Weekly Roll

Word Postcard Day

Linky Love

World Postcard Day is coming up on Oct 1.  Paper Bridges is the Theme for 2026. This is a big deal for Postcrossing and Geocaching. Geocaching is having crossover events as well. 

Last Year's Postcard Day

Inappropriate Thoughts

I have so many questions.  Is this genius marketing.  Is Dumpkin Spice appropriate for your bathroom?  Kind of makes me go EWW! 

Side Quest - World Postcard Day/Geocaching

 World Post Card Day is October 1st.  It is a big thing in the Post Crossing and Geocaching Communities.

World Postcard Day- Above is the official Postcrossing Postcard for this year

On Sunday we went to a Geocaching crossover event with Postcrossing. If you haven't heard Geocaching is turning 25 years old. There was a virtual souvenir for attending a postcard event. We haven't done a geocaching event for a while or much geocaching whatsoever. It was fun to meet some geocachers and exchange some stories.

I will be sending some postcards on October 1st not only to other post crossers but to my friends as well.

Operation Fun - Bombs Away

 A couple of Sundays ago we decided on a lark to go get a geocache. It was definitely off the beaten path. We literally were out in the oil fields. You know you are out there when a business has the GPS coordinates on the sign. Below is the geocache description. The cache name was "Bombs Away."

Below is a picture of the cache. It is hard to explain the attraction of finding a piece of Tupperware in the middle of nowhere. Can you spot the cache below.

It was flipping cold. The sunglass picture is to annoy my MOTHER.

Weekly Roll

Linky Love

These are ethe raptors in your Albuquerque Neighborhood - I am newish to New Mexico so learning what kind of birds are here is cool.

A rare giraffe was born without spots. Nonna suggested naming the new giraffe "Brownie"  

Massive 21 Foot Tall Sculpture of Ancestral Goddess Unveiled in Colorado - I think I need to put this on my Colorado go to visit list.

RushTok - This sucked me right in. It is a trainwreck.  The link was found via Modern Mrs Darcy. 

Inappropriate Thoughts

August 19th was international geocaching day.  We found a geocache at our local cemetery.  Not sure why there is such a security fence around it. We have cut way back on our geocaching, but I still like the hunt. 

DEEP THOUGHTS

6 years ago my best friend and I hiked Cascade Pass. Mrs Epi texted that to me this week. I can't believe it was 6 years ago. It was by far one of the hardest hikes I have hiked. There are a lot of switchbacks something like 30 plus. I am a person of size who at the time was in fairly decent hiking shape, but it was challenging for me. There is a point on that very hike I thought I don't know if I can do this. 

Because I am pretty sure at switchback 16, I really wanted to turn around.  I think as we crossed the last rock field before the top I said to myself, "If the top isn't around the corner I am going to stop here and die." I am a bit dramatic. (blog post quote)

In large part, I completed that hike because of my best friend's encouragement. Hiking will teach you to handle the hills.  We all have hills or steep parts in our lives where we think I am not going to be able to do this thing/situation. This is too much.  Hiking has taught me that if I can get myself off that mountain, I can do this thing whatever that is.  Your friend can encourage you, but your legs are what are going to take you home. 

handling the hills

Cascade Pass Trail

Road Trippin

The past 2 years have involved quite a bit of road trippin.  I think it is interesting how everyone has different traditions or activities. My kids are adults now, so these are all things for ADULTS. Some of our scenery on many of our trips hasn't exactly been picturesque so we like to play little games or listen to podcasts.

Podcasts

all our suggestions are in the true crime category

Small Town Murder - two comedians discuss crimes.  These episodes are long. They are funny but the pod can be graphic.  This appeals to everyone in my family. We have listened to a lot of these.

Why can't we talk about Amanda's Mom?  This only 9 episodes. This will leave you with a lot of questions.

The Vanished I especially found Ruth Egonoski episode good. Beau Mann is a 4 parts.  First Part Here. This was an interesting story.  

Hide and Seek - I especially like Season 2 Logan. First episode here. Season 3 about Britany is very good too but not yet completed. There is also a bigger cast of characters aka suspects. 

The License Plate Game - There are many apps now.  Still enjoy doing this.

Google that Place - My youngest likes to google the places we go by to find out what is going on. We have had MANY interesting discussions about things he has looked up.  We had a whole conversation about La Grande Oregon.  My husband has some French ancestry, so I guess this was fascinating to us at the time.

Geocaching - A lot of rest areas have geocaches.  I think if you need a break from driving this is a good way to stretch your legs and possibly have a little adventure. 

What I Read October

 I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit.  Check out what everyone else is reading.

