Remembering the Beginning

Years ago, one of my ITRT professional development days included using GPS systems with students.  We were given a GPS unit and went outside and I HATED it.  I couldn’t figure out how to do it.  For some reason the idea stayed in my brain.

I heard about geocaching from different sources.  The DEN sponsored Geocaching Day.  I wanted to attend but the awful experience of using the GPS unit stopped me.

Then came……the iPhone 4, which I stood in line for 8 hours to purchase in July, 2010.  There was a geocaching app and gps right on the phone.  Suddenly I kept hearing about Geocaching everywhere.  ISTE was publishing Geocaching and GPS in Education by Burt Lo. (I just purchased it for the Kindle.  I am reading it on my iPad2 using the Kindle app) I started subscribing to podcasts about geocaching.  One of my favorites is podcacher and on one of their podcasts, they had an interview with Burt Lo.  My interest was peaked.

Because of health and weight issues, I need to get more exercise, like walking, and loose weight.  I don’t like to go walking by myself or for no reason so I decided that going out geocaching would fit the bill.  I went to www.geocaching.com , became a member, and found out there is a Northern Virginia Geocacher Organization (NOVAGO)  I noticed that they were going to have an event in Fairfax on February 27th and decided to attend.  So with iPhone in my hand and boots on my feet, I was off.  I actually found 3 caches that day.  I was hooked.

I ran into a bump when I started to geocache on my own.  I couldn’t find the caches because they were too small and I’m a “newbie”.  I went on geocaching.com asking for help and/or a mentor and actually got both.  It was suggested to not to search for “micro” caches when you are a beginner as they are hard to find because they can be extremely small.  I also received an email from Valerie in the Haymarket area asking if I’d like her to go with me.  When I began looking for bigger caches, things looked up. Because of our schedules Valerie and I haven’t met up yet, but I am looking forward to meeting her.  I have learned more about the area I live in since starting and Wendy, a colleague from school, and I went out once together so I sometimes have a “buddy.”

Last Saturday I went to Discovery Education’s Day of Discovery in Silver Springs, MD and attended a double geocaching session.   For the first part, Bridget talked about geocaching.  The second part, we went out and about Silver Springs geocaching. I had a chance to find my first ghost cache.

As of today, I have found 13 caches.  Hope you enjoy my reflections as I continue to ramble through the world geocaching as I go.