c-c-c-c-cold!!!

This weekend Joe and I went to GHAGAFAP (Golden Horseshoe Area Geocachers And Friend Annual Picnic). Joe camped out on Thursday night and Friday night to do some last minute preparations and cache placements. I didn't arrive until VERY early on Saturday morning.

The day went well. Fun was had by all despite the chilly temperatures.

I sold several of the geocaching kits/pouches that I had made up and plan to add some to my Etsy Shop in the near future.



I was pretty much glued to the OGA (Ontario Geocaching Association) table selling memberships and t-shirts, so I really didn't take too many photos. I did manage to persuade Joe to enter the three-legged race with my girlfriend's daughter. They even won the race (I think!).



After the picnic was over, approximately 100 of us ended back at the group camp site for dinner, movies under the stars and an amazing campfire where we were serenaded by some extremely talented musicians.

Now, it was cold. Believe me. Before we went to bed we could see our breath. We slept on an air mattress covered by a heavy-duty sleeping bag. I brought our down duvet and covered it with a quilt and ANOTHER down blanket. As we were falling asleep Joe was lecturing me on how to stay warm. Don't "break the seal" and let any air under the covers. Keep the blankets over your head (I hate that, it's way too stuffy). Before long though, my head was covered in blankets to stay warm. Around 3:00 am I had to use the ladie's room. Trust me, I weighed the pros and cons of the hike to the bathrooms before leaving the warmth of the bed.

When we woke up at 7:00 am (me with a TERRIBLE migraine), it was TWO degrees celcius, that's THIRTY SIX degrees fahrenheit!!!!!!!! BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

I managed to hitch-hike with some friends who live a couple of blocks away from us since Joe still had hours of work to do before he could leave. I came home, turned on the furnace, had a bubble bath and went to bed!

Another geo-weekend

We wore out freezer paper stencilled shirts on Saturday and they were quite a hit! Actually, it was a great day at the Great Canadian Outdoors Expo. We did geocaching demonstrations for about 50 4-H teens. Some were keen, some not-so-much, but I think everyone had fun.



After we were all done, we walked around the show for a while. The smell of the funnel cakes was intoxicating, but we resisted.



We didn't resist at the fresh-cut fries!! Yes, Lera, I had french fries (peer pressure). They were pretty darned yummy!



I have to say that for the first time this weekend it really did feel like summer. It was so nice to be outside in the sunshine. It was hot but not humid. A perfect summer day.

Yesterday I got back to work on the challenge. I made this tote with the handles attached to the outside. I'm not really sure it was worth all the extra effort.



I've used up all but a little bit of the popsicle fabric and almost all of the pink polka dotted fabric on this tote.



I've been wanting to make a new camera case for a while now. I really had no idea how to do it so I made a long zippered pouch with a handle. I used heavy fleecy interfacing on the outer fabric AND the lining. It is super stiff and I know my camera will be safe. Honestly though, it might be overkill. I think if I ever make another I'll use the fleece on the outer fabric and regular interfacing on the lining.



Oh, that IS a picture of my camera. The batteries died mid photo shoot so I had to use the camera from school (which I have at home for the summer now for safe keeping).

Geocaching 101

I know I have mentioned geocaching more than once on my blog and I've had people in the past ask me what it is. I've never really explained it in a post and I think it might be time.

In August 2002 Joe and I found our first geocache. Joe and I had both heard of geocaching but we didn't really know much about it. After a lengthy conversation with someone during a dinner boat cruise we finally decided to try it. That was 5 years ago, we have since found almost 1500 caches and hidden 33 of our own.

What is geocaching??? The best way to describe it is high tech treasure hunting. Using coordinates you find at the official Geocaching website you use your GPS receiver to then locate the "cache". A "cache" is usually a Rubbermaid type container filled with dollar store trinkets for trading and a log book. When you locate the cache, you sign and date the log book, trade trinkets if you like and then when you get home you record your find on the Geocaching website.

Geocaches vary greatly in difficulty. They can be as simple as finding a magnetic container attached to a lamp post in a Walmart parking lot, or they can require a 3 day canoe trip.

One of my favourite things about geocaching is the people. We have met so many awesome people through geocaching. I think my favourite type of cache is event caches. Event caches take place on a certain day at a certain time at a certain place, typically a restaurant, where geocachers gather and share stories.

I took some pictures today while we were out. The first two are of the geocache as we found it and a peek inside of it.







I took a few pictures of the trails while we were out. The first picture is a bird feeder, one of many scattered in the forest. I loved how this one had windows and a door!

This bench was located about half-way along the trail.

I don't even know where we were when I took this picture, I just like it.

And for no reason, a picture of Joe and I.



If you want to know more about geocaching, send me an e-mail, I'll happily answer any questions about it.