(11720,1,'2012-12-04 21:02:36','2012-12-05 04:02:36','&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11704\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11704\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11704\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11704\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210008-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Is this a dream venue or what?![/caption]\n\nA few weeks ago I announced a very special reunion.  If you missed it, you can read about it <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/10/24/playdate-42-m-m-are-back/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI am pleased to announce that M &amp; M have officially kicked off their World Tour.  First stop:  Tempe, Arizona.  Next stop:  Somewhere else in the world.  Australia perhaps?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA heartfelt thank you to Walt Richardson for his support and encouragement.  He is the Open Mic Night Host with the Most.  AND . . . . He is arguably the grooviest dude in AZ.  Please check out <a href=\"http://walterrichardsonii.wix.com/walter-richardson-music\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Walt\'s music.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\'Twas the night before Thanksgiving\n\nAnd all through Tempe\n\nNot a creature was stirring\n\nExcept those who sing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'ll stop now with my attempt at a poem and spare you the cornball humor that I inherited from my father.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere\'s the run-down on The Big Night:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFortuitous line-up!  M &amp; M secured the #11 spot!  You may (or may not) recall that 11 is my lucky number. <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>In fact, my helmet (numbered 11 on the front!) saved my life in Italia.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBelieve it or not?  (Cue <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iR-QjtpZQ0\" target=\"_blank\">Ripley\'s theme music</a> </strong>for dramatic effect.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11705\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11705\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSpeaking of groovy dudes, whoa.  These guys were unbelievable.  I\'m wondering if the guy on the right is a Grammy winner, and he showed up only to escape turkey duties back at the house.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11700\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11700\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11700\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210018-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"Winter, spring, summer of fall\n\nAll you got to do is call\n\nAnd I\'ll be there\n\nOh, yes I will\n\nYou\'ve got a friend.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(The Carole King version.  Nothing against James Taylor.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11701\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11701\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11701\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210021-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"461\" height=\"614\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, yes, yes.  We should have recorded this with an iPhone or similar techie gadget so that you could actually <em>hear</em> us, but we didn\'t.  Next time!  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you live in my fair city and would like to perform at THE best open mic night in town, then please check out the info at the Tempe Center for the Arts <a href=\"http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=725\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>website.  </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Oh.  I almost forgot.  One last thing.  I wasn\'t always this brave.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLet me let you in on a dirty little secret from my past.  I used to have stage fright.  Not your average and ordinary garden variety stage fright, but the debilitating kind.  Meaning that I would break out into a cold sweat, feel like I was going to pass out, and completely and utterly blow an audition or a performance.  Kind of a nuisance for a Musical Theatre major, wouldn\'t you say?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">I call that period of my life The Babs and Carly Years.  </span> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m not exactly sure how Barbra Streisand and Carly Simon overcame their incapacitation, but I know how I emerged from mine.  It was through the gentle encouragement of my friend pictured above.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe was there\n\nOh, yes she was\n\nI\'ve got a friend.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Questions to ponder and answer in the comments section below.  Pick one or all!  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Care to express gratitude for a friend who has brightened up even your darkest night?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Have you experienced stage fright or similar terrifying fear?  Did you conquer it?  How?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n3.  Where should Melanie and I go next on our World Tour?  :-)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #47:  M & M Reunion Tour Kickoff','','inherit','open','open','','11696-revision-16','','','2012-12-04 21:02:36','2012-12-05 04:02:36','',11696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/04/11696-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(11721,1,'2012-12-04 21:03:07','2012-12-05 04:03:07','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11704\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11704\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11704\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11704\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210008-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Is this a dream venue or what?![/caption]\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago I announced a very special reunion.  If you missed it, you can read about it <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/10/24/playdate-42-m-m-are-back/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am pleased to announce that M &amp; M have officially kicked off their World Tour.  First stop:  Tempe, Arizona.  Next stop:  Somewhere else in the world.  Australia perhaps?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA heartfelt thank you to Walt Richardson for his support and encouragement.  He is the Open Mic Night Host with the Most.  AND . . . . He is arguably the grooviest dude in AZ.  Please check out <a href=\"http://walterrichardsonii.wix.com/walter-richardson-music\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Walt\'s music.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Twas the night before Thanksgiving\r\n\r\nAnd all through Tempe\r\n\r\nNot a creature was stirring\r\n\r\nExcept those who sing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ll stop now with my attempt at a poem and spare you the cornball humor that I inherited from my father.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere\'s the run-down on The Big Night:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortuitous line-up!  M &amp; M secured the #11 spot!  You may (or may not) recall that 11 is my lucky number. <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>In fact, my helmet (numbered 11 on the front!) saved my life in Italia.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBelieve it or not?  (Cue <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iR-QjtpZQ0\" target=\"_blank\">Ripley\'s theme music</a> </strong>for dramatic effect.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11705\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11705\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSpeaking of groovy dudes, whoa.  These guys were unbelievable.  I\'m wondering if the guy on the right is a Grammy winner, and he showed up only to escape turkey duties back at the house.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11700\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11700\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11700\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210018-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Winter, spring, summer of fall\r\n\r\nAll you got to do is call\r\n\r\nAnd I\'ll be there\r\n\r\nOh, yes I will\r\n\r\nYou\'ve got a friend.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Carole King version.  Naturally.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11701\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11701\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11701\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210021-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"461\" height=\"614\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, yes, yes.  We should have recorded this with an iPhone or similar techie gadget so that you could actually <em>hear</em> us, but we didn\'t.  Next time!  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you live in my fair city and would like to perform at THE best open mic night in town, then please check out the info at the Tempe Center for the Arts <a href=\"http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=725\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>website.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Oh.  I almost forgot.  One last thing.  I wasn\'t always this brave.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet me let you in on a dirty little secret from my past.  I used to have stage fright.  Not your average and ordinary garden variety stage fright, but the debilitating kind.  Meaning that I would break out into a cold sweat, feel like I was going to pass out, and completely and utterly blow an audition or a performance.  Kind of a nuisance for a Musical Theatre major, wouldn\'t you say?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">I call that period of my life The Babs and Carly Years.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not exactly sure how Barbra Streisand and Carly Simon overcame their incapacitation, but I know how I emerged from mine.  It was through the gentle encouragement of my friend pictured above.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe was there\r\n\r\nOh, yes she was\r\n\r\nI\'ve got a friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Questions to ponder and answer in the comments section below.  Pick one or all!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Care to express gratitude for a friend who has brightened up even your darkest night?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Have you experienced stage fright or similar terrifying fear?  Did you conquer it?  