Geocaching.
I was reading through SophieMae's Florida Cracker Crumbs blog a few weeks ago, and I came across her link to geocaching.com. I'd heard of geocaching before, and I had always thought that it would be intersting, but never had the chance to try it out...So I thought I would go check out the website and see what I could do.
This seemed to have opened up a whole new world to me! A search revealed over 3000 "hidden treasures" within 10 miles of where I live, one of which I actually walked by many times every day at work, oblivious. "Geocaching" is the use of a GPS to find caches ("hidden treasure") in some remote and some not-so-remote areas of the world. It combines being outdoors with a sense of discovery: Two of my favorite things! I was immediately hooked.
I excitedly entered the coordinates of a few caches into my GPS, and away I went! Here's some of what I found (more to come later today):
If you like the outdoors, and love adventure, then you will love geocaching. This sport is becoming accessible to most folks now that the price GPS devices are dropping so quickly...The Garmin eTrex Legend that I bought less than 2 years ago for $180 can now be bought for less than $110. So go out and find yourself some hidden treasure!
13 comments:
Ah, yes, geocaching is fun. I was turned on to it after a person asked permission to place one at Woods Bay State Natural Area where I worked at the time in 2000. I don't have a GPS unit, but am still able to find most of these with a clue and a little luck. I've even taken the cub scout den out to find one near us. It's fun to do when you travel somewhere on vacation as well. They are now all over the country.
I figgered you'd love it. 8-] I need to dust off my GPS and get back out there. I think the guy who started the whole thing might be a distant cousin. Next, I'd like to start finding benchmarks.
Think about it. You're receiving messages literally from outerspace telling you where to find hidden treasure. What's not to like?
Hey this is Too Cool. Thanks to you and Sophiemae. I got my kids on the websites this weekend as they are heading up the Panhandle to spend a week with the Grandparents. We found around 10 or so within miles of my Parents home in Blountstown. They plan on showing "GrandMa and GrandPa" how to do this. Just have to get them some things to leave behind.
Thanks again for the post.
Yours in the Bond.
That actually sounds like a whole pile of fun.
Your blog is great, I accidentally came across it while searching for tips on datil pepers. anyway I'd Like to write more, I am also a young (though not as young as you) floridian of minorcan dissent, and would like to write more, please hit me up at fathafloyd@aol.com
But can you shoot a bearing with a traditional compass and navigate with it?
I bet you can.
Everyone should have that skill first.
GPS batteries sometimes fail.
A real compass will get you home.
Geocaching is a neat activity, there are several in my favorite little wild area.
Have fun! One more hobby to add to your list.
rcw - They're everywhere! You can find a GPS for under $100 now, so whenever you have some extra $ laying around, buy one and get into it!
sophie - THANKS!!
pablo - Amazing, eh? This was unthinkable 20 years ago...even 10 years ago pretty far-fetched!
scott - Wow! I'm glad you got into geocaching! It's addictive!
paint - Almost as big as the cow "piles" you step in every day?
casey - Well thank you, I'll go check you out!
fc - Nobody should go into the wild without this knowledge or at least a good, solid knowledge on physical waypoint navigation (the sun, big trees, creeks, etc.) To do so would be foolish. But I'm preaching to the choir here!
Not sure if it would be as big, but definitely not as messy...
No such thing as "too many hobbies"! :)
A person with many hobbies is never bored.
Hey there, link click from Pure Florida and other places. I've been caching for about four years now. My husband and I are "SeaAggies" and you should check out floridacaching.com
I just stumbled upon your blog tonight and must say I like what I see! I know this post is a little behind, but I've been caching for 4 years now and LOVE it! It is definitely a great hobby to have that can take you to some really out of the way places. Hope you've continued caching!! (BTW, my caching name is Gladeslvr & Crew, down in South Florida and friend of the SeaAggies who posted before me)
Cache On!
Cracker,
I'm just getting caught up on your blog (I'll be putting it into my Bloglines account). I love geocaching. A great way to get outdoors and explore. There are quite a few in N. FL. I can't wait until Sage is old enough to really appreciate it.
I'm looking forward to school as well. Stop by my new room (615).
Peace
V
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