If you're looking for a fun and interesting way to spend a few hours or even a few days, grab a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit and head to Routes 5 and 20 this spring for an outdoor adventure known as geocaching.
This fast-growing activity is best described as a high-tech version of treasure hunting and Routes 5 and 20 provide an ideal trail to hunt for hidden caches.
So what exactly is “geocaching?” The sport's name derives from “geo” for geography and “caching” for the process of hiding a “cache” or a stash of provisions.
To play the game, you'll need a GPS unit, Internet connection, a log book to track your finds and some personal treasures to leave behind.
Geocachers hunt for the hidden treasure by following coordinates entered into a hand-held GPS or even a “new model” cell phone. Coordinates will be found on Web sites like www.geocaching.com and www.routes5and20.com.
The Routes 5 and 20 committee, a collaboration of tourism promotion organizations from Skaneateles to Darien, will hide 20 caches along the route.
Each cache (small container) will contain a logbook, an information sheet and small items associated with routes 5 and 20.
It is expected that those that take an item will also leave an item and write a comment in the logbook about their routes 5 and 20 adventure for others to read.
Like a traditional treasure hunt, clues to locations are key to finding the “treasure.”
Your GPS device will take you to within 3 meters (10 feet) of the cache, but as geocaches are often hidden in unique places such as a tree's knot hole or in a flower box, you need to be a little of a Sherlock Holmes and use the clues to actually pinpoint the cache.
The Routes 5 and 20 geocache will continue the agricultural theme “Farms, Food & Fun” along Routes 5 and 20, which was introduced in 2007, and will run from May through October 2008.
Participants that enter at least 5 of their finds on the Routes 5 and 20 Web site, www.routes5and20.com, will be eligible to win prizes, but with the entertainment value of geocaching, everyone really comes away a winner.
Meg Vanek is the executive director of Cayuga County Office of Tourism.
Tips to remember when geocaching
• Never bury food in the cache. Animals have better noses than humans and in some cases caches have been chewed through and destroyed because of food items in the cache.
• If you take something from the cache, leave something behind for the next geocacher.
• Whatever you leave in the cache should be family friendly; people
of all ages go geocaching. Use your common sense in most cases.
• Respect the local laws.
• Have fun!
Details on the Routes 5 and 20
geocache will be coming soon, so stay tuned to www.routes5and20.com or call the Cayuga County Office of Tourism at 255-1658 to be notified as soon as information is available
So what exactly is “geocaching?” The sport's name derives from “geo” for geography and “caching” for the process of hiding a “cache” or a stash of provisions.
To play the game, you'll need a GPS unit, Internet connection, a log book to track your finds and some personal treasures to leave behind.
Geocachers hunt for the hidden treasure by following coordinates entered into a hand-held GPS or even a “new model” cell phone. Coordinates will be found on Web sites like www.geocaching.com and www.routes5and20.com.
The Routes 5 and 20 committee, a collaboration of tourism promotion organizations from Skaneateles to Darien, will hide 20 caches along the route.
Each cache (small container) will contain a logbook, an information sheet and small items associated with routes 5 and 20.
It is expected that those that take an item will also leave an item and write a comment in the logbook about their routes 5 and 20 adventure for others to read.
Like a traditional treasure hunt, clues to locations are key to finding the “treasure.”
Your GPS device will take you to within 3 meters (10 feet) of the cache, but as geocaches are often hidden in unique places such as a tree's knot hole or in a flower box, you need to be a little of a Sherlock Holmes and use the clues to actually pinpoint the cache.
The Routes 5 and 20 geocache will continue the agricultural theme “Farms, Food & Fun” along Routes 5 and 20, which was introduced in 2007, and will run from May through October 2008.
Participants that enter at least 5 of their finds on the Routes 5 and 20 Web site, www.routes5and20.com, will be eligible to win prizes, but with the entertainment value of geocaching, everyone really comes away a winner.
Meg Vanek is the executive director of Cayuga County Office of Tourism.
Tips to remember when geocaching
• Never bury food in the cache. Animals have better noses than humans and in some cases caches have been chewed through and destroyed because of food items in the cache.
• If you take something from the cache, leave something behind for the next geocacher.
• Whatever you leave in the cache should be family friendly; people
of all ages go geocaching. Use your common sense in most cases.
• Respect the local laws.
• Have fun!
Details on the Routes 5 and 20
geocache will be coming soon, so stay tuned to www.routes5and20.com or call the Cayuga County Office of Tourism at 255-1658 to be notified as soon as information is available
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