How?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n3.  Where should Melanie and I go next on our World Tour?  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #47:  M & M Reunion Tour Kickoff','','inherit','open','open','','11696-revision-17','','','2012-12-04 21:03:07','2012-12-05 04:03:07','',11696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/04/11696-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(11722,1,'2012-12-04 21:03:15','2012-12-05 04:03:15','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11704\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11704\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11704\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11704\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210008-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Is this a dream venue or what?![/caption]\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago I announced a very special reunion.  If you missed it, you can read about it <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/10/24/playdate-42-m-m-are-back/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am pleased to announce that M &amp; M have officially kicked off their World Tour.  First stop:  Tempe, Arizona.  Next stop:  Somewhere else in the world.  Australia perhaps?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA heartfelt thank you to Walt Richardson for his support and encouragement.  He is the Open Mic Night Host with the Most.  AND . . . . He is arguably the grooviest dude in AZ.  Please check out <a href=\"http://walterrichardsonii.wix.com/walter-richardson-music\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Walt\'s music.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Twas the night before Thanksgiving\r\n\r\nAnd all through Tempe\r\n\r\nNot a creature was stirring\r\n\r\nExcept those who sing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ll stop now with my attempt at a poem and spare you the cornball humor that I inherited from my father.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere\'s the run-down on The Big Night:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortuitous line-up!  M &amp; M secured the #11 spot!  You may (or may not) recall that 11 is my lucky number. <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>In fact, my helmet (numbered 11 on the front!) saved my life in Italia.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBelieve it or not?  (Cue <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iR-QjtpZQ0\" target=\"_blank\">Ripley\'s theme music</a> </strong>for dramatic effect.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11705\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11705\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSpeaking of groovy dudes, whoa.  These guys were unbelievable.  I\'m wondering if the guy on the right is a Grammy winner, and he showed up only to escape turkey duties back at the house.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11700\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11700\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11700\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210018-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Winter, spring, summer of fall\r\n\r\nAll you got to do is call\r\n\r\nAnd I\'ll be there\r\n\r\nOh, yes I will\r\n\r\nYou\'ve got a friend.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Carole King version.  Naturally.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11701\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11701\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11701\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210021-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"461\" height=\"614\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, yes, yes.  We should have recorded this with an iPhone or similar techie gadget so that you could actually <em>hear</em> us, but we didn\'t.  Next time!  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you live in my fair city and would like to perform at THE best open mic night in town, then please check out the info at the Tempe Center for the Arts <a href=\"http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=725\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>website.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Oh.  I almost forgot.  One last thing.  I wasn\'t always this brave.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet me let you in on a dirty little secret from my past.  I used to have stage fright.  Not your average and ordinary garden variety stage fright, but the debilitating kind.  Meaning that I would break out into a cold sweat, feel like I was going to pass out, and completely and utterly blow an audition or a performance.  Kind of a nuisance for a Musical Theatre major, wouldn\'t you say?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">I call that period of my life The Babs and Carly Years.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not exactly sure how Barbra Streisand and Carly Simon overcame their incapacitation, but I know how I emerged from mine.  It was through the gentle encouragement of my friend pictured above.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe was there\r\n\r\nOh, yes she was\r\n\r\nI\'ve got a friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Questions to ponder and answer in the comments section below.  Pick one or all!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Care to express gratitude for a friend who has brightened up even your darkest night?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Have you experienced stage fright or similar terrifying fear?  Did you conquer it?  How?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n3.  Where should Melanie and I go next on our World Tour?  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #47:  M & M Reunion Tour Kickoff','','inherit','open','open','','11696-revision-18','','','2012-12-04 21:03:15','2012-12-05 04:03:15','',11696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/04/11696-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(11723,1,'2012-12-04 21:04:14','2012-12-05 04:04:14','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11704\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11704\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11704\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11704\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210008-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Is this a dream venue or what?![/caption]\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago I announced a very special reunion.  If you missed it, you can read about it <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/10/24/playdate-42-m-m-are-back/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am pleased to announce that M &amp; M have officially kicked off their World Tour.  First stop:  Tempe, Arizona.  Next stop:  Somewhere else in the world.  Australia perhaps?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA heartfelt thank you to Walt Richardson for his support and encouragement.  He is the Open Mic Night Host with the Most.  AND . . . . He is arguably the grooviest dude in AZ.  Please check out <a href=\"http://walterrichardsonii.wix.com/walter-richardson-music\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Walt\'s music.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Twas the night before Thanksgiving\r\n\r\nAnd all through Tempe\r\n\r\nNot a creature was stirring\r\n\r\nExcept those who sing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ll stop now with my attempt at a poem and spare you the cornball humor that I inherited from my father.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere\'s the run-down on The Big Night:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortuitous line-up!  M &amp; M secured the #11 spot!  You may (or may not) recall that 11 is my lucky number. <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>In fact, my helmet (numbered 11 on the front!) saved my life in Italia.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBelieve it or not?  (Cue <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iR-QjtpZQ0\" target=\"_blank\">Ripley\'s theme music</a> </strong>for dramatic effect.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11705\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11705\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSpeaking of groovy dudes, whoa.  These guys were unbelievable.  I\'m wondering if the guy on the right is a Grammy winner, and he showed up only to escape turkey duties back at the house.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11700\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11700\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11700\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210018-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Winter, spring, summer of fall\r\n\r\nAll you got to do is call\r\n\r\nAnd I\'ll be there\r\n\r\nOh, yes I will\r\n\r\nYou\'ve got a friend.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Carole King version.  Naturally.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11701\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11701\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11701\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210021-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"461\" height=\"614\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, yes, yes.  We should have recorded this with an iPhone or similar techie gadget so that you could actually <em>hear</em> us, but we didn\'t.  Next time!  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you live in my fair city and would like to perform at THE best open mic night in town, then please check out the info at the Tempe Center for the Arts <a href=\"http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=725\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>website.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Oh.  I almost forgot.  One last thing.  I wasn\'t always this brave.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet me let you in on a dirty little secret from my past.  I used to have stage fright.  Not your average and ordinary garden variety stage fright, but the debilitating kind.  Meaning that I would break out into a cold sweat, feel like I was going to pass out, and completely and utterly blow an audition or a performance.  Kind of a nuisance for a Musical Theatre major, wouldn\'t you say?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">I call that period of my life The Babs and Carly Years.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not exactly sure how Barbra Streisand and Carly Simon overcame their incapacitation, but I know how I emerged from mine.  It was through the gentle encouragement of my friend pictured above.