Day #177 Geo Grannies n Gramps

Geocaching - the Ultimate Treasure Hunt.
People around the world engage in this activity, and there are good internet sites for it.
I used to always have a Treasure Hunt when the family came down to my cabin, as you see in the picture above, and no one was too young to take part. I hung little notes with the next clue written on them and often put lesser treasures beside each clue leading to the main treasure. This hunt took place in the rain, but no one seemed to mind. I have even had treasure hunts in the house for Easter presents with a small chocolate egg at each clue. Even big kids love them, and we're all a kid at heart.
Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt. People hide and seek treasures, or 'caches', all over the world using items of small or no monetary value at all.
However, most people doing this have their own Global Positioning System - GPS.
go to www.geocaching.com
www.trimble.com/gps/ for learning about GPS tech.
http://ottawageocaching.com
http://michael.lehotay.com/kag/
It now lists caches in more than 200 countries. For those who love to travel, it's the ultimate.
Find the closest caches by entering your postal code. The cache descriptions include the longitude and latitude coordinates, terrain difficulty, clues, pictures, and tips.
Once you find the cache, take an item, leave an item, and then record your find in the logbook. When you return home, log the find on the website.
If you wanted to incorporate cycling, think of doing a caching expedition in Ireland, and then renting a bike and cycling around the periphery of the island on their special trail that skirts the ocean for the most part...1000 miles or more of trail circling Ireland. Or in any country of your dreams. In PEI, you have the Confederation Trail. In England, Haidan's Wall. There's probably a special interest place to cycle for every country to geocache in.

I took the above, in part, from Jy/Aug.'s 55+ magazine article by Tracy Ryan.
Here are some tips she has listed:
Bring a map.
GPS routes are 'as the crow flies' - can be difficult to get a reading in heavy tree cover.
Consider your own physical ability for each hunt.
Let people know where you're going, and/or take a buddy.
Carry a compass and a first-aid kit, maybe candies and granola bars and LOTS of water.
Respect private property.
Record start point so you can find your way back easily.
Parks Canada and Ontario Parks prohibit this activity.
Bring extra batteries. Bring camera.

There's no need to ever feel you're 'retired'.
Get out there and have a barrel of fun.