My reading is a little heavy on the non fiction this month. It is undeniably fall here in the Pacific Northwest. Time to hunker down with some good reads. 

Group by Christie Tate - This book I picked up out of the newer non fiction section. Christie starts Group therapy after law school. She is a recovering from an eating disorder and a driven lawyer/student. She has intimacy issues. Her psychologist has a interesting group therapy practice with some unusual assignments for his group members. I definitely don't think this book is for everyone. It is a little more on the graphic side than I usually like my non fiction reads. I preferred Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

Chasing the Thrill by Daniel Barbarisi 

This book goes into depth about Fenn Treasure Hunt. The treasure was hidden by Forest Fenn.  It was a literal treasure chest with treasure. Forest wrote a book and poem that would lead the hunter to the treasure. Five people lost their lives looking for the treasure. Forest Fenn himself became a polarizing figure accused of asking for nude pictures in exchange for treasure hints from some female searchers. The treasure was eventually found but the finder at first didn't disclose who they were and what state the treasure was found in.  Daniel himself with his friend Beep aka Jay became involved in the hunt. He gives a real insight into the treasure hunters and the community of treasure hunters. This book also goes into other arm chair treasure hunts and other treasure hunts to really understand the attraction.  This book is well done and a quite enjoyable read. Modern Mrs Darcy's Review and also part of her podcast One Great Book

I am a long time geocacher with my family.  Our geocaching name is 2manwreckingcrew.  We have 2,361 geocaching finds.  We started with letterboxing but eventually joined the geocaching world.  We have been to many geocaching events . We have a yard geocache. There is a definite culture in the geocaching community much like Daniel found in the Fenn Treasure Hunting community.  If you are interested in treasure hunting but not on a large scale like Fenn Treasure hunt.  Then geocaching is great way to scratch the treasure hunting itch with various levels of difficulty. There is really something for everyone.

House Lessons by Erica Bauermeister

This our county read for the year. Erica Bauermeister lives in Port Townsend WA.  Erica and her family buy a run down house in Port Townsend. They renovate. It is a project.  Erica Bauermeister has also the author of  The Scent Keeper and The School of Essential Ingredients.  It was a bit on the dry side for me.   Some really good deep stuff in there though - "You need a reason to go and a reason to leave."  and "The problem with imagination is that while we like to think of it like a boat, sailing free across an infinite ocean, the reality is that it will be moored to the dock of what we already know."

Cold Case North by Michael Nest

I read this right before Indigenous People's Day.  The story is about the Cold case involving James Brady and Absolom "Abbie" Halkett.  They are both natives and were dropped off to do some mining survey in Northern Saskatchewan Canada at a remote lake.  James Brady was a Metis leader and Absolom Halkett was a Cree Band Councilor both were activists. When the plane came back to drop supplies there was no signs of either James or Abbie.  This book relooks at this 50 year old missing cold case and discovers new clues.  The investigation by the local authorities was extremely lacking. I thought this was written and researched so well. I thought this was excellent read and I hope one day this can be solved. The Co Authors of this book Deanna Reder and Eric Bell belong to the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. 

This cold case also reminds me of the Podcast Missing in Alaska about the Congressman Hale Boggs and Nick Begich whose plane vanished in Alaska in 1972.  These were two very politically active people and of course their search was more intense than the one for James Brady and Abbie Halkett but the political intrigue and unanswered questions are similar. If only James and Abbie had received half the press this received. 

Weekly Roll - Light it up Blue

 

April is World Autism Month.  I thought I would highlight a few linky's here. I hope to have a couple posts on Autism this month. 

Visit Mesa Autism Geotour - geocaching and autism two things I know a lot about. A geotour is a group of geocaches usually sponsored by a town this one emphasis is on exploring Mesa AZ and is specifically targeted to people with Autism. I think that is cool.

Mesa is the first city be a Autism Certified City.

Inappropriate Thoughts

*** These are thoughts I have as an parent to someone with Autism. These are not all of them and perhaps the most negative ones currently. Thus they are also the most inappropriate and labeled as so.

There is no such thing as a paperwork reduction act when dealing with social security or any other social service agency. 

Why make receiving social services so difficult to receive that even able people have difficulty assisting disabled people navigating the systems. That is insanity.

Parents shouldn't be the only people to come up with the solutions for supports for Autism from housing to therapy but 90% of the time they are. Not government but PARENTS. It has become the norm so government has quit investing in solutions. There is a prevailing attitude that parents will figure out it. It is frustrating. I get tired of figuring stuff out. 

