Travel Bugs

What are they, you ask?

Travel bugs are objects that travel from cache to cache and are tracked on geocaching.com to see where they have visited.

Here’s a clip about a travel bug’s journey around the world:

What do you think?

Have you ever found and tracked a travel bug? Leave a comment and let me know!

Urban vs. Nature

Not all geocaches are created equal.

If you live in a high-populated city, it’s likely that urban geocaches are up your alley. However, if you live in a small, secluded town, most geocaches are found deep in the forest or on mountain trails. There are specific containers, terrains, and creativity that comes with either an urban or a nature cache and there are specific clues that you should look for during your hunt.

ErikaJean

The Urban Cache:

• Usually a small container
• Sometimes can be magnetic that is attached to electrical boxes, fences, or road signs
• Blends in very well with its environment
• You must act natural during the hunt so non-geocachers don’t think you’re up to something suspicious
• Usually found in parking lots, public parks or near buildings

The Nature Cache:

A cache found deep in the forest of Clear Creek, PA.

• Usually a larger container
• Mostly found under a pile of rocks or in a tree
• Do not have to worry about “muggles” or non-geocachers
• Brings you to a beautiful or interesting place

After gaining some experience with finding urban and nature geocaches, it will become easier to decide what kind of finds you enjoy or which ones you find more difficult.

For more information on geocache containers, or if you are interested in buying a custom geocache container, you can visit the Cache Box Store .

What do you think?

Which kind of geocaching do you prefer to hunt? Which kind of geocaching is more challenging to you? Leave a comment and let me know!

Geocaching Jargon

In the geocaching world, acronyms are used online to describe a geocaching experience, issue or suggestion to the cache owner. As a beginner, there will be terms that you might be unaware of. It is crucial to learn these terms because they can help immensely when you want to look up information on a specific cache you’re looking for.

Basic Geocaching Acronyms:

• BYOP- Bring your own Pen/Pencil. Some micro geocaches are too small to store a writing utensil and will be helpful to bring one with you to sign the logbook inside of the cache.
• DNF- Did Not Find. If a geocacher could not find the geocache, they will write this acronym on the cache site to alert the cache owner that it may have disappeared.
• FTF- First To Find. When a new geocache is submitted online, geocachers compete to see who can find the geocache first and be the first person to sign the log. Sometimes, the cache owner will leave money in the cache and whoever finds it first will take the money.
• Muggle- A non-geocacher.
• TFTC- Thanks For The Cache. This common acronym is used when geocachers log their find.
• TNSL-Took Nothing. Signed Logbook.

Visit the Geocaching Glossary for more information!

What do you think?

Do you use acronyms in your log entries? What other geocaching acronyms are out there? Leave a comment and let me know!

The Thrill of the Hunt

A geocache in Butler, PA

Geocaches are everywhere. We probably walk by them everyday without even knowing they exist. In my opinion, they serve one important purpose: To stop and realize the little things in life.

When I go geocaching, there are a few things I keep in mind:

1. Don’t look obvious. Wandering around aimlessly with a GPS in front of your face can make you look suspicious to non-geocachers (aka “Muggles”). If you’re searching in a high-populated area, you must be stealthy and act natural.

2. It’s not about what you find. The trinkets and logbook that are stashed inside a geocache are fun to look at, but that’s not the reason I enjoy geocaching. It’s about the thrill of hunting for buried treasure, and the satisfaction of the find.

3. Relax and enjoy your surroundings. Geocaching is meant to share beautiful,scenic views with others who want to experience your favorite places. After finding the cache you’ve worked hard to find, take a moment to look around and enjoy the destination.

A geocache in Butler, PA

New to Geocaching?

Here are some things you’ll need:

• A pen or pencil to sign logbooks
• Sneakers
• Plenty of water
• Trade items to leave inside a geocache

That’s it! So what are you waiting for? Get outside and start exploring!

What do you think?

What items do you bring when you go geocaching? Leave a comment and let me know!