|
A thank you to kids who cache! |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by Chris Mackey
|
|
Wednesday, 20 March 2013 07:18 |
|
It's been too long since I've written an article for the front page as I realize I'm still seeing a picture of the kids in the late fall. I'd love to write a welcome to the first days of spring article, but as we all know by looking out the window Mother Nature is giving us the cold shoulder right now. I've been feeling a little lackadaisical about getting of the nice comfy couch with the warm fleece blanket, putting down my coffee and lacing up for a hike. Thank goodness for five year olds that all changed on Saturday.
Paws surprised me with his answer when I questioned him about what he'd like to do over pancakes. His usual Saturday morning response is watching cartoons, staying home and relaxing. It's almost distressing how much he likes to "take a day off" like going to preschool is stressing him out - lol. So when he asked if we could go caching I actually paused and said the weathermen were calling for snow. He said he didn't care so I said if he could handle it, I could and we might just have to dig a little. He laughed and went to go find his boots.
We gathered our swagbags and water bottles, loaded up fresh coords and headed out. Called Fox from the road and to our surprise he wasn't working, had his little Fox wanting to get outside and mom needed a few hours away from the two of them for studying so serendipity was on our side and ten minutes later Fox & the Hound and kids are off to find a cache!
Of couse after about 60 seconds we were being tortured with the usual onslaught every caching parent has come to expect. "Are we there yet? How much farther? Is it a big cache? How hard is it? Are we there yet? Does it have toys in it? Can I have some chocolate? Where's my drink? Are we there yet?" Oy, the joy - lol.
As we arrived at the first parking spot, the kids bolt from the car, start chasing each other in circles and finally run screaming into the woods to look for treasure. A short walk later, a few flipped stones and a lot of renewed shouting a screaming we uncover a cache! Life is good, the kids are comparing what they want to take and what to leave. Of course one of them has to decide the logbook is "the best treasure" and we agree, but not because you can use it to draw pretty pictures in ;)
We sign in, trade up and head back to the car with a brief renewed frenzy of tag, screaming, shouting, laughing and tickling. Maybe chocolate wasn't the BEST idea? Onward we go...
"Are we there yet? Is it a big one? How much.........." I'll save my energy from writing it all down again. Next cache was a bust having been in need of maintenance for almost two years, but we did get to throw rocks into waterfalls, search around, get dirty, fall down a few times and play a bit more tag. The kids are having fun, we're only slightly frozen, completely dirty and snowy, but that's okay because we know there's another cache right around the corner!
The next cache is a guardrail c&d and while I worried the kids would be disappointed, they were actually very happy to make the find because they each had a chance to write their own name in the log. Off we go to another one!
The next one is a nice big locknlock and the kids make the find all by themselves. Treasure abounds, snow is dropping in earnest and we all huddle together in a circle to keep the snow from falling inside. We log in, make some trades and as the snow is really coming down now we're off to the bakery for donuts, cookies and hot coffee before heading home to celebrate our victorious day of treasure seeking.
At the end of the day I looked back and realized how lucky I've been to have discovered caching. I'm fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family who love it, too. It's so easy to sit on the couch and wait for the warm days of spring, but so much more rewarding to add a day full of joy with the kids, laughter in my ears and muddy footprints in the floorboards of the cachemobile. Thank you to wonderful kids who cache. Thank you kids for reminding us why we love to get outside and play. Thank you for getting me off the couch, getting me outdoors and getting me planning next weekend for more adventure.
|
|
Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 March 2013 07:32 |
|
Written by Chris Mackey
|
|
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 06:56 |
|
- AllieGator and Paws taking to the trail in Pittston for a 4/4.
The summer is sadly past it's prime now as the school doors open to another year of shaping young minds and the leaves begin to reveal their petticoats. After a spring that couldn't seem to find its way and a summer than came in a furious burst of heat we're finally heading back into my very favorite time of year... Autumn!!! Cooler breezes offer respite and encourage longer treks into the woods. Shorter days make me pick up my pace to hurry to get it all in before the winter arrives. Fall was made for geocachers who love to get outdoors. Less bugs, blossoming color, cooler temps and crisp air in the early hours are calling.
Sadly, this summer has been a slack time of caching for myself. I have cached, I have traveled, but I've done a lot more events and running than just hitting the trail by myself. I think the weeks ahead may put me back on the path I love though. The fall is here and while I may have to hit the trail in the dark to get in a hike before the workday, it will be worth the effort if I can just drag along my coffee cup. Kayaking during the sunrise is more likely now even if the water is colder, but I do love the foggy mists rising off the water in the morning. I'm really looking forward to recharging my geo-senses this fall.
So I hope to see you out there on the trail, too. Don't forget to take your camera! Wildlife is in a furious rush now to get things ready for the cooler days ahead and you'll never have more opportunities to catch a glimpse of the rare than in the fall. Get it all in now before the rain, the sleet and the snow slow our caching pace.
Ode To Fall
The suns heat no longer scorches,
Leaves turn from green to brown,
Fall is soon approaching,
Leaves scatter to the wind and ground.
Wind changes direction,
The Bee's don't seem to care,
They turn aggravated and tormented,
As the summer breeze turns to fall's cool air.
Squirrels building homes,
Paper and leaves crammed in their mouth,
Birds in open skies do roam,
Making their way back to the south.
Butterflies in final flight,
The wind allows them to glide,
Dragonflies till the dusk of night,
Fall's here - Summer we bid goodbye.
- Annalee (Lei Lei) Hopkins 8/29/2011
|
|
Last Updated on Monday, 17 September 2012 08:14 |
|
|
Written by Chris Mackey
|
|
Wednesday, 28 March 2012 09:00 |
|
 In like a lamb...
Well we all know the old saying "In like a Lion, out like a Lamb" and it's vice versa. I write this as a freezing drizzle just started roaring down seconds ago outside the window. We were treated to an early warm up and now the temps are dropping again. It's not all bad though as I see pictures posted of new adventures cachers are sharing and warm weather on it's way back soon enough.
As we start finding ourselves on the trail more and more we remind each other to be prepared for the hazards of the trail. Sunblock, Bug Spray (yep, the ticks are back!), Water, an Emergency Poncho along with other prepatory items are great, but don't forget the single best piece of safety is information. Let your loved ones know where you're heading out to. If you change your destination, leave a voicemail or text to let someone know. Go caching with a friend if you can, but just stay in touch with the world while you're out "escaping" for an afternoon (especially if you're going with young children!!). Review your emergency plan with your kids and caching partners, too. Let people know if you have any medical condition they should be aware of like allergies. Something as simple as eating your trail mix and not realizing the person you're with is highly allergic to it could ruin a great afternoon.
Think first, have a plan and be safe out there friends! Enjoy the return of longer days and more caches to be found :)
|
|
Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 March 2012 09:14 |
|
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 1 of 2 |
