DogCacher.com

It has got to be a pretty darn good reason to get me up on a Sunday morning before 6:00 AM but this past Sunday I was awake, dressed and fairly cheerful (for me). Sunday was the Third Annual Whisker Walk and this year we hosted a geocaching event.

We arrived at the fairgrounds on time and had just enough time to get the canopy's up before the skies opened up. Lauren and I  commandeered her sister Vickie and headed out into the woods, trails and parking lots to hide all the caches. The further we got from our booth the harder it rained and by the time we placed the last cache we were beyond wet.

The rest of our team was in limbo. We couldn't put out our prizes or t-shirts, laptops or cameras. We spent the first half hour tripping over each other and the 3 geodogs all fighting for a scrap of dryness under the tent. Our tablecloths were wet, our hand painted signs began to run and our helium balloons hovered only inches from the ground laden with moisture.

It wasn't looking promising.

But somewhere just before 11:00 AM the sun began to peek through and a cheer rang through the damp group of sponsors and vendors. Perhaps we could salvage the day. Then the cars began arriving. Dogs began dragging their owners up the paths. Crowds began forming. A woman ran up to our booth with her GPS in hand and yelled I am here to try this geocaching thing, teach me teach me how do I start? Others flocked around her to listen to the insructions. Some ran back to their cars for their Garmins and Tom-Toms other took the list of hints vs coordinates and off they went.

We waited expectantly for someone to come back to claim their free t-shirt. It seemed like hours. We began to sweat. What was wrong? Why didn't anyone return? Oh No? 

Then there she was. GPS in one hand and a somewhat soggy game card in the other. First to find - I was first to find she shouted. I found them both I did it. I want to find more. I have got to find more. This is great. We handed her the free t-shirt and a list of local dog friendly caches and watched her and her dog revel in their success. I know one day soon I will find a cache that she has hidden. Another one has been  hooked .

The day progressed somewhat similarly with exciting finds, more hints requested and a few DNF (did not find). T-shirt were given anyway. People helped other people load their GPS's and figure out hints. It was great to watch dogs, kids and adults enjoying a sport together!

New England animal shelters and rescues raised money for their causes, recruited foster homes and setup adoption appointments. For this I would drag myself out of bed before 6:00 AM on any Sunday but I think I will wait until next year. Whisker Walk 2011 Sunday June 5.