My rather abstract attempt at keeping up with Finding Myself Young‘s 52 Weeks of Memories photography challenge. This week’s prompt is together and I’m sharing one of our favourite ways to spend time together as a family.
I must confess after celebrating a rather lazy and social media free long weekend with my little family, I wanted more, more, more. I had full intentions of returning online Monday to share my exciting news about taking the blog on the road later this year, starting with a mystery event in Melbourne but online just couldn’t compete with fun quality time with the family.
Looking for fun ways to incorporate family time with keeping my fitness goals on track, I charged both my JAWBONE UP (fitness band) and Geocaching GPS device then headed out with the family with a view to finally hitting the big 100 for our Geocaching finds here in Perth.
Before heading offline, I posted a glimpse of our Geocaching adventures on Facebook and was surprised to learn that not everyone was aware of Geocaching?!
If I had to describe my favourite family fun time hobby to you in a nutshell, I suppose…. it’s a bit like a modern-day treasure hunt using your iPhone app or a GPS. You follow clues, mainly map co-ordinates and find caches. Caches come in all shapes and sizes with varying degrees of difficulty depending on the terrain and sometimes the cache itself.
This Geocache was an easy one.
Once we found the location, it was a matter of finding a tin hidden under a rock.
Some caches even have little treasures or trinkets inside that you can swap and others just have a log book for you to record your name. Once you’ve found the cache, you generally sign the mini log book with your Geocaching handle and then log your finds online.
You can download the free getting started app through iTunes or head to geocaching.com for a more detailed explanation and to search for caches hidden in your local area. I was rather surprised when we first started at just how many there are.
For us, it’s a great way to have some family fun with the opportunity to discover some new and interesting locations while out and about searching for caches.
We’ve become a tad obsessed with one particular cacher here in Perth. They go by the handle ‘bling’ and seem to have taken hiding caches to the next level. Two in particular spring to mind (Polevault and Scarborough High Rise), both took three attempts/visits before we actually found the caches. You never really know what to expect with a ‘bling’ cache, just when you think you have their style sussed they spring something a little different on you.
We’ve also come across some interesting wildlife along the way. On one particular adventure we encountered a swarm of bees and a black snake. Needless to say, after the black snake, slithered directly under the pipe my eldest daughter was standing on at the time, we went home empty handed and didn’t attempt to head bush with Geocaching for a little while.
I was amazed at how calm my daughter remained. Her two sisters were actually at ground level with the snake about 5 meters away and I clearly remember how calmly she spoke to her sisters “you might want to hop up on the pipe girls and then make your way back up to mum, as I have a black snake under me”.
My brave daughter then waited till her sisters were out of harms way before making her move. I was absolutely no help. At all. I didn’t even manage to get a photo once we were all back on the bridge.
The following photos are of Floreat Beach, more of the sunset and the walk we did after finding the cache but mainly due to the unwritten code amongst cachers that you don’t give too many clues or photos away, so not to spoil the fun for everyone else.
All Floreat Beach photos have been resized but are otherwise unedited and were taken using the Sony Xperia phone that I’m road testing at the moment.
I must confess, I thoroughly enjoyed my social media free extra long weekend and getting back into Geocaching with the family. When I finally resurfaced online, Instagram and Facebook were both out for the count. Clearly a sign that I was meant to have even more time off.
What have you been up to this week? Have you tried Geocaching and what’s been your most interesting find or cache location?
WORTH CASING WEDNESDAY
If you have a blog post worth casing this week, this is the place to link up. We are always looking for new blogs to case!
Geocaching photos of my girls were taken during an organised event for Outdoor October, as part of a media campaign for Yanchep National Park. Those particular photos are thanks to Miranda Holker/Swan River Trust on behalf of Department of Parks and Wildlife, all other photos are my own.
I’ve heard of Geocatching before, but I’ve never played it before.
It can be so much fun, you should try it.
Great shots and hope you had a great Australia Day. I had never heard of Geocatching. Sounds interesting.
Had a rather hot Australia Day. Hoping the weather cools soon. Geocaching is so much fun, you really should give it a go.
I definitely must try Geocatching with the kids this summer. Sounds like so much fun! Thanks for sharing such gorgeous photos!
I prefer Geocaching in winter, less chance of running into snakes.
Good idea!
Lovely photos Geocaching that’s a first for me…
Hope you had a happytastic Australia day 😉
Thanks. Had a great Australia Day, very low key and rather hot.
We’ve been wanting to try this activity too! I think my kids would love it. Maybe next holidays…
Don’t wait for the holidays, I bet there is a super easy one nearby.
I really want to do this – your photos are stunning! Great location!
You should. Pop back and let me know if you do.
Your brave daughter, there is no way I would go anywhere near a snake. Pics are really good, very professional.
I know, I was rather impressed with my daughter.
great shots raych! …
we were walking around granite island, victor harbor sa
and a guy was fossicking under a tree and we asked if he’d lost something … being helpful! … and he told us what he was doing and explained all about geo caching! … interesting! love m:)X
Interestingly, we’ve been asked to explain our actions to police when trying to locate one near a train station.
I’ve never even heard of geocaching before, sounds interesting, except for the black snake part and the bees (Im allergic to bees swell up like a balloon).
There are plenty that don’t involve going bush. I’ve made a family rule that we stick to the suburbs in summer and snake season.
