New Age Sleuthing

October 2018

On an early fall hike, Ruby and I spotted a couple of black-clad, helmeted figures loitering near our path.  With caution, I finally approached them after realizing one was a female, and they were obviously hunting for something.  Sure enough, the pair was Geocaching!   They explained they had been rooting around in this particular spot for some time, coming up empty in finding a hidden object.

Geocaching is an outdoor activity in which participants use a GPS receiver or mobile device to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", at specific locations marked with coordinates all over the world.

A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and sometimes a pen or pencil.  The geocacher signs the log with their established code name and dates it, in order to prove that they found the cache.  After signing the log, the cache must be placed back exactly where the person found it.

Adventurists have been seeking geocaches for many years.  As a long-time Nancy Drew fan, the idea of geocaching has intrigued me.  If I can find The Secret in the Old Attic and The Clue in the Crumbling Wall,  I'm fairly certain my sleuthing skills would serve me well in locating caches.









There are a few rules with geocaching.  Caches should not contain food (which would attract animals) or dangerous or illegal items.  Sometimes you are allowed to take a treasure found in the cache (called a "swag"), but you should leave a swag in its place.  Cache contents can be anything - unusual coins, small toys, ornamental buttons, etc.  Items that are moved from one cache to another are called "hitchhikers."


The young man explained the two were on a hunt for geocaches all around Hayden Lake - apparently there are many!  In addition to using the GPS coordinates to find this particular cache, they were given the clue "Where Chip and Dale Play."  Of course I immediately jumped into the action!  Eventually the fellow found the cache - tucked into fallen, tree trunk.  We opened the container, and we all signed the log.



As soon as I got home, I promptly downloaded the Geocaching app for my phone.  When you register, you are required to declare your code name.  Being so clever, I chose Nancy Drew...already taken.  My next choice was Bev Marvin - Nancy's plump but capable friend...also already taken.  Finally, I asked for the name of Nancy's other sleuthing friend - George Fayne.  Success!  And, frankly, a way better choice.  George is an athletic tomboy not easily scared when involved in Nancy's sleuthing.  Let's go!

Climbing C2

Winter 2013

Canfield Mountain is one of Coeur d'Alene's crown jewels.  This 24-acre open space has an elevation of 4099 feet and is well known for the summit's incredible panoramas of area lakes and mountains.  Our family calls Canfield "C2" - the name Tom gave it many years ago.

The Canfield  Mountain Trail System was designed for motorized trail bikes and bicycles, but the mountain gets heavy use by hikers and 4-wheel ATV's pretty much year round.  Trails are maintained every three years by the Forest Service.  Organized clubs and volunteers provide annual support as well.  The trails are numbered, but Tom has given his own names to several of the upward routes, including Canfield Direct, Erickson Direct, and Totten Direct.  I have come to know that Tom means it when he says direct.

Likely a park ranger in an earlier life, Tom probably knows C2 better than anyone in Kootenai County.  He has guided a number of friends and family members up the mountain over the years, but it's not uncommon for Tom to tackle the summit on his own.  He always comes home with a story - typically involving amazing wildlife sightings or the views I missed that day.

A special December activity is taking a route to a tree that hikers decorate at Christmas time.  I love this shared tradition!