Nebraskaland

20 NEBRASKAland • APRIL 2017 By Renae Blum You may have heard of geocaching (pronounced GEO- cashing) – the popular outdoor game of hunting down hidden treasures, called caches, using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices or smartphones. Players follow GPS coordinates to locate the caches, containers which hold a logbook for players to sign and usually small trinkets of some kind for trade. The player then puts the geocache back for the next person to find and logs his or her successful find online. Caches can range in size from buckets, bins and even railroad cars to nano caches, which are 3 ⁄8" by 3 ⁄8" in size and contain nothing more than a tiny rolled-up slip of paper for logging purposes. Caches also range in difficulty; some are easily visible, while more challenging caches may be tucked inside bolts or compartments in logs and rocks, or require you to figure out a lock combination. More than 2.8 million geocaches have been placed by geocachers in over 180 countries; most people in North America and Europe live within a short walk of at least one. Not all caches are physical. Players looking for EarthCaches are searching for answers to questions laid out by that EarthCache's creator, rather than for physical containers. The questions have to do with the landscape surrounding the GPS coordinates, a site that is geologically interesting in some way. After exploring the site, reading its online notes and determining answers, you email them in to the EarthCache's owner and log your visit online to get credit for your visit. Inevitably the player walks away knowing more about the Earth, Nebraska's ancient history and the story of the land in a unique area. Because they are non-physical, EarthCaches may be located at sites where typical geocaches are not legally allowed, such as national parks and geological monuments. Nebraska holds more than 60 EarthCaches. Six of Nebraska's eight state parks have EarthCaches, as well as one state historical park (Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park). Some Nebraska EarthCaches focus on the state's ancient animal and plant life. At Toadstool Geologic Park, visitors are encouraged to examine fossilized footprints; the questions for Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park focus on the stunningly well-preserved species of rhinos and camels at the site. Several EarthCaches highlight Nebraska's rivers and waterfalls, such as Smith Falls, the Missouri River and Stone Creek Falls at Platte River State Park. Other Nebraska EarthCache adventures include exploring the Sandhills, the Platte Valley Rainwater Basin in York and the Heron Haven Wetland in Omaha. You do not need advanced scientific knowledge to complete an EarthCache; both kids and adults can enjoy the activity. Some EarthCaches require a bit of walking; at an EarthCache situated in Lincoln's saline wetlands, you'll need to make a trip of about 1.5 miles through the wetland to answer questions. Educators can download an extensive guide to using EarthCaches in the classroom, including lesson plans, online – it is available on Google as a PDF under its title, "EarthCaching – an Educator's Guide." To start geocaching, register for a free basic account at geocaching.com and click "Play" to find caches near you. To narrow your search to EarthCaches, click "View Geocache Maps" under "Play" and deselect the other icons until only the EarthCache icon remains, a globe with a piece cut out of it. To make your search even easier, download the free geocaching app. EarthCaches are just one of several different types of geocaches; read more about other types under the "Learn" tab. ■ Virtual Treasure Hunting p N o P a v t f c r R N S H s a a s m c t o E g n M t p e E Uncover clues to Nebraska's past using your GPS. Finding an EarthCache requires you to explore a place that is geologically interesting and to answer questions about it. Looking for an EarthCache can be a fun, interesting outdoor activity. PHOTO BY RENAE BLUM

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