Geocaching

Today Chris and I crossed #27 – Go geocaching off of my 101 in 1001 list. I’ve been dying to try geocaching for a while now, and we finally went out to do it. If you’re looking for a fun way to get some extra exercise and fresh air, if you love the idea of hunting for treasure, and/or if you have kids, you definitely have to try this! From the official geocaching website: “Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.” So we bought a handheld GPS device (there’s also an iPhone app that can be used), and we set out this morning to find a couple of caches nearby.

Here Chris is using the GPS to locate the approximate spot of a cache not too far from our house:

Both of the caches we found were small Tupperware-type containers with little toys and silly tchotchkes inside.

When you find the cache, you can sign the log to indicate if you took anything and/or left anything inside the cache and to let other geocachers know that you were there. TNLN means “took nothing, left nothing” and TFTC means “thanks for the cache.” One of the caches we found has been there since 2005!

We had a lot of fun! And geocaching can also be really good for the environment – a lot of geocachers take a trash bag to pick up litter along the way. Now that we know how it works, we’ll take a bag next time and do our part. Hiking off-trail was really good exercise, and I’m pretty sure I worked off the cookies that I ate at last night’s wedding with Kate. Those pictures will be coming soon!