Geocaching is like treasure hunting for grownups.
It's also a great fun for the whole family.
Something that I am still having a hard time wrapping my mind around is
that there are treasures stashed all around our little town!
Say what?
Treasures ya'll.
Hidden.
For me to find.
This is the stuff of my childhood AND grownup dreams.
I mean sometimes those treasures are dirty SpongeBob magnets or rusty buttons,
but every now and then, you score.
Like that time we found the cache with glittery blue fingernail polish.
Yes, you read that right. GLITTERY.
But I tell ya, while the treasures are hit and miss, the fun is really in the finding.
The only downside is trying to figure out this GPS.
If a major component of any family activity involves a parental figure
staring into a electronic device for lengthy periods,
kids tend to loose interest real fast.
But I think I'm getting the hang of it.
(Chuck...not so much.)
Since my handheld GPS will only show me how to get somewhere as the dang crow flies,
I plan to use the car GPS to get to each location.
Then once we are out of the car, I'll use the handheld.
The Technical Stuff
Somebody who knows Geocaching feel free to offer up suggestions or tricks of the trade.
I've got a Garmin nuvi 1200 and a handheld Garmin etrex Venture HC.
I'm a premium member of geocaching.com and use easygps.com
to download the waypoints to both devices.
#1 Problem: I am having trouble filtering out the extra small caches. I have used the pocket query feature on geocaching.com to filter these out but they still come in my query.
Kids don't really go for the "log only" types of caches.
#2 Problem: My GPS doesn't indicate what the size caches are, so we don't know what we are looking for. To a kid, it's disappointing to work real hard for a cache and then discover a "log only" situation.
#2 Problem The clues aren't showing up on my GPS.
The clues are what gets the my little girl into it. Otherwise she's just following me around.
This was Charley's first find.
How fun!
If you a take a treasure out, you just put a treasure back in.
Also, sign the logbook.
We're Team Piankatank.
I chose it because:
#1 I couldn't think of anything else in the whole world.
#2 It's another term for the area in which we live.
#3 I think the word is funny. It makes me want to sing Badonkadonk, Badonkadonk. And that makes me laugh, because it is an unbelievably ridiculous song.
(Spoiler alert)
(Another Spoiler Alert)
This is crazy.
Treasures planted all around my town and in most every town I want to travel to?
I must be dreaming.
Hi Haley i thought you were suppose to find the stamp & stamp your passport. So you can see how many you found & how many states? ---Rebecca
ReplyDeleteRebecca, I don't know anything about that, but I still have much to learn.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to this game or should I say addiction...lol
ReplyDeleteI used to have an Etrex Venture for years until it got worn out. (Might buy another one) I usually use the "Map this location" feature and pick the caches that I want to go after rather than a pocket query. That way I can map my route and have a general idea of the area. I also take notes off of the cache page such as size and hints. One thing to keep in mind is the coords are only as accurate as the person who placed the cache. There are many types of hides as you will find with more experience it does get easier and harder :) Rivah Country usually get together every month or so (normally to eat and talk). Feel free to come to an event and we will be glad to help in any way we can.
Keith
"Sillywillie"
1st of all welcome to the world of Geocaching. When you get readyd ot upgrade your GPS unit I would recommend a Garmin Colorado or Oregon. Both have a touch screen which is mush easier to use and will have all those features which you are now missing. ANother suggestion is to D/L a program called GSAK. It is a very user friendly program that can help you filter for thise caches you wish to find. If you have any problems with the program I have taught several classes on the program. If you ever find yourselves down in the Suffolk, VA area - look us up. We cache under SNAP!!! which stands for Suffolk Nana & Papa!!! If you need any help - feel free to ask. You can also check out our geocaching blog at: Suffolkpapa@wordpress.com I have written several blogs about GSAK!
ReplyDeletei think our family would love this! haven't reach that level of technology yet though. happy hunting!
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith and Suffolk Papa! I'll take all the tips I can get! I am going to check out your blog now Suffolk Papa.
ReplyDeleteYes, Becca. I thought this would be perfect for you and your clan.
Hayley
how have i never heard of this?!?! OMG it looks like SO much fun!!! I will have do try this one out with my little family :-)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Aarean
come on over and follow me (if you'd like) on my blog all about color!
colorissue.blogspot.com
I have always thought of doing this, just never had a GPS of my own...looks like fun!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like sooo much fun. I'd like to try it with y'all when I come visit next. Cute pic of Charley. She has such happy little eyes.
ReplyDeleteI would REALLY love to do this. I wonder how many towns/states this takes place in?
ReplyDelete