Geo-what?

Have you heard of the most recent spin on the treasure hunt? Called Geocaching, it is a great way to spend some time outside.

Geocaches are small boxes hidden on public lands. They usually contain a log book and a selection of small trinkets. To track them down, you need a portable GPS unit and a free memebership on Geocaching.com. Log in, find a site in your area, enter the coordinates into your GPS unit and go! When you find one, write a comment in the log book, take a trinket from the box, drop a trinket of your own in, and then enter the find on the website. Even though you have the coordinates, it is still a treasure hunt because not all of the boxes are easy to locate. The coordinates usually get you within 15 feet or so, and the cache might be tucked in a tree, hidden by a log or under some brush.

There are a surprising number of caches hidden in and around Green County. There are multiple caches by each Albany, Brodhead, New Glarus, Browntown, Yellowstone Park and Monroe, plus sites in Clarno, South Wayne and more. The sites range from easy ones like the site in Albany's cemetery to trail hikes through state parks, bushwacking through public hunting grounds and even one cache just north of Winslow that recommends a boat and climbing equipment.

If you go, be sure to bring books for identifying trees or flowers. It is a nature walk with a purpose. Explore a little of your backyard in a new way. Did you know there is a grave in Green County of a Civil War Confederate Soldier? I didn't until we went Geocaching.