Project 366...

[deltamiss]

Every Monday is Family Day at Melanie and Jeff's house with activities centering around fun things the family can do together. For the last few weeks, they've been Geo Caching, and they agreed to take me along today. What FUN!

In case you don't know what Geo Caching is: http://www.geocaching.com/. A hand-held GPS system is required, and coordinates are downloaded from the website to the device.

So today's Project 366 photo is hidden among the large number of pictures of the day behind the cut. Feel free to skip on by if you're sick of my overly zealous new found hobby - photography - but you'll miss a great shot of me if you do. ;)



Some of the hidden items are teeny, tiny little magnetic boxes. Inside one will find the Geo log to sign and date. Our first one was such a box hidden in a metal sculpture.




And sometimes it takes a teeny, tiny person to return the box to its rightful place. ;)




Geo Cachers name their caches - this next one was called "Fiery Cache" and was located in a perfect spot. It, too, was a tiny magnetic box.




The next stop required...gulp...hiking!




And hiking...




But, we found it! Some of the boxes contain little treasures that a finder can take as long as the finder leaves something behind. We took; we left. :D




Another cache was hidden in the same park so off we went for more hiking. Parker lagged back with me for a bit and explained some of the terminology.




This cache was named "Thanks for noticing me" and I dedicate the find to pondhopper whose favorite Pooh animal is Eeyore. Look, Donna!




After a break for lunch, we headed to another local park to search for more. Third base...




Adjacent to the park is a wooded area. Yep, more hiking, but we found what used to be Kinston's first Geo Cache - only it wasn't. Just the box.






We went into the woods one way and came out another. Oh, joy. Let's just climb over the broken fence, shall we? And I'll just make this my 366 photo. :D




Some caches are hidden in film containers...





Some so high one needs a lift from a strong dad to replace it.




Some are truly well hidden...how about in a water main cover or a telephone box or the bottom of a tennis court net?










What a FUN day! Now I want one of those little doodads. :D

Comments

[unblinkable.livejournal.com]

Hey! Can you unlock this post so I can link it? :D

[deltamiss.livejournal.com]

Your wish is my command. ;)

[unblinkable.livejournal.com]

The look on my face at the first hiking point is priceless. :D

[deltamiss.livejournal.com]

We were both thrilled with the prospect, weren't we? Hahahaha!

[unblinkable.livejournal.com]

And we had to do MORE when you stopped! That one that we mistook for the real thing (the lid from the old cache?)... it ended up being another trinket box. We didn't take anything from that one... but it was an amo box.

[overcast.livejournal.com]

That's what *I* was going to say!!

[unblinkable.livejournal.com]

It's deceptive. I was really excited about it. :D

The look is more about having my picture made. ;)

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

You're getting all newfangled and modern!
:D
I LOVE the Eeyore. Was he the Geocache? The poor guy looks a little worse for wear.
;)
And I have just the right icon!

You're just as cute from behind.
LOL

[deltamiss.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes...thoroughly modern Lonnye Sue. Hahahahahaha!

Eeyore WAS the Geocache. Peyton said, "Hey! The log is in his BUTT!" Hahahahaha! I think the little guy has been there a while. ;)

[bonsaye.livejournal.com]

This is really neat, to finally be able to see what geo-caching is! I've read about it, but haven't been able to visualize it.

[unblinkable.livejournal.com]

You and Ger would SO love this!!!!

[bonsaye.livejournal.com]

He can handle the GPS, and I'll fight off the wild panthers. K?

ME ME!!

[jsboyette.livejournal.com]

I want to play!! Pick me! (hands waving in air)

Re: ME ME!!

[deltamiss.livejournal.com]

When y'all get back here, we'll have to go! Lots of fun for the whole family!

Re: ME ME!!

[unblinkable.livejournal.com]

You wouldn't last three minutes before you'd get tired of searching and start texting someone! :D

Re: ME ME!!

[jsboyette.livejournal.com]

You old meanie. I would only text someone to tell them how fun it was!! Are snacks involved? Coffee, baked goods etc?

PS. I'm never calling you again....umm...talk to you Friday.

Re: ME ME!!

[unblinkable.livejournal.com]

Ha!

We want to do sack lunches when it gets a little warmer.

[brendamom.livejournal.com]

I want to play! Precisely what do I need?

[deltamiss.livejournal.com]

You need a hand-held GPS system for starters. I'll have to get Melanie or Jeff to explain the rest. Honestly, I just know that coordinates from the site I included are downloaded to the GPS and you follow the directions on it to get to within 20-30 feet of the object.

Seriously, it is mega-fun! And it can be played ANYWHERE!

[p150.livejournal.com]

Go to www.geocaching.com

The answers to all your questions are there... well, the ones about geocaching anyway. ;)

[jcjava.livejournal.com]

I have missed your posts...so good to see you even for a glance :)

Here is something else that might interest your little clan.
http://www.letterboxing.org/
A little less high-tech and sometimes a bit educational.

Take care and be good to yourself.
~~Val

[deltamiss.livejournal.com]

Hey, Val!

Letterboxing is very similar to geo caching. I really like the idea of keeping a record of stamps from each letterbox. I'll pass this on.

I hope you and yours are doing well. Good to hear from you, too. :D

Geo Coins

[sandypfeff.livejournal.com]

Lots of people have special "coins" or tokens made to leave in their geocaches. My husband has bought some on Ebay that are quite artistic. There are all kinds of themes. You might check them out.

Re: Geo Coins

[deltamiss.livejournal.com]

We only found one cache that had stuff available to take. I think the family found one more after I dropped out. Melanie said something about Geo coins, but I wasn't listening too closely at the time. I'm going to check them out on Ebay. Cool idea!

[jazzyglo.livejournal.com]

What fun!

And finally we get to see the "other side" of Lonnye Sue. hehe

[deltamiss.livejournal.com]

It WAS fun!

Hahahahahahaha! Such a flattering picture, too. :D

[bojojoti.livejournal.com]

That was so very interesting! That would have been an activity I would have done with my kids when they were small, if GPS had been around then.

I love your photo posts, so don't you dare stop.

[deltamiss.livejournal.com]

It's strange how technology brings people together. Some of the caches have been hidden for two years or more. We talked about how NOW when we go out, we will wonder if there's a cache hidden on a pole or under a tennis court net or whatever and who put it there.

I don't want to bore people with photos, but I'm not sure I can write a post without them now. Hahahahahaha!

[fitfool.livejournal.com]

oh wow...I've never gone geocaching before but it looks fun from your photos :)

[deltamiss.livejournal.com]

I bet there are TONS where you are! It is a lot of fun!!

[saint-magenta.livejournal.com]

walking in the woods with the fambly rocks but treasure-hunting in the woods with the fam TOTALLY ROCKS!

you make a very flattering butt-shot, mamacita! *:)

[deltamiss.livejournal.com]

The first woods were loaded with wild blueberry bushes! I learned some things about native trees around here, too. I also saw lots of the thorny vine that has invaded every yard around here. In the tenth picture, Jeff is stepping on it so everyone can pass without getting torn to shreds.

Hahahahahahaha! Yeah, well, Melanie can make anything look good. :D