Geocaching

I don't have a lot of hobbies really. I tried to cross stitch as a child. I'd seen my mother be passionate about the craft. I couldn't stick with it. When dainty little threads get tangled and I can't easily accomplish the untangling, I want to punch someone in the face. Fishing was never too much fun for the same darn reason. Curse you, you snagging bushes across the river! I tried scrapbooking for awhile. I loved it, but it was time consuming, expensive, and messy. Storage for equipment was also an issue. Later, I was given a guitar because over and over again, I'd expressed a desire to learn to play someday. Someday hasn't come yet, but the guitar does add an element of decor to our office. And then, one day a friend recommended blogging. Blogging is about the only thing that has seemed completely natural and joyful as far as hobbies go. I smile as I write to you even now. Two hundred and some odd entries later, I am pretty sure it's gonna keep on making me happy. But today? Today I just might have discovered a NEW hobby.

Lately, I've learned about geocaching. What IS geocaching? Imagine the movie National Treasure, and blend it with a White Elephant Gift exchange. Waaa-lah! = Geocaching.

Geocaching is an outdoor scavenger hunt for hidden waterproof containers bearing "treasure". Ideally, a geocaching participant uses the exact geographic coordinates of the hidden container with a GPS device. One could use their mobile smartphone... if one was smart enough to figure out how. (I was not.) If you're extremely lucky and persistent, though, one could just go on a wild goose chase, simply willing oneself into a find. (Disclaimer: A strong will may work only if you've also got extremely descriptive internet clues to go along with it. I did.) Anyway, you locate a hidden container somewhere on the planet, open it, sign the log as if to proclaim that "so and so's been here", and if you wish, replace a "treasure" inside with something you're willing to part with. The treasures are small, cheap, and overall pretty stupid, but if you get hung up on that, you're completely missing the point. The neat thing about geocaching is that it is simultaneously popular AND obscure. That's weird, if you ask me. If you visited http://www.geocaching.com/, for example, you would see a world map with little cache icons ALL OVER IT. It is very likely that there are tons of hidden little containers that have been planted right in your neighborhood, town, or city. But have you or your neighbor ever heard of geocaching? Probably not, right? I sure hadn't. All of this mega fun is right there under your nose! Who knew?! It's exciting.

Danavee and I set out on our first round of geocaching just this morning. Here is the highlight reel:

See this footbridge over Kansas Expressway? I bet you've driven your car under it a hundred times, never once considering that it possessed treasure! But, oh yes, it does.

Danavee and I made a plan. We put our heads together to decipher the clues. We exited the car and nonchalantly ascended the bridge to find what was hidden there.

But wait! ACT NATURAL. Look closely in the background and you'll see some biking/non-geocaching passersby. Passersby are hazardous to the sport, they say. If you are seen poking around in strange places, it potentially ruins the secret society aspect of the fun. You DO NOT want any ol' yahoo to walk up to you and say, "Hey there, uhhh, whatcha looking for.. hiccup?" (This yahoo has the voice of Disney's Goofy in my imagination, so that's why the hiccup... in case you were wondering.) In order to prevent a geocaching calamity, we improvised. We quickly plopped down on the retaining wall, acting as if the random "PEACE" gesturings that we were giving to each other was something normal people would be doing. Geocaching takes smarts and quick thinking, see. When they and a few others had passed, we attempted again.

We ambled up the ramp, looking for something the size of a 35mm film canister. This first pass was unsuccessful. Argh. Back to the car for some additional reconnaissance work.

Lo and behold! Ten minutes later... Danavee shouted (from prone position), "OH MY GOSH, I FOUND IT!" We were SUCCESSFUL and elated geocachers. The feeling of discovery was absolutely thrilling. Our jumping up and down and screaming was conspicuous, I'm sure. But who cares? WE FOUND IT. And now, to the car for the big reveal...

Oh yeah, geocaching. I like you. And I'll be back again for more.

Thanks, Brigitte Dale, for the inspiration!