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04-13-2011, 06:47 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Full Timing since December 2011
Posts: 311
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Rock hunting and/or geocaching
Anyone do these? I have a handheld GPS that has the geocaching program for it; but, in all honesty, I don't see the point.
When we hit the road full-timing, my wife (who is a certified teacher and has been teaching for 20+ years) will be road-schooling our kids. We plan on doing a whole semester or two on geology and the rock hunting aspect will fit.
Is there an educational aspect to geocaching that I am missing? Any suggestions would be appreciated...
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2010.5 Dodge Ram 3500 MC CTD HD Dually (4.10 gears), Firestone Air-Bags, with a Superglide model 4400.
2012 Yamaha Zuma 125
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04-13-2011, 07:28 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 795
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We are on the opposite side of the continent but we have taken our DD to Rockhound State Park just outside of Deming NM. People come from all over go there to find geodes. It is a smaller park. We just enjoy the family time. Summer months gets pretty warm so it is a warmer winter destination. It is desert camping at the base of the Florida Mountain Range. The park offers electric and water and has a dump station. You may want to google map it to take a look at it.
For Mom and Dad there is a great winery called St. Clair's Winery just 3 miles up the road from the park.
Another place are the lavander turquioise mines in Bisbee AZ. It is the only place in the country that has them. There is a campground right at the very top of the mines with a view of the strip mining below. There is also a shaft mine tour at the base of the hill.
Hope this gives a few ideas.
Mary Anne
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Joe and Mary Anne
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04-13-2011, 07:39 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
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We are a pretty big geocacher when camping - dont confuse geocaching with anything to do with rocks.
You are navigating to a point and trying to find either a landmark or some type of container. Most of the containers contain little trinkets or toys - which is why the kids love them. I love them as an adult because they take you to really cool places that you may not have found otherwise - overlooks, waterfalls, interesting landmarks, parks, etc. People put them in places generally because they think it is interesting to them and they want to share the location.
Give it a try sometime and I think your family will really enjoy it.
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04-13-2011, 10:00 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rising Sun, MD
Posts: 306
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We have been Geocaching for 9 years all over the US and some foreign countries. We have seen things we would never have seen if not for Geocaching. At least give it a try. http://www.geocaching.com/
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04-13-2011, 10:08 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Full Timing since December 2011
Posts: 311
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In retrospect, the only story I have head concerning geocaching came from a friend; he went to Gillette Stadium (home of the NE Patriots) with his cub scout pack and discovered an inappropriate item in the cache. So, with the exception of his encounter, I have not heard any first hand experiences. I will definitely keep an open mind and make sure I inspect the location first - before the DW and kids.
Also, @ Mar: I hear that your corner of the States is the ultimate for rock- hunting. I'll definitely include this area for our journey. Keep em coming!
__________________
2015 Seismic 4212 on order
2010.5 Dodge Ram 3500 MC CTD HD Dually (4.10 gears), Firestone Air-Bags, with a Superglide model 4400.
2012 Yamaha Zuma 125
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04-13-2011, 10:13 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
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In 10 years of Geocaching, I can not recall a single inappropriate item. Geocachers are like campers - they love their hobby and take pride in it, as well as police themselves. There are of course a few bad apples, but you rarely see it.
Take the kids out and give it a try! Bet they will love it. Make sure you take some trinkets to trade -- small items like happy meal toys, stickers, plastic rings, etc all make for good trades.
Here is a pic of my kids and some friends finding a cache.
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04-13-2011, 10:23 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,720
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Teaches you how to use the GPS and how to THINK...
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Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
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04-13-2011, 10:40 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rising Sun, MD
Posts: 306
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[QUOTE=Shin Pond Hunter;17382]In retrospect, the only story I have head concerning geocaching came from a friend; he went to Gillette Stadium (home of the NE Patriots) with his cub scout pack and discovered an inappropriate item in the cache. QUOTE]
In our 9 years of Geocaching we only once found something inappropriate.
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2009 Ford F150 4x4 Super Cab, 2009 JayFlight 22FB
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04-13-2011, 07:50 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SE Sask.
Posts: 246
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About four years ago, I found out about geocaching. I found a few locally, and have one cache of my own. Through the website, I discovered waymarking. Waymarking is more my thing.
I love local history, and have waymarked many old churches, graveyards, memorial markers, etc. As there are about 1000 different categories, there is no end to things to waymark. I love to make notes, record with digital camera, dig up history online and through other sources, so this is where I've settled.
I will still maintain my cache and maybe snoop around for the odd cache when I am out and about. Both are great for keeping the mind working.
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1997 GMC Sub 1500 4x4;
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04-13-2011, 08:12 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Full Timing since December 2011
Posts: 311
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kjohn73
About four years ago, I found out about geocaching. I found a few locally, and have one cache of my own. Through the website, I discovered waymarking. Waymarking is more my thing.
I love local history, and have waymarked many old churches, graveyards, memorial markers, etc. As there are about 1000 different categories, there is no end to things to waymark. I love to make notes, record with digital camera, dig up history online and through other sources, so this is where I've settled.
I will still maintain my cache and maybe snoop around for the odd cache when I am out and about. Both are great for keeping the mind working.
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See, this is what I like about the concept; I have just been leery of the excution. If I was doing this now, I would add stuff like I do for Halloween (e.g. Local coupons for a burger or bowling, or maybe a space blanket @ $.99)
__________________
2015 Seismic 4212 on order
2010.5 Dodge Ram 3500 MC CTD HD Dually (4.10 gears), Firestone Air-Bags, with a Superglide model 4400.
2012 Yamaha Zuma 125
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04-13-2011, 09:24 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SE Sask.
Posts: 246
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Pond Hunter
See, this is what I like about the concept; I have just been leery of the excution. If I was doing this now, I would add stuff like I do for Halloween (e.g. Local coupons for a burger or bowling, or maybe a space blanket @ $.99)
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Geocaching would be great fun for a family. The kids would have a good project, something to look forward to, plan for, and get all excited about. Good clean fun.
__________________
2012 Jay Feather 197 w/pull-out
1997 GMC Sub 1500 4x4;
or 2015 Ford F150 4x4 SuperCrew EB
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04-14-2011, 04:47 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Full Timing since December 2011
Posts: 311
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I now have a renewed interest in this; I almost did not ask this question - glad I did...
__________________
2015 Seismic 4212 on order
2010.5 Dodge Ram 3500 MC CTD HD Dually (4.10 gears), Firestone Air-Bags, with a Superglide model 4400.
2012 Yamaha Zuma 125
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04-14-2011, 09:41 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mostly the US
Posts: 10,002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shin Pond Hunter
We plan on doing a whole semester or two on geology and the rock hunting aspect will fit.
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As for the "rock hunting".... are you referring to finding rocks like the rockhounds do? The ones that rough on the outside but beautiful on the inside? If so, I have questions but need to find someone who can answer them.
(background)My dad was a rockhound who left several huge containers of rocks that I would like to know what they sell for so we don't get ripped off.
Is this something you can help us with?
The geocaching sounds like fun. I would have loved doing that as a kid!
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