Geo caching

1. Geocaching a Photographic story of the search for hidden treasure

2. geocaching geo? …like in the words: geography, geology, geometry, geocentric, geode, geopolitics It means “earth.” caching? …like in the word: cache It means “a place to hide something.”

3. geocaching geo? …like in the words: geography, geology, geometry, geocentric, geode, geopolitics It means “earth.” caching? …like in the word: cache It means “a place to hide something.”

4. geocaching geo? …like in the words: geography, geology, geometry, geocentric, geode, geopolitics It means “earth.” caching? …like in the word: cache It means “a place to hide something.” Click on this triangle to go to the next slide

5. Hi there. I am a GPS-receiver. Global Positioning System.

6. Think Earth. Think treasure hunting. Think satellites that orbit. Think silent signals that tell where you are and where you would like to go. Think map.

7. Garmin made me. I am the elite tool of the trade, used by geocachers worldwide.

8. I am soooooo tiny. Itsy-bitsy. Teeny-weenie. Little.

9. I am a Micro, the smallest of the geocaches out there. And I am magnetic.

10. Can you guess where I like to hide?

11. That is right, over there, on that black metal fence. I am soooooo difficult to find.

12. If I was bright and flashy, then strangers would see me easily and take me away. But, I am not. I am tiny. I am black. The guy who put me here knew that this would be an excellent place to hide me.

13. The tiny log inside of me must be rolled very, very tightly in order to fit back inside. Put me back where I was so that someone else can find me.

14. Yay! I love being a cache. Come find me.

15. BIG! So very, very big. And retired. I used to have a job, holding ammunition for soldiers.

16. That was my duty and I did it well. I kept it safe. I kept it dry. But, a few years ago, someone realized that I could serve another purpose. A fun purpose. Woo-hoo!

17. Can you see me? I am hidden, out along a trail, back in the bushes. I hold a log, paper or a notebook, something to sign your name onto. And, you will find some surprises within.

18. I am big enough to hold key chains and wrist bands and marbles and toy soldiers and CDs and lanyards and gold (just kidding), stuff that you or your kids might want.

19. And, I just might have something special, a Travel Bug or a Geo Coin, little travelers who move from cache to cache around the world. Come. Find. Trade.

20. I am here. No one else knows it because I am hidden. I have a cap, just like all the other poles, but mine isn’t attached anymore. It is loose. And underneath the cap you will find me. Waiting.

21. So many people walk by and don’t have any idea that I am here. They see a fence and think nothing of it, but you know. Just reach up and give the cap a twist. Lots of geocachers use this trick in their hides.

22. I smile when Muggles walk by and don’t notice my hiding spot. Muggles, the people who are out walking their dog or getting some exercise and just don’t know about this game of hide and seek.

23. Ha. I am here. Hidden. I have my thinking cap on. Do you?

24. A rock? Really? Come on? Who would put a rock on top of a pole?

25. I mean, think about it. This isn’t natural. Rocks don’t roll down a hill and bounce-bounce-bounce, then spring onto the top of a pole. There should be a round metal cap up there.

26. A rock? Ha! It is soooooo obvious. Any experienced geocacher would know this hide right off the bat. No confusion. No frustration. Just easy finding, signing, and moving on to the next hidden cache.

27. I am heeeeerrrrreeeee. Can you see me? Ignore the field full of weeds. You don’t need to go in there. I am not there. I am down here, in the back.

28. Your GPS led you to this electrical box. High voltage inside. Green. And me? Green. Round. Magnetic.

29. Unattach me and pry off my lid. Sign the log. Ignore the cars as they drive by. Their drivers don’t care what you are doing.

30. Look like you belong here, a city worker just doing your job. Put your cell phone to your ear and pretend that you are talking to your boss. Carry a clipboard or notebook and write on it as you search.

31. Make it look official and no one will bother you.

32. Guess where I am. Here is a clue: I am not magnetic.

33. That rules out the metal fence. So, where am I? Where could I be?

34. Look around, but be aware that if you are doing this during the week then this business will be active and workers inside may wonder what you are doing. They might come up to you and ask. What would you say?

35. Would you tell them a lie? Would you walk away scared, worried that you might be arrested for trespassing?

36. Relax. Tell them about this game. Show them your GPS or smart phone app. Invite them to help you find the cache. Always smile and be ready to share the joy of the discovery in the game.

37. And remember, some caches are best sought during the weekend or after hours. Okay, where am I?

38. Ha! The geocacher who placed me here was quite ingenious. They did an incredible job of hiding me. I look so real, yet I am not. I am fake.

39. A thousand people a day drive by and never notice me. I love this game. Come and find me. I eagerly await your smile when you touch the little button on your phone’s screen that says Found.

40. Click. Add a comment about how cute I am, please. Clickity-click-click. And tell your friends about me.

41. I am hiiidddiiinnnggg. Come find me. Step-step-step. I can hear you.

42. You climb up the stairs and wonder where they lead. Nowhere. Except to me.

43. Am I magnetic, tucked into the lower end of the hand rail, or am I at the top?

44. Am I behind that concrete wall or in the tall grass?

45. Am I in the bushes to the side or up the hill?

46. Am I sitting under a rock or tucked beside a bush?

47. How will you know? Well, you gotta come and find me. I am here. Waiting. Hidden.

48. Where am I?

49. Maybe I am magnetic, attached to the back of that electrical box.

50. Or, maybe I am just on the other side of that cinderblock wall, covered with rocks.