Peruzzi Toyota Product Blog

Today marks the final day in our geocaching series. Geocaching is a worldwide game that can be played by all ages. Hiders place small containers of treasures in various locations and post their coordinates online. Then finders equipped with GPS systems seek the caches. When you find the item, sign the paper log book, take an item and leave an item behind. When you get home, be sure to post your experiences in the cache’s online log.

Travel Bugs and Geocoins
Travel Bugs and Geocoins are fun ways to track your geocaching adventures. Geocoins are collectible coins, while travel bugs are dog tags that can be placed alone or attached to an item you want to track.

Travel Bugs and Geocoins are available through the geocaching.com website. When you activate the item, it will get its own web page. You can then place the item in any cache of your choice. As it is picked up by other cachers, it will be logged on the item’s website. The item’s new location and mileage traveled will be available for you to view.

Many people give their items back stories and specific instructions. For example, there is currently a toy B-52 bomber with a Travel Bug attached making the rounds. Its goal is to have its picture taken with as many creatures of the sky as possible. Most cachers are eager to help these items meet their goals.

Online Logging
Once you have found a cache, the rules of the game dictate that you sign the onsite paper log book. However, you should also post a message in the cache’s online log. Although these messages are sometimes short, courtesy dictates that you leave at least a few lines describing the cache or your experience in accessing it. It is also helpful to let the cache owner know if there are any problems, from a wet cache to a full log book.

Geocaching is an exciting activity for the whole family to enjoy. Extensive driving is frequently necessary to reach cache locations, making the Toyota hybrid an excellent choice for the dedicated cacher.

This week we have been discussing the exciting global phenomenon known as geocaching. You can join in the game for the price of a GPS system, and all ages are encouraged to participate. All you need is a free membership at geocaching.com, which will give you access information for geocaches around the world. The cache owner posts the coordinates of the cache, and you use your GPS to find it. Then you can sign the find log and trade a small item in the cache for one of your own. Sooner or later, however, you might develop the urge to set up your own cache for others to find. Here is what you should know.

Placing Your Cache
Before setting up your cache, make sure that no others exist within a tenth of a mile. This is a geocaching.com requirement that prevents caches from stacking on top of each other, giving seekers a better range.

If your cache is on private property, make sure you have permission from the property owner. Also be sure that you are aware of your local roadway and right-of-way laws. Respect the environment. Do no place your cache where seekers could cause damage to fragile plant or animal life. Choose a location that has a point, whether it is a great view or a personally meaningful location. Make sure that finders can get to the cache safely and legally without attracting too much muggle (non-cacher) attention.

Filling Your Cache
Caches can be filled with almost items you can imagine. Some tiny caches contain no treasures at all, only a simple log book for finders to sign. If you want to include treasures, just remember that food, alcohol, firearms and drugs are not acceptable. Most people use items that cost under $10 each, although some throw in a nicer item for the first finder to discover. Make sure to include a nice notebook and pen or pencil for finders to sign. Use a waterproof container and/or plastic baggies to protect items from rain.

Maintaining Your Cache
Once your cache is posted on geocaching.com, you will have an online log book as well as the paper book that you placed on site. Pay attention to your logs, as finders will generally tell you if your paper log book is full, or if the cache has been damaged in any way. However, you should also visit the cache yourself on a regular basis. Keep it clean and spruced up and replace items as needed.

You may find yourself running caches in several locations. With the price of fuel today, a hybrid vehicle can save you significant money in the gas required to keep your caches looking their best.

This week, we have been discussing the hobby of geocaching, which is quickly becoming a worldwide phenomenon. Geocaching is a game in which people hide small treasures for other people to find. All you need to participate is a GPS system and a desire for adventure. The game can be played by all ages, making it perfect for family outings and vacations. Today, we will discuss difficulty and terrain ratings, and how to decide whether a cache is right for you.

Terrain
Since caching is done by people of all ages, health and mobility, a system was designed to rate the terrain surrounding each cache. The rating system on geocaching.com ranges from one to five stars. One-star terrain is wheelchair and stroller accessible, while five-star terrain may have you hiking through swampland, rappelling down a mountain or donning your scuba equipment to find a submerged cache. The majority of caches seem to be rated 1.5 to 2.5 stars, making them appropriate for reasonably active adults and kids.

Remember that getting to the cache location is only part of the challenge. You will then need to actually locate and open the cache, make an item trade and sign the log book. Depending on the nature of the cache, finding it may require bending, stooping, crawling or climbing. If you have mobility difficulties, you may want to find a caching partner who is willing to do this part of the work.

Difficulty
The cache’s difficulty is also rated from one to five stars. One-star caches generally have straightforward coordinates posted and are relatively easy to find. Five-star caches may require puzzle solving to get the coordinates, may be extremely well hidden and may be part of a larger multi-stage cache.

It is highly recommended that you get your feet wet with caches that are rated low on both terrain and difficulty. This will help you learn to use your GPS and learn to “think like a cacher,” before you move on to more challenging caches.

Since caching involves a great deal of driving, you will find that a hybrid vehicle greatly expands your range. In this era of skyrocketing gas prices, a hybrid will help keep you on the road, finding great geocaches.