» Press Releases

HIGH TECH TREASURE HUNT SPARKS
STATEWIDE CONTEST

Want to know the hottest trend in travel? Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing), is a hobby that uses hand-held Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) systems to seek hidden treasure. The Original Florida Tourism Task Force with the help of VISIT FLORIDA’s pilot program to promote tourism in rural areas, launched a statewide contest today as a way to showcase the fun and funky places of North Florida with a geocaching trail.

The Original Florida created the geocaching trail to highlight the hidden treasures of the region from Gainesville to Cedar Key, up to Tallahassee and then east to White Springs. The Hidden Treasures of North Florida Geocaching Contest 2006 is a modern-day scavenger hunt that lets visitors win cool things while they vacation. Contestants need only find 7 of the 13 caches listed under the username "Hidden Treasures of N Florida" on www.geocaching.com and log onto www.OriginalFlorida.org and click on the Hidden Treasures Contest logo on the home page. Then answer simple questions about the caches for a chance to win several vacation getaways, including a luxury trip down the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, a brand new kayak, and a new Garmin CSx60 GPS unit.

So what is Geocaching?

The GPS units receive signals from satellites, fixing the latitude and longitude of canisters from as large as a bread box to as small as a film canister. Using clues provided by a geocaching Web site (such as www.geocaching.com, set up when the sport emerged in 2000), cachers track down these treasures often cleverly hidden in public places.

Geocaching is not only for technology-buffs: Families, Nature groups, Elderhostel, and other outdoor enthusiasts are also on the treasure trail. To date there are over 230,000 geocaches in 220 countries.

WARNING-once you give it a try you’ll be hooked on this low-cost form of family-friendly entertainment. In addition to the thrill of the hunt, you’ll get to see some amazing places right in your own back yard. For more fun things to experience in Natural North Florida go to

www.OriginalFlorida.org or call toll free 1-877-746-4778.
Visittallahassee.com - Nature activities