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe was there\r\n\r\nOh, yes she was\r\n\r\nI\'ve got a friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Questions to ponder and answer in the comments section below.  Pick one or all!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Care to express gratitude for a friend who has brightened up even your darkest night?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Have you experienced stage fright or similar terrifying fear?  Did you conquer it?  How?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n3.  Where should Melanie and I go next on our World Tour?  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #47:  M & M Reunion Tour Kickoff','','inherit','open','open','','11696-revision-19','','','2012-12-04 21:04:14','2012-12-05 04:04:14','',11696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/04/11696-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(11724,1,'2012-12-04 21:05:02','2012-12-05 04:05:02','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11704\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11704\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11704\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11704\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210008-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Is this a dream venue or what?![/caption]\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago I announced a very special reunion.  If you missed it, you can read about it <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/10/24/playdate-42-m-m-are-back/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am pleased to announce that M &amp; M have officially kicked off their World Tour.  First stop:  Tempe, Arizona.  Next stop:  Somewhere else in the world.  Australia perhaps?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA heartfelt thank you to Walt Richardson for his support and encouragement.  He is the Open Mic Night Host with the Most.  AND . . . . He is arguably the grooviest dude in AZ.  Please check out <a href=\"http://walterrichardsonii.wix.com/walter-richardson-music\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Walt\'s music.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Twas the night before Thanksgiving\r\n\r\nAnd all through Tempe\r\n\r\nNot a creature was stirring\r\n\r\nExcept those who sing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ll stop now with my attempt at a poem and spare you the cornball humor that I inherited from my father.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere\'s the run-down on The Big Night:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortuitous line-up!  M &amp; M secured the #11 spot!  You may (or may not) recall that 11 is my lucky number. <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>In fact, my helmet (numbered 11 on the front!) saved my life in Italia.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBelieve it or not?  (Cue <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iR-QjtpZQ0\" target=\"_blank\">Ripley\'s theme music</a> </strong>for dramatic effect.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11705\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11705\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSpeaking of groovy dudes, whoa.  These guys were unbelievable.  I\'m wondering if the guy on the right is a Grammy winner, and he showed up only to escape turkey duties back at the house.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11700\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11700\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11700\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210018-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Winter, spring, summer of fall\r\n\r\nAll you got to do is call\r\n\r\nAnd I\'ll be there\r\n\r\nOh, yes I will\r\n\r\nYou\'ve got a friend.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Carole King version.  Naturally.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11701\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11701\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11701\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210021-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"461\" height=\"614\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, yes, yes.  We should have recorded this with an iPhone or similar techie gadget so that you could actually <em>hear</em> us, but we didn\'t.  Next time!  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you live in my fair city and would like to perform at THE best open mic night in town, then please check out the info at the Tempe Center for the Arts <a href=\"http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=725\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>website.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Oh.  I almost forgot.  One last thing.  I wasn\'t always this brave.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet me let you in on a dirty little secret from my past.  I used to have stage fright.  Not your average and ordinary garden variety stage fright, but the debilitating kind.  Meaning that I would break out into a cold sweat, feel like I was going to pass out, and completely and utterly blow an audition or a performance.  Kind of a nuisance for a Musical Theatre major, wouldn\'t you say?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">I call that period of my life The Babs and Carly Years.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not exactly sure how Barbra Streisand and Carly Simon overcame their incapacitation, but I know how I emerged from mine.  It was through the gentle encouragement of my friend pictured above.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe was there\r\n\r\nOh, yes she was\r\n\r\nI\'ve got a friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Questions to ponder and answer in the comments section below.  Pick one or all!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Care to express gratitude for a friend who has brightened up even your darkest night?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Have you experienced stage fright or similar terrifying fear?  Did you conquer it?  How?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n3.  Where should Melanie and I go next on our World Tour?  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #47:  M & M Reunion Tour Kickoff','','inherit','open','open','','11696-revision-20','','','2012-12-04 21:05:02','2012-12-05 04:05:02','',11696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/04/11696-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(11725,1,'2012-12-04 21:05:47','2012-12-05 04:05:47','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11704\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11704\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11704\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11704\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210008-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Is this a dream venue or what?![/caption]\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago I announced a very special reunion.  If you missed it, you can read about it <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/10/24/playdate-42-m-m-are-back/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am pleased to announce that M &amp; M have officially kicked off their World Tour.  First stop:  Tempe, Arizona.  Next stop: Somewhere else in the world.  Australia perhaps?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA heartfelt thank you to Walt Richardson for his support and encouragement.  He is the Open Mic Night Host with the Most. AND . . . . He is arguably the grooviest dude in AZ.  Please check out <a href=\"http://walterrichardsonii.wix.com/walter-richardson-music\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Walt\'s music.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Twas the night before Thanksgiving\r\n\r\nAnd all through Tempe\r\n\r\nNot a creature was stirring\r\n\r\nExcept those who sing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ll stop now with my attempt at a poem and spare you the cornball humor that I inherited from my father.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere\'s the run-down on The Big Night:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortuitous line-up!  M &amp; M secured the #11 spot!  You may (or may not) recall that 11 is my lucky number. <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>In fact, my helmet (numbered 11 on the front!) saved my life in Italia.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBelieve it or not?  (Cue <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iR-QjtpZQ0\" target=\"_blank\">Ripley\'s theme music</a> </strong>for dramatic effect.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11705\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11705\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSpeaking of groovy dudes, whoa.  These guys were unbelievable.  I\'m wondering if the guy on the right is a Grammy winner, and he showed up only to escape turkey duties back at the house.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11700\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11700\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11700\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210018-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Winter, spring, summer of fall\r\n\r\nAll you got to do is call\r\n\r\nAnd I\'ll be there\r\n\r\nOh, yes I will\r\n\r\nYou\'ve got a friend.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Carole King version.  Naturally.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11701\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11701\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11701\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210021-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"461\" height=\"614\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, yes, yes.  We should have recorded this with an iPhone or similar techie gadget so that you could actually <em>hear</em> us, but we didn\'t.  Next time!  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you live in my fair city and would like to perform at THE best open mic night in town, then please check out the info at the Tempe Center for the Arts <a href=\"http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=725\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>website.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Oh.  I almost forgot.  One last thing.  I wasn\'t always this brave.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet me let you in on a dirty little secret from my past.  I used to have stage fright.  Not your average and ordinary garden variety stage fright, but the debilitating kind.  Meaning that I would break out into a cold sweat, feel like I was going to pass out, and completely and utterly blow an audition or a performance.  Kind of a nuisance for a Musical Theatre major, wouldn\'t you say?