This parking lot is weird. — Cadillac Ranch Cars (GC4K7Y3) — Geocache of the Week

The Cadillacs look even cooler in infra-red. Photo by geocacher hzoi
The Cadillacs look even cooler in infra-red. Photo by geocacher hzoi

Geocache Name:

Cadillac Ranch Cars (GC4K7Y3)

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

3/1.5

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

When you set out on a geocaching adventure, you never know what you’re going to find. Of course we always hope it’s the geocache, but you could end up finding a place you never knew existed, another geocacher, a wild animal, or even—in this case—a few Cadillacs sticking up out of the ground. This art installation near Amarillo, Texas was created in 1974 and has been a must-see stop along Route 66 ever since. If you’re ever in the area, finding this geocache is a must. One thing to keep in mind: this piece of art is in danger of being removed due to visitors leaving their empty spray-paint cans behind. Do your part as a geocacher and CITO around the area. We all appreciate it!

What the geocache owner, Scubafrogger, has to say:

“I was inspired to place this Geocache from many visits on the way from Denton, TX to Sipapu New Mexico to compete in the State Double Disc Golf Tournament. We have been visiting this site since 2002 and nearly every year since. The first time we drove by on the way to New Mexico I spotted something odd in a farmers field. The drive down I-40 can get pretty boring so we made a quick U turn and had a great picture festival! We pulled up and had the place all to ourselves. I wondered who put this hear and why all covered in graffiti? VERY COOL though!”

“I get tons of great pics and stories from the many distant travelers making the trek to world famous Cadillac Ranch! I love reading every one and pics are a huge bonus for me. Keep em coming!”

What geocachers are saying:

“Continuing our Route 66 journey through Texas – thank you so much for making our trip so enjoyable and for helping to make such lovely memories.” – The Platonas Two

“Took a break from our travels west to look for this one. We had logged the virtual cache that was here a couple of years ago and we’re happy for a reason to stop again. Took a few minutes, but Mr CGof4 made the find. Thanks for the cache!” – crazygangof4

“Really good location for a cache. Not many muggles out today so we was able to look some. This one was tricky. Took some looking. Sun was getting in eyes made it hard. Glad this cache was in a dry area and not the muddy part like some of the cars. Thanks for placing this cool cache.” – wastedspace

Photos:

The Platonas Two hanging out with the cars.
The Platonas Two hanging out with the cars.
Geocacher Lookin'Good  doing her part to CITO and keep the area clean. Good job!
Geocacher Lookin’Good doing her part to CITO and keep the area clean. Good job!
This valet is definitely not getting a tip. Photo by geocacher nukeworker
This valet is definitely not getting a tip. Photo by geocacher nukeworker

What’s your favorite piece of art you’ve seen while geocaching? Tell us and post photos in the comments.

 

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, just fill out this form. Thanks!

A little adrenaline never hurt anyone — Klettersteig Schweifinen (GC2FX7P) — Geocache of the Week

Easy hikes don't make for views this good! Photo by geocacher papounet
Easy hikes don’t make for views this good! Photo by geocacher papounet

Geocache Name:

Klettersteig Schwefinen

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

3.5/5

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

Clever containers and parks in your city that you never knew about are great, but sometimes you need that shot of adrenaline to really make your geocaching experience totally amazing. If you’re not 100% confident in your rock climbing or rappelling skills, a trip on a ‘via ferrata’ might be what you’re looking for. These route ascend mountain cliffs with the use of metal rungs and cables that have been bolted into the rock. Climbers use special gear to clip in to these in order to prevent serious falls. While somewhat uncommon in the United States, geocachers can find quite a few via ferrata routes throughout Europe.

What geocachers are saying:

“Thanks for placing the cache! Great place, fantastic view. The best part of the Klettersteig is the part C!” — AnnieSk

“We have been on a holiday for teen days in Zermatt. We have found a lot of caches over 2000 meters. We have been on a lot of nice hikes and seen a lot of nice places. This trip was my favorite on our holiday.” — TSH98

“Fantastic via ferrata climb i fine weather on our stay in Zermatt. Thanks for the new way of caching. Thanks for a fantastic cache.” — TeamHatlAnd

Photos:

On the way up! Photo by geocacher framesmasher
On the way up! Photo by geocacher framesmasher
Adrenaline = smiles. Photo by geocacher Die Berüchtigten
Adrenaline = smiles. Photo by geocacher Die Berüchtigten
Climb to the top! Photo by geocacher Kuertu
Climb to the top! Photo by geocacher Kuertu

What gets your adrenaline pumping while geocaching? Tell us and post photos in the comments.

