Spinning off……tech person or outdoors person?

[Trekkin and Birdin]

The recent thread on geocaching and kids, particularly OPS’s wonderful essay, and his follow up on the sad state of outdoors awareness got me thinking…….

When we came to this game, we were both outdoors oriented folks already. Hikers, x-c skiiers, paddlers and for Trekkin’ in particular, a historical outdoor re-enactor. Not tech types at all.

So we get into this, start meeting other people and realize that….some came to the game and became more technologically adept as a result of it. Others were very tech savvy but not so outdoors oriented, and we’ve met those folks in the middle.

So…….which direction did you travel? What have you learned as a result?

As an aside…..when our kids were young, I always took time from work to volunteer in their classrooms, and especially enjoyed the outdoors field trips. I’d point out this thing or that thing to my little group, and other parents were amazed that I knew this stuff. Seems it isn’t just the kids who have almost no outdoors experience. When asked how I knew about a robin’s “rain song” or a kildeer’s broken wing act, thinking I was this DNR type, my answer has always been…..”My mom told me that.” I honestly took it as a given that people had learned little tidbits about such things, maybe different ones than I learned, but that kind of knowledge. It was an eye opener for me. And I was a big city kid, too. Minneapolis born and bred!

[sandlanders]

We always did lots of things outdoors–camping, canoeing, fishing, hunting, biking, hiking, gardening, etc.–and as kids it was outdoors in the neighborhoods from dawn till dusk (had to catch those fireflies). I even spent quite a bit of time sitting in my favorite climbing tree reading a book or watching the ants crawling up and down the bark. Didn’t have all the technology kids have now, so we weren’t tempted too much by that.

Yes, we have some of the gadgets now, but it’s been mostly learn as we go, so we know a bit of a lot of things and whole lot less of most things. Of course, using the GPS technology didn’t come for us until geocaching, and we haven’t advanced much beyond the basics with that, but what I have really learned is how to work on formatting and stuff, like with the html on the cache pages and the forums, and uploading and sharing photos, etc. Every time I learn something new in regards to that, it’s a little pat on the back to myself.

Geocaching as also gotten us more into the outdoors and off the couch. A nice day is much better spent outside than in front of the tube. But then we (I) spend more time in front of the computer than before, too.

So I’d say we’re outdoors people who have gotten more outdoorsy and a bit more technologically advanced because of geocaching. It’s basically the housework that has suffered a decline. 😉

[Team Deejay]

I’m from the other (dark) side. I’ve always been a techie, and loved gaming of all sorts. I knew I enjoyed hiking as a kid, but never could get my wife to see the merits of walking 5 miles only to end up right where you started. Geocaching gave me the chance to use technology and gaming to explore the world and see all the places that you outdoor types were keeping to yourselves. It also made the outdoors more fun for my wife (mostly laughing at me climbing trees, fording rivers, and other strange activities). Add to that the social aspect (in my opinion, geocachers are, as a group, the friendliest people I have ever met) and I was hooked.

[odysseyuwrf]

Growing up we used to go camping all the time. It was a cheap family vacation. Along with Scouts up until age 12 this is where the majority of my outdoor time came from. Then it grew into a love for fishing. We always had a boat and being on the water is still probably my favorite thing ever. We would go fishing almost any weekend we weren’t camping. Then I started fishing at the quarry near my house.

Then HS happened and jobs happened and college and a career with a young wife and kid. It took nearly 10 years to get back into the outdoors. I started deer hunting in 2004 in order to have some common ground with my father-in-law and it is a big passion now. Combined with my annual trip with students to Trees For Tomorrow in Eagle River, I have grown into a much bigger and responsible outdoorsman.

I took a shine to idea of geocaching just because it would give me an excuse to get a GPSr for hunting. Then, out of the blue, my dad started doing it with his Nuvi 255T. He took me once and I was hooked.

I don’t own a boat or have a fishing license, but now I have an outdoor activity I can share with my daughter, and I love it. She gets pretty excited when we find a cache, especially if it has toys in it. Between my wife and I we are trying to instill her with the same responsibility for nature that we both feel, and hopefully she will grow up with an appreciation of the outdoors.