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">I call that period of my life The Babs and Carly Years.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not exactly sure how Barbra Streisand and Carly Simon overcame their incapacitation, but I know how I emerged from mine.  It was through the gentle encouragement of my friend pictured above.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe was there\r\n\r\nOh, yes she was\r\n\r\nI\'ve got a friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Questions to ponder and answer in the comments section below.  Pick one or all!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Care to express gratitude for a friend who has brightened up even your darkest night?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Have you experienced stage fright or similar terrifying fear?  Did you conquer it?  How?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n3.  Where should Melanie and I go next on our World Tour?  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #47:  M & M Reunion Tour Kickoff','','inherit','open','open','','11696-revision-21','','','2012-12-04 21:05:47','2012-12-05 04:05:47','',11696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/04/11696-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(11726,1,'2012-12-04 21:07:02','2012-12-05 04:07:02','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11704\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11704\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11704\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11704\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210008-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Is this a dream venue or what?![/caption]\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago I announced a very special reunion.  If you missed it, you can read about it <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/10/24/playdate-42-m-m-are-back/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am pleased to announce that M &amp; M have officially kicked off their World Tour.  First stop:  Tempe, Arizona.  Next stop: Somewhere else in the world.  Australia perhaps?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA heartfelt thank you to Walt Richardson for his support and encouragement.  He is the Open Mic Night Host with the Most. AND . . . . He is arguably the grooviest dude in AZ.  Please check out <a href=\"http://walterrichardsonii.wix.com/walter-richardson-music\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Walt\'s music.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Twas the night before Thanksgiving\r\n\r\nAnd all through Tempe\r\n\r\nNot a creature was stirring\r\n\r\nExcept those who sing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ll stop now with my attempt at a poem and spare you the cornball humor that I inherited from my father.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere\'s the run-down on The Big Night:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortuitous line-up!  M &amp; M secured the #11 spot!  You may (or may not) recall that 11 is my lucky number. <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>In fact, my helmet (numbered 11 on the front!) saved my life in Italia.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBelieve it or not?  (Cue <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iR-QjtpZQ0\" target=\"_blank\">Ripley\'s theme music</a> </strong>for dramatic effect.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11705\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11705\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSpeaking of groovy dudes, whoa.  These guys were unbelievable.  I\'m wondering if the guy on the right is a Grammy winner, and he showed up only to escape turkey duties back at the house.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11700\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11700\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11700\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210018-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Winter, spring, summer of fall\r\n\r\nAll you got to do is call\r\n\r\nAnd I\'ll be there\r\n\r\nOh, yes I will\r\n\r\nYou\'ve got a friend.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Carole King version.  Naturally.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11701\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11701\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11701\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210021-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"461\" height=\"614\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, yes, yes.  We should have recorded this with an iPhone or similar techie gadget so that you could actually <em>hear</em> us, but we didn\'t.  Next time!  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you live in my fair city and would like to perform at THE best open mic night in town, then please check out the info at the Tempe Center for the Arts <a href=\"http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=725\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>website.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Oh.  I almost forgot.  One last thing.  I wasn\'t always this brave.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet me let you in on a dirty little secret from my past.  I used to have stage fright.  Not your average and ordinary garden variety stage fright, but the debilitating kind.  Meaning that I would break out into a cold sweat, feel like I was going to pass out, and completely and utterly blow an audition or a performance.  Kind of a nuisance for a Musical Theatre major, wouldn\'t you say?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">I call that period of my life The Babs and Carly Years.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not exactly sure how Barbra Streisand and Carly Simon overcame their incapacitation, but I know how I emerged from mine.  It was through the gentle encouragement of my friend pictured above.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe was there\r\n\r\nOh, yes she was\r\n\r\nI\'ve got a friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Questions to ponder and answer in the comments section below.  Pick one or all!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Care to express gratitude for a friend who has brightened up even your darkest night?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Have you experienced stage fright or similar terrifying fear?  Did you conquer it?  How?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n3.  Where should Melanie and I go next on our World Tour?  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #47:  M & M Reunion Tour Kickoff','','inherit','open','open','','11696-revision-22','','','2012-12-04 21:07:02','2012-12-05 04:07:02','',11696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/04/11696-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(11727,1,'2012-12-04 21:07:09','2012-12-05 04:07:09','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11704\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11704\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11704\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11704\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210008-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Is this a dream venue or what?![/caption]\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago I announced a very special reunion.  If you missed it, you can read about it <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/10/24/playdate-42-m-m-are-back/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am pleased to announce that M &amp; M have officially kicked off their World Tour.  First stop:  Tempe, Arizona.  Next stop: Somewhere else in the world.  Australia perhaps?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA heartfelt thank you to Walt Richardson for his support and encouragement.  He is the Open Mic Night Host with the Most. AND . . . . He is arguably the grooviest dude in AZ.  Please check out <a href=\"http://walterrichardsonii.wix.com/walter-richardson-music\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Walt\'s music.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Twas the night before Thanksgiving\r\n\r\nAnd all through Tempe\r\n\r\nNot a creature was stirring\r\n\r\nExcept those who sing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ll stop now with my attempt at a poem and spare you the cornball humor that I inherited from my father.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere\'s the run-down on The Big Night:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortuitous line-up!  M &amp; M secured the #11 spot!  You may (or may not) recall that 11 is my lucky number. <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>In fact, my helmet (numbered 11 on the front!) saved my life in Italia.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBelieve it or not?  (Cue <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iR-QjtpZQ0\" target=\"_blank\">Ripley\'s theme music</a> </strong>for dramatic effect.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11705\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11705\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSpeaking of groovy dudes, whoa.  These guys were unbelievable.  I\'m wondering if the guy on the right is a Grammy winner, and he showed up only to escape turkey duties back at the house.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11700\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11700\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11700\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210018-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Winter, spring, summer of fall\r\n\r\nAll you got to do is call\r\n\r\nAnd I\'ll be there\r\n\r\nOh, yes I will\r\n\r\nYou\'ve got a friend.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Carole King version.  Naturally.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11701\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11701\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11701\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210021-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"461\" height=\"614\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, yes, yes.  We should have recorded this with an iPhone or similar techie gadget so that you could actually <em>hear</em> us, but we didn\'t.  Next time!  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you live in my fair city and would like to perform at THE best open mic night in town, then please check out the info at the Tempe Center for the Arts <a href=\"http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=725\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>website.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Oh.  I almost forgot.  One last thing.  I wasn\'t always this brave.