Tag Archives: Spotlight Geocaches

Spotlight Cache: Wetlands, A National Treasure

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#WorldWetlandsDay (February 2, 2023) Huntly Meadows Park Today, we’re celebrating #WorldWetlandsDay by spotlighting one of Northern Virginia’s favorite wetlands, Huntley Meadows, in Alexandria. This is the largest park operated by Fairfax County, encompassing 1,452 acres of land. The land has a pretty interesting history. In colonial times, it was owned by George Mason. His descendants continued ownership of the land into the 1900s. An entrepreneur purchased it with the intentions of building the world’s largest airport. That didn’t take off (pun intended,) and the federal government snatched up the land for all kinds of testing and experimenting. The Bureau of Public Roads tested asphalt road surfaces and the Navy conducted highly classified radio communication research here. In the 1970s, the federal government declared the land surplus and it was given to Fairfax County for use as a park. Not long after the feds left, the beavers returned, transforming the land and biodiversity. photo by … Continue reading →

Spotlight Cache: Burke Lake Park

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#PretendToBeATimeTravelerDay (December 8) Today we’re going back in time to find the oldest cache in Virginia. Welcome to Burke Lake Park (GC175) — did you see how short that GC code is? This cache has been around since December 17th, 2000 – which makes it a favorite visit for those trying to fill in their Jasmer Challenge grid. There’s lots to love about this cache. It is a big ‘ol container. That makes it easier to find for beginners and means it has lots of room for SWAG items inside. It also isn’t too far from the parking and the trail, which means its an easy find on a day where long hikes aren’t possible. If you do want to go for a long hike, though, this is a beautiful park to do so. Burke Lake Park has lots of trails, disc golf, kayaking, picnicking, and more. At time of … Continue reading →

Spotlight Cache: Kindness Rocks!

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#WorldKindnessDay (November 13) Today we’re celebrating #WorldKindness Day by spotlighting the most colorful cache location in Leesburg. Kindness Rocks! (GC9RXFB) by HyperactiveGirl, is not your typical location. In a quiet neighborhood near the Potomac River is a home decorated year-round with a message – you matter. The Kindness Rocks Project is a national grassroots movement to spread kindness to strangers, one painted rock at a time. Messages written on colorful rocks are meant to offer encouragement, inspiration, comfort and more to unsuspecting strangers who find them. One of the leaders of the Leesburg group, Margie Hunter, has taken a leap from painted rocks (there are lots of them at her house) to yarn bombed trees, butterflies and flowers on the fence, chalk messages along the sidewalk, wishing tree, and rainbows everywhere. There is even a little free library that would make Dr. Seuss proud, full of books donated by neighbors.  Be … Continue reading →

Spotlight Cache: Turning Point Suffragist Memorial

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Spotlight Cache: Turning Point Suffragist Memorial #ElectionDay (November 8, 2022) #spotlightcache Today’s Spotlight Cache is Turning Point Suffragist Memorial (GC9CBRG) Women were not included in the U.S. Constitution until the 19th Amendment. Did you know that it took 72 years to pass and ratify the 19th Amendment to the Constitution? The Turning Point Suffragist Memorial is the first national memorial for the women who fought to win the right to vote. The memorial tell the stories and experiences of generations of these women so that future generations can better understand their sacrifices. It was because of their courage and determination that we had the one-day, largest expansion in voting rights in our country. The memorial is located on part of the historic prison grounds where the infamous Occoquan Workhouse was located. The memorial includes several bronze, life-size statues of suffrage leaders, replica White House fence and gates, 19 informational stations, and a … Continue reading →

Spotlight Cache: Book Nook

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#ReadABookDay (September 6) Need at book for Read a Book Day? There are many great book themed caches hidden around Northern Virginia. Today we are spotlighting Book Nook (GC68AD1) hidden inside a Little Free Library on a neighborhood street in Fairfax. When I visited this area in 2020, I remember passing at least three other Little Free Libraries on the way to this one. What makes this one special is that it has lots of books AND a fun hidden geocache. The hiding location might take a bit of looking because access is hidden so well, but for those that persevere will find a regular sized geocache filled with kid-friendly SWAG items. At time of publish, this cache has earned 85 favorite points. Well done and thanks to the cache owner, DPV1972 for the hide.Winner of 2015 NoVAGO Best Traditional. Congratulations! Luv4VA makes the find at Book Nook. … Continue reading →

Spotlight Cache: If You Want To Run With The Big Dogs… Greyhound

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#NationalDogDay (August 26) Its the dog days of summer and no better time to celebrate #NationalDogDay. Today we’re spotlighting a challenging multi-cache hidden in Clifton, Virginia. If You Want To Run With The Big Dogs… Greyhound (GC123T7) was hidden by BBQ back in 2007. Not only will finders get a well deserved block filled in on their D/T grid – this is a 3.5/4.5 – but they will also get to add their name to the log book of Northern Virginia’s elite. Here’s what some of its finders have said about it: “I’m still in shock after this cache and hoping to find the right number of beers to make the pain go away.”“We walked a total of 8.19 miles.”“Guess some people are just gluttons for punishment …”“This one seemed a lot easier on paper!”“I started out early and refreshed. However, the bluebells distracted me. I ended up taking lots … Continue reading →

Spotlight Cache: Catnip Scramble

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#InternationalCatDay (August 8) Today we’re celebrating #InternationalCatDay by spotlighting this fun Letterbox Hybrid cache in Annandale. Catnip Scramble (GC8471C) was placed by CWillyPngn in 2019. In this fun walk through the park, geocachers will follow Jiji the black cat as he makes his way down trails, through tunnels, and even does a little waypoint projecting before finally getting to a regular sized container. Fans of Studio Ghibli films will immediately recognize this furry companion from the movie Kiki’s Delivery Service. Winner of 2019 NoVAGO Best Kids Cache AND Best Letterbox Hybrid. Congratulations! … Continue reading →

Finding a Geocache on Memorial Day – or any day

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Memorial Day is holiday to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. While observing Memorial Day, you might want to consider visiting one of these geocaches in Northern Virginia. Semper Fidelis Memorial Trail You will be following part of the Marine Corp Museum’s Semper Fidelis Memorial Trail – about 3/4 mile of walking – visiting statues and memorials along the way. This Werigo geocache by robbitandpaul was a 2015 NoVAGO Cache Award Winner! National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico. The trail is open from 9 to 9 and the museum is open 9 to 6. Place of Honor  One of several caches at the place of highest honor, Arlington National Cemetery, this walk should take you under an hour and will take you to two different locations. This virtual by Bigcall has been on the map since 2002. Arlington National Cemetery Uncommon Valor  … Continue reading →