Somehow, when you're out in the woods looking for treasure, time just flies by. We've easily lost track of several hours at a time. But we end up finding hidden pieces of the forest we would never see otherwise.
Below? This is actually a geocache. It quite alarmed Paul when he found this rat hidden amongst the rocks. The belly of him was hollowed out, and inside was a teeny tiny geocache. Just big enough to sign your name on a slip of paper to mark that you'd found him. Of course the rat is now a favorite of ours.
A long lost ruin, deep in the woods in the mountains. This used to be part of a radio tower I think.
The mysterious car that is on the side of a mountain just off the hiking trail. No road nearby. Who knows how it wound up there.
Painted rocks seem to be all the rage right now, and we found our first on top of a trail sign. It's a little Yoshi. We rehid it.
An interesting caterpillar. Look at those colors! I was fearful to touch him with all those spikes.
Sorting through the trinkets, looking for things to trade. This cache was under the faux rock formation to the left.
...I've heard of this, but have never given it a try.
ReplyDeleteBack when the kids were little, we did a lot of geocaching. Of course, in the DFW metromess, there are a lot of caches... Haven't gone geocaching in a long time though. Have you ever tried Munzee? Same idea, but not toy driven. Just scanning barcodes instead. Not as much fun, but faster.
ReplyDeleteYou find great things for the boys to do! And, as a family I can't think of anything more fun. :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
What do you find inside of the caches?
ReplyDeleteI learned something new today, because I have never heard of this! Is there some kind of group that does this, and how do you know where to look? It is an awesome way to get people outside in nature! I love that little dinosaur rock, and what a cute place they hid it in. But the thing is, your journey found more treasures than a Geocache ever would!
ReplyDeleteas a family I can't think of anything more fun. :)
ReplyDeleteหีฟิต
You know, Lisa, M and I have seen those little painted rocks in odd places as we walk around the hiking trail at the small lake. I never had a clue what they were about, but I bet that's what it is, they are geocache targets for the smaller kids.
ReplyDeleteLearning to use a GPS is a great skill, and clearly from your pictures it takes you to some fascinating places. I bet you have to develop your field craft as well, though your family is well versed in that area already.
When I worked at that senior program at the state park, geocaching was really huge with adults. Some of them were nice people but some of them got so wrapped up in the geocache hunt that they would get ugly if they couldn't find the targets!
We are friends with a family who love to do this. We haven't tried it, though.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, that looks like my Io moth caterpillar. They hurt!
ReplyDeleteYou folks have so much fun. I nearly got into geocaching, then lost the bug. I adore you and your family!
No, I've heard of it but I've never tried it. The rat thing is unsettling!
ReplyDeleteI've never been but I have a nephew who takes his family often. I think it's a great way to get the family out for quality time and exercise. I think the painted rock concept is pretty neat too.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a lot of fun to me!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of this. We've never done it, but it looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a caterpillar like this one before.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I get the urge to come visit your blog.
It's always the biggest reward - finding what terrific thing you and your family are doing.
What a gift.
Thank you.
This is why I love reading blogs! There is so much to learn. I didn't know anything about geocaches, but now I want to find one. Your kids look like they had/are having a blast. How cool to be on a "real life" treasure hunt!
ReplyDeleteI have heard about this several times but have never tried it... Looks like so much fun --especially for the kids --big ones and little ones... ha
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy