Geocaching? What's Geocaching?

"Duke" Found near a Geocache hidden in Hayward, California

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"Well, depends a good deal on where you want to get to."
"I don't much care where... "
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go."

~Lewis Carroll, Alice In Wonderland

A funny thing happened a few weeks ago, while watching the Real Housewives Of New York City... I learned something! I know, I know... a lot of folks, including me at times, find it difficult to come up with anything redeemable about the Real Housewives Of Anywhere, but sometimes, oddly enough, you learn something about yourself, that you didn't know. For instance, a few years back when the Real Housewives of New Jersey came through the Bay Area, on their way to a spa vacation in Napa, they spent some time nearby. During their time on the San Francisco Peninsula, they stayed a couple days in an RV park in Half Moon Bay, and found nothing to enjoy. Nothing! Not the town. Not the people. Not the local restaurants. Not the amazing Pacific Ocean, which was just steps away! Not Half Moon Bay Harbor. Not the fresh salt air. Not the... well, you get the idea. I learned, while watching that episode, just how much I really do love Half Moon Bay, and the Bay Area. Not that there was any doubt before, but when I saw their blatant disrespect for the area, I felt strangely protective. 

The Bay Area is my home. Leave if you don't understand and appreciate it's beauty. It's as simple as that!

I felt like giving up on the show completely, but fortunately, recently, while watching the New York franchise of the series, I had a different experience. I found out about the new hobby Alan and I are currently enjoying... Geocaching! Geocaching is basically a type of treasure hunt in a way, but in this case, you don't find diamonds or money, or anything of real value, what you find are tiny treasures and a log book that you sign with your Geocaching screen name that basically says... "I was here!" 

The trinkets are usually anything small and silly. Stickers, buttons, badges, tiny rubber ducks, coins, erasers, marbles, matchbox cars. I have seen a lot of different small items, which for the most part is PG but sometimes, well, PG-13, like the time I found a condom, and of course someone left a antiseptic wipe to go with it! LOL. Social statement? Perhaps. Sense of humor? Maybe. But I prefer to find buttons thank you very much!

Anyway, how does this all tie in the the RHONYC? Well, it was one of the ladies who sparked the idea in me, Kristen Taekman. You see, Kristen planned an awesome getaway for the ladies to a gorgeous dude ranch in Montana. As you might guess, the whole concept was lost on most of the them, but a few of them got into it, but not to any appreciable degree. It was sad, I felt bad for Kristen, especially because she had made a real effort to show the ladies a good time with the outings she arranged. One of which was Geocaching!

As I watched how the game was played, I really began to like the idea. You get some exercise. You get to climb out of the usual, every day activities, and you get to prowl around bushes, trees, and fences late at night! Well, you don't have to Geocache at night, but it helps you avoid the muggles. Muggles are folks who don't know about Geocaching. It can feel silly at times, but it's a fun silly! Alan and I are having a HOOOOOOT! And I have Kristen Taekman and the RHONYC to thank for my new hobby!

Here are some of our recent Geocache finds...





What I like about Geocaching is the fact that the game can be completely customized to your individual lifestyle. You can meet new folks who share your hobby... or not... it's all good. Geocaching is done around the world and in most every town, so you don't have to go far to go on a hunt! It's not seasonal specific, and there are a lot of different ways to play. Maybe you don't want to go on a traditional hunt, okay, maybe try a puzzle solving cache. Or perhaps you just want to sightsee, cool, that is part of the game also. The point is, the game of Geocaching can be played every day, or once a month, its completely up to you.

I like that. And I also love that I had passed many different spots in my daily travels, and had NO idea that somewhere, just tucked into the corner of a store lot, or along a park-and-ride fence line, or hidden in a tree at my favorite gas station, there was a tiny treasure just waiting to be found.... or not! Sometimes I really have to think the clues that are provided just a little bit more! It's not as easy as it sounds, but it's fun! Having a GPS device helps. It is the easiest way to find the caches, but not completely necessary. You can just program the coordinates into Google maps and be on your way!

Sound like fun? Click here... Geocaching... to learn about the game and how to play!

Thank You Kristen Taekman! I know I would have enjoyed Geocaching with you!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 82~ Half Moon Bay

You save my life with every word you say
You shine your light for me to find the way
Just hold me tight and cross your heart to stay
Here with me born to be
Every part of you in Half Moon Bay...


Train, Half Moon Bay







Half Moon Bay


Sunday night, on the Real Housewives of New Jersey, they began a new story arc centered around the casts visit to Napa, California, and all the drama that apparently surrounds it. The New Jersey franchise, of the popular Real Housewives "reality" series has been difficult to watch this season, I mean even more so than usual, because it is rapidly moving toward the possible permanent destruction of one or more relationships, that if it were not for the camera, and the willing prying eyes of America, may have otherwise been fixable. I won't go into any detail about that, because if you are a regular viewer you already know what I am talking about, and if you never watch the show you probably wouldn't care. But what I will talk about right here, is the inevitable collateral damage. The unintentional injuries.


In this case it isn't a relationship, but rather an innocent bystander. The town of Half Moon Bay, California. Briefly, the families and friends at the center of the RHONJ decided to make a working trip to Napa, into a bit of a vacation as well, to hopefully get away from the pressures of home, and spend some quality time together. Upon arrival in San Francisco, the families decided to rent RVs and spend 4 days at an RV park near the beach in Half Moon Bay. When they arrive at the park, they are stunned to see that the park isn't actually on the beach, but rather in a parking lot at a distance of maybe 50 ft from the beach.

 



There was some whining about having to park in the parking lot instead of on the beach itself, and some disappointment at having to BBQ out in the open, rather than on a gourmet stove at a resort. Sigh. They all knew that the trip was supposed to be bit of camping, but they didn't seem to know they would be going... camping. I guess spending 4 days next to one of the most beautiful coastal communities on the West coast, wasn't quite... how do I say this... not their cup of tea. Not when compared to the obvious glories of the Jersey Shore I suppose.


 Sigh.


I knew I should just change the channel when Teresa Giudice stepped out of her RV, walked over to great some fellow campers on the other side of the lot, and asked them... "Is there somewhere nicer we could stay around here?" I would have laughed, but it really wasn't very funny to me. One thing I did find amusing was Teresa's mistaken belief that when she stepped off the RV, she would be on an island. An island? She thought the San Francisco peninsula was an island? She was coming to the Bay Area, as part of her REALITY show, and she didn't bother to learn about where she was going?Not even a Google search?


Sigh.

 


The RHONJ will be spending 4 days in Half Moon Bay, but I won't know until next week if the show will feature anymore of Pillar Point, and the bay. But some of the previews of upcoming episodes are to say the least disheartening. Why is it, when I watch these people behaving like imbeciles, and when I say imbeciles, I mean asshole ignoramuses, in their own New Jersey neighborhoods, I laugh, and cheer on the train wreck, but when they come to my neck of the woods, or shall we say, my shore, I get offended by their stupidity and their unwillingness to just see the beauty in front of them, rather choosing instead to look down their nose at both the scenery in front of them, and their own interpersonal relationships?


Sigh. Go ahead, give it to me straight.


Maybe it's me, maybe I am simple, but do you know where I go to feel better, when nothing is going right? Half Moon Bay, and other spots along the Bay Area coastline. There is something about the natural beauty and the sounds of fog horns that speaks zen to my soul. It just does.

Sigh.




Train, Half Moon Bay...




~Me :(


Now, I am done whining, and ready to go see what JR has posted, come along with me...


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/07/apadf6-80.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months Day 39: Common Interests

"Many realities hidden behind wall of perception."


~Toba Beta, Betelgeuse Incident


I love this picture. I had the best time watching these two... then I saw it... the rhino and the little brown duck are kind of similar in appearance. The coloration and the spots. Both weren't moving very fast, and I noticed that they pretty much stayed close to each other the entire time I spent observing them. I couldn't help but wonder what the two were thinking.


Were the rhino and the duck best friends? Was the rhino the bigger, older, sibling the brown duck had always wanted? Was the brown duck the understanding pal the rhino always wanted? The friend who was secure in their own identity? Maybe the duck and the rhino were both dreamers who wondered what life was like on the other side of the zoo? 


In the end, who knows. I guess I am thinking a lot about family and friendships because of this season of the Real Housewives of New Jersey. The underlying tone of the show has always been about relationships, both the ones we choose to have and the ones we are born into. Some say a friend is better than a family member because you cant pick your family but you can pick a friend.


Yeah... that's true. But sometimes friends can hurt you every bit as much as a family member. I have had my experience with both dynamics. I suppose there is no relationship that doesn't bring the risk of hurt, which is why I tend to go very slowly with relationships. It's an odd feeling to look back over those who have come and gone and know how much I still miss them. Some have passed this world, some moved and some went yelling and screaming in a mad dash out of my life. (Like Mr. November) LOL. I exaggerate... but it kinda felt that way at the time.


I don't know. It's just what it is. I know I like watching animals and their interactions. There is a lot that can be learned I think. Watching the RHONJ has some lessons in it to. I am just sad that those lessons are such devestating ones. I feel bad for the ladies. Life is too short. If only we all had a little brown duck, or a big protective rhino. Right?


"The question is not what you look at, but what you see."


~Henry David Thoreau


~Me :)


I can't believe I have already arrived at day 39! I think it will be easier than I originally thought to reach my goal. Well, so far so good anyway. The key to reaching any goal is to begin with something realistic. I did and then added a month to it. LOL. So, we'll see. 


My pal JR has been posting along with me, and it would be great if you want to join us! Go see what he has posted for today, it's always something great, he is an awesome photographer. Oh, and by the way, coming some time this week, I am going to post some photos of my cameras and the equipment I use in my photography. That would be a great way to join in, so please feel free to participate! Thanks again JR for the inspiration!


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/apadf6-38.html