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet me let you in on a dirty little secret from my past.  I used to have stage fright.  Not your average and ordinary garden variety stage fright, but the debilitating kind.  Meaning that I would break out into a cold sweat, feel like I was going to pass out, and completely and utterly blow an audition or a performance.  Kind of a nuisance for a Musical Theatre major, wouldn\'t you say?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">I call that period of my life The Babs and Carly Years.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not exactly sure how Barbra Streisand and Carly Simon overcame their incapacitation, but I know how I emerged from mine.  It was through the gentle encouragement of my friend pictured above.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe was there\r\n\r\nOh, yes she was\r\n\r\nI\'ve got a friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Questions to ponder and answer in the comments section below.  Pick one or all!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Care to express gratitude for a friend who has brightened up even your darkest night?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Have you experienced stage fright or similar terrifying fear?  Did you conquer it?  How?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n3.  Where should Melanie and I go next on our World Tour?  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #47:  M & M Reunion Tour Kickoff','','inherit','open','open','','11696-revision-23','','','2012-12-04 21:07:09','2012-12-05 04:07:09','',11696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/04/11696-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(11728,1,'2012-12-04 21:08:56','2012-12-05 04:08:56','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11704\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11704\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11704\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11704\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210008-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Is this a dream venue or what?![/caption]\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago I announced a very special reunion.  If you missed it, you can read about it <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/10/24/playdate-42-m-m-are-back/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am pleased to announce that M &amp; M have officially kicked off their World Tour.  First stop:  Tempe, Arizona.  Next stop: Somewhere else in the world.  Australia perhaps?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA heartfelt thank you to Walt Richardson for his support and encouragement.  He is the Open Mic Night Host with the Most. AND . . . . He is arguably the grooviest dude in AZ.  Please check out <a href=\"http://walterrichardsonii.wix.com/walter-richardson-music\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Walt\'s music.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\'Twas the night before Thanksgiving\r\n\r\nAnd all through Tempe\r\n\r\nNot a creature was stirring\r\n\r\nExcept those who sing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ll stop now with my attempt at a poem and spare you the cornball humor that I inherited from my father.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere\'s the run-down on The Big Night:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortuitous line-up!  M &amp; M secured the #11 spot!  You may (or may not) recall that 11 is my lucky number. <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/\" target=\"_blank\"> <strong>In fact, my helmet (numbered 11 on the front!) saved my life in Italia.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBelieve it or not?  (Cue <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iR-QjtpZQ0\" target=\"_blank\">Ripley\'s theme music</a> </strong>for dramatic effect.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11705\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11705\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSpeaking of groovy dudes, whoa.  These guys were unbelievable.  I\'m wondering if the guy on the right is a Grammy winner, and he showed up only to escape turkey duties back at the house.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11700\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11700\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11700\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210018-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"Winter, spring, summer of fall\r\n\r\nAll you got to do is call\r\n\r\nAnd I\'ll be there\r\n\r\nOh, yes I will\r\n\r\nYou\'ve got a friend.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(The Carole King version.  Naturally.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11701\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11701\"><img class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11701\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210021-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"461\" height=\"614\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, yes, yes.  We should have recorded this with an iPhone or similar techie gadget so that you could actually <em>hear</em> us, but we didn\'t.  Next time!  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you live in my fair city and would like to perform at THE best open mic night in town, then please check out the info at the Tempe Center for the Arts <a href=\"http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=725\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>website.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Oh.  I almost forgot.  One last thing.  I wasn\'t always this brave.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet me let you in on a dirty little secret from my past.  I used to have stage fright.  Not your average and ordinary garden variety stage fright, but the debilitating kind.  Meaning that I would break out into a cold sweat, feel like I was going to pass out, and completely and utterly blow an audition or a performance.  Kind of a nuisance for a Musical Theatre major, wouldn\'t you say?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">I call that period of my life The Babs and Carly Years.  </span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m not exactly sure how Barbra Streisand and Carly Simon overcame their incapacitation, but I know how I emerged from mine.  It was through the gentle encouragement of my friend pictured above.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe was there\r\n\r\nOh, yes she was\r\n\r\nI\'ve got a friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Questions to ponder and answer in the comments section below.  Pick one or all!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Care to express gratitude for a friend who has brightened up even your darkest night?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Have you experienced stage fright or a similar terrifying fear?  Did you conquer it?  How?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n3.  Where should Melanie and I go next on our World Tour?  :-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #47:  M & M Reunion Tour Kickoff','','inherit','open','open','','11696-revision-24','','','2012-12-04 21:08:56','2012-12-05 04:08:56','',11696,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/04/11696-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(11732,1,'2012-12-16 19:56:06','2012-12-17 02:56:06','','Cactus Hiding Place','Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-794','','','2012-12-16 19:56:06','2012-12-17 02:56:06','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11733,1,'2012-12-16 19:56:18','2012-12-17 02:56:18','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-795','','','2012-12-16 19:56:18','2012-12-17 02:56:18','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11734,1,'2012-12-16 19:56:30','2012-12-17 02:56:30','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-796','','','2012-12-16 19:56:30','2012-12-17 02:56:30','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11735,1,'2012-12-16 19:56:42','2012-12-17 02:56:42','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-797','','','2012-12-16 19:56:42','2012-12-17 02:56:42','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11736,1,'2012-12-16 19:56:55','2012-12-17 02:56:55','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-798','','','2012-12-16 19:56:55','2012-12-17 02:56:55','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11737,1,'2012-12-16 19:57:06','2012-12-17 02:57:06','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL 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href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731\" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision','','','2012-12-16 20:00:57','2012-12-17 03:00:57','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/16/11730-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(11741,1,'2012-12-16 20:01:57','2012-12-17 03:01:57','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731\" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;\nsrc=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-2','','','2012-12-16 20:01:57','2012-12-17 03:01:57','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/16/11730-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(11742,1,'2012-12-16 20:02:57','2012-12-17 03:02:57','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731\" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-3','','','2012-12-16 20:02:57','2012-12-17 03:02:57','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/16/11730-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(11743,1,'2012-12-16 20:02:57','2012-12-17 03:02:57','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731\" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" &nbsp;src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-4','','','2012-12-16 20:02:57','2012-12-17 03:02:57','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/16/11730-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(11744,1,'2012-12-17 18:01:44','2012-12-18 01:01:44','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The email from my mother\'s friends spells it out perfectly:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!!