The World of Geocaching...

I hope all of you are having a good weekend. I thought this might be a good time to introduce you to one of our hobbies - geocaching! For those that don't know what it is, let me explain.

It is an adventure game using a GPS (global positioning system). People all over the world set up "caches" and using the latitude and longtitude of the location place the information on the internet (www.geocaching.com). Other players can take the information and go out and find the cache. All you need is a basic GPS unit, ours cost about $120.

The cache itself can take a variety of forms - from something as small as a film canister to as large as a jug or ammo box. All are camoflauged to fit into the environment and a suitably hidden so as not to be visible to the casual passerby.

So what's in the cache? First, there is always a logbook that you can sign and date that you were there. Depending on the size of the cache it may also contain any number of more or less valuable items. The rules are simple...sign the logbook and if you take something from the cache you should leave something of equal value. You would be very suprised to find out how many caches are hidden all over the world and many right near your home! You need not hike into the bush to get to them, but in some cases you might have to!

So what's the big deal you ask, why would you want to find these geocaches? It's deceptively easy. The website provides you some information about where the cache is, but to actually get out there and find it, is in itself the true reward! We also find it a cool way to get outside, get active, explore new places and have fun doing it!

We started geocaching last fall and while we weren't too active in the winter, we have found 24 caches so far. Actually, Scott will brag that he actually found them, but I got us to the right spot! In most cases I am too busy looking at the GPS and he is spending more time looking around so has more oppertunity to see it. But on occasion I have been known to spot them and it is very satisfying!

Yesterday we found three out in the Ajax/Whitby area and I know we found the right location for another one at the Pickering Go Station but couldn't actually get it due to high muggle traffic in the area. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that while looking for the caches, you are to try and do it without alerting the people around the area (referred to as muggles, like from Harry Potter books) to what you are doing. Most caches do have a note that explain what geocaching is so that if they are found by a "muggle" they can understand what they have found.

The pics above are a couple of the first caches we ever found. They are located up in the Halibuton area but I won't tell you exactly where in case you decide that you want to start the hunt for yourself!!

~Steph