Geocaching

We learned a few weeks ago about a new "puzzle" cache in the McDowell Nature Preserve. A puzzle cache involves finding multiple other caches in order to get clues which reveal the location of the main cache. This one has a spider theme. There are 8 "legs" you have to find in order to get the final cache. The 8 legs are located off the trails throughout the park. Each one is a small "bison tube" which is about the size of Maddux's pinky finger, and not even that long. Think AAA battery. Definitely a nice challenge!

I knew we'd have to plan these out a bit. We'd need to know which trail to be on and such, since the GPS and "as the crow flies" isn't necessarily going to work well in the woods. We had a trail map from there so I was able to look at where the caches were online and figure out which trails they were on and mark the general locations on the map.

We went out last Sunday thinking we'd hit just a couple of them. We were fairly familiar with one of the trails behind the nature center so we started there. All we knew was we were looking for this small bison tube zip-tied to a tree. Let me tell you it was hard! We spent probably 20 minutes looking around high and low. The GPS was only partially helpful... the tree cover really hinders it's abilities. It was only getting us to within about 30 ft which is really huge when you're looking for something so tiny! We actually gave up on it and set out for a different one. We figured once we found one, we'd know what the bison tube looked like for sure (exact size and color) and we'd have an idea of how he had them attached. The next one only required about 5 minutes of looking and then I found it! He has them tucked away so you can't see them from the trail at all. But when you get behind them they're a bit easier. After that we went back to the first one and were able to find it after another 15 minutes or so of searching. I found it again! :)

The kids were having a lot of fun and we were feeling a high from finding these challenging hides. So we went on! We ended up finding 5 of the 8 legs. The last one really wore us all out, plus we were getting hungry. We had drinks but we hadn't packed any snacks since we didn't think we'd be out so long. We ended up being out for 3 1/2 hours! We did spend a little time down by the water and the kids got to play on the playground while I went off and found one by myself.

I have been anxiously awaiting the last 3 legs. One of them will be fairly easy. The other two are off the most remote trails in the park. It'll be at least a 1 1/2 mile hike, which shouldn't be too bad. I'm sure we hiked a lot farther than that last week. And the map says we should see some large wildlife too, which would be fun. As long as it's not a bobcat! :) I about peed my pants one day when I was going after a cache in a wooded area and something was coming at me through the undergrowth, and cutting me off from Kevin in the van. I was scared silly that it was some crazed dog or bobcat and wondering what I would do. It sounded like it was "stalking" me. I gave a good yelp when it finally bounded out in front of me... turns out it was a baby deer. LOL

Anyway, I think we're going to go after them tomorrow as long as it's not rainy. Wish us luck! We were the First-to-Find on 4 of the 5 we found, and so far only one other has been found. I'd love to get the final cache first as well!