\nI also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-5','','','2012-12-17 18:01:44','2012-12-18 01:01:44','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(11745,1,'2012-12-17 18:02:45','2012-12-18 01:02:45','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email from my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-6','','','2012-12-17 18:02:45','2012-12-18 01:02:45','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(11746,1,'2012-12-17 18:03:25','2012-12-18 01:03:25','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-7','','','2012-12-17 18:03:25','2012-12-18 01:03:25','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(11747,1,'2012-12-17 18:03:45','2012-12-18 01:03:45','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-8','','','2012-12-17 18:03:45','2012-12-18 01:03:45','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(11753,1,'2012-12-17 18:08:57','2012-12-18 01:08:57','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-14','','','2012-12-17 18:08:57','2012-12-18 01:08:57','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(11748,1,'2012-12-17 18:06:44','2012-12-18 01:06:44','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-9','','','2012-12-17 18:06:44','2012-12-18 01:06:44','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(11749,1,'2012-12-17 18:06:48','2012-12-18 01:06:48','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-10','','','2012-12-17 18:06:48','2012-12-18 01:06:48','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(11750,1,'2012-12-17 18:07:54','2012-12-18 01:07:54','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-11','','','2012-12-17 18:07:54','2012-12-18 01:07:54','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(11751,1,'2012-12-17 18:08:12','2012-12-18 01:08:12','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-12','','','2012-12-17 18:08:12','2012-12-18 01:08:12','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(11752,1,'2012-12-17 18:08:17','2012-12-18 01:08:17','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-13','','','2012-12-17 18:08:17','2012-12-18 01:08:17','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(11754,1,'2012-12-17 18:25:49','2012-12-18 01:25:49','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly.  Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  Who better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey!  <strong>If the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o  Little did we know that <strong><em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em></strong> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  \"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\" beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have recurring water dreams.  In one of them\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11738\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-15','','','2012-12-17 18:25:49','2012-12-18 01:25:49','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(11755,1,'2012-12-17 19:30:54','2012-12-18 02:30:54','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly.  Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  Who better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey!  <strong>If the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o  Little did we know that <strong><em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em></strong> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean.  The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at<strong> The Pomegranate Cafe.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelback to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJavelina photo\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw.  Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-16','','','2012-12-17 19:30:54','2012-12-18 02:30:54','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(11756,1,'2012-12-17 19:31:54','2012-12-18 02:31:54','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly.  Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  Who better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey!  <strong>If the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o  Little did we know that <strong><em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em></strong> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean.  The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at<strong> The Pomegranate Cafe.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelback to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJavelina photo\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw.  Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-17','','','2012-12-17 19:31:54','2012-12-18 02:31:54','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(11760,1,'2012-12-17 20:48:52','2012-12-18 03:48:52','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly.  Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  Who better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey!  <strong>If the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o  Little did we know that <strong><em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em></strong> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean.  The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at<strong> The Pomegranate Cafe.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelback to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJavelina photo\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw.  Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-20','','','2012-12-17 20:48:52','2012-12-18 03:48:52','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(11757,1,'2012-12-17 20:47:52','2012-12-18 03:47:52','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly.  Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  Who better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey!  <strong>If the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o  Little did we know that <strong><em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em></strong> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean.  The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at<strong> The Pomegranate Cafe.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelback to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nJavelina photo\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw.  Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-18','','','2012-12-17 20:47:52','2012-12-18 03:47:52','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(11759,1,'2012-12-17 21:09:17','2012-12-18 04:09:17','','When Javelinas Attack! ','If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  ','inherit','open','open','','2505755678_302621fa0a','','','2012-12-17 21:09:17','2012-12-18 04:09:17','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(11758,1,'2012-12-17 20:48:20','2012-12-18 03:48:20','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly.  Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!  Who better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey!  <strong>If the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o  Little did we know that <strong><em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em></strong> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> geocache beckoned to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean.  The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOUTube video\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at<strong> The Pomegranate Cafe.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelback to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJavelina photo\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw.  Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-19','','','2012-12-17 20:48:20','2012-12-18 03:48:20','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(11763,1,'2012-12-17 21:19:00','2012-12-18 04:19:00','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  Who better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey!  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>If the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong></a> then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o  Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean.  The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at<strong> The Pomegranate Cafe.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelback to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-23','','','2012-12-17 21:19:00','2012-12-18 04:19:00','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(11761,1,'2012-12-17 21:14:14','2012-12-18 04:14:14','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly.  Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!  Who better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey!  <strong>If the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o  Little did we know that <strong><em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em></strong> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> geocache beckoned to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean.  The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOUTube video\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at<strong> The Pomegranate Cafe.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelback to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw.  Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-21','','','2012-12-17 21:14:14','2012-12-18 04:14:14','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(11762,1,'2012-12-17 21:15:02','2012-12-18 04:15:02','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly.  Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!  Who better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey!  <strong>If the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o  Little did we know that <strong><em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em></strong> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> geocache beckoned to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean.  The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOUTube video\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at<strong> The Pomegranate Cafe.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelback to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw.  Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-22','','','2012-12-17 21:15:02','2012-12-18 04:15:02','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(11764,1,'2012-12-17 21:20:57','2012-12-18 04:20:57','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested on June 12, 2011 that I try it out for the blog.  (I saved the email in my \"blog ideas\" folder.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!  Who better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey!  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>If the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong></a> then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o  Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean.  The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelback to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-24','','','2012-12-17 21:20:57','2012-12-18 04:20:57','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/17/11730-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(11765,1,'2012-12-18 17:08:59','2012-12-19 00:08:59','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o  Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean.  