowkey unawares and without effort. Today, however, was no ordinary day. Farm Cat came in close for the kill, when some strange, heavy feeling in his gut caused him to hesitate at the very last moment. He froze, surprised at his sudden fallibility, and their eyes met. Farm Cat gazed at Sprowkey, his mind numb, and he slowly began to let down his guard. Somehow he recognized that Sprowkey was no threat to him or his people, and just a short time later, he was up to speed with all of his adventures of the last several weeks. Farm Cat realized what he had to do next. He would take Sprowkey to meet the rest of his clan, including their venerable leader, Thomas the donkey. Surely, Thomas would be able to aid Sprowkey in his noble quest.

Miles traveled since last making camp: 80

Total miles traveled: 94 Previously:

The Adventures of Sprowkey: Chapter 4

The Adventures of Sprowkey: Chapter 3

The Adventures of Sprowkey: Chapter 2

The Adventures of Sprowkey : Chapter 1

Sprowkey’s current base camp, the Pathway to Panache, has seen a deluge of rain over the last several days. The area is becoming flooded, and though it seems as if the downpours are only temporarily stalled, Sprowkey will be taking this opportunity in between downpours to relocate his base. When and where he lands next is anybody’s guess, but hopefully it will be much further west, and that much closer to his goal.

Miles traveled since last making camp: 7.2

Total miles traveled: 13.7

Previously:

The Adventures of Sprowkey: Chapter 3

The Adventures of Sprowkey: Chapter 2

The Adventures of Sprowkey : Chapter 1