[gkrone]

Not sure where I belong. My wife wanted to get the GPS to try geocaching and I was the one who got hooked.

We’re not real outdoorsy or campy. I would prefer a nice hotel or cabin to a tent and a campfire. I use it now as an excuse to get out of the house with or without the dog.

This really applies to both my need to get out and get some exercise and my Techie side. I program computers so that part came easy.

[Astro_D]

When I came to the game I was neither techie nor outdoorsy. Could never afford the former and growing up, the family had no interest in the latter. I’ve learned to be a bit of both now. Although to be fair, the techie part only comes from collecting the techie gadgets (could care less if I know how to use them) and I love the outdoors – camping, hiking, etc. Mostly.

[JimandLinda]

We “pick ‘n peck” at burdocks and sticktights better than a computer keyboard. We also “point and click” a camera better than a mouse, so I guess “outdoorsy” gets the nod! 8)

[furfool]

Came from the outdoors and always will be in the outdoors. Gained a little bit more knowledge in, I don’t now, technology sounds a bit strong for my capabilities. Got something a little lower for me?

[amita17]

As is usually the case with me, I don’t fit either category. I have always liked the outdoors in theory more than in practice. Never been fond of bugs, icky weather, or troublesome plants, but who is, I guess. My interests were always more of the indoor sort. And techie stuff? I arrived late on the scene, missing the big technological boom by a generation. So anything I know is what I have been taught, not what I have a natural curiosity for. Geocaching caught my interest because of the search. Finding the solution. Solving the puzzle. And doing something not everyone does. In the process, I am appreciating the outdoors a little more and learning a little technology along the way. And getting the thrill of the solve/seek/find of course.

[Team Black-Cat]

I have mentioned to Trekin’ and Birdin’ that I have spent my pre-caching adult life avoiding physical activities such as hiking and canoeing. That’s not entirely true, but I’m certainly not a jogger.

I’m nowhere near as educated on the outdoors as Birdin’, but I know the rain song, and seen the half dead kildeer. I had to dig deep into the archives to remember HOW I know those things. My grandmother was into bridin’ big time. She was a member of the National Audubon Society and we actually spent quite a bit of time in the sticks. Come to think of it, the only thing we didn’t do was find tupperware, although I was made aware of letterboxs.

My dad on the other hand, was an amature geologist, which explains how I know the difference between igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. We used to take some long road trips, hike for miles and then poke around looking for something.

I haven’t thought about these things for years. I thought I was a Tech first and then cacher, but after some reflection I would have to say definitely the opposite.

[-cheeto-]

I’ve enjoyed technology and the outdoors my entire life and I’ve learned a lot more about both from geocaching.

[greyhounder]

Although a computer and gadget geek, I only have basic knowledge of them — how do I make them work is all I need to know. I grew up in a household that was very outdoorsy, but as I got older I grew away from that.

I’d heard about orienteering and it sounded really cool, but I knew I just wouldn’t be able to figure out how to use a compass. Then I heard about geocaching, and that seemed like the “easier” thing — so I tried it.

And, truth be told, it was neither gadgets nor the outdoors that brought me fully to geocaching (although, if you count the internet, I guess it was a little more tech-side). I heard about geocaching on a greyhound online message board.

Bec

[Ry and Ny]

Definitely techies who have become more outdoor oriented as a result.

[Captain and Mate]

@-cheeto- wrote:

I’ve enjoyed technology and the outdoors my entire life and I’ve learned a lot more about both from geocaching.

We’d probably fit here, too. We’ve always enjoyed the outdoors. Although neither of us is a tech wiz, we enjoy learning new things and getting the hang of new gadgets.

[Frizz]

My life BG (before geocaching) could be characterized neither as a techie or a nature boy. I have grown in both areas since, but a third aspect of geocaching has been the social aspect of the sport/activity, helping me to develop a much closer relationship with my older brother and meeting and becoming close friends with some really nice people.

[Author]

Posts