Geocaching or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Outdoors Again

by Susan T. Williams

Perhaps many of you are familiar with the 1964 movie "Dr. Strangelove", whose title I spoofed here. You may recall the plot about an insane U.S. military general who sends bombers to destroy the Soviet Union because he believes they plan to take over the world. Yet such an attack would trigger a "Doomsday Machine" which would destroy the entire planet.

I must confess that I often feel like that madman, so crippled by my own fears that I can't see past them. Indeed, what person with a chronic illness does not feel as if they have encountered Doomsday or the end of the world? The trick is finding a better ending to our own personal stories than the ending of that movie. Much of that will require facing - and overcoming -- our fears. Life may have handed us a bomb but, like the film's cowboy pilot who whooped and hollered the whole way down, we can still try to enjoy the ride.

After I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease, I became afraid of going outdoors again. Though I had once loved the outdoors and any activity that took me there, I became terrified that I might encounter another tick. I was truly a prisoner of my illness on many levels. Fortunately, my patient and persistent husband encouraged me to "get back up on the horse", so to speak. The problem then became finding physical activities that I could do in my weakened state.

Many of those who are chronically ill struggle with the issue of physical activities. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak! Most of us simply cannot participate in aerobics, jogging, or other "high impact" sports. So I searched for various exercises that would be possible for me to do and yet not bore me to tears.

I tried a variety of different activities, but they all had major drawbacks for me. Some were too difficult (racquetball… how many times can I get hit in the head by just one ball?) Some were too expensive (studies say the average monthly gym membership is $50... that's $600 a year that I could put towards medical expenses). Many of them were just plain boring (walking on a treadmill, much like a hamster on a wheel.) I don't want to feel like I'm exercising. I want it to be fun!

Then I discovered Geocaching, and I've been hooked ever since.

In December 2005, I stumbled upon the world of Geocaching (pronounced "jee-oh-cash-ing"), a high-tech treasure-hunting game that often requires as much brain as brawn. There are "caches" placed all over the world (even Antarctica!), and the goal is to use Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite coordinates to find them.

Each cache is a little different - some are very small while others are large enough to contain trinkets and toys. All you need is a hand-held GPS receiver, which can be purchased for as little as $100, and a computer. Participants can sign up at www.geocaching.com (or a similar site), where a Basic Membership is free, or a Premium Membership is $30 per year. Then players can search for caches nearby, download the coordinates to their receiver, and set off on the hunt!

The caches may be hidden under rocks, in trees, or pretty much anywhere you can think of. (However, they are never buried.) We even found one that was a small magnetic container on the underside of a picnic table! If you don't want to wander in the wild, there are plenty of urban caches as well.

How does this qualify as exercise? Well, though you can drive most of the way there, you will have to get out of your car and walk a bit. Caches are rated based on difficulty and terrain, so you can choose a level that you are comfortable with. Some caches might require some hiking while others might literally be a walk in the park. The most difficult ones generally require special gear to access the cache, such as a kayak or scuba equipment, but there are plenty of easy ones too.

As a general rule, caches are placed in areas of interest. We have discovered beautiful overlooks, relaxing hikes, and fun swimming holes that we never knew existed. Some caches are located at places of historical interest, so it can be educational too. In that sense, you really discover a two-fold treasure: the cache itself, and the area surrounding it. Some of these may be places that you have passed without even noticing before. Better yet, Geocaching is an activity that we enjoy doing together as a family. My kids think it's "very cool", and they always yell in excitement when they find the cache. Sometimes they hum the theme from "Mission: Impossible" as we walk, or they pretend to be Indiana Jones on a quest for an ancient artifact, or perhaps James Bond on a secret spy mission.

The trinkets contained in some caches can be anything, from toys and games to inexpensive jewelry and coins. Since Geocaching is a family sport, dangerous items such as explosives, knives, alcohol and anything illegal or inappropriate for children are not allowed. Each person who takes something from a cache is expected to leave something in return. It's a great way to swap out those toys, books, and CDs that nobody looks at anymore.

The main item in each cache is the log sheet, which finders must sign as proof of their success. Upon returning home, cachers enter the finding into the Geocache website. This generally credits them a "point", where one can easily keep a running tally of how many they have found.

Admittedly, it's addictive. Geocaching gets us out in the fresh air, working together and enjoying each other's company while exploring new places. If my Lyme Brain gets confused and I think I'm lost, the GPS receiver can lead me right back to my car. Best of all, it helps me enjoy the outdoors again and doesn't feel like exercise… and what could be better than that?

A few suggestions that our family has found helpful:

1. Always wear sneakers since you never know what terrain you might encounter.

2. Take a jacket even if it's sunny. You may end up in a shady forest, or the weather might change unexpectedly.

3. Keep a water bottle handy and use it often.

4. Carry extra batteries for the GPS and a pen to sign logs, just in case the cache doesn't have one.

5. A walking stick can be very useful for hiking, beating back brush or overgrown weeds, and poking in places where you'd rather not put your hand.

6. It's always nice to have a camera handy, since you never know what picturesque scenery or entertaining object you might stumble upon.

7. Don't forget your insect repellant!