Didn’t even know geocaching was a thing 😛 gonna check it out! looks like a fun thing to do!
It is really fun.
I had never heard of geocaching before and now you’ve got me intrigued!! Your daughters (I think they are?) are beautiful girls! They look tall! Gorgeous photo’s! What a sunset! 🙂
Yes both my daughters. Not so tall compared to their really tall cousins but tall in our short family.
I haven’t tried Geocatching before. It does sounds really fun and great activity to do outdoors with the kids. Great capture of the sunset.
Thanks Dominique, you really should try Geocaching, it is a lot of fun.
I never knew what Geocaching was until you mentioned it once, but it looks like a great family activity 🙂
We have a lot of fun Geocaching.
It was you that brought Geocaching to my attention but I feel mine are a bit young yet, I can’t wait to do it though. And wasn’t your daughter so brave, kids really do surprise us at times. x
I would have thought your kids were the perfect age. I wish we had discovered it earlier because my eldest has her own life and it’s starting to feel like we are dragging her along.
I’ve heard a bit about Geocaching – it sounds like quite the adventure, snakes and all! Your daughter must have nerves of steel!
I prefer to keep to suburbia during summer and snake season, luckily there are still hundreds of Geocaches that don’t involve going bush.
I had heard of it but my interest was first piqued during an episode of Switched at Birth… this guy Daphne was having the hots for mentioned it but I think the producers did it on purpose to not let them explain what it really is. My son is 7, so perhaps later we could give it a go.
I wish we’d discovered it earlier. It’s getting harder to get the eldest involved these days.
I love these sunset pictures.They are amazing!
Thanks Food Corner. I must try and remember to take my DSLR next time and compare the difference to the phone camera.
I love all of your pictures of the sunset.
Thanks Danielle, I was thinking I should have taken my DSLR and attempted some comparison shots against the phone camera.
I’ve heard the term “geocaching” before but never knew what it meant. Sounds like a really fun activity my kids would definitely enjoy. Will look into it.
It is a whole lot of fun. Even without kids.
That sunset looks great! I went to Springbrook National Park on the Gold Coast on the weekend … no geocaching but I did chase some waterfalls. I haven’t posted the pics yet, but I will soon. Thanks for the link up. I’ll definitely be back for more and hope you bring your blog on the road up to Brisbane!
Thanks Brooke, I’m hoping to make it to Brisbane later in the year. A few of my favourite bloggers are from that part of the world and it would be great to finally meet them in person.
Sounds great! It’s a lovely city for hang out for a bit.
I’ve never heard of geocaching but it sounds interesting.
And there’s nothing like a sunset over sea! Gorgeous pics!
Thanks Shannon.
I hadn’t heard of it until I read a novel a few months ago which featured it!
Do you remember what novel it was Deborah?
Five – released in December. I think it’s out here.
http://www.debbish.com/books-literature/five-by-ursula-archer/
Thanks, just popped over and read your review, definitely going to have to find this book. I wasn’t able to leave a comment on your blog though.
Oh yes I close comments on book reviews as I feel bad (for an author) if no one ever comments. Hopefully you don’t find body parts when you’re out geo-caching! 😉
Me too. Now that would make for an interesting find. I’m trying to organise a local Geocaching event where I actually hide mystery prizes.
I’ve always wanted to try geocaching. Our metroparks here do something similar called Quests. We did one of those this summer and it was fun. Your pictures are lovely and what a brave daughter you have!!
I like the sound of quests. I’m trying to organise a local event and will have to look into Quests.
I would like to try that some time. It looks cool. http://poshonabudget.com/2015/01/would-you-like-to-see-a-blue-sky-right-now.html#axzz3Q42zK7kF
Thanks Posh. Heading over to ‘case’ your WW post now.
Gorgeous Pictures!! I love geocaching! So glad you wrote about it!! Have a great Wednesday and thanks for the linky! xx Ashleigh @SimplyWright
Thanks Ashleigh. Do you have a favourite Geocach to share?
Amazing pictures! Makes me want to find a sunset and do some caching myself!
We are fortunate to have the sun setting over the ocean. When I lived on the East Coast it was the sun rising over the ocean and I never really found the time to capture any on film.
Stunning sunset images and I LOVE the name of your blog
Thanks so much Molly.
Great sunset shots.
Thanks Alison.
I would really like to try out geocaching – thanks for including the link to the app!
If you haven’t tried geocaching by the time I head to Sydney, I’m going to insist we do one together.
Geocaching does sound like fun! And, how lovely to be meeting here for #thankfulthursday again. xx
I may need to introduce you to Geocaching when I come to Melbourne. So pleased you are back to blogging and #thankfulthursday has returned.
I haven’t geocached myself, but my brother in laws family are very keen geocachers. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t know anything about it. Beautiful photos Raychael x
Thanks Alicia. You should give it a try.
Geocahcing is so interesting, what an adventure. It is something that my daughter really wants to try. We are going to have to do it. Thanks for sharing at the Oh My Heartsie Girls WW. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Let me know if you do end up giving it a go. Would love to know how you find it.
I’ve heard of geocaching and it sounds very interesting. I want to give it go , given that we do a lot of traveling.
I’m hopeless when we travel. I always forget about geocaching. Luckily there are still so many to do in my local area, with new ones added all the time. Let me know if you do decide to give it a try.
I have never heard of geocoaching either but it looks like something we would totally love to try. Your photos are just gorgeous hun xx