/ Derek H /

L’ Oeuvre D un Facteur (GC27WQH) – GEOCACHE OF THE WEEK – January 31, 2013

Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval
This is just one view of the palace.

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.

Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval
Maybe Ferdinand Cheval wanted to represent the geocachers he knew would be coming to see his palace. Photo by geocacher Louchou.

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.”

Ferdinand Cheval
This is a portrait of the man himself, Ferdinand Cheval. Photo by geocacher visamiol74.

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.

/ Eric Schudiske

Explore the Eugene, Cascades & Coast GeoTour

Geocoin Explore more than 70 new geocaches from Oregon’s Coast to the waterfalls and lava fields of the Cascades on the Eugene Cascades & Coast GeoTour. Geocachers that complete the entire trip will earn two unique, locally made Geocoins that fit together like puzzle pieces.

Launched in October 2012, the McKenzie River Edition of the GeoTour winds along the lush wilderness of the McKenzie River. From old growth forests to secret gardens, this is a geocaching experience you don’t want to miss. Just ask the geocachers.

Kathryn, of Portland, was one of the first finishers. “The cache placements took us to new sights, trails, parks, all the reasons why I love caching so much,” raved Kathryn. “I really feel the tour was very well rounded and had something for everyone.”

The Florence Edition of the GeoTour launches March 9, 2013 at Driftwood Shores. This exciting new addition to the Eugene, Cascades & Coast GeoTour starts on the never ending beaches of the Central Oregon Coast, then takes geocachers to little-known hiking trails and favorite Old Town Florence gems. The more than 30 geocaches are worth every stop.

Book your Eugene, Cascades & Coast GeoTour Adventure today to take advantage of sweet geocaching deals and discounts fromEugene, Cascades & Coast.

/ Eric Schudiske /

Announcing the January Featured Geocacher of the Month

The-Weasel 1
Congratulations to the Featured Geocacher of the Month, The Weasel

The decibel level from the global geocaching community rose to new heights during voting in January. Hundreds of geocachers commented to support of outstanding nominees from the United States and the United Kingdom. More than 800 comments were tallied for all the nominees.

Each geocacher nominated offers the global geocaching community a unique example of a caring geocacher. All are truly winners, as we learned about these three gracious and giving geocachers. Thank you to all those who supported them. The nominees not chosen as featured Geocacher of the Month will receive a gift of appreciation from Geocaching.

After tallying the comments and careful consideration, 2013 begins with The Weasel being named January’s Featured Geocacher of the Month!

The Weasel is recognized for organizing Cache In Trash Out (CITO) events, helping guide local geocaching as a board member of the Iowa Geocacher Organization, and spreading the word about proper geocaching etiquette through conducting and assisting in over 50 geocaching 101, 201 and 301 classes and workshops throughout the State of Iowa and abroad.

A geocacher who voted for The Weasel writes, “I heard my parents speak over and over again about caches put out by The Weasel, so I had to see for myself what was so good about them. On a few visits to see my parents we headed out to get a little caching in. Inevitably nearly every cache that I liked turned out to be placed by The Weasel. His caches are fun, unique, well placed, and well maintained. You can’t help but get excited about geocaching when you are working on one of his caches! And to know how much he cares about his community, the environment, and the awareness and promotion of geocaching through friendships and education”

Geocacher_of_the_Month_Large
Featured Geocacher of the Month Icon

The Weasel will receive a collector’s edition featured Geocacher of the Month Geocoin, along with a Geocacher of the Month hat and certificate acknowledging his contributions, signed by two of the founders of Geocaching.com. See a list of all the featured Geocachers of the Month here.

If you know an outstanding geocacher who should be considered for the honor, send an email to geocacherofthemonth@groundspeak.com. Every nomination must meet the following requirements:

  • Your name, the name of your nominee, their username
  • A picture of the nominee
  • Description (200 or more words) explaining why he or she deserves to be the Geocacher of the Month

Please inform your nominee that you’ve submitted them for the award.

Nominations for the February Featured Geocacher of the Month must be received by the end of the day on Friday, February 8, 2013.

Once we have received all of the nominations, we will choose three candidates and post them on the Geocaching blog. You will then get a chance to champion your favorite. Our goal is to involve the entire geocaching community in this process so we might learn from each other.

/ Eric Schudiske /

Announcing the 2013 Cache In Trash Out Weekend

Cache In Trash Out Weekend

CITO FINAL LGWe hear it all the time, “Geocachers are the nicest people!” It’s a wonderful compliment that good-hearted geocachers have earned for over a decade. Cache In Trash Out (CITO) weekend is just another example of geocachers giving back. Since 2002, tens of thousands of geocachers have cleaned up parks, trails and other geocaching-friendly destinations. Geocachers plan CITO events year round, but one weekend each year the global geocaching community unites to cleanup tons of trash together.

Texas CITO 4
CITO Event in Texas

The 11th Annual CITO weekend is scheduled for April 20, 21, and 22 2013. There will be hundreds of events to attend in dozens of countries, but if there’s not one in your area, it’s time to gather your friends and create your own CITO Event. Be sure to check the CITO Event calendar for gatherings near you.

Those attending CITO Events on April 20, 21 or 22 (or all three!) will earn a 2013 CITO Souvenir for their Geocaching profile. Thanks for keeping the geocaching a community one of the nicest groups of people out there![Editor’s note: This video is spoken in German and Czech. Click the CC button for English, German or Czech subtitles.]

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/ Eric Schudiske /

A Geocaching Beginner’s Guide – Geocache Container Pictures

8 geocaches 1 picture
A geocacher’s study guide

Geocaching adventures can take you to new vantage points, down scenic roads and into long-forgotten forests. You’ll search through both new parks and familiar neighborhoods. The adventure is in the journey, but the real thrill can begin when you close in on the coordinates.

Geocaches can be recycled containers like pill bottles
Geocaches can be recycled containers like pill bottles

When you uncover a geocache, a hidden story is revealed: who traveled to this location and the adventure they had along the way. But the exact appearance of the container you’re looking for is often a mystery. The geocache page will usually tell you the size of the geocache, but sometimes you’ll encounter an “other” or a “not chosen.” They’re the wildcard size for geocache containers.

cache6
Some geocache containers are easier to find than others…

At the top of this page, you’ll see eight geocache containers. Odds are you’ll encounter geocaches of this size most often. They’re all small or micro geocaches. More than 70% of geocaches listed on Geocaching.com are either listed as “micro” or “small.”

There are hundreds of variations on geocache shapes, from whimsical (think a small yard gnome in the woods) to devious (think of a fake security camera attached by magnets to the side of a building).

The most interesting geocache containers are often the ones you’ve never encountered before and likely will never see again. Keep your eyes and your mind open when you’re geocaching.  If you’re stuck, geocache pages often include helpful hints. Previous logs and pictures can also offer clues to find the geocache.

If you have more questions, check out the Geocaching 101 page. You can also post a question on the Geocaching Facebook page for the community to answer. To see clever geocaches being discovered, check out this video below for a look at 5 Geocaches in 30 Seconds.

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