geocrashing, adventuring, sunflowering

I almost forgot to tell you about geocrashing.  In order to tell you about that I have to remind you about geocaching.  Geocaching is a real world outdoor treasure hunting game.  Players use GPS devices to hide and find clues and "treasures".  Anyone can play.  It is a way to get out and see the world.  Our family has yet to join in the fun, but millions of people have.

It is exciting, perhaps, to imagine the world as a treasure trove of hidden caches--little treasures waiting to be found.  Geocrashing is when you try to find the caches in obvious hiding places, without any clues or GPS devices.  My family has engaged in this activity, because we like finding hidden things.  So you might look under a park bench or in between buttressing tree roots for that little waterproof capsule containing a tiny scroll of people who have come before you, with the assistance of technology, to find what you have found with your seeking and witting mind.

Not to toot our horns too loudly, but our first and only geocrashing experience so far was quite accidental.

In the year of my birth, on this day, Japanese adventurer Naomi Uemura reached the North Pole alone (well, not counting his sled dogs).  This guy liked to do things alone.  In order to train for crossing Antarctica alone, he went to climb Denali alone in winter (not the usual climbing season).  He disappeared after reaching the summit.  I think it's safe to say that he either died or ascended into heaven.  This was just before Bonnie's first birthday.  He was 42.

There are some exciting photos of Uemura here

And lastly, for the flower lover in you:

Guerilla Gardening