5 more things to take geocaching

There is nothing like hunting around a desolate piece of landscape searching for an elusive geocache and then the feeling of elation and joy when you finally find it. Or the fun of developing covert skills in searching for a geocache in the middle of a crowded urban environment. We discovered geocaching a little over a year ago and quickly became addicted. I posted a general description of what it is and how much fun ensues in September, 2012 (you can read it here).

After finding 68 caches in all kinds of places, we've come up with a few more items to bring along.

1. INSECT REPELLANT - I have never been one to use insect repellant figuring a few mosquito bites never killed anyone. I have, however, reconsidered that notion after experiencing chigger bites last year. Chiggers are tiny wingless, six-legged pests (larvae) that grow up to become mites. They are found in wooded areas with berry patches or tall grasses and weeds in summer and fall. Although quite prevalent in the eastern part of the United States, they are also found sporadically in the western half. And their bite produces a most intensely itchy rash that quickly turns to blisters - and lasts for weeks. Note to self: AVOID CHIGGER BITES AT ALL COSTS!

I got these chigger bites, which are almost a month old and look a lot less "angry" than they did, while we were geocaching in southeastern Arizona. I don't go in the "woods" without insect repellant anymore!

2. WET WIPES - After sticking my hands in filthy places or running my fingers around the underneath side of a ledge only to find someone's ABC gum (GROSS, right?!), I've decided antibacterial wipes are a must. And I'm looking for a "Goo-Gone"-type wipe that would remove sticky sap from fingers.

Don't leave home without these! And if anyone knows of a "Goo-Gone"-type wipe, let me know! 

3. FLASHLIGHT - And no, your phone does not count! We have found that a small (but powerful) flashlight is helpful when looking in those tiny dark spots that cache owners like to stash their caches in, especially if they are creepy looking or look like they might be a "critter home." A larger flashlight is a must if you do geocaching at night.

Be sure to bring spare batteries, too!

4. TWEEZERS - There are two types of tweezers, flat and pointy. You want the pointy ones for two reasons. They are better for removing the inevitable splinter in your finger as well as the itty-bitty, teeny-tiny, tightly rolled sign-in log in micro caches. We have encountered a few that would be impossible to remove without tweezers and how sad would it be to find the very well-hidden cache but not be able to sign log?

This very clever cache is in southeast Arizona in a utility pole. Without tweezers, we would never have gotten the log out to sign - and that would be NO FUN!

5. FRIENDS - While friends are not essential to have with you when you're geocaching, they do make it more fun! And as with most things in life, an extra set of eyes or a different way to look at something is a definite plus.

Not all your friends will enjoy geocaching but when you find ones that do, your friendship will grow as you discover new places and talents.

I'm sure we'll find more things to add to our "Geocaching Essentials List" as we find more caches in different types of terrain. I'd love to hear what you think is essential - no sense in reinventing the wheel, as they say! Happy hunting!

gift... part three

As I was writing my last two posts, I began thinking about the intangible gifts we all enjoy. Things like a child laughing... or a beautiful sunset... or a fragrant flower.

Or watching whales frolic in the bay while the wind whips your hair across your face. Or bright flowers carpeting the desert floor as far as you can see. Or catching a glimpse of a butterfly sunning on a flower. Or seeing a rainbow so vivid and close you are sure there is a pot of gold within reach.

These gifts from God are given to us for our enjoyment. They are given to everyone, whether you believe in Him or not. Theologians call this common grace.

God has another, even greater, gift for us - the gift of salvation and eternal life through faith in the atoning blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. Theologians call this saving grace. 

But unlike the other gifts, we must actively seek this gift - we must choose to accept it. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your  heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." 

But this gift has an expiration date. Once we physically die, it is no longer available. The time to choose it, to accept this extraordinary gift, is now. Carefully consider it and make a conscious decision, not one from just doing nothing.

"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Joshua 24:15