Summary

The author recounts their journey into geocaching, a modern-day treasure hunt using GPS coordinates, and reflects on the joy and surprise of discovering hidden caches in unexpected places, including one right next to their home.

Abstract

The article "Remembering How Much I Love Geocaching" by an unnamed author captures the essence of geocaching, a global game of hide-and-seek that uses GPS technology to lead participants to hidden treasures known as 'caches.' The author, who first learned about geocaching while working at a GPS company, describes the thrill of finding caches filled with trinkets and the sense of community fostered by the geocaching website, where participants log their finds and share experiences. Despite initial frustrations and unsuccessful attempts, the author's passion for the hobby grew, leading to memorable outdoor adventures and the decision to create their own geocache with their mother. The narrative emphasizes the unexpected proximity of the caches, the joy of discovery, and the intrinsic rewards of the search, regardless of the outcome.

Opinions

The author expresses a strong enthusiasm for geocaching, highlighting it as one of the best jobs they've ever had.
There is a sense of wonder and surprise at the prevalence of geocaches in seemingly mundane locations.
The author admits to more experience in not finding caches but emphasizes the enjoyment and satisfaction derived from the search process itself.
The discovery of a cache hidden in a rock near the author's home was a pivotal moment that solidified their love for geocaching.
The author values the community aspect of geocaching, as evidenced by their engagement with the geocaching website and the decision to contribute to the hobby by creating a new cache.
The article conveys that the true treasure of geocaching is not the items found but the experiences and time spent outdoors.

Remembering How Much I Love Geocaching

The rain and mud won’t stop us today

One of the best jobs I’ve ever had was at a GPS company. It was there I first heard of the modern-day treasure hunt- Geocaching.

I was blown away. There were treasures or ‘caches’ all around me and I never knew. There’s a website that will give GPS coordinates and some clues, and it’s up to you to find the exact spot. The cache is usually in a waterproof container,(in the Pacific Northwest, it’s necessary) and inside of it-treasures.

The treasures inside are trinkets like buttons or pins, little toys, even cash at times. You take a souvenir and leave one. There’s sometimes a log to write down your name and the date you found it.

The Geocaching website encourages you to take and upload pictures of your trip and leave a comment about whether you found it or not. I have more experience in not finding them, but I keep trying.

The hidden caches are closer than you think

When I first looked at the map of my area, I was shocked. There were caches like chickenpox, all over my little town. I zoomed in on my address and found there were 3 within a mile and 1 was at the building, right next door.

Wait, what? All this time and there’s one right under my nose?

Two years before, I was working on my car in the driveway and noticed a man and his son. They had been looking for something out in front of the building next to me. Ten minutes, then twenty go by as these strangers walked up and down scanning for what I assumed was I don't know, bugs? Rocks? There’s nothing else there.

As I approached them to ask if they needed help, they were getting into their car already.

“Oh, I guess you found what you were looking for then, huh?”

“Yea, we found it finally! That was a good hiding spot.”

I waved as they drove away, and for 2 years I thought it was some bug collectors’ inside joke.

I hadn’t thought of those two until I was out there looking, just as they did. The coordinates led me to a spot right alongside the building.

I searched and found nothing. No clues, no signs, nothing.

I went back to the website to complain about an incorrect marker. There, in the comments, others shared my frustrations. Their comments were all saying things like, “nothing out there but a few ROCKS” and “I couldn’t find anything until I flipped over some rocks…”

Was I supposed to dig?

I went back out there, this time I was going to move the rocks and dig around under there. I started with the biggest rock first.

To give you an idea of its size, imagine a paper grocery bag, filled. It’s like 2 giant watermelons, like a mannequin torso, it’s a huggable-sized rock.

As I started to roll this big, huggable rock, I was thinking of how strong I was because, wow! that rock was easy to move. Then, I saw why. The other side revealed that most of the rock was missing. I found it!

There was a hole in the rock big enough for a Folger’s tin to fit snugly. I peeled the plastic lid to find a Ziploc Bag with:

a plastic toy soldier
costume jewelry!
6 pennies
a mini baseball
an Oregon Ducks keychain
more costume jewelry

I also found the log with at least 20 names written on it. 3 up from the bottom was ‘John Smith and Kevin Smith’ and the date I must have been working on my car. I really don’t remember their names, but you get the point.

The point is, for years this treasure existed next to my house in a hollowed rock, and I had no idea. I walked back to my house, dripping in the finest of costume jewelry, and I found some trinkets to place into the can.

I was hooked.

For the next few years, I attempted to find other caches nearby. I don’t have a good finding record but it’s always a win out there in the wilderness. And whenever I do find the cache, it makes it that much more rewarding.

On some trips, I get costume jewelry or a keychain. Other days, I can’t find the treasure so I take pictures of cool trees so I don’t feel defeated. The fun is getting out and enjoying some fresh air. The experience of treasure hunting is better than anything I’ve found in any cache tin.

The following picture will show you how successful my last trip was.

The coolest part is when someone wants to go with me on what others might call a nerd trip. Last time, I convinced my Mom to go, and we didn’t find the cache, so I thought I’d never get her to go again. After we got back, she came up with the idea to make our own cache to hide for the world.

So stay tuned for Shelly and Nicole’s Ultimate Geocache Treasure Hunt, it will be amazing.