Geocaching is fun!
There are a few friends in my church who enjoy doing something called Geocaching. Ever since I heard of it, I’ve had a yen to do it. It sounds like such great fun.
Geocaching is a scavenger hunt for items in containers that are hidden, and logged into a program that players can access on their phones or on a GPS device. The activity itself is not too costly, unless you count the costs of traveling to places to find the caches. The app can be downloaded for free, but there is an app that is an upgrade with an annual subscription of about thirty bucks. Of course, it is much more fun if you have the premium edition.
Once you discover that you like this activity, you can also hide items yourself (after you know all the rules). There are millions of geocaches worldwide.
I have known about this activity for about a year, but only this past Sunday did I actually take the dive and go on a search for my first geocache. It was such fun! My husband had to go fix a stove for a friend, so he didn’t go with me this time. (I also walked to the location, and it was 100 degrees outside. That walking thing was of no interest to him on that hot day.) I went solo, but I did use one of my lifelines during my search. I texted Sue, who actually helped me know how to spot the cache. I was so excited when I found it!
The search starts with opening up the Geocaching app, and looking at a map of the area. There are green Geocache icons everywhere a cache is hidden. There is also a blue dot showing your location. In the app are some hints, some vague descriptions of what you are seeking, and the general location. When you find the cache, you open the container. Inside will be a piece of paper for you to log your username and the date. Then, you log it on your app. You can also add a little note to the person who hid the cache. There are a few courtesy rules that are nice to follow. The Geocaching icon on the map will turn to a smiley face. (I love smileys, so that is an added benefit for me.)
After just one find, I don’t claim to be an expert, but I know it is something families can enjoy doing together, or groups, couples, or even just a single person. I can imagine it is much more fun to go geocaching with others. (I have to admit, it is a little weird if you are in a public place and you think someone may be watching you go after a cache you have just found.)
Before I even downloaded the app on my phone, I went on the Internet and found a video called “Geocaching 101,” which gave me some good information on the venture I was getting ready to try. There are several other videos that are good, too. Just do a search on “Geocaching” and you will find there are many people of all ages, cultures, sizes, and abilities that who are enjoying this activity all over the world. Try it. You may like it.
— My love to all,
Nancy
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If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
— Jeremiah 29:13