There have been days in the last year where I have wanted to leave my phone at my house and run away. But adults don't get to run away especially responsible adults. When you are a parent caregiver there are literally no boundaries. There also isn't any real respite. 

My son is no Sheldon Cooper or the Good Doctor. If you have met one person with Autism, you have met one person with Autism. The spectrum is wide. 

Weekly Roll

 I will make no secret about it. I really like to geocache. This past week one of the top organizer of geocaching events in our local area passed away.  She was kinda a legend and really organized some epic events.  One of those events was a Halloween Zombie event in 2013. She went all out with passports, themed caches, and even paintball shooting a zombie.  We will miss you - Half Canadian also known as the Reviewer Wizard of Ooze - Laurie Freeman

Sourdough Update

We made sourdough pizzas Friday night. This was our first time doing this. We used little spoon farms pizza crust recipe

Inappropriate Thoughts

Sorry I have to veer into COVID land. My son is set to go back to school or hybrid school Feb 1. Why can't we vaccinate our teacher's sooner? Aren't they basically on the front line?  Also sharing Because I Said So post on What school looks like in Florida.

Secondly, where the heck is the vaccine? Our county literally only had a 1,000 doses to give this past week. They haven't made through the first tier of health care workers and rest home people. 

I know I am preaching to the choir.

Geocaching Art

My husband while in New Mexico completed a geocache art series called Alien Tracks. There was a total of 46 caches that form this alien face in the desert. This series is located on BLM land. He saw antelope and encountered rattlesnakes!

GeoCompass has a list of geocaching art list for every state

Googling My Way Through Life - The Secret (Treasure Hunt)

I am 90% sure most of my googling happens during television watching.  I am a big fan of the treasure shows Curse of Oak Island, Civil War Gold and Expedition Unknown.  Josh Gates of Expedition Unknown recently had show on the book, "The Secret". It was actually their 2nd time exploring the treasure hunt.

The book contains 12 puzzles that lead to 12 cities where a vase (casque) is buried in a Plexiglas box containing a key/ The key can be redeemed for a jewel. Only 2 of the 12 casques have been found and Bryon Preiss, publisher and keeper of the locations,  has since passed away but the keys still can be redeemed for jewels.

Well all of this led to a lot of googling. Josh Gates and Expedition Unknown went to Charleston and San Francisco

The Secret Wiki

For less intense adventures but treasure none the less try Geocaching or Letterboxing.  Those are the kind of adventures I like. I think I will stick to those. I love to hear about the hunt.

Check out the rest of my "Googling My Way Through Life " series here

Googling My Way Through Life - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

This google is going to sound a bit random. I received a Donnie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Trackable through Geocaching.com. So of course, I googled. I needed to

The Teenage Mutant Turtles turn 35 years old this year. So this is a special promotion.

Cowabunga! The legendary heroes in a half-shell have emerged from the sewers again in Nickelodeon’s Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the latest mutation in their ever-evolving story. Mastering their classical ninja skills and learning to channel fantastical new superpowers, Raph, Leo, Mikey and Donnie must work together to navigate the perils of both modern New York City and the secret magic realms within to become the heroes they were always destined to be.

Help the Turtles discover hidden locations around the world by moving them from cache to cache.

I got Donnie trackable. Donnie is considered the tallest and smartest of all the Ninja Turtles and really into gadgets.  A trackable is a item with a tracking number which you move from geocache to geocache. Some geocachers are really into these trackables. I think it is a fun aspect to the game.

More info about geocaching

Check out the rest of my series " Googling My Way Through Life" here.

Yard Geocache and Girl Scouts

We have a yard geocache. We created it for a New Year's Day event.  This week we were lucky to have a whole girl schout troop visit our geocache. Despite the rain. The girls found the log which was the tricky part. Description of the cache below

One of our top 2019 Geocaching Resolutions is to avoid hiding OBIVIOUS geocaches. No containers that scream, "This is a geocache!"  Absolutely no "X" marks the spot. 

Dream Big

Visiting Peace Arch

I was lucky enough to receive a special promotional geocache trackable.  It was part of a big geocaching trackable promotion for Kat Kronenberg and the  release of her new book Dream Big.

Geocachers are invited to join the Dream Big movement. With a CATCH-M trackable, a magical character from the book, share your “big geocaching smiles” on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using the hashtags #GeocachersDreamBIG #contest. From February to October 2017, three photos that best capture smiley geocaching adventures will be selected each month to win an autographed 1st Edition of Dream Big. Those winners will also be entered to win the Grand Prize of $1,000 cash and three additional autographed 1st Editions of Dream Big. The Grand Prize winner will be announced on World Smile Day, October 6, 2017. - From www.geocaching.com

We have been showing our trackable a good time

hanging out in nature

December Daily - Caching the Last of Fall

December 4

With snow predicted in the near future, we decided to get one last geocache.  One of the things, I enjoy most about Bellingham is all the trails. We parked and walked down the path to get this geocache. It was not looking a lot like Christmas but a lot like fall. This was a good way to stretch our legs.

