Schedules

If you are mildly afflicted with a geocaching bug, this time of year may afford you a chance to slip out, unnoticed scratch that itch. If you have a more advanced form of the disease this time of year poses real challenges to your continued membership in your respective families. With the weather crisp, not cold, the wind mild not strong, the leaves turning and falling, not obscuring those cute little million dollar satellites, late fall is the best time of year to spend time in the forest, woods, parks, abandoned farms, cemeteries etc. No friend, the pull of the outdoors is directly opposite the tug of Aunt Dolly and her sweet potato pie. You are faced with a minefield of choices.

Geocaching around the holidays requires all your wiles and creativity. Simple things like adjusting the time you leave allowing for some quick grabs along the chosen route can get you through another day. And as we all know its always one day at a time.

More advanced and some would argue riskier tactics would be generous volunteer approach. "I'll run out for some more ice" or other such item that has been depleted can work in a pinch but this will fail when the host calls next door for reinforcements.

Lat minute illness can work but, again the risk can be too great. A knock at the door followed by a pot of steaming chicken soup can be hard to explain to a spouse who would be surprised that the party really wasn't canceled at the last minute. Never mind the person bringing the soup is confused that you are not in fact on the way to the hospital for treatment.

Office parties can offer some cover if carefully scheduled and planned. With the early sunset of the fall, an office party at 2:30PM will require some advanced planning and setup. Also bribes and payoff are not uncommon for those who would betray your actual motives and location.

Nope, caching at the holidays can really only be achieved through mutual infection or spousal approval. I am fortunate, I got help. For those who are still struggling hang in there, there is always a meeting to go to or a web site to visit to get you through the tough times. Just because you can get out into the world doesn't mean you can't spend some quality time with a puzzle or two.