Geocaching Treasure Hunt ~ Great Family Fun

 

What is geocaching?  It is a great outdoor treasure-hunting game that began around twelve years ago.    Geocaches are currently placed in over 200 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica, and the International Space Station. (source: Wikipedia)

GPS Device

 

The game is played with GPS devices.  They are used to find hidden containers known as Geocaches.  These contain prizes for those who are able to locate them.  This is a great family game that can be enjoyed inexpensively.  It is a great way to explore new areas in your city or state.

 

What does geocaching entail?  Geocachers hide caches at locations that are familiar to them or to their particular area of expertise.  For example, a cache may be placed on a rocky cliff, which can only be accessed using climbing equipment.  A cache may be placed underwater, so that only a scuba diver can access it.  Caches could even be placed in other countries.

Cache

 

For the traditional geocache, a geocacher will place a waterproof container containing a log book (with pen or pencil) and trade items then record the cache's coordinates. These coordinates, along with other details of the location, are posted on a listing site. Other geocachers obtain the coordinates from that listing site and seek out the cache using their GPS handheld receivers. The finding geocachers record their exploits in the logbook and online. Geocachers are free to take objects (except the logbook, pencil, or stamp) from the cache in exchange for leaving something of similar or higher value. (source: Wikipedia)

 

Treasures

 

In fact, there are individuals who travel all over the world looking for geocaches.  They are literally making a sport out of this.  Think of caching as your own version of “The Amazing Race.”  The only difference is that the geocachers are artists, musicians, astronomers, and scientists, and other types of experts.

Children Geocaching 

Geocaching is a good way to teach children how to use GPS devices. This, as it turns out,  is a good thing because their generation will probably rely heavily on GPS systems when they grow up or as they grow up. 

You can take part in a half-day of geocaching by enjoying a family picnic, and then getting back at it for the rest of the day.  You will have the time of your life playing this game.

Family Geocaching

 If you think you’d like to participate in a geocaching treasure hunt, you can check your local community to find individuals who run these events, or you can check many of the websites to enroll in a geocaching event.  It’s bound to be an adventure for the entire family!

Get out and explore!

Pat

Autumn Leaf Peeping in Canada and New England

Montreal

 

If you’ve never heard of “leaf peeping,” it is described as a “person who seeks out an area where many of the tree leaves have turned colors.”  In fact, leaf peeping has become quite popular these days.  That term is not familiar to me, but taking a vacation or a day trip to view the change of colors has been one of my favorite Fall pastimes.  The yellows of the aspens in Colorado and the reds and oranges of the Ozarks rank high on my memory list.

 

According to some statistics, leaf peepers begin their quest in September by visiting Eastern Canada, and end their quest in early November in the state of Georgia.  Now that sounds like an RVer’s dream trip!

Nova Scotia

 

This autumn, why not take advantage of the falling leaves in Canada?  You can rent a car and drive north to Nova Scotia via Annapolis Valley, or you can take a Fall Foliage tour from Boston to Eastern Canada.  Either way, the scenery is sure to be spectacular.

 

Another great leaf peeper vacation spot is New Brunswick.  Known for its large variety of trees, the colors of the leaves are breathtaking.  The red leaves that fall from the red maple trees, combined with the orange-colored leaves that fall at the beginning of October are worth a three-day trip to see.

Boston Common

 

On the other hand, perhaps you have saved vacation time for the fall months.  In this case, as suggest above, why not take a Fall Foliage bus tour from Boston?  The highlights include visiting such sites as Faneuil Hall, the North End, Boston Common, and more.  Traveling on to Maine, you will visit Kennebunkport and Portland (a fabulous fall foliage venue).

 

Taking the scenic route through the White Mountains, you cross over to Quebec where there are exciting tours awaiting you.  From Quebec, you continue northwest to the Laurentian Region -  the beauty of the lakes and forests will leave you breathless.

Lake Placid, NY

 

Maybe you will opt to take a day cruise before heading on to Montreal, another great city to explore.  Continue on to Lake Placid, the most beautiful village in New York.  It is a canvas whose colors that captivate the imagination.  Finally, the tour ends in New York City.

 

Fall Foliage tours or leaf peeping, no matter where the destination, always leaves you wanting for more.  Whether it’s autumn in New York, driving through New England, or taking a short weekend vacation to Canada – “the falling leaves of red and gold,” as the song goes, is your September song.

Get out and explore!
Pat