The Daily Geocacher...

At Indian Springs metropark in White Lake, Mi

Starting in the month of June I began the lofty goal of nabbing a cache every day for the month of June. Not so challenging now that I travel 32 miles to work daily. This would have been a task if I was still working in Ann Arbor (less than 15 minutes away from home). I've settled for those quick "park & grabs" during lunch hours or virtual caches on the way home, while still going to the metroparks on the weekends which I prefer. I got into geocaching for several reasons, and daily geocaching for statistical purposes was not one of them. It can be consuming if you let it, but I figured that I would succumb to the pressure for this month and still go geocaching periodically on the weekends with the cache kids...like we intended when we began this adventure. 

Spotted a snapping turtle on the trails at Indian Springs

 

Lately, I've been bitten by the "Metroparks Geocaching Adventure 2013" series at the local Huron-Clinton Metroparks in southeast Michigan. There are 13 total in this series with a prize for completing them by December. So far I have 7 of these caches with 6 left to go. Each cache has a code on the inner lid to collect. When all of the codes are collected, you are prompted to send them in to redeem your prize. Here is a link, if you're interested in completing this challenge.  

https://sites.google.com/site/geocachingadventure2013/

Running through the meadow at Wolcott Mill Metropark

New Boardwalk at Lake St. Clair metropark

 

 

Just a few things to keep in mind... when geocaching

1. Do not endanger yourself or others 

   

   The cache kids on the trail

2. Observe all laws & rules of the area 
3. Respect property rights and seek permission where appropriate 
4. Avoid causing disruptions or public alarm 
5. Minimize my and others' impact on the environment 
6. Be considerate of others
7. Protect the integrity of the game pieces 
   
   
   This is the general etiquette that a geocacher should follow when placing or searching for a cache. It's a part of the "Geocachers Creed", the document which is generally recognized as a guide book for those who partake in this great outdoor activity. Here is a link to the full details of this document if you are interested. http://www.geocreed.info/
   
   
   In my short career in this hobby, I've come across many types of containers, locations and people, and I look forward what's around the corner. Keep in mind, that I haven't gone "FANATIC" as of yet. I still have maintained a bit of sanity when it comes to geocaching. What I mean is, I don't have to get a smiley each day of the week, month or year. I don't have to find every cache within a 50 mile radius, I still pick and choose what, where and when I do this. There have been areas that I just won't go to look and have passed up an opportunity because I felt that these areas weren't interesting enough. But all that aside, I enjoy finding new parks, trails or fun places that I would have never have gone had I not been looking for a geocache. I love the creative hides, the letterbox hybrids, the virtual caches and sometimes even a well hidden multi-cache. This weekend is mother's day weekend, and I may have to suspend this hobby for the sake of my wife sanity. Although she does enjoy hunting with me at times,I think that she wants the girls and I around her to celebrate...but I could be wrong. 
   
   
   Happy Hunting Everyone!
   
   

In the Woods

Me and thee Fire Barn in York Township, MI

Geocaching has been a way of being out in nature with my girls and doing something fun outside of the house. We are all excited for the warmer temperatures and favorable weather so that we can go on more adventures and to find more fun places. I recently read in a blog about someone doing something very similar, so I'm sharing the link that proved the 5 reasons you and your family should also explore the world of geocaching.
http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2013/04/five-reasons-you-should-try-geocaching.html?m=1 

Old Milan Fire Barn and Trackable Exchange

 

 

 

Recently I was inspired by a recent geocache find and so I set out to find the perfect cache container that would be very similar. Since my handy man skills are sub par, I decided to search out specialty or hand crafted bird boxes but I could not find the ones that matched my inspiration. So instead of continuing my search, I reached out to the original creator to see if he could lend a hand in making a container replicating the old Milan fire barn and it also being based off of the idea of this container being a trackable hub. Dave&Mary would soon make this idea a reality and accepted the challenge and only doing it for the love of geocaching. I would cover the materials and expenses and they would be the craftsman's  Here is some of the pictures of the project as it being made as well as the final project. 

 

Project is underway

chimney and peak are added

Primed

Project completed!

 

 

Creative Cache Containers



Custom bird house

Custom bird house

 



The bird house shown above is the handy work of Dave and Mary, fellow geocachers that I've been in contact with recently. I like thier work so much that we are collaborated on another custom box that I will soon be placing in the Milan area. The St John's bird house is favorited by many!

 

 

 

 

35mm film canister tucked into a ceramin rabbit in a meadow.

 

Where's the cache???

Do you see the cache?????

Found it!

Full cache container.

The Silo

Hidden cache near the Silo

LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve

 Trails wind throughout wetlands, meadows, agricultural lands, and, of course, wonderfully preserved LeFurge Woods to allow visitors some of the best wildlife viewing in the Detroit-Ann Arbor region.

My favorite caches are in well hidden areas with views like this.

Short Hike to the cache in a nearby nature preserve

Almost there!

Success! The cache kids strike again!

Parker Mill park in Ann Arbor was a fun time. Cache was in the wooded area just beyond the cabin. The girls and I enjoyed the short search and the time spent while in the park that day. Nearby a family and their photographer were taking pictures with cabin as a backdrop. 

Here is the link to the park if you are interested in checking it out. 

http://michigantrailmaps.com/Washtenaw/ParkerMill/ParkerMill.html

Log cabin at the park

The Old Mill

Enjoying the outdoors

The cache kids

Under the bridge at Geddes road.