The Ultimate Scavenger Hunt

(This will be most interesting to those who geocached with us in February. Pictures of this great day can be found on the Campbell's blog)

Imagine someone has hidden something somewhere in the world. There is only one way to find it. You must acquire two 9 digit codes. But you are in luck. Thanks to 24 confidential satellites and millions of global positioning systems all over the planet, it will not be difficult to quickly locate this object. That's right, thousands of people take out their G.P.S.'s every day and go off on what may turnout to be a wild goose chase. They call it Geocaching. Once they find the treasure they have been seeking, they have a few choices to make. The first is what they most wish to take away with them. The second is what they have in their possession that they are most willing to part with. When the swap has been made, it's either back to the car or on to look for more caches.

The sun was directly overhead on the mid-February day. The parking lot at Caswell State Park was empty and quiet except for the birds chirping in the dense trees surrounding the area. Unexpectedly, three cars pulled in and parked. Out hopped 14 kids of various ages and five adults who were obviously their parents. The kids ran about, talking and playing and looking here, there and everywhere. They climbed up on stumps and jumped around on trees that leaned out over the freezing river that flowed nearby. When their parents called they scurried up the muddy bank to the picnic tables. Sitting under a huge tree, everyone ate a healthy lunch of Doritos, soda, hot dogs and cookies. Then it was time for what everyone had been waiting for. The global positioning system was strapped on the arm of one of the younger boys. Everyone gathered at the beginning of the path leading off into the woods. Off they went, the hunt was on! Most of the adults lagged behind with the little kids, but that didn't matter. The older children took the lead. Uh oh! A fork in the road! Never fear the GPS led them left. Soon they found themselves walking along the river, then they turned back into the woods. Then, oh no! They had run right into a swamp! Nothing to do but turn back and find another way! They turned and trudged back. At last they got to the fork in the road. This time they turned the right way. The path began sloping upward. Stinging nettle lined each side. Mosquitoes buzzed. They looked down and saw the swamp. Some of the kids started poking each other. It was getting hot. Finally, someone called for a rest. There was still .40 miles to go. After unsuccessfully trying a shortcut, the whole party moved forward again. down the trail. Fifteen minutes passed. They were almost there. Suddenly, the arrow on the GPS turned sharply to the right, into the thick trees and dangerous stinging nettle. Impossible! They would have to back track again! At last, they found the right path. Abruptly, the distance from the cache turned to yards, then feet. The kids and their dads began searching in a small clearing to their left. Suddenly, the boy with the GPS shouted, "I found it!" He raised a rather slimy container filled with cheap toys and trinkets. The exchanges were made including a pencil for a marble, and a sticker for a key chain. Two more caches were found there that day, including one behind a bench, and another behind a log. Altogether it was a fantastic geocaching day!

Geocaching is really very simple once you get the hang of it. First, log on to geocaching.com and create an account. Now pick a geocache. They are categorized by three terms. Size, terrain, and difficulty to find. If you wish, you can see a map of the area. Get the coordinates, and print the page. Ordinarily, there are hints to decrypt. Pick several close by! Bring water and a snack and go have fun!

by Rachel