We sifted through the website information, researched the on-line maps, studied the terrain, donned winter-survival gear, packed a week's worth of lunches, and left emergency instructions in the event we got lost. Looking at each other, we nodded in agreement; Team Padama was ready!
We headed out the door with gps in hand. The coordinates were entered, a direction was indicated, and off we went in search of our first treasure location!
Magnum took the point postion and led us unerringly into the deep woods, towards the little flag marker on our GPS screen. The overhanging tree branches wreaked a bit of havoc with the signal, resulting in some false readings. But after we'd cleared several (wrong) spots out, we managed to locate - Ta Da! - our first Geocache!!
Buried deep in the snow, under a large fallen tree...
Patty, digging out the Geocache...
David and Magnum...
Our first Geocache! Inside, we found some instructions (explaining what it was, in case any non-Geocacher's happened to find the box), some Geocache "business cards", a plastic dinosaur egg, two pairs of sunglasses, a toy soldier, some souvenir pens and pencils, some temporary tattoos, and the required log book. After signing the log book and adding our "contribution" to the collection (some magnetized stones), we closed up the box, shoved it back down to it's hiding space and covered it with sticks and snow again.
We were on a natural high - we'd searched and discovered our first cache! A quick look toward the sky - yep; still daylight to burn! Rushing home, we obtained the coordinates of two other Geocaches that were near the house, and off we went again.
This next leg of our adventure took us to the other side of the Walpole Town Forest. We crossed a bridge, taking us deep into the heart of the woods. We got a bit turned around and began wandering down the wrong path (we later realized that David had entered the wrong coordinates...dummy...) but we were soon back on track and...TA DA!...Geocache #2!!
Patty, digging it out of it's hiding place...
Magnum taking a breather as Patty inspects the contents...
And here are the contents...
There were more Geocache "business" cards, some key chains, several plastic dinosaur eggs, some cute toys (a la; Mcdonald's Happy Meal toys), a Hot Wheels car, a disposable camera (all pics had been taken), some pins, and even a dollar bill. As before, we signed the log book, left something of ours behind (a jeweled bracelet), sealed the box and returned it to it's hiding place.
Our confidence was building - we still had some daylight left and we eagerly set out for our third treasure-find of the day. Our efforts were quickly rewarded (or perhaps we were just getting better at reading the GPS?), and we found this third Geocache in short order.
Cache #3, hidden deep behind an overhanging rock. (Not even the massive snowfalls we've endured have managed to reach this cache!)
Cache #3...
David can count to three!... (Too bad he doesn't know how to keep his hat on straight...)...
We signed the logbook, left a Harley pin behind, and returned the box to it's most-excellent hiding spot.
At this point, we were done for the day. Magnum, however - ever the optimistic (sadistic) exercise freak - wanted to know what forest we were going to dive into next.
Alas, daylight was running thin and it was time to head back to the homestead and begin making dinner.Arriving home, we took the time to snap a Victory Pic on the front steps. Our first day as Geocachers, and we'd managed to locate three of them. Not bad for a trio of newbies!
The deep snow had dampened our pants (and David's boots and socks...), but it hadn't dampened our spirits. We're eagerly looking forward to the coming weekend, when we'll venture out once again. Geocache's; get ready. We're comin' for ya!
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