Geocaching and Homeland Security

I was alerted to this article by a fellow reader of one of my favorite message boards. I don't really blame folks for being suspicious of someone skulking around a bridge, trying to place a mysterious object on it without being spotted (holding a GPS, to boot). I'm actually surprised that I haven't been questioned at airport security, considering the last several air trips I've made, I've had three GPS units in my carry-on.

I just hope no one decides that geocaching ought to be banned. I also hope that the example in the linked article shows people that there can be a logical explanation for all sorts of "suspicious" behavior and that we ought not to jump to conclusions.

Geocaching Out East

Dan and I spent a second consecutive Saturday hunting for Tupperware in the woods. Last Saturday, we were mostly in the Flanders/Hampton Bays area and found five caches. This Saturday, we were in Southampton. On our previous expedition, Dan and I were a little tweaked that some of the caches we put on our itinerary were of the "cache and dash" variety that required a hike of only a fraction of a mile. This time out, though, I made sure to check the maps carefully to find some with lengthier hikes involved, so we were able to get in several miles of hiking.

Forgot to take pictures this time, but I promise I'll take some next weekend, providing the weather holds out.

Geocaching, Anyone?

Been too cold for 'caching in recent weeks, but with the sunny weather and the temperature hovering above freezing, I'm thinking Saturday might be a good day to go out. (Provided it's not raining, of course.) Looking for a cache under a foot of snow sucks, but it looks like most of the snow is melting. Anyone interested in going? If so, email me at Tom at Hespos.com.

'Caching in Cheesequake

Leslie and I took Sunday off to go geocaching in New Jersey. I fueled up the vette and met her at her place in Hoboken early on Sunday morning. After a brief stop at a Denny's in NJ ("Moons over My Hammy, please...") we went to Cheesequake State Park, where we found three caches and hiked for what seemed like forever. Along the way, we spotted some whitetail deer, swatted away many creepy crawlies and got plenty of exercise.

Our handheld GPS devices seemed to have quite a bit of trouble (more than usual) with getting a signal through the tree canopy. I don't remember this ever being much of a problem on prior trips, but it was definitely a problem in Cheesequake.

Anyway, we had a great time, and I need to do more 'caching so I can get my exercise and my nature kick taken care of in one fell swoop.