If you haven’t ‘gone geocaching’ before, you probably weren’t aware that people can find real-life treasures all over the world with a GPS and an app. It’s a modern game of X-marks-the-spot with clues and obligatory ‘aargh’ and ‘matey’ commentary from those in the back seat. Maybe you had heard about it, but dismissed it as another fad that sounded like a lot of effort for no reward.
That was me. I had listened to stories and seen the concept popping up for years from various fans of the geocaching phenomenon. However, my first time ever heading out on a geocaching expedition into my own neighbourhood (or should we say, gorge) was just last month. We were invited to go with our extended family for an hour or two of treasure hunting via GPS.
Okay, but with five children aged five and under, I was not convinced it would be enjoyable for the adults in the steep, muddy Oribi Gorge reserve. It was also drizzling, and nap time. We went anyway, and I was wrong.
I love geocoaching with small children! It was amazing looking for tiny containers using specific coordinates and seeing their little faces light up when someone eventually spotted the prize at each location. We also drove in the car slowly through the area (always a plus point to see the wildlife and birds that roam so freely in this place).
My three-year-old didn’t fall off a cliff and the adults were even more intrigued than the children when each treasure finally revealed itself among obscure rocks, trees or other perfect hiding places. To be honest, we wouldn’t have found anything without the clues (and a very clever brother-in-law to decipher the app stuff), but it was so much fun.
There’s something magical about going to a place that you pass regularly and looking directly at it in wonder of what you can find there.
The chance of doing a little Oribi Gorge bird watching while the little ones ran around outside for an hour or two was more than a small part of the attraction for this tired mom.
If you want moments of awe, geocaching will give you that opportunity. The thing is, you can go geocaching anywhere in the world! Yes, come to Oribi Gorge and breathe in these spectacular views of paradise, but then go and explore our beautiful South Africa, and beyond. I know there are many great days ahead.
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