In a nutshell, using a GPS receiver, you input given coordinates into your GPS unit and then go find the "cache". A cache is usually a small box (tupperware, old ammo can, etc.) that has been placed by someone that has placed small toys, trinkets, etc. into the box to be traded. Mostly this is for the kids so it is mostly kid's type stuff. Think of it as a high-tech treasure hunt. The cache 'owner' then tries to hide the box in a secretive spot so as to make it difficult to find and also so it can't be found accidentally by "muggles" (Harry Potter fans will know what this means...and, yes, that is how the Geocaching community refers to the none cachers). After hiding it, the owner will take the coordinates with their unit and then enter the coordinates into the website and others can then go search for what they hid.
Now, I gave that very simplified explanation to relay this story.
Crystal and I placed a cache of our own in January of 2005. It is located up off the Parkway relatively close to where we live. Anytime another Geocacher finds a cache that you placed and logs their find into the website, an email notification is sent to you. This is suprisingly alot of fun in itself since you kinda get to hear what others think about the spot you chose, how much fun they had, etc.
Man I'm using etc. alot in this post! :p
Well, this is the last notification that I received:
"October 18 by Ted (354 found)
Nice hike in. The container has been broken into umpteen pieces and the contents scattered. The lid and one of the ziploc bags have bite marks. I did my best to gather the contents into the two good ziplocs and then placed them together at my best guess for the right location."
Of course, given the location of the cache and the description that 'Ted' gave, I automatically knew what had destroyed our container. I was able to find some time today and headed up to the cache site to replace the container. My assumption was correct.
Notice the 'bite marks' in the lid. That is most definately a bear!
So, now who wants to go find our cache? LOL
Seriously though, if any of you think you may want to try out some Geocaching, just let me know. We'd be happy to let ya borrow the GPS unit or maybe even go out caching with us sometime. It is alot of fun for the kids as well. Can you imagine if we coulda went out in the woods with a little handheld computer and found 'treasure' when we were kids? And not all the caches are in boxes in the woods. There are 'micros' which are usually sign only logs that are placed very strategically right in the middle of cities. You'd actually be suprised where some of these things are.
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