Geocashing in Iraq

If you don't know what Geocaching is, let me tell you a little bit about it. Basically, geocaching is treasure hunting with a GPS! I'm not sure how long it's been around, but there are over 900,000 sites listed on the geocaching website. When you sign onto the website, you can look for hidden caches in an area by typing in something as simple as your zip code, and maybe a distance you are willing to travel. Then you can read about all the different caches in that area, locate one that sounds interesting, get the coordinates and set out to find it's treasure. The GPS will get you close and then the hunting begins. Some are big. My first one here was in an ammo can. As the pictures will show, some can be very small, as well. The small ones are called microcaches. At home, with the kids, most of the caches are big enough to hide little trinkets. The kids can pick one out to keep, but the geocaching rule is that you must replace it with a treasure of your own. That way there is always something for the next person to discover. It's a fun way to spend some time outside and a little bit challenging too. There are over 130 caches where I'm currently stationed.

Before we go any farther with this I would just like to thank the person that made this all possible. Without him, I wouldn't be over here enjoying this sport on the only morning I have off.

I didn't realize that he was this tall.

There's another picture like this, still intact, on base somewhere else, but I haven't found it yet. The silly hat is to protect my big noggin, while I ride my wife's new bike around the base.

Below is Danny (Sgt. Danny Hayward) and me with one of the caches we found. As you can see, it isn't very large and can be easily hidden. Notice the lake. It's the same one that the giant fish from the video lives in. Danny has a far off look because we are both trying to get pictures at the same time.

This was the first one we found together. We knew roughly where it was without the GPS, but some of the clues led us in circles. When we finally found it, we said "duh". It's like texting, geocaching has a language all its own.
Below: the cache is the little tiny black thing in my gloved hand. It's about the size of 2 hearing aid batteries and has a magnet on the back for holding it in place. It unscrews to reveal a small roll of paper that you sign, to prove you were there. Amazingly enough we got it back inside.
It's a fun way to hang out with friends. I don't think I'll find all 130+, but I'll continue to knock them out as the opportunities arise.

It's becoming more enjoyable lately because of the lower temps. It was only about 97 that day, with a slight breeze.

I know that it snowed in Bend on my wonderful wife's birthday. What a change from here! Wish I could have been there to enjoy it with her and the kids. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks for looking in!
mike