Geocaching is basically a worldwide game of hide-and-seek. Geocachers seek out hidden objects (called “geocaches” or simply “caches”) by using GPS coordinates in conjunction with a GPS receiver, as well as possibly other hints from the person who hid the object. The cache is commonly a small box or other container (film canisters and ammo boxes are common, as they are easy to hide and tend to be waterproof), containing at least a log book and possibly other items as well. Once a cache is located, the geocacher signs the log book and returns the cache to its hidden location, being careful to not draw unwanted attention from other people who may wonder what is going on (or, worse, may steal the cache). Caches come in many shapes and sizes; the standard sizes are “nano” (about the size of a fingernail, containing an extremely tiny log book and nothing else), “micro” (something like a film canister or waterproof matchstick container), “small” (the smallest size which can comfortably hold anything besides a logbook), “regular” (Rubbermaid containers and ammo cases are popular choices), and “large” (anything up to a five-gallon bucket is fair game). A geocacher should always carry a pen, as some caches do not contain a writing utensil due to size. Besides the log book, some caches contain goodies which the finder may keep (as long as they leave something else in return), or items called TravelBugs which are intended to be moved from one cache to another, often with the goal of getting it to travel as far as possible.
You can find the official Geocaching.com homepage here, as well as my profile on the site (which lists all of my finds and other related information). To see a list of all of the caches I’ve found so far, click here.
I’ve also created five of my own geocaches.
| Cache ID | Date Hidden | Cache Name |
|---|---|---|
| GC2FQE4 | 10/01/2010 | Riverdale Park: Cawley Memorial Bridge |
| GC2HDCY | 10/28/2010 | Galaxy: Earth Sphere |
| GC2KB7T | 12/16/2010 | The Ice Box |
| GC2KQ5W | 1/12/2011 | John A. Ahern Field |
| GC2YMVW | 7/13/2011 | Riverdale Park: Riverside |
