Anyone ever do a GPS trasure hunt?

[*Robin*]

Hi all!

Since everyone was so great with the RV question, I thought I'd ask one more...

We had planned on travelling for the next couple years as a family, if for nothing else than a great adventure. Now, with a recent turn of events, and an incredible job offer, it looks like we may be going to some amazing places...

So the adventure begins! (woohoo!) I'd thought about doing the GPS (Global Positioning System) hunts before and have done some research, but have never spoken with anyone who has actually done it.

Any adventurous Dis'ers out there???

Thanks so much!!
Robin

 

[Brisully]

There was a thread about this on the cb just last week! It is called "Geocaching" (sp?), and although I have never done this, it sounds very cool!!!!

 

[*Robin*]

Heck, I missed it!!
Should I hunt it down??

Doesn't it sound cool?

 

[Wendy]

Yep! It's called geocaching and I posted a thread about it last week. I'll have to see if I can dig it up.

We just recently started doing this, and have been having a ball with it! We even went to Arkansas over the weekend and did some geocaching up there. It takes you to some amazing places that you'd probably never go if it weren't for geocaching. Even around our house, I've found some really, really cool places that I never knew existed. (And I've lived in this area my entire life!)

It's really pretty easy once you get a decent GPS. I started out with a rather old unit and had problems at first. I bought the cheapest one out there, and it works great, but I'm probably going to go ahead and upgrade to one that can also be used to navigate in the car. I'll probably let my kids use this cheap one.

Have you checked out www.geocaching.com yet? That is the best place to go for info on how to get started. You can even do a search on the website for caches hidden in your area. They can be found almost everywhere!

Oh, beware of the poison ivy, though. I've gotten it twice now in the last month. Does that stop me, though? No, of course not!

There are a couple of other geocachers here, so if you have any questions, just ask. It's a GREAT family activity!

 

[*Robin*]

Wendy, thanks for all the great information!!

Geocaching.com is the main site I've been doing the research. A teacher told us about it and it just sounded like a great thing to do!

The biggest question I had was about equipment. Was it worth it to pay the big bucks or do the less expensive ones do the trick?

I couldn't believe when I found there was one right here in our town! This was last fall and it's been kind of gnawing at me since. It's like a modern day treasure hunt, and we all love that idea!

Have you guys made your own stamps and things? How about leaving things, do you do that?

Thanks so much! I love the dis...there's always someone that will help you out!

Have a great day all!

Robin

 

[Wendy]

If you're using it just for geocaching, a cheap one will definitely do the trick. The Garmin ETrex works great for geocaching.

However, if you're getting an RV and plan to travel around a lot, you may want to consider getting a more expensive one that has maps and stuff you can use for driving. I've just about convinced myself to go ahead and buy the Garmin V as soon as we get our child tax credit. We do a lot of traveling in the car, and it would be great to have it for navigation as well.

I haven't made my own stamps or wooden nickels or anything like that yet, but I probably will.

If you take anything from the cache, the rule is you have to leave something behind. I keep a bunch of different stuff in my geocaching backpack to leave behind. At each cache, I let both of my kids choose something, then we leave 2 things. I usually pick stuff up at the dollar store. Right now, I have picture frames, tape measures, travel sewing kits, Hot Wheels cars, and girls hair accessories to leave. My DS also had a good idea yesterday to put about $1 worth of change in a plastic Easter egg to leave behind, so I'll probably start doing that too.