Snacking on the Trail
If you’re like us, we hit the trail for multiple geocaches. Fortunately, the hiders accommodate us. We can hike a trail and grab several geocaches along the way. When you hike, it’s important to stay hydrated and maintain energy levels. Welcome to National Trail Mix Day!
I’ve become quite the connoisseur of trail mix. You have to, as a geocacher. You’re hiking for maybe hours at a time. Trail mix is a handy snack to keep your blood sugar levels at a good level. Nuts form the basis of a good trail mix. They provide fat, an easily digestible source of energy. They will help keep you feeling sated.
Dried fruits form the bulk of the mix. This is where you can be creative. Add dried bananas, cranberries, coconut flakes, whatever your heart desires. Include the treats you’ll enjoy for a flavorful mix which will fuel the hunt.
Trail mixes are the snack of choice while geocaching. Take this day to celebrate the food that fuels your geocaching.
St. Croix Geocaching
It’s a funny thing when you start geocaching. A vacation is not only a chance to get away, but it is also a chance to find new geocaches, hidden by geocachers whose technique of which you are not familiar. Such was our St. Croix geocaching trip.
I had been experiencing the most awful wanderlust. I had to get away or I was going to strike out on my own. One advantage of the freelance lifestyle, BTW.
Our trip to the St. Croix River illustrates our crazy obsession with geocaching. The night was absolutely sultry. It was so hot and humid that all you had to do was sit to break out into a sweat. It was truly miserable. Yet, despite the weather, there we were geocaching.
We only picked up two geocaching. The weather even at sunset was unbearable. Even sitting as we searched for a micro was an effort. Despite the weather, the scenery and the geocaching made it a trip to remember. My wanderlust is temporarily abated. I’m sure I’ll be scouting out the geocaches before our next trip.
Watch Your Impact on Water Resources
We love the opportunity to grab those 5 terrain caches which usually mean a boat trip. On the water, you become more aware of water quality issues. After all, you’re boating in it, you’re swimming in it. If your caching takes you to an island, you see the effect on shorelines. Welcome to National Water Quality Month!
I love the water. Geocaching which takes me on the water or near the shores is heaven on Earth for me. We recently had an opportunity to view the St. Croix River in Wisconsin up close and personal. We walked a shoreline trail, looking for geocaches.
This river is breathtaking. The water is incredibly clear for a river. The sandy beaches are as inviting as any lakeshore. One has to thank the management of this resource. Much of the shoreline is wetlands or wooded. The vegetation protects the river from runoff.
When you experience the beauty of Nature, you perhaps are more likely to take ownership of its quality. Here is my challenge to you. Save your aquatic resources. Do not dump any household cleaners, engine oil, or other chemicals down your sink, in the creek, or down the sewer. Take care of the precious resource which makes life possible.
Celebrate Clean Water
You don’t have to geocache too long before you run into litter, pollution, and water quality issues. Unfortunately, you get a bird’s-eye view of what makes litter so repulsive. August is a time to raise awareness about the importance of safe water. Welcome to National Water Quality Month!
It’s easy to take water for granted. You turn the faucet, water comes out. You buy bottled water. You drink a glass of water when dining out. It’s all about trust. The important thing to realize is that you have a role in keeping water safe and potable.
You need to drink 2.5 quarts of water per day to stay healthy, according to the EPA. That means the water you drink must be safe and free of contaminants. The fact you need to bear in mind is that what you dump into the river or pour down the drain affects the quality of the water you drink.
The majority of American rely on water from surface water. How you treat the water and the surrounding area determines the water quality. So, when you spill engine oil in the drive or pour the rest of the paint thinner down the drain, you are directly impacting the water you drink. It behooves you then to pay attention to your impact on water resources. You may very likely be impacting your own health.
Make Geocaching a Day
One of the best things about geocaching is that it gets you outside. You explore new places, get some exercise. It’s all good. To get the most out of your geocaching, why not make it a day? Welcome to National Picnic Month!
Since you are probably in a park already, why not add to the enjoyment of the day by planning a picnic? You can easily tote along a pre-made lunch or maybe you can find a place along the way to get some take-out. Either way, you can enhance your experience outdoors by experiencing it when you are not on the hunt for a geocache.
Alternatively, you can pack some meat for the grill and let it marinade while you geocache. Whatever way, you are making your geocaching trip more of an adventure. Just be sure and plan carefully for safe storage of any food you bring along. Bon appetit!
Grabbing a 5 Terrain Cache
One of the great things about boating is being able to grab those 5 terrain caches that may be inaccessible other times of the year.
My husband and I love to boat. Boating is a summer passion for us. I have to admit that our summer geocaching wanes because of the boat. Mojitos on the boat win out against ticks, poison ivy, and geocaches.
We set out to grab some caches on an island in the lake. Normally, it is a bit of a party destination. The patrol boats have no problem with handing out the dreaded BWI, boating while intoxicated. We prefer to boat places less conspicuous.
The first cache took us down a crumbling asphalt trail. Fortunately, the path wandered through a wooded area, giving us a welcome relieve from the sun. We quickly made the grab and headed onto the next.
The second cache was guarded by a mature bald eagle in the tree where the cache undoubtedly was located. We opted to move to the next cache to avoid disturbing the eagle.
As we headed to the third cache, it became abundantly clear that our boating sense did not help the geo-sense. We walked the island with no insect repellent or covered-toe shoes. Why would you need either one while boating?
It also started to get very warm. On the boat, we’d just jump in the water. On land, you just have to deal with it. The heat became too oppressive. We aborted our caching and headed for the water.
We took a good lesson away from our experience. If you boat and cache, make sure you prepare like a geocacher.
Facing the Challenges of the Outdoors
We have just returned from our annual trip to Door County, Wisconsin. Lots of stories which I will share in future posts. Today, I want to discuss the elements.
We head to Door County the first weeks of June. Spring has still a lot of roaring to do this time of year, but work obligations force our choice. To be honest, I don’t mind the weather. It adds a bit of excitement to camping outdoors.
As I’m always reminded during the first rainy days, performance clothing such as North Face is definitely needed. You can’t face blinding rain without the proper clothing, nor can you skip taking a hike or going geocaching just because it’s raining. I recall a quote by the writer Colette who began each day with a walk. The reporter asked her what she did if it rained. Her response was, “I walk in the rain.” Brilliant!
If you’re looking for a waterproof, lightweight jacket to get you through the wilds of early summer or anytime when Nature has her say, than the North face resolve jacket can’t be beat. This is North Face’s answer to Gore-Tex. Their material is both waterproof and breathable.
For me, those two qualities are imperative, especially during the warmer times of the year. The last thing you want while geocaching or just taking a pleasant walk in the woods is to be uncomfortable. Waterproof is one thing, but breathability makes the walk pleasant.
What I like about North Face is all the little features developed obviously by people that trek outdoors. I like big pockets for caring my wallet, my smartphone, and other necessities. I want my hood to fit tight so I don’t have to wear a hat underneath. North Face has all of these. Not convinced? Check out this video for more info. Until then, cache on!
