Posted on 08/08/2013 12:40:57 AM PDT by Daffynition
.....It’s a geocache (gee-oh-cash).
And finding these modern-day treasure chests is worth more than the hunt, devotees say.
“It gets you outside — gets you exercise. And while your mind can wander while you’re walking, it makes you think, solve puzzles,” says Kevin Venator, 45, a Johnson County geocacher.
Interest is very high in the sport right now, Venator said. “It’s exploding,” he said.
Geocaching has become so popular that cities have had to wrestle with the hobby. If a geocacher looks out of place or suspicious, homeowners might call police. That could result in an altercation.
The practice recently came up at a Leawood City Council meeting. Council members asked their parks and recreation director, Chris Claxton, if they needed to issue a policy or ordinance to regulate the practice.
[snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
Great comment: **I’m from the government I’m here to kill all human joy and tax it.**
I’m not gonna call the cops.
Geocaching is a great way to get kids outside, but we only go for caches that are a few miles’ hike; the low-hanging fruit isn’t worth it. If you live in an area with history, geocachers will find some nice hidden areas and direct you to them.
Prvate property rights are paramount, though; there is a screening process for placing geocaches. Even parks often require permits.
It a great hobby, get some good exercise, burn lots of gas, see parts of your county you never knew existed The Caching Crew (2600 finds)
My mantra to kids.....*Get out and STAY out*. When the government gets involved... they outlaw fun and tax it as well!
This summer. I’ve been exploring state parks in the state to kayak.....mostly places I’ve never been B4.
We found a remote park with a large lake. There are no *park rangers* during the week..... people are pretty much on their own. I love it. Families bring tubes, rafts, floats, dogs, off leash...yada. No one to say *You can’t do that here* it’s wonderful. And I don’t see litter and inappropriate behavior. Nirvana.
In every other park, nearer to urban centers w/ more bodies using them....it’s always...*no you can’t do that* for every move you make.
We were just the state beach in RI....there are no trash barrels....when you enter they give you a trash bag....and you bring it home with you. I think that’s a good idea. People, like most hikers and nature lovers are very respectful, responsible. Please government...leave us alone!
The little punks have them *everywhere* here.
Property lines mean nothing.
Right now they’re planting stuff on ground they don’t know belongs to a very serious, scary branch of the gubmint.
Eventually they’ll run into one of the “Black BDUs” who patrol that mountain.
[they haven’t seen the ‘use of deadly force authorized’ signs, yet]
You’ve inspired me to get up to Vermont and find those old graves in the woods and photograph them. :D
Good to know I’m not the only one out creeping around graveyards for kicks.
;]
“We were just the state beach in RI....there are no trash barrels....when you enter they give you a trash bag....and you bring it home with you.”
Sandy Hook in NJ is like this (one of the beaches near the top of the shore/closest to the urban toilets). You are expected to take your trash with you, but the people (the usual suspects) just leave it in the sand. We stopped going there a few years ago; it is worth a little longer drive and a little more money to go to a beach with people like us. I’ve seen the same policy at state parks in the mountains.
We’ve camped (backpacking) on state land where it is officially not allowed but they cannot police it; it is great, and we “leave only footprints”.
Not sure where you are, but I believe geocaching started in CA. When people make them too accessible, they get stolen or vandalized (one near my house was filled with urine; it was not 100 feet from a major road, and probably drew too much attention).
Another example of local politicians overreaching.
It sounds to me (story could be reported wrong) like the concern was brought up by local council members, not a resident. The article cites a possible altercation if someone looks suspicious.
However, no actual incident to that effect is mentioned in the article.
So my guess is that there’s a council member who heard about this, and didn’t like something about it which prompted them to want to regulate it.
My advice to the community is, find out who this council member(s) is (are) and get them off the council as fast as you can.
“Geocaching” sounds to me more like Al Qaeda planting IED’s. Don’t give them (Al Qaeda) any ideas.
>> “leave only footprints”<<
Amen to that. *Pack It In, Pack It Out*
I’ve hiked a good piece of the AT [Appalachian Trail] and thank goodness, there’s not much litter....thanks to a network of dedicated volunteers.
Let’s not mention the tons of trash left by hikers trekking Mt. Everest. ;(
Me, too!
Teach geeks about the outdoors, and that’s what you get. :)
My daughter’s ambition is to hike the AT. She has been talking about it since high school and is now in college and is getting more serious about it. Just 2 weeks ago, she and a friend did 8 miles at Harper’s Ferry. She can finally say she did some of it! :) Right now, goal is to do at least section hiking after college.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.