OK, this geocaching thing is NOT easy. I installed a new app on my phone that has been much easier to use than the last, and I think it is more accurate b/c we have actually been successful!

Our first find was a quick hunt in town center. The trick is to make the find without drawing attention to the hunt. One of the first questions people ask is what do you find in a cache. Most of the time, not much. There is a log and a few small items,- coins, toys, etc…usually. The game isn’t about what you find, it is about the challenge and I have really enjoyed learning.

After another two attempts we called it an afternoon and came home. We were rather close to our second find, but I did not want to subject my nine year old to poison ivy so we gave up and decided to try again later. I think we were off in our coordinates. After bringing her home I looked at a few maps, re-read and wrote down the clues, then went back out with a determination to find a few more.

Success was mine!

Find number two was not terribly difficult, but it was a little trick. It was a smaller cache, and hanging. Not easy to spot. Not much would fit in the cache and I decided to TNLN (take nothing, leave nothing).

After looking around the area, I discovered it was necessary to CITO- cash in/trash out. This can go along with the blog green initiative. It isn’t something I have blogged about much, but we make a point to pick up trash when we are at the park. If you aren’t careful, this can consume an afternoon.

The most difficult part of the third find was sitting inconspicuously at the cache site completing the log while nature lovers walked the trails nearby, then replacing the cache and not getting seen.

The last find of the day was a PNG (park-n-go). I expected to see a small park or somewhere appropriate to park while you searched for the cache. When the hider called it a PNG he meant it. You literally had to pull over on the shoulder, put your hazards on, and look in the nearby bushes. The micro-cache hides are difficult for me to see, but after almost giving up I found this one and went on my way.

I have learned that you cannot rely solely on your GPS. Once you get to a certain point you have to try and think like the cache hider. By investigating your surroundings, you can see great places to hide a small/medium/large container and recognize evidence of previous hunters. Evidence of previous cache seekers is most helpful. It is usually subtle…grass laying at an odd angle or something similar. I have also learned that searching for the cache keeps you moving and not paying attention to the heat and energy you are exerting…great exercise! Bug spray, hat, and water- absolute must! Each cache seek is a new adventure and I have discovered a hobby that makes me smile.

At the start of this week we were four inches deep in wet snow. Today? It was 84 degrees as we served chili mac to our homeless friends in Uptown. I really enjoy when it is our turn to serve. It is a great opportunity for the girls to get involved in the community, involved in the church, and serve others. Yes, there have been times when our financial means reflected a limited ability to purchase all our desires. In fact, we are not in a situation of frivolous spending right now. But, our girls have never truly experienced difficult times. It is a valuable lesson for them to serve others who are less fortunate, and it is in our own backyard.

I did want to share a few pictures I took Tuesday. We returned to school, snow still on the ground. It was on a two hour delay, but since it was Tuesday we were used to an odd schedule.

We attend only three classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, alternating odd and even On my planning period I decided to visit a few places on campus. We are fortunate to be on a college campus that has a wonderful lake for picnics and quiet time. I drove across and snapped a few.

On the drive…

From March Snow

I pass an old church everyday and I am dying to pull over and explore. Unfortunately, I would probably be trespassing.

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The train tracks in front of our building…

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The college students had fun on their day off. There were sled marks and evidence of snowball fights, as well as Frosty.

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Visiting the lake I found most of the snow was untouched.

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The picnic stone lodge we use for special occasions:

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Over the river and through the woods…

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to Grandmother’s house we go…

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The snow is slowly melting…

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Inspired by Nicole’s Blog Green post I decided to embark on a new adventure. Hold on, I am not a tree hugger nor am I a mental environmentalist. I simply think it is a good thing to do and it is a lesson for the girls. It bothers me when there is trash in my park. I don’t think people mean to leave such a mess. Maybe the wind picks up a napkin, cup or bottle and blows it away from the picnic area. Rather than chase after it they may just let that one go. It’s just one, right? Anyway, it gets me out with the camera and it serves a greater purpose. The girls learn the importance of picking up after yourself and it is something to do together.

For the first adventure I took Lil Bit to our favorite park. Acres of land with tennis courts, putt putt, a lake and paddle boats, soccer fields, picnic pavilions, play areas, and walking trails. Since it was our first outing I grabbed a plastic shopping bag and two pairs of gloves. I wanted to see if Lil Bit would take to the idea so I only planned to do a small loop around one of our favorite areas of the park. Beautiful day to be out but oh SO windy.

From skywatch

Lil Bit was none too excited about this adventure. Going to the park is one thing, but picking up trash? Ew. It wasn’t a tremendous mess, but it also wasn’t hard to find the first photo-ops. A few bottles and napkins later Lil Bit was spotting trash. Gloves on, trash bag in hand, she was all about some trash pick up. It did become an adventure for her. She has an eye for spotting trash too.

From Blog Green

We looped around the lake and took time to play on the swings then headed back to our vehicle. We filled our bag, but it wasn’t overflowing. That’s a good thing. The park was rather clean. I have seen much worse. Next time we will each have a bag and dedicate more time to the project. Blog Green outing #1 will be declared a good start.

From Blog Green