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When someone tells you to take a hike this month, don't take offense. It's the thing to do during June for National Trails Day which was officially celebrated Saturday.
Highland City chose to observe National Trails Day all month by delving into the world of geocaching and has encouraged its residents to get out and explore.
Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt. Using GPS units, participants gather coordinates of caches from Web sites and head out to find the "treasure." Typically, cache visitors take something, but also leave something behind.
Highland approaches it a little differently.
Residents are led by GPS coordinates to a series of three caches. Instead of visitors taking and leaving something, each cache contains a clue leading to the next and the final cache contains information on how to claim prizes at the Highland City offices. Prizes include Cabela's gift cards, T-shirts, first aid kits and Domino's Pizza certificates.
Emily Gillingwater, Highland City Community Enhancement Coordinator, said it was a new event.
"We have never done anything like this before," she said. "It's becoming quite popular and we decided to give it a try. It just encourages people to get outdoors and use and get to know the trails."
On June 6, the GPS coordinates were posted on the Highland City Web site at www.highlandcity.org. The caches are easy to find for first-time geocachers. Interested residents can participate anytime during the month of June.
The city is also offering free trail maps to its residents, as well as garbage bags for anyone interested in helping keep the local trails clean and litter-free. Maps and bags can be picked up at the Highland City offices. |
