Midwest Geocaching

Word is that the next Lara Croft Tomb raider game will do some promotional tie with that treasure hunting game of geocaching. Crystal Dynamics, the maker of the upcoming installment of the video game series, has announced that they will work with the offical geocaching.com site according to Stanley A. Miller II at JSOnline.com. It really does sound like a perfect fit, let’s hope some of these land in the midwest.

“As a longtime fan of Geocaching, it’s the perfect fit for ‘Tomb Raider,’ and to be able to create a series of worldwide geocaching treasure hunts for Tomb Raider is going to be a lot of fun,” -Karl Stewart, global brand director for Crystal Dynamics, says in a statement.

Source: JSOnline 

Mall of America Geocaching

One of the things about geocaching that makes it so enjoyable of a hobby is that it can be done just about anywhere, and can make any trip more interesting. Not that it wouldn’t be an interesting trip in itself, even for those that do not enjoy shopping, but a trip to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota is a good example. While there are plenty of things to do for people with carrying interests, there is a challenge waiting to be had for those that know about geocaching.

One of the most popular geocaches in Minnesota lays in wait for the geocacher willing to take on the challenge.  The Mall of America III Cache is located inside the mall, where the cacher has to use clues given by the cache owner to locate the container. There is no GPS needed, all you need to do is find an entrance to the mall and start searching. Rather than solving the clues to get final coordinates like one would do with a regular Puzzle cache or multi-cache, the cacher is searching for the unique store address on the mall directory map. The cache owner did a wonderful job of using the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park as well as other parts of the Mall.

This geocache can be done solo or with a group, making it perfect to suit many situations. Do it while the family shops or plays in the theme park, travel as a pack, or split up to find the various clues.  However you do it, you will be happy that you made it a part of your trip to the Mall of America!

GO GET IT! 

GC7B09: Mall of America Cache III

It’s the time of year when eagle watching is a popular outdoor activity along the Mississippi River. In Alton, Illinois, eagle watching is getting a technological upgrade with the incorporation of the Alton Eagle Watching Application for Android and iPhone. There is also something else new to the hobby called eagle caching at the designated hot spots.

Like geocaching, each cache has a set of coordinates that are plugged into a GPS navigator and used by the explorer to search for the treasure. All the information needed, including the clues, coordinates and GPS rentals, can be found at www.VisitAlton.com/EagleCaching, or at the Alton Visitor’s Center.

Source: Postcresent.com

Additional Links:

Visit Alton Eagle Caching

Geocaching can be done by yourself or in a group. All you need is the location of what you are looking for and what you are going to use to find it. The first thing you need to do is register for a free account at Geocaching.com. take a look at the Hide and Seek page and enter some search criteria. If you don’t know where to start, just enter your home address to see what is near your home…you may be surprised. Geocaching is usually done using a GPS or smart phone. Don’t let that scare you off, it is possible to go caching without one. If you have a GPS you can enter the coordinates and go searching.

Use stealth! One of the fun things about geocaching is finding the cache undetected by those not playing the game, who insiders call “muggles.”

When you find the geocache, open it and retrieve the log book or sheet. Sign and date with your username you created at geocaching.com. Trade items if you choose. Take pictures if you wish (this is fun to look back on). When you get home, visit the web page for the cache and log your visit.