The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelback to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-25','','','2012-12-18 17:08:59','2012-12-19 00:08:59','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(11768,1,'2012-12-18 17:12:51','2012-12-19 00:12:51','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-28','','','2012-12-18 17:12:51','2012-12-19 00:12:51','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(11766,1,'2012-12-18 17:09:27','2012-12-19 00:09:27','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o  Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean.  The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOUTube video\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelback to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-26','','','2012-12-18 17:09:27','2012-12-19 00:09:27','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(11767,1,'2012-12-18 17:10:03','2012-12-19 00:10:03','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean.  The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOUTube video\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelback to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-27','','','2012-12-18 17:10:03','2012-12-19 00:10:03','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(11769,1,'2012-12-18 17:12:56','2012-12-19 00:12:56','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOUTube video\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings.  I know what she\'s thinking.  Javelina live in these parts.  And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends.  They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-29','','','2012-12-18 17:12:56','2012-12-19 00:12:56','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(11770,1,'2012-12-18 17:13:44','2012-12-19 00:13:44','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOUTube video\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered Javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-30','','','2012-12-18 17:13:44','2012-12-19 00:13:44','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(11771,1,'2012-12-18 17:15:18','2012-12-19 00:15:18','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-31','','','2012-12-18 17:15:18','2012-12-19 00:15:18','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(11772,1,'2012-12-18 17:15:52','2012-12-19 00:15:52','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOUTube video\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message.  How cool is that?  When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus.  A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you.  That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean.  But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way.  And sure enough!  An isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-32','','','2012-12-18 17:15:52','2012-12-19 00:15:52','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(11773,1,'2012-12-18 17:17:51','2012-12-19 00:17:51','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough! An isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt caught several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-33','','','2012-12-18 17:17:51','2012-12-19 00:17:51','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(11774,1,'2012-12-18 17:19:10','2012-12-19 00:19:10','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-34','','','2012-12-18 17:19:10','2012-12-19 00:19:10','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(11776,1,'2012-12-18 17:21:29','2012-12-19 00:21:29','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot, NO OASIS.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-36','','','2012-12-18 17:21:29','2012-12-19 00:21:29','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-36/',0,'revision','',0),(11775,1,'2012-12-18 17:19:42','2012-12-19 00:19:42','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOUTube video\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue and hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-35','','','2012-12-18 17:19:42','2012-12-19 00:19:42','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(11778,1,'2012-12-18 17:25:35','2012-12-19 00:25:35','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond with them.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I was distracted by a boa, a dangerous animal signs, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-38','','','2012-12-18 17:25:35','2012-12-19 00:25:35','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-38/',0,'revision','',0),(11777,1,'2012-12-18 17:21:45','2012-12-19 00:21:45','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYOUTube video\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo the deal with geocache is that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you are to log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed in the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I left my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I was distracted by a boa and dangerous animal signs, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-37','','','2012-12-18 17:21:45','2012-12-19 00:21:45','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-37/',0,'revision','',0),(11779,1,'2012-12-18 17:28:34','2012-12-19 00:28:34','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond with them.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I am distracted by a boa, a dangerous animal signs, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-39','','','2012-12-18 17:28:34','2012-12-19 00:28:34','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-39/',0,'revision','',0),(11780,1,'2012-12-18 17:29:35','2012-12-19 00:29:35','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, was I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little did we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> was a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solved the Mystery of the GPS App and we were off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckoned to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond with them.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-40','','','2012-12-18 17:29:35','2012-12-19 00:29:35','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-40/',0,'revision','',0),(11781,1,'2012-12-18 17:32:35','2012-12-19 00:32:35','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their 179 other discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a discovery which means Lewis and Clark must have set their eyes on coyote poop as well.  I feel an instant bond with them.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-41','','','2012-12-18 17:32:35','2012-12-19 00:32:35','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-41/',0,'revision','',0),(11782,1,'2012-12-18 17:37:36','2012-12-19 00:37:36','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was one of these discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  We leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-42','','','2012-12-18 17:37:36','2012-12-19 00:37:36','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-42/',0,'revision','',0),(11783,1,'2012-12-18 17:39:38','2012-12-19 00:39:38','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  Instead, we leave behind a <strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-43','','','2012-12-18 17:39:38','2012-12-19 00:39:38','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-43/',0,'revision','',0),(11784,1,'2012-12-18 17:40:36','2012-12-19 00:40:36','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYOUTube video\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\">&nbsp;\n\n</a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-44','','','2012-12-18 17:40:36','2012-12-19 00:40:36','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-44/',0,'revision','',0),(11787,1,'2012-12-18 17:45:22','2012-12-19 00:45:22','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\n\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo there you have it!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, lookie!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat could be inside?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA secret message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA hundred dollar bill?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA miniature chocolate?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe decide against taking away.  Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n********************\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd/Or . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-47','','','2012-12-18 17:45:22','2012-12-19 00:45:22','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-47/',0,'revision','',0),(11785,1,'2012-12-18 17:42:59','2012-12-19 00:42:59','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&lt;iframe width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\">&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-45','','','2012-12-18 17:42:59','2012-12-19 00:42:59','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-45/',0,'revision','',0),(11786,1,'2012-12-18 17:43:17','2012-12-19 00:43:17','[caption id=\"attachment_11731\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11731\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11731\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11731 \" alt=\"This is what coyote poop looks like.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070014-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> This is what coyote poop looks like.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHave you ever heard of Geocaching?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t.  Until my mother suggested in an email dated June 12, <strong>2011</strong> that I try it out for the blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes it takes me awhile to get around to things.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is Geocaching, you may be asking?  The forwarded email penned by my mother\'s friend spells it out perfectly. Why reinvent the wheel when I\'m hungry and need to make dinner?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>“I saw a cool show on PBS about \"geocaching\" --- where you look for hidden treasures (that others have hidden) based on latitude and longitude coordinates. You can use your smart phone to be shown where to go. It sounds awesome!! I\'d heard of it - but for some reason today - it just sounded like something I\'d be interested in. It struck a chord. There are 3 caches near my house (I downloaded the app) and it showed on a map where they\'re \"hidden\" --- you go find them and sign the log book that you found them and then move on. There are almost 2 million caches hidden througout the world. It is a popular hobby. Who knew? <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/\" target=\"_blank\">www.geocaching.com</a> The PBS show was called Treasure Trackers - in case you\'re interested in watching it or searching on your cable system. It is a very popular family activity - it teaches kids how to read maps!! ☺ I also found a book on Amazon (there were many!) called The Idiots Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition”</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo there you have it!