Elements of Style
In Geocaching
Location
Where are you taking them?
Real estate agents will tell you that success boils down to three things: location, location and location. Similarly, an outstanding cache usually begins with an outstanding location. That being said, it's next to impossible to define what makes for a great cache location-there are simply too many variables.
The location you choose for your geocache is likely going to fit into one of three categories:
Remote. These locations will require a fairly long hike that not everyone will be up to. It will be a challenge of determination and stamina for anyone who comes looking for this cache. Some of these locations might be deep in forests while others might be in more challenging state parks and recreation areas.
Recreational. These locations are ones that are familiar to most people. They include state parks, city parks, even cemeteries. They are designed for public access and usually have well marked trails, public areas, and (thankfully) restrooms.
Routine. Street corners, business places, college campuses, places where people routinely gather all fit into this category. There are special challenges to placing, finding and maintaining a cache in these areas and those challenges need to be carefully considered before the cache is placed.
The location you choose is more than just a place. You need to also consider why you want to bring them here? What is it you're hoping they get from the location alone?
The View
One of my favorite caches took me on a long hike through the woods, fighting spider webs and mosquitoes until I finally got to the location—a beautiful ridge overlooking a lake. I would have never found the spot on my own. There would have been nothing to draw me to it, or even let me know it was there, and I certainly wouldn't have willingly subjected myself and my daughter to the bushwhacking we had to do to get there. But, because someone else found it and hid a cache there I was able to see an absolutely stunning sight.
Not all views have to be that difficult to get to, of course. One cache in our area is in a cemetery that simply has a beautiful view of the sunset. I haven't done the cache yet because I'm waiting for the perfect day to get there and experience exactly what the hider had in mind.
There are probably one or two locations you know about that very few others do, or some places you've seen at certain times that are well worth the hike for others to see as well.
The Significance
Sometimes a good cache location is easy to get to, but carries certain significance that makes it worth sharing with others. Those little well-hidden cemeteries are often like this. I've had people return to one of my own caches over and over again to bring people out to see the grave of the Revolutionary War veteran that is buried there. The cemetery itself is in a great location and has a stunning view, but by calling attention to the significance of that particular grave, I've added to the experience for the hunters who come.
Maybe the significance is more personal. A multi-cache in our area called "Trail of Engagement" leads you through a park where the hider proposed to his wife. A virtual cache along the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC takes you to the name of the hider's father. Everyone's got at least one story in their life that they'd like to share. If that story revolves around a particular location it might be possible to keep it alive through a geocache.
The Fun Of It
|
Let's face it, not every cache is hidden because of the stunning view or the significance of the location. There are plenty out there that are hidden just for the fun of it. An urban micro hidden on a busy street corner is an invitation to cacher to retrieve and replace it without being noticed. A quick read of logs from caches of this type will turn up several references to James Bond, and other spy games. Obviously there are some people who love this kind of cache simply because of the fun they bring.
|
|
One local cacher who's also a farmer simply dropped a cache in the middle of his empty field. Sounds easy, right? Well, except that he did it during the muddiest time of the year! During my own find for this cache the fun was all for him—as he drove by and saw me tracking through the mud!
Keep in mind, though, it's very unlikely that everyone shares your definition of "fun." Just as not everyone will be up to the challenge of a great view that is difficult to get to, not everyone is going to respond well to a cache that's hidden in plain sight. You're probably better off maintaining a good variety of locations in your personal cache collection.
|
