Geocaching

Geocaching, according to the official geocaching site, is "an entertaining adventure game for gps users. Participating in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the wonderful features and capability of a gps unit. The basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is if they get something they should try to leave something for the cache."

I went geocaching with a group of friends for the fist time last night. Basically, you go to this website, where people have listed caches they have hidden all around the globe. You get the Global Positioning Satellite coordinates off the website and program your GPS unit (if you have one, which hopefully someone in your group has). Then you use whatever clues are given on the web site and go get in your car, drive there and dig around till you find it. It may be a drinking thermos in the hollow of a tree, a container of mints magnetized to the underside of a bridge, an ammunition can hidden in the woods...or a variety of other containers. Inside is a collection of various objects ranging from toy action figures to flashlights to Air Force insignia. The rule is that when you find a cache, you take one item, and leave one item inside as well. You also sign the logbook inside and date it.

I cannot tell you how thrilling this "game" is. It's more than likely that wherever you live, other people have played this game, and there are treasures hidden around your city/town, waiting for you to uncover. You won't find a million dollars (probably not anyhow), but you will experience the thrill of the hunt, the adrenaline of finding things you never knew were hidden all around you.

Happy hunting.

I know I'll be doing it again soon, myself.