 

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, just fill out this form. Thanks!

Epic Adventure, — Wet Surprise (GC1YV80) — Geocache of the Week Video Edition

[vsw id=”hfFLCVLQZSE” source=”youtube” width=”853″ height=”480″ autoplay=”no”]

Geocache Name:

Wet Surprise (GC1YV80)

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

2/5

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

This was an incredible adventure and is a perfect example of how geocaching can take you to places you never would’ve visited without it. For more, check out the video above.

What geocachers are saying:

“Swam to it in my undies!  I gotta say, in 6+ years of caching, this is probably the coolest cache i’ve done so far…” – Thuescapades

“This cache experience was my favorite of all time.” – reidsomething

“What an amazing adventure! …Beautiful lake, amazing view of the mountain, and a cache full of awesome swag…what more could a geocacher want??” – AKprincesswarrior

What the geocache owner, Freak of Nature, has to say:

“I’ve always enjoyed geocaching away from urban areas. I have a background in forestry, and love the outdoors…I’ve known about this area since the late seventies. I have backpacked around here many times. Lots of local history here.

I love all of the positive feedback! This is really what geocaching means to me. Discovering places and things I might never have known of, but for someone placing a cache nearby.

Everybody knows of a special spot or location that means something to them. There are lots of adventures waiting to be had.  Don’t be afraid to share it with others. Thanks to all for this most enjoyable hobbie, and cache on!”

Photos:

Mount Rainier views on the hike up.
Mount Rainier views on the hike up.

 

Ben, of benandjayme, surveying the lake.
Ben, of benandjayme, surveying the lake.

 

Lackey AKprincesswarrior making her way to the island.
Lackey AKprincesswarrior making her way to the island.

 

Hiking up to the lake. Photo by geocacher Boonie-Medic
Hiking up to the lake. Photo by geocacher Boonie-Medic

 

What’s most fun you’ve had during a day of geocaching? Tell us and post photos in the comments.

 

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, just fill out this form. Thanks!

Whovians unite! — Doctor Who #13 (GC56Y0Z) — Geocache of the Week

The TARDIS in the wild. Photo by geocacher Lost From New York
The TARDIS in the wild. Photo by geocacher Lost From New York

 

 

Video: Spoiler Alert!

[vsw id=”jQJZOJmwScU” source=”youtube” width=”420″ height=”315″ autoplay=”no”]

 

Geocache Name:

Doctor Who #13 (GC56Y0Z)

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

3/1.5

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

First, check out the video above. If you’re still scratching your head and wondering why this is Geocache of the Week, here are a few reasons:

  • The creativity and craftsmanship that went into the container
  • The awesome theme and decoration
  • All of the positive logs and favorite points
  • A dedicated geocache owner

Not to mention, the threat of extermination via Daleks is a pretty unique feature for a geocache.

What the geocache owner, carlep_99, has to say:

“While watching Youtube videos about geocaching I kept seeing all these different field puzzle caches.  So I decided I was going to try and create one myself and dedicate it to my favorite tv show (Doctor Who) to celebrate the new season beginning August 2014.”

“I actually was surprised at the reaction some had with this cache.  I wasn’t expecting it to be as popular as it turned out to be. Don’t get me wrong I was hoping people would enjoy it but when I saw what people were saying I got teary eyed and got a feeling of euphoria (i guess would be the best way to describe it) it was such an awesome experience…I wrote in the description a definite for Doctor Who fans, I was wrong, it’s turning out to be a definite for the whole geocaching community. A very much appreciated thank you to the geocaching community for all the logs posted  and logs to be posted for “Doctor Who  #13″.”

What geocachers are saying:

“One of the Best caches I’ve found in our tenure as geocachers! I wish I knew about the Dr Who series before finding this because after a first failed attempt to enter the Tardis I did my research. That just added to my appreciation of this cache when I returned to successfully log it! Simply awesome, a masterpiece of engineering and workmanship!” – Timpat

 

“Great cache. Lots of hard work went into this one. Very creative. No need to force anything to get this one. Use your brain, not muscle to get to the log book.” – Sunrunner

 

“Wow, what a great cache to end this series (at least for now)! I’m actually a little disappointed that I can only give this 1 favorite point, but I’m sure you’ll collect a bunch. Thanks to you for a great cache series commemorating a great TV series, and thanks to the landowner for their permission.” – sky-raider

Photos:

The TARDIS puzzle. Photo courtesy of carlep_99
The TARDIS puzzle. Photo courtesy of carlep_99
During construction. Photo courtesy of carlep_99
During construction. Photo courtesy of carlep_99
EXTERMINATE! Uh oh... Photo courtesy of carlep_99
EXTERMINATE! Uh oh… Photo courtesy of carlep_99

What’s the best field puzzle you’ve ever solved? Tell us or post photos in the comments.

