It's Geo-FEVR

So I'm sitting at work and I've heard my buddies talk about this before and think, its sounds cool. Then they talk about it again some more and I start asking questions this time. "This Geocaching is going on all over the place you say?" People equipped with a GPS device, go to a web site and find the location to a hidden Cache (Treasure) at remote location and then head out to discover what is inside.

"Yes! and they are all over and in every park near you.", is the reply that I get to my question. So I say, "No way, your joking". So we pull up Geocaching.Com and punch in the zip code and take a look at the map. My jaw drops as I see all the parks near my house have at least one ore more of these hidden treasures. I'm just in surprise to think that something like this is as big and wide spread.

So as you can see in a sample of what to find in DFW alone, this is a pretty huge activity taking place in our own backyards so to speak. If I went deeper into one of the cities more would pop up on the screen. Clearly enough treasure to keep the busiest of treasure hunters busy for many days to come. In fact people go on trips to places and search for treasures in other locations and this takes place on a global scale as well.

A little bit about the treasures and how it works. In most cases the items you find are tiny little trinkets and this is more of a trade for trade system. The idea is to have fun looking and trying to find these locations. Once you arrive you have to start searching and trying to find something that is hidden and looks like its part of the location. When you have found the hidden treasure, you sign a log in most cases and that is cool as well, to see how many people have come before you. Last you select a small trinket and leave a small trinket in its place for the next group of hunters.

Ok, I'm hooked at this point and decide to start researching what it takes to get started. My daughter is excited and wants to find treasure and my wife is even on board. We start to look at GPS units and want to start searching. My wife mentions to me about a low-tech version called Letterboxing and where people just leave directions to the location, this was for those who don't want to spend money on a GPS and is more in line with the days before GPS devices as well. Sure enough this has a huge following as well and we decide to give some of those a try, at least till we can get a GPS and really start hunting.

The idea with Letterboxing is you still search, but you keep a log book and bring a stamp & inkpad with you. At the treasure location you will find a log book and a stamp. You will make your entry and stamp the treasure log and then use the stamp at the location to stamp your book with your find. People carve their own stamps in a lot of cases. Its not as hi-tech as Geocaching, but some of these are hybrids and show up in both. The better the directions, the easier to find the location. Granted GPS will get you in most cases, with in 10 feet of your prize, but you still will need to look.

The last thing I came across is called Bookcrossing and this is where you Read a Book, Register on the Site, and then Release the book for others to find. Some of these items are turning up in the Geocache locations as well. You take the book, read it and then pass it on after logging its find on the site.

The best thing about the whole sport, is it gets you outside and you exercise your mind and body. Plus its fun seeing your little ones eyes light up as they find the treasure hidden out in the parks. You can spend as little or as much money as you want, but the rewards in the end, I don't think a value can be really set. Happy hunting if you decide to join in.

Team F.E.V.R.