YAY! My first geocoins came in the mail this week.
What is a geocoin you ask?
Well, a geocoin is a special coin created by individuals or groups of geocachers as a kind of signature item or calling card. Each geocoin is assigned a unique tracking ID which allows them to travel from geocache to geocache or to be passed amongst friends, picking up stories along the way.
How do Geocoins work you ask?
Because each geocoin is assigned a unique tracking number its progress can be tracked online through logs which the finder posts. There are different types of logs which can be made on a geocoin's personal home page, whether for virtually picking up or dropping off the coin, or simply for "discovering" the coin. You have the opportunity to share your thoughts on the geocoin page and to upload any photos associated with it. In addition, by logging a geocoin your online collection will reflect that you found that particular coin.
I ordered two coins from the Wisconsin Geocaching Association. One I plan to keep all for myself, and the other I plan to send off to have an adventure. I'm thinking out west to maybe visit The Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon. Two of my favorite places.
I can't wait until the weather gets a little bit warmer so the journey can begin! :D
I'm fairly new to geocaching. I have only been actively caching since around October of this year. I have been trying to take it easy and figure this game out as I go along. So this weekend I figured out a little more. I found out about winter caching.
Ahhhh snow. I love snow. I have lived in a snow state my whole life. Snow represents the changing of the season. I love watching snow fall on a calm night. I love the way snow blankets the ground and coats the trees. It is beautiful. This weekend though, the snow punished me a little bit.
I decided that since it was going to be a balmy 38 degrees on Saturday that it would be a good way to test my winter caching abilities. One of my favorite places to visit is High Cliff State Park. It is a nice park with lots of hiking trails, camping, rock climbing, horseback riding, and swimming if you dare to venture into Winnebago.
I set out to find all the geocaches that were hidden inside the park. As I pulled into the park I noticed that the season pass lane was blocked off. What the hell? I pulled into the ranger lane and was informed right away that there was a gun hunt going on in the park that day. This meant that half the park was closed. Damn it! The ranger let me know the boundaries and I went in anyway.
All right, so half the caches I was going to get I can't. No biggie, still others I can attempt. High Cliff was still blanketed in snow from the previous Monday's storm. Not a ton, but enough to cover my feet as I was walking. Why I thought that my hiking shoes were going to keep my feet completely warm and dry as I am hiking around through the snow is beyond me. I was obviously cache-crazy that day or something. My feet were so damn cold and wet! They stayed that way for the half-hour plus ride home, the visit at the parent's house, and the quick bite to eat with the fam. Yay fun.
Any way, I ended up logging four finds for the day, took in some nice scenery, got some fresh air, and got a lesson in the importance of proper footwear. It was a good day. :)
Geese near the lake.
Frozen Winnebago.
