Geocaching
Wow, it’s October and you know what is just around the corner. It doesn’t matter that we are into a climate change, winter and the snow will arrive. Personally, I love winter and what it brings. Everything looks so clean after the first good drop of the white stuff, some caches can only be found by boat in the summer or by my preference, snowshoes and skis in the winter and who doesn’t like looking for a geocache by following a fresh geotrail? Another benefit to winter is the absence of mosquitoes and wood ticks as well as not worrying about coming across a wasp nest or stepping in poison ivy.
The wildlife is still around though, as it is during all seasons. Even though some hibernate or migrate south there is still a lot that do stay here like the ever present deer and chickadees. No doubt they will watch you find your quarry and log it if you are in certain areas of our province. My wife says that the chickadees help us find difficult caches.
Of course there are some things that don’t stop. Lately, on the events that are posted on the Facebook page, the scam artists are busy. Has anyone noticed the ones that are so upset that they can’t go to the event and are willing to part with their tickets for a reduced price? Tell me, what is more reduced than free? All geocaching events are free but I guess they don’t have time to read everything on the post. What’s next?
Now is a good time for cache owners to do maintenance on their caches as it is much easier now than changing a full log at twenty below. My wife and I have already completed our maintenance and now can relax and concentrate on finding others.
Unfortunately, the Ice Cream Events will come to an end soon and the CITO’s will be difficult to do with too much snow around. There are a few of these still scheduled so get out and take part before it’s too late. Many thanks to those who put on these events during the warmer months.
Make sure to keep an eye on the upcoming events. Deep into winter watch for snowshoe or ski events. Coffee Before Work events are always a great way to start the day and they carry on throughout the winter. There is an e-waste event coming up on the second weekend of this month. The slogan for it is “You can recycle anything with a plug, battery or cable!” and it is a great chance to recycle any electronics you have sitting around that are not being used anymore.
Also coming up quickly, on the 7th of this month, is the Journey with a Friend Zoo Event (GCACXCR). Come early and spend some time visiting the enclosures and displays after signing all the log books. Of course there will be the usual conversations taking place at the sign in table.
If you are part of an organization or group that needs an activity to keep you moving whether fast paced or a more comfortable speed, keep Geocaching in mind. If you are truly interested in finding out more about Geocaching contact me and I am more than willing to come out and discuss the topic with your membership. We can provide training for groups on any part of Geocaching from finding to hiding and are willing to just come out and enjoy a good cup of coffee or tea while discussing the pros and cons of the sport. There is no charge for this as well as the basic membership to Geocaching.com Contact me at the email address below.
I hope to see you either on the trail or at a discussion group talking about geocaching.
Gary Brown is the President of the Manitoba Geocaching Association (MBGA) and can be reached at [email protected].
