Our first Geocaching adventure

Can't believe I forgot to share this experience...
our 1st Geochaching adventure!

On the Saturday before Halloween, we found out there was a "hidden treasure" in the nearby Hickory Hill Park. It was called "Don't Fence Me In" and caught our family's attention and interest. So we set off on an adventure to go find it! The enthusiasm level was pretty high as we walked down our street.

It was a different level less than 1/4 mile later.

We made it to the park and we stopped to check our coordinates with Daddy's handy dandy iPhone. The kids were happy to have a shaded spot to rest.

The trail to the "X" spot took us through beautiful fall scenery and this old walking bridge.

Elaine was so proud (as was Mommy) that she walked across the planks on the bridge. If I hadn't mentioned before, walking on bridges through which she can see the bottom scares Elaine stiff. She took it slow and held onto the side and made it all on her own.
(Funny that she was willing to hang her body over the edge just 5 minutes earlier, but we all have our specific fears!)

"Wait for me guys!"

While Daddy and Peter double check our trail, Natalie finds her own "geocache" - a giant pea pod from a tree.

We're getting closer!

The name of the Geocache was spot on and gave Peter enough to know to look around this old fencing. Bingo, Peter found it!

Unfortunately, it was log and we didn't bring (Mommy forgot) a pen.
(When cousin Albert came, the kids took him back to this very same geocache. Luckily, Albert - as always - had pen in his pocket that day and Peter and Natalie got to sign their names)

Peter took great care in putting it back exactly where he found it. I think he really got the concept of the whole geocaching.

The kids were excited that we could see Regina from the spot.

Then it was time for the "long" trek back home. On the way, nature called for Natalie. If you're a female reading this, you know how difficult this is in the woods. This being Natalie's first time, I didn't want to make a big deal; however, at the same time, I wanted her to have dry pants for the rest of the hike. While the rest of the gang went ahead (for privacy and lookouts), we found a little bridge and...well, Natalie found it funny to add to nature.

Her victory run...so Natalie! :)

No telling who Natalie's calling on her giant i"pod" phone...maybe her friend Thomas or a taxi cab service!

Back to Elaine's proud bridge spot (different from Natalie's bridge).

Elaine ended up on Sam's shoulders. By the time we made it back to our street, she wanted to get down and walk, but it was late and we needed to get home.
She was not happy to stay up high...she's obviously not one to hide her feelings.

Until our next geocaching, that's our adventure!