 

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, just fill out this form. Thanks!

Is this still Earth? — Rainbow’s End: Grand Prismatic Spring (GC1JY47) — Geocache of the Week

Is this really Earth? Photo: "Grand prismatic spring" by Jim Peaco, National Park Service
Is this really Earth? Photo: “Grand prismatic spring” by Jim Peaco, National Park Service

Geocache Name:

Rainbow’s End: Grand Prismatic Spring (GC1JY47)

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

2/1

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

If you’re still searching for an EarthCache to find in order to earn your Nature Lover souvenir for the Seven Souvenirs of August, consider visiting a place that doesn’t even look like it belongs on Earth. EarthCaches bring geocachers to geologic formations and require them to answer questions about that formation in order to make the find. The Grand Prismatic Spring (or as the CO of this EarthCache points out: “GPS” for short) is the largest hot spring in the United States and third-largest in the world. However, what really draws the crowds are the amazing colors throughout the formation, caused by bacteria and mineral-rich water.

What the geocache owner, Frumious Jane, has to say:

“The Grand Prismatic Spring is my favorite place on the planet.  The longer I sit there on the boardwalk, the further away my troubles seem. We get so used to seeing streets, houses, power lines, and cars in our daily lives that these things become our Normal. Geocaching offers us caching options in pretty much every environment on the planet, and I’m a big sucker for the strange and glorious spots. I love being reminded that I live on a planet filled with rare and beautiful geologic features. The Grand Prismatic Spring offers a fascinating variant on the deadly beauty of volcanoes: the magma is underground, but we can see its effects on the steaming groundwater in the beautiful pools that dot Yellowstone National Park. Walking right up to something as resplendent as the Grand Prismatic Spring, knowing I’m standing atop a subterranean volcano all the while, gave me such a thrill that all I wanted to do was share it. We civilized folks just don’t get to experience surreal moments very often, and I wanted to let others know there was something worth pulling off the road for, something amazing to experience and think about.
Every time I read a new log telling me how awestruck the cachers were when they looked out over the spring for the first time, or how they’d never have pulled into the parking lot except for the EarthCache symbol on the map, I get all warm and fuzzy. Our lives are collections of experiences great and small. I’m both thrilled and humbled that so many people who share my hobby have also shared my enjoyment of this place I adore so much, taking home from their travels a little piece of joy and fun, and maybe a little snippet of knowledge, too.
I’ve been a geocacher for over nine years, and I’ve made tons of fun and exciting memories with friends and strangers who hunt for Tupperware in the woods with me. Geocaching can bring out the best and most generous in us, and my life has been changed for the better by all those I’ve met and cached with over the years. I’ve raised my kids to enjoy the hunt and to follow the arrow toward adventure. I’ve had so much fun geocaching that I was inspired to write novels in a second genre: mystery. Under my pen name Morgan C. Talbot, I’ve written the world’s only geocaching mystery series, combining my love of stories with my favorite hobby. The Caching Out series was picked up for publication two years ago, and I’ve gotten the same exceptional, positive feedback for my books as I have for my EarthCaches. My writing career has continued to grow and gain its own souvenirs, and I have the inspiration of the geocaching community to thank for their early encouragement. No matter how far I roam in this world, geocaching will always be close to my heart, and loaded into my Garmin.”

What geocachers are saying:

“What an amazing view from the road with all the colored mist rising! Spent a good two hours here. Such vivid color!” – Mommabre

“The Grand Prismatic Spring is truly one of the most amazing things in the natural world. When we planned our trip to Yellowstone this was one of the things I knew we definitely had to show the kids, and it was an absolutely perfect day to see it.” – bergmannfamily

“Grand Prismatic has always been one of my favorite stops in Yellowstone — the colors are always fantastic. Thanks for giving us a reason to come out to visit again.” – NepoKama

Photos:

An overhead view of this amazing place. Photo by geocacher AUBURN SONRAY
An overhead view of this amazing place. Photo by geocacher AUBURN SONRAY
Geocacher Bangers&Mash enthusiastically makes the find.
Geocacher Bangers&Mash enthusiastically makes the find.
The end of the rainbow. Photo by geocacher Eispiraten DD.
The end of the rainbow. Photo by geocacher Eispiraten DD.

 

What incredible natural formations have you seen while EarthCaching? Tell us or post photos in the comments.

 

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, just fill out this form. Thanks!