A Geocache Adventure...

I read about the geocache craze a couple of years ago, but had never actually tried it until yesterday. After sharing a meal together, dear friends Doug and Marion suggested we walk off our dinner with a geocache adventure. We were game!

In case you don't know what I'm talking about, geocaching is like treasure hunting using a handheld GPS, your computer (to locate the coordinates for treasure sites) and share information with other hunters, and different "prizes" to trade. For anything you take from the site, you leave something behind.

We got in the truck and headed for a location identified in a state park not far from where we were.

We started by plugging in the coordinates and then locking in our location in relation to the treasure. Then it was time to start walking.

Ahhh, yes. The proverbial "fork in the road". Which way to go? It was decided to head off on the path to the right.

We're close now, and Doug and Marion are sure that this is a prime hiding place. Time to get up close and look "over, under and around".

Yup! There it is! I saw a bit of red tin peeking out from under a piece of bark. I was pretty excited!

I found it...yay!!! 

Wait a second. I just edited and posted these pictures and saw the angle that Doug and Marion took toward the cache. They're experienced and would never find as many treasures as they have if they hadn't been pretty observant. As I write this, I'm sitting across from Handsome and telling him my observation that I think they "let" me find it.  He hung his head and said, "I couldn't possibly comment."

The game is that you take something from the cache and you leave something. Marion and Doug always leave one of her handcrafted beads. Marion said, "Go ahead, Donna. You found it!" I chose a little chain and charm and we left a bead behind. Caught up in the hunt, I was so tickled that I found my first cache.

Can you imagine such wonderful friends that they let you believe that you've had your first geocache success...and that they're so successful at it that you have no idea until hours later when you review all the photos and events surrounding that success? They're really the best!

This picture was taken post hunt. Look at their smiles as we all celebrate a great time playing in the woods.

If you're interested in learning more about the whole experience, and how to go about geocaching in your area, you can go to this link (the official global geocaching website).

I can tell you that it was great fun and I'd love to try it again some time. Thanks, Doug and Marion for introducing Handsome and me to a new experience...and for your unexpected and appreciated generosity. You're the best!