This week, we’re going to stay on the theme of amazing EarthCaches. And just like last week, this EarthCache is a volcano, but this volcano is a little different…

Go Play in the Mud at Volcan de Lodo El Totumo (GC1KKQC) takes you to one of the rare mud volcanoes located in South America. This particular mud volcano is near Cartagena, Colombia.  Instead of the red-hot molten lava that most volcanoes spew, here you’ll find harmless warm mud.

Mud volcanoes are thought to be formed when the heat generated by tectonic movement moves up through the soft, sedimentary soil and bubbles to the surface. The mud-mountain itself is formed after sediment builds up over the years.  Volcan de Lodo El Totumois has a mud-depth of about 60 feet (18 meters), but mud-bathers are so buoyant in the mud that there’s no risk of sinking.

To complete this EarthCache, you must take a photo of yourself and your GPS next to the volcano and answer a few questions. And while it’s not required to log the find, no visit to Volcan de Lodo El Totumois would be complete without a mud bath and massage from one of the locals. “We have gotten wet and/or dirty while geocaching in the past, but NEVER like THIS,” said geocachers Team Bear-Cat in their log.

For those of you that haven’t had a chance to join the ranks of mud-people in Colombia, what’s the dirtiest you’ve ever gotten while geocaching?

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog or view the Bookmark List on Geocaching.com.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, send an email with your name, comments, the name of the geocache, and the GC code to pr@groundspeak.com.

Nearly 7000 years ago, a massive volcano in southern Oregon, United States exploded leaving behind a collapsed caldera. Over the thousands of years that followed, the empty caldera filled with snowmelt and rainwater to form what is now known as Crater Lake. Geocachers from around the world have come to take in the amazing views, learn about this amazing location and find the Mt. Mazama Earthcache (GC123H6).

The explosion that destroyed the stratovolcano is said to have been 42 times more powerful than the Mt. Saint Helens eruption in 1980. In fact, the explosion reduced Mt. Mazama’s original height by about a mile (1.6 km).  Now, Mt. Mazama is more well-known for the result of the explosion: Crater Lake and Wizard Island.

“Crater Lake is such a beautiful place. We enjoyed our stay very much and also learned some new aspects about geology. Nature’s forces are really overwhelming. Thanks for the learnings and the cache,” said geocacher netteleut(h)e in a log to earn a smiley for the geocache.

At 1,943 feet (592m), Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, second deepest in North America and ninth deepest in the world. Wizard Island is actually a small cinder cone volcano that was formed by continued volcanic activity after Mt. Mazama’s big eruption.

This Earthcache puts you on the rim of Crater Lake, overlooking Wizard Island—but getting there is only one of the requirements for obtaining your smiley. Be sure to read the instructions and correctly answer the questions on the cache page before you log this geocache as “found.”

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog or view the Bookmark List on Geocaching.com.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, send an email with your name, comments, the name of the geocache, and the GC code to pr@groundspeak.com.

What started as a single stone and a dream became the amazing Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval. This palace in the south of France was built over the course of 33 years by one French postman, Ferdinand Cheval. Now the palace hosts visitors from around the world, as well as this week’s Geocache of the Week.

L’ Oeuvre D un Facteur (GC27WQH), is all about the amazing location. Located just outside the park (we won’t give you specifics), you’ll be close enough to marvel at the craftsmanship and dedication that went into constructing the palace. After finding the geocache, take a stroll around the palace and you’ll find a vast array of construction inspirations—from the bible to Hindu sanctuaries to a sandcastle. The palace even contains a shrine for his wheelbarrow.

Ferdinand Cheval began building his ideal palace in 1879 after being inspired by a unique stone he found along his postal route. For the next 33 years, he continued to build in various styles using stones he collected, cement and wire. Cheval never had any training in architecture, building or masonry. In their log, geocacher Traveler’s Magic noted, “What a mind he must of had. Will never forget this place.”

So if one man can be inspired by one stone to build a palace, what will be the inspiration for your next (or first) hide? Tell us in the comments below.

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog or view the Bookmark List on Geocaching.com.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, send an email with your name, comments, the name of the geocache, and the GC code to pr@groundspeak.com.