Why Is Geocaching So Cool?

I had never heard of geocaching until recently. Wow! Did I ever feel like a dork, when I realized just how big it was, and how much fun I could have participating in this challenging treasure hunting game.

Basically, you have coins, pieces of script, or inexpensive trinkets that are placed in some kind of watertight container (could even be a tupperware canister) which is hidden in a remote, or top secret location.

Then, the coordinates are usually given online, but they could be handed out on paper, as to where the treasure resides. Next, you or your team devise a strategy to go and pick up the geo coins as fast as you can using either your handheld gps or one mounted in your vehicle.

There are trackable geocoins that have numbers so , and there are just standard coins which will work too. When you have collected all of your coins, then you head back to the central location with all of your collected geocaching coins.

This provides a wonderful outdoor experience for all involved. You're able to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, the benefits of exercise, relaxation, and if you are working with a team, the good feeling that comes from working as a team.

You can geocache anywhere in the world. You can plan vacations around exoctic destinations and participate in a geocache.

Of course, locally you can spend an afternoon or weekend looking for treasure. You can join geocaching clubs, there are some in every state, and more popping up in towns across the country weekly.

Think about being able to enjoy a gorgeous day outdoors when the trees are displaying all their bright red, orange and yellow fall colors. You'll b e in the thick of things, surrounded by your friends and loved ones, all on a single mission to find the designated treasure.

Please don't think geocaches are placed or hidden only in the woods. Geocaching can also be enjoyed in the dessert, around lakes, parks, beaches, etc..

One thing to note, in the National Parks, there are "virtual caches". The National Park System doesn't allow physical caches to be left behind at the parks. So, to show that you actually found the cache, you will have to answer a trivia question about the coordinates or take a photo of the end point.

The geocache containers can be any large container, of course hard plastic are the most durable (like ammo boxes or tupperware boxes).

All the caches contain a logbook for people to record their find, and most of them contain little trinkets or coins. The rule is if you take something, you leave something of equal or greater value.

Sometimes, you will run across micro caches which can be as small as a pencil eraser. The logbook in these are usually a single strip of paper, rolled up, with only room for your initials and date.

Be sure to sign each logbook and place it back in the geocache container.