Catching a Travel Bug
This post is a continuation of a geocache series. This month I am inviting all travelers and adventurers to try a geocache hunt in the month of May. If you write about it on your blog, post the link here and check back to read other geocache stories.
The most exciting part of geochacing for the kids is the idea of finding a hidden treasure. What will actually be inside? Not to disappoint the kids, but there will be no money or candy. Most caches, being small, do have an assortment of interesting trinkets. When you decide to go geocache bring something small from your own home such as a small toy, key ring chain, etc. After finding the cache, you may take something out if you also put something in. You don’t need to bring anything of your own, but in that case leave all the contents in the cache.
Some special treasure you may find, however, is a geocoin or a travel bug. Someone has given this item a mission and it is on its way to the final destination. Geocoins and travel bugs are purchased with a specific tracking number engraved on them. The owner has likely registered this item on geocaching.com and has given a destination where they would like this item to end up. Any geocacher who stumbles upon a geocoin or travel bug may remove it, look it up by its tracking number on geocaching.com, and if they are headed toward that vicinity can hide them again in a geocache nearer to its destination. If you remove it, be sure to log in its new location so someone else can hunt for it. The website will track where it has been and how many miles it has gone.
This Monday I am hoping to find a cache with a travel bug or even stash one of my own. You can purchase geocoins or travel bugs either from geocaching.com, or they also have them in local stores as well. I got one fromTrailmix in Sacramento. To find a local bugged cache go to geocaching.com, click on the tab on the left “Find and seek a cache” and plug in your address or zip code. After hitting go, a list will be produced if nearby geocaches. An icon of a bug or coin will appear in the column describing the cache if it contains a trackable item. Click on the cache name (in the description column) to read more about the cache. Look on the right of the screen for an ”inventory list”. The name of the trackable item will be there, and clicking on that will show its mission.
Happy hunting and hope you catch something fun!
I am taking part in the Mondays are for Dreaming series hosted by Mara at Mother of All Trips. Check out her site for more travel dreams. Travel bug photo credit: www.southmountaintraders.com
Thanks for sharing great article! We are planning for vacations trip therefore geocaching.com is really useful link for us. It is an outstanding device. Thanks
Best Regards,
I have *got* to get off my duff and try this – I know the boys would love it. You’ve inspired me!