Although I have dabbled a bit with geocaching over the last few years, it was infrequent.    Mostly nabbing some if I was going that way.   I mostly left geocaching about 10 years ago, partly because of frustration, partly to set a new course.    I archived a large number of geocaches at that time, not a move destined to raise spirits from the GC Community. 

In a summer of smoke, I had to shift gears from climbing mountains, paddling remote lakes, and exploring difficult terrain.    Now, at an elder age, I still get out every day, but I am trying to enjoy nature hikes, trail hikes, local lakes, and snowshoe routes with a mind to savor the journey, worrying less about “adding one more notch” in the list of achievements.

Geocaching fits in with this mindset, but with some personal rules.    I pick a route I might enjoy and see if there are geocaches to be found on that route.    Or, vice-versa, look to see if there is a geocaching route that looks like an appealing hike.

With this in mind, I hiked a longer route in the forest, following a string of geocaches in an area I enjoy, the Bush Lake Trails.    Most of the geocaches were micros hanging in a tree set out by the Fuzzheads (R + M), with some by others, like MaliBooBoo (C).    I found a number, but I also chose to place a new one on the loop, the first new geocache hide in 11 years.   

• Cairn Tree

I wasn’t sure if it would be published but it was and that was the start of a new phase.    

I have some new rules for myself:

• Only on trails, boat access, snowshoe access.
• Placed at easy to spot locations – foot of a large tree, stump, in an obvious rocky alcove, in a cairn.
• Recycled containers and materials only.
• No junk inside, nor elaborate disguise, special sign-ins, etc.   on the principle that it is the journey, not the destination that counts.   
• Simple write-ups, with images, and positive messages.