A treasure hunt, the high-tech way
Geocaching is family fun, but it requires various skills and provides unexpected rewards.
from the July 16, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
Taking a break to enjoy the scenery, we thought about what drew our family to this form of recreation. Karen Larson, a veteran cacher who was with us that day, extolled the benefits of geocaching: "As a single person, it allowed me to expand my circle of friends. I had to grow and learn new things (like how to use a GPS). It also helped me get back in shape while fighting a chronic illness."
I reflected upon the fact that geocaching is truly a thinking-person's sport. Yes, intelligence helps (MENSA membership not required), but in reality there are three traits necessary for successful caching: deductive reasoning skills, excellent problem-solving ability, and tenacity (which is often why kids make such great cachers.)
As our morning's adventure drew to a close, we made our way back down the mountain. It was nice knowing where we were going, but the return trip was lackluster in comparison with our ascent in quest for treasure.
What is it about the uncertainty and anticipation of seeking an enigmatic cache that draws people of all backgrounds to this activity?
In many ways, geocaching mirrors our daily lives. While we can sometimes find pleasure in the routine, pure unadulterated joy is often more elusive. Geocachers are able to take risks, break through boundaries, and reach new pinnacles of personal achievement.
Each newly discovered cache is a celebration of fortitude, determination, and resolve.
Sherlock Holmes would no doubt have excelled at geocaching. I can image him – GPS in hand – scouring the moors around the Baskerville estate in search of an elusive clue-in-a-cache.
For the rest of us, however, we need but remember that in the realm of geocaching, the whole world truly is our oyster and every cache, a waiting-to-be-discovered pearl.
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