Windy Walk on the Wild Side

View off of Chuckanut Drive

I decided for my birthday I would like to go for a drive.  We drove the scenic Chuckanut drive.  We grabbed 2 geocacahes along the way in which I managed to get muddy and wet shoes. It is the curse of the Pacific Northwest.

I had suggested driving to Anacortes but on the way we decided that we should walk the length of the Deception Pass Bridge.  It was something neither my Husband or I had ever done.  We had often stopped in the middle to admire the view.  The Deception Pass Bridge spans both Deception Pass and Canoe Pass. So we parked on one side of the bridge and began our adventure.  It was windy and a little disconcerting looking down 180 feet.   As we got close to the middle island, the wind seemed to pick up a bit but we decided to keep going.

Selfie with Bridge
Like my wind blown look?

We crossed over to the other side of the bridge the wind was at our back.  However walking the entire length back it started to rain and the wind really picked up.  We were having trouble walking.  It made me extremely nervous when my Husband grabbed both handrails.  The wind was whipping my hair so bad I couldn't see in front of me.  When I got home I looked up the wind forecast, the wind was gusting between 15 mph and 25 mph while we were on the bridge. YIKES!  Yep, we were the crazy people walking the bridge.

That was definitely a birthday adventure!!!

Washington State Park GeoTour End

More than 10,000 people participated in the WA State Parks GeoTour over its three-year run - wow! (And that's conservative, based on account logs, not actual bodies.) The State Parks counts it as a huge success and has cemented geocaching as a positive recreational activity in the parks. (We've come a long way, baby, from 2002 when they wanted to ban caching!) - GeoTour Manager

Most Found:

2551: Iron Horse - Hyak
1024: Peace Arch
992: Fort Casey
766: Saltwater
743: Saint Edward

Least Found:

133: Fields Spring
159: Mount Pilchuck
163: Crawford
167: Camp Wooten
168: Steamboat Rock

Most Favorite Points:

174: Fort Worden
136: Potholes
125: Rosario Beach - Deception Pass
107: Peace Arch
97: Wenatchee Confluence

We were so excited as a family to participate in this geotour. It was great having our own cache at Peach Arch and we also found as a family 50 of the state park caches.

Cache, Dash, Splash II 2016

We attended a geocaching event in Long Beach, WA.  Us with a bunch of different geocachers descended on Long Beach to find over 40 new caches and attain the cache coin.  It was a blast.  We did our first ever night cache along the beach.

looking for glow in the dark skulls on the beach

Geocachers huddled around the cache

On a rainy Saturday, we found all 40 caches for our passport.  We traveled with the lovely Guy Team (Mr and Mrs Guy). We traveled all over the Long Beach area.  We went to several State Parks and learned a bit about Lewis and Clark

Our favorite cache was found in a old fire hydrant. All the regular Long Beach hydrants are red but this one is yellow.  Several cachers stood around watching our almost fruitless search.

Going Ape

Standing by the Going Ape Sculpture

Going Ape is a Mega Geocaching Event held in August every year at Iron Horse State Park - Hyak. This was our first time attending. Description below of the event

The APE is found in the rugged, snow-capped Cascade Mountains, just a short drive from Seattle, where you can walk through the spooky 2-mile-long Tunnel of Light, find one of the oldest caches in Washington, and visit the APE tribute cache. Plus, we hear that Sasquatch and Fen Dweller have been sighted in the area - so watch out!

We only walked the tunnel and went on top.  We did not make it all the way to the tribute cache.  The Snoqualmie Tunnel is 2.3 miles long and we walked it to the end and back.  It felt wonderful on a hot day. We did find the Fen Dweller in the tunnel. The tunnel was quite busy with bikes and hikers. This is totally the year of the rail trail.

Hubby and I after walking one way through the tunnel

We also got a chance to hike to the top of the tunnel entry.  I wish I had gotten a picture of people on the top. 

Boys on Top of Tunnel

We also had the opportunity to do a lot of lab caches.  Theses are special caches.  One of the lab caches was a lock pick cache.  All the boys managed to pick the lock.

We turned in our Ape Tag for a Glow in the Dark Special Edition Ape Coin.  Check out Spotting Ape to see how we found our tag.