International Geocaching Day & The 2025 Tumwater Artesian Brewfest

A couple months ago, Del brought up going to the Tumwater Artesian Brewfest and asked if anyone was interested in going. We all spoke up and agreed that we had a great time last year that we should do it again this year! I even reached out to Megan to see if she wanted to go. She said she didn't have her kids that weekend and was interested in going with us. She doesn't drink but she said she would have fun just hanging out and doing something with friends.

That morning there was a geocaching event, 2025 International Geocaching Day Gathering (GCBAJQR) and yes, I even got a text message from Bev asking if I was going to the event. I told her yes, I was getting up and putting on clothes and that I would see her and Bob there in a little bit. I grabbed a super quick breakfast and told Ben that I would see him later. I made it to the event a few minutes before it started and was able to find a parking spot since quite a few people showed up.

I hung out with everyone for about an hour. We talked about past geocaching trips, future trips, the geocaches we all have found recently...a couple people asked about the Europe trip I went on with Ben back in February. It was fun to see everyone. 

I was talked into going to Kettle View Park with Bob, Bev, Gabe and Wayne to go get a new cache that published that morning by Riley and Karen. I told them I would meet them at the park so we could find The Woods Have It...(GCBAJCR). We started walking over to the patch of woods and found a couple ways in. I got to the cache first and found what we were looking for. I got my name on it and put it back where I found it. I thought the group of people were right behind me, but they took a little bit more time to saunter through the woods down the dirt path. I was going to let them figure out where the cache was and would give them a hint if they need it. They found it within a couple minutes. They decided to go get a few more, but I didn't have time to go with them since I had prior engagements.

I hurried home because Megan was meeting up with Ben and I to carpool to the event in Tumwater. We were going to meet Nicole and Del there. We got to the brewery grounds, paid our parking fee and found a place to park. We grabbed what we would need and made our way to the giant line where we found Nicole and Del. For being a giant line, we did get through it quickly - scanned our phones, got our bracelets, tokens and souvenir glass which looked different than the past years. Megan was our designated driver, so her bracelet and swag was a little different than ours. 

We went inside and walked to the three tents. The weather, on the other hand, did not look favorable off to the west. We could get our butts wet. I looked at the map and the available breweries and drinks to try. I saw some of the same ones I enjoyed from past years and some interesting creative ones to try this year. As I was heading to my first taste, I heard my name being called from the crowd of people. Who is calling my name? I scan the crowd to see where it was coming from and saw Fitzy's sister, Kelsey and her friend enjoying the festivities. We talked about an array of things but mostly the NHL and the Kraken games. She nabbed some season tickets, and she's been enjoying the games. She was excited for the upcoming season. I told her it was nice running into her and to enjoy the rest of her day. She told me the same.

Then it started sprinkling so I found the closest tent and crammed my way into it. I really did not want to get soaked and soggy. It rained for about 10 minutes and then the nice weather resumed the rest of the time we were there. I got my first sample and then walked around the grounds looking at what kind of vendors there were with Megan. There were ton of food choices, sponsor booths, merchandise, live music, games, blow ups, a photo booth and various porta potties.

Somehow, I ended up with more tokens than what was handed to me. I can't remember where I got them from. These are the places I had a tester from:

• 3 Dog Cider Brewstillery - Olympia Blueberry
• Axis Meads - Lavender Moon
• Portland Cider Co - Huckleberry Lemonade
• Finn River Farm & Cidery - Lavender Black Currant
• Mt Olympus Brewing - Midsummer's Dream Peach/Cream
• Axis Meads - Burbon Barrel Jam Session
• Narrows Brewing - Orange Chicken IPA
• Talking Ceder Distillery - Freezer Jam
• Triceratops Brewing - Raspberry Golden Ale
• Talking Cedar Brewing - Raspberry Blonde Juicy IPA
• Mighty Pine Brewing - Loggerrythm Helles Lager

At this point in time, this is where I regretted not eating enough food before we came to Brewfest and I paid for it. It came on all of a sudden. I got super dizzy to where it made me nauseous and I basically just left our group and headed to one of the porta potties. With the state of things, I absolutely did not care if the porta potties were clean or not. I sat there with my head against the door hoping the world would stop spinning. I have no idea how long I was in there. It didn't feel like it was that long but according to Ben, he said I was gone a long time. He texted me and asked if I was okay. I told him I was fine just so people would stop bothering me. 

I had a wave where I thought I felt fine, so I got up and finished up. Then all of a sudden, I puked all over the inside of the porta potty. I felt super bad. It brought me back to the last experience I had similar to this when I was a college student in Pullman and made a mess in someone's bathroom from drinking too much and not eating enough throughout the day. I spent a little bit of time wiping up as much as possible. I am not sure how good of a job I did. I felt a little better after that but still kind of wonky.

I met back up with everyone, and they asked me if I was okay. I told them, "I am now!" We spent a little bit more time wandering around before deciding we were done. Ben went with Del back to the house while I went with Megan and Nicole to Fred Meyer to get nacho making stuff. I stayed in Megan's car with my eyes closed because the dizziness struck me again. I wasn't sure how long they were gone but Megan was super impressed with how efficient drunk Nicole was in the store while gathering up the ingredients.

They returned and we got onto Littlerock Road where it meets up with Trosper. I felt ill and while at the stop light, I opened the door and puked right in the middle of the street, trying not to get any in Megan's car. I felt great afterwards. We got back to the house and Nicole immediately started making nachos. I got made fun of because I was the one who puked. I reminded them that next year I definitely need to eat more throughout the day before I go. Everyone agreed. 

We devoured the nachos and spent the rest of the evening playing Rock Band until it was time to go home and go to bed. We thanked Nicole and Del for the invite, the nachos and the entertainment and hopped into Megan's car and she took us home. We got home just after 11 p.m. Megan let us know when she got home. I got in a shower and went to bed. Puking makes you tired.

Next Adventure: Labor Day Weekend in Long Beach with Trish