Sometimes, while on the quest for an adventure or performing a crazy feat to reach a cache container, we can lose sight of what geocaching is all about. It’s not always about the intense climb or difficulty ratings. The most memorable cache container designs make us think outside the box while nourishing our minds and our sense of curiosity. That’s why we’re going back to our roots with this Geocache of the Week: Museu do Pão (GC3FEKT).
Located outside of Portugal’s ‘Museu do Pão’ (Museum of Bread), this gadget cache reflects the museum’s quest to show the culture and history of Portugal through one of its simplest yet most essential components: bread! Though this cache might appear unassuming on the outside, it rises to the occasion to remind geocachers that sometimes the most straightforward containers can be the most effective.
Image by Daniel C.
Geocachers can begin their journey towards Museu do Pão in Seia, Portugal. Located on the western slope of the Serra da Estrela mountain range, Seia is an important historical point in the Guarda region, and boasts the highest point in continental Portugal.
On one of Seia’s many hilltops sits the Museu do Pão, which overlooks the beautiful Portuguese countryside. With a variety of multi-sensory activities, geocachers can take a tour through the history of both bread and Portugal with this enriching experience. The museum even displays an art piece dedicated to the word “bread” in languages from around the world, and guests can take a ride on the museum’s train. Talk about a fully baked adventure!
Image by Mendes&Freitas.
The cache can be accessed without entering the museum, though it is built to blend in and resemble one of the most important tools in the history of breadmaking: a manual millstone. As one of the earliest tools used to grind wheat and other grains, millstones can be dated back to the Neolithic Era and are the perfect example of how simplicity can make an effective tool.
Image by ED_V.
The cache itself is not quite so simple, as it requires cachers to bring an extra tool and put their nose to the grindstone to solve its mystery. Luckily, the cache page provides some additional hints to ensure that the experience doesn’t feel half-baked for anyone. Equipped with a 5 cent piece as instructed, cachers need only to push the bottom right corner of the box lightly and bring their coin near the metal to reap the fruits of their labor!
Image by ED_V.
With the signed logbook in hand, cachers will want to document their success with the picturesque Portuguese countryside in the background to mark another cache and adventure completed. This simple gadget cache is a good reminder that with a little bit of creativity, geocaches can be memorable for years to come.
Image by ajcferrao.
Like bread, geocaches are not a dime a dozen, but rather each one is unique and crafted in a way that creates a special experience for both the searcher and the hider. With the right idea and some ingenuity, your cache might even become the best thing since sliced bread.
Continue to explore some of the most amazing geocaches around the world. Check out all of the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog. If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, fill out this form.
Nikki is a Community Manager at Geocaching HQ. Her specialties include making cheesy puns, talking endlessly about coffee, and being the only Californian who enjoys rain. She is passionate about geocaching and loves that it brings communities together.