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho better to accompany me on this Techie Treasure Hunt than my most technologically advanced friend, Christy Jo!  I figured, hey,<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/23/day-57-we-saw-dead-people-or-if-you-want-to-be-technical-orbs/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> if the woman can track ghosts with her iPad,</strong> </a>then she can certainly track treasure!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBoy, am I wrong!  Ghost Hunting apps are apparently a lot more user-friendly than GPS apps.  :-o Little do we know that <em>The Idiot\'s Guide to Geocaching, 2nd Edition</em> is a prerequisite for our adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter about an hour of tech hell, Christy Jo solves the Mystery of the GPS App and we\'re off!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt just so happens that my fair city is riddled with geocaches.  The <a href=\"http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cf58c32c-db69-4412-93b6-d7106ac49429\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Hidden Oasis on South Mountain\"</strong> </a>geocache beckons to me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBackstory:  I have recurring water dreams.  In one of them, I find myself in Scottsdale.  It\'s an area of Scottsdale that I\'ve never seen before.  There\'s a lake.  Although the lake looks more like an ocean. The waves are huge.  I feel at peace.  I feel as though I\'ve come home.  This is my destiny!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then I wake up and remember that I live in a desert.  It\'s a huge buzz kill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil now!  Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus and there IS an Oasis in Arizona!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow if only Christy\'s iPad can show us the way!  As a backup, we have World\'s Most Precious Pooch to help us sniff out the treasure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the trailhead, we note a \"Beware of Dangerous Animals\" sign, but we press on!  Lewis and Clark didn\'t worry about these things, and neither shall we!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(And that sign wasn\'t kidding.  The proof is in the coyote poop pictured above.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&lt;iframe width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/M8LR0i_UVug\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter hiking a solid 45 minutes in the uncharacteristically HOT December weather (approx. 87 degrees), we wonder if we\'ll ever find the damned thing.  It\'s lunch time, and all my PMSy self can think about is the chocolate cake at The Pomegranate Cafe.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(If you live in my fair city, you must try World\'s Best Chocolate Cake.  Really.  In fact, get in your car right now and drive on over there.  If they\'re open, of course.  You won\'t regret it.  It\'s Chocolate Heaven on a Plate.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo and I wax poetically about The Cake whilst stopping intermittently to dish out water through a Camelbak to a panting Bella.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI swear that I catch Christy Jo nervously scoping out the surroundings. I know what she\'s thinking. Javelina live in these parts. And an encounter with a pack of those suckers isn\'t pretty, my friends. They WILL hunt you down as they did with two....count them, TWO....of my friends.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11759\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11759\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11759\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11759 \" alt=\"Should you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2505755678_302621fa0a-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> If you ever encounter a javelina, run for the hills.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy mind wanders as I wonder if Lewis and Clark ever encountered javelina.  Do javelina even live in those parts?  And where were those parts again?  My memory is so fuzzy these days.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes!  I get back on track and remember The Cake.  Let\'s get on with this show and find that bloody treasure so that I can appease my hormones!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_11732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11732\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11732\" alt=\"Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070018-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Secret Encrypted Message leads us to a cactus[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn the \"Hidden Oasis\" site, there was an encrypted message. How cool is that? When we decrypted the message, we knew that we were looking for a cactus. A cactus in the Sonoran Desert, mind you. That\'s like looking for a pebble at the ocean. But explorers don\'t let these details stand in their way. And sure enough we soon spot an isolated cactus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaking our dangerous climb up to the cactus, our treasure sniffing mutt catches several cactus spines in her back paw. Tough little pooch that she is (it must come from her street urchin days), she never lets out a peep.  I, on the other hand, screech like a banshee when removing the spines.  Christy Jo quickly comes to my rescue in hopes that my screams don\'t attract the javelina.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSniff, sniff, sniff.  What do we have here?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11733\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11733\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11733\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070019-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, lookie!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"A sprinkler head for the cactus,\" Christy Jo concludes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUmmm....we\'re in the middle of the desert, Christy Jo.  Guess again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s a wee geocache!  WE FOUND IT!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11734\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11734\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11734\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070020-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe can hardly wait to unearth our find!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat could be inside?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA secret message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA hundred dollar bill?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA miniature chocolate?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11735\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11735\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11735\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070022-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFound:  Two eraser heads and a tiny plastic cartoon head!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot found:  A drop of water in site.  i.e., No dream-like lake.  Or in case you forgot the title of this geocache hunt, NO OASIS.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnter Buzz Kill #2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all about the process, right?  I bet when Lewis and Clark happened upon a Native American child\'s cast-off toy they were just as excited as their other 179 discoveries!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd, oh by the way, \"coyote\" was a Lewis and Clark discovery which means ditto for \"coyote poop\".  I feel an instant bond with them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11736\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11736\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11736\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070023-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yes.  I forgot to mention the boa.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s Christy Jo\'s daughter\'s boa.  She came across it while rummaging through her trunk for our other supplies.  When she asked me if I would like to wear it, how could I refuse?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe rules with geocache state that you can take something from the cache as long as you replace it with something of equal or greater value.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe decide against taking away.  Instead, we leave behind a <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo note of inspiration.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/26/day-299-hope-fairy-for-a-day/\" target=\"_blank\">&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11737\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11737\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070024-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, you log your visit onto a sheet that is stashed inside the cache.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11738\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070026-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nExcept that I accidentally leave my pencil in the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecause I am distracted by a feather boa, a dangerous animal sign, and visions of chocolate delectableness, dahlings.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd because sometimes I inadvertently space out details.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m a big picture kinda gal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut most importantly, there is a special message awaiting the next treasure tracker.  It\'s a message that Lewis and Clark held near and dear to their hearts, and a message that I hold near and dear to mine.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11739\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11739\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PC070028-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever embarked on a Geocache Adventure?  Please tell us all about it in the comments section below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd/Or . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat message would you leave behind for a treasure seeker?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #48:  Geocache Virgins (No Longer!)','','inherit','open','open','','11730-revision-46','','','2012-12-18 17:43:17','2012-12-19 00:43:17','',11730,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/12/18/11730-revision-46/',0,'revision','',0);
