Cache for Clunkers

On a recent trip through Indiana we stopped and grabbed a couple of geocaches.  One of my favorite ones was called Cash for Clunkers and the cache was hidden someplace on one of these two old junkers.  It was a challenge for me as both of these cars were high up and I could barely reach them.

I always enjoy visiting Veteran Memorials across the country and I'm always happy when our geocaching travels take us to one.  This cache was called Honor the Fallen.

And the final cache in this location took us near a Last Supper monument....

 
It took us about 20 minutes to do all 3 of these caches and it was a nice break from driving.

Getting the Old Folks Out

One of the best things about geocaching is that we spend a lot of time with my parents.  It's a great way to get them out of the house and moving around.  Believe it or not, my Dad is going to be 80 years old next month and my mom is in her late 70's.  I have to say they are in pretty good shape.

Most of the time we'll try to pick one day a week, choose 10-20 geocaches in an area and head out.  Dad buys us breakfast and we supply the car and gasoline.  Sometimes we'll call them up after dinner when I know my dad is all settled in his easy chair, reading the paper and watching television.  He'll pick up the phone and yell "No speaky English!"  We just laugh  and say we're heading out to grab 5 caches and ask if they'd like to come along?  My mom will always toss her crocheting on the floor and grab her caching bag.  The other night I e-mailed her a list of 10 geocaches, said we'd be over in 20 minutes and if anyone wanted to go they should be standing out at the curb.  They were!

Mom and Dad's caching name is Papanonny and everyone in our area knows who they are.  I really think they are the oldest cachers in the Chicago area.  They're very active in general as it is, but geocaching really gets them out and about in nature, even more so than they usually are.   Let's take a look at some of their geocaching antics....

Here they are discussing which end of the bridge was north.   This helps with their directional observations.

Dad then gamely got down on his hands and knees and crawled around in the dirt.  Some guys never grow up.

Here dad is teaching us the proper way to count off paces in order to determine where the cache is hidden.  This shows his teaching and counting abilities.

 Here they are defying haunted locations in order to score a cache...

 

 

 

They still like to have sex in the woods.  Ok, I'm just kidding about that, but I couldn't resist. LOL!

 

 

They enjoy playing with children's toys...

 

And poking things with a stick....

 

 Geocaching encourages them to stretch and reach new heights....

 

It also makes them think outside the box and look at everyday objects in new ways....

 

They visit historic locations and learn new facts about our country's history....

 

 

They meet and make new friends....

Mom keeps up with her accounting skills...

 

Dad still likes to play with rocks....

 



 

...and pretend he's a river boat Captain!

 

 

Mom keeps her sleuthing skills sharp....

 

 

 

 

And dad still enjoys climbing trees. (that's where I got that habit from!)

 

 

They like playing in the sand....

 

 

 

And most of all they enjoy reaching new milestones!

 

 

We enjoy spending time with them and visiting new locations.  Geocaching is a great way to encourage your parents to get out and play!





Cache Crazy Tuesday 08-6-13

Come join me over at CacheCrazy and hear all about our caching trip to Lodi, Wisconsin. 

Book Review - Mickey Mouse Tales

Today's book review is on Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Tales: Classic Stories

This is a beautiful and colorful 80 page, hard cover treasure and is geared towards 5 - 9 year olds.  However,  I have to disagree with that age range - this is a book that will delight anyone at any age.  In fact, I think older readers will really appreciate the timeless nostalgia of this cartoon collection.

Mickey Mouse Tales contains splendid illustrations exploding with color of fifty of Disney's most popular short tales that were hidden for a time in Disney archives.
 

Re-live your childhood or introduce the youngster in your life to classic Mickey and Minnie Mouse.  Giggle at the antics of Donald and Daisy, melt over Pluto with his big heart, and delight at Goofy in all his glory.  

 

I was pleased to see that my all time favorite - Wynken, Blynken and Nod - was included in the collection as the final piece.  It gives me fond memories of curling up in my mom's lap for story time before bed when I was a child
.

My only regret is that this collection came out too late for me to read and share with my own children.  They would have loved the stories and the adorable illustrations.  But I can promise you that I will be wrapping this hardcover book of Disney memories in tissue paper and hiding it away to share with future grandchildren. 

Pick up a copy of Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Tales: Classic Stories to share with the youngster in your life, or settle back in a comfy chair and savor it alone. 


I was provided an advance copy of the book by Rizzoli Publishing for review purposes and asked to give an honest review. All opinions are my own.  All photos are property of K. Scornavacco, allowed with consent by the publisher, and cannot be reproduced.

The 4000 Challenge 8-3-13

The 4000 Challenge has begun, and Michael McLaughlin has hit the mountains! These pictures were taken in Vermont, where big Mike is hiking every peak that is 4000 feet and above! Follow the Unite4kids fb page and cheer on Mike on this journey for a greater cause - to stop child abuse so that every child has the right to a respectable life.

If you missed my post last week about the return of Standing Bear, please go check it out here.

Way to go Mike - looks like you're off to an awesome start and standing on top of the world again!

Painesville Chapel

Painesville Chapel is located in Franklin, Wisconsin and has a colorful history.  Built in`1852 by German emigrants, it is thought to have been a stopover on the underground railroad, as well as a depot during the Civil War.

Adjacent to the chapel is an old cemetery.  I always like to wander through the cemeteries and read the headstones.  You can see how the main street is now built right next to the chapel and cemetery. 

Of course we were on a mission at the Painesville Chapel.  We didn't just happen upon it by chance.  It's also the location of a 3 part multi geocache GC1G1PM.

One unfortunate family lost 3 children at very young ages but I can't show you their headstones because they are used as clues......

After gathering up the needed information we headed to our final location.  We found this doll laying nearby.  I still don't know if this was related to the cache or not but...

..... Lou finally made the find! 

I want to stress that the purpose of the geocache being at this location was to bring people to the area and learn about the history.  At no time is there any need to disturb any of the graves or markers.  Nothing in the cemetery area needs to be touched.  It was a fun cache and a great way to learn some history about the area.

Note Songs and a Bathroom Diva

Are you a bathroom Diva?  Well apparently I am now crowned royalty over at Note Songs. 
TA-DA!!  Let me take a bow...

Dear, sweet Shelia asked me to Snap for her and you are just going to have to go over and visit her blog to find out what that means.  But I'll give you a hint.....

I love to visit Shelia's blog because she is always happy and sunny.  Her blog is chock full of decorating tips, FireKing & Pyrex dishware that I secretly covet, crafts and food.  She has this adorable theme of ending her posts with an old song and I have to admit - I usually know whose song it is.   And.....  she and her hubby just purchased a travel RV and they are hitting the road with it to take fun little adventures.  So visit Shelia's  You, Me and Kiki blog to get the royal RV tour. 

Thank you Shelia for letting me get my Snap on.  I'll wear my crown with pride!