Geocaching

I only started seriously hiking a few years ago and what really got me out there on the trails was geocaching. Now I know most hikers just groan when they hear that the person they are with geo caches. I don't blame them. However I do try to keep the two seperate and don't cache when hiking with a group.
It began when I was given a  hand held gps. I had heard about caching and logged onto the site. Well within a few months I was totally addicted. The best thing about caching is how it has gotten me out on the trails. I have gone places I never would have years ago because I just didn't know they existed. Now I look at the map, see a patch of caches and know that there must be a trail there.
I do try and do some serious hiking and have managed to explore many hills and parks here on the island and a few in other places but mostly I geocache with a couple of friends.
In three years I have found over 600 caches, some most just regular plastic containers, some in little tiny tubes. Thankfully some folks are very creative in their cache building which really adds some entertainment to the hike.

The attic of this house was full of keys and one was to find the correct key to open the door!

A few weekends ago I was up in Comox and my geocaching friend and I went to Seal Bay Park. It is a beautiful park located very close to the town. It is full of many pathways all very well marked and all very level. We were not looking for elevation on this day. The trails are open to all but certain trails allow for horses and bikes.It's a great place to bring the family.




Lovely trails in among the forested land

We spent three hours in the park and only managed to cover half of it. Mind you we were stopping along the way looking for some treasures. The caches were lots of fun especially those placed by one person. You just never know what you may find.



The hanging vulture!



We did manage to find quite a few differnt styles before we headed down to the beach for our lunch. If I hadn't started caching I would never have found all these beautiful places out in nature.

Beautiful views at the beach along with a seal or two.

I can't wait to go back and do the other half of the park as I am sure there are a few more fun caches to be found.



A snowman in summer?

And a reindeer too!

Caching may not be for everyone but it certainly is good family outdoor entertainment and I can't wait til my grandchildren are old enough to go exploring for treasure boxes with Nana! It's not just the caching, it is showing them all of the beautiful places on this island. They already hike being carried in packs but won't they be surprised when their a few years older and they find a snowman in the middle of summer!