Customer Reviews

Open Your Heart with Geocaching: Mastering Life Through Love of Exploration (Open Your Heart)

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As I started reading this book, I knew it was going to be different than other "how to" books on the subject of Geocaching. It does give you a good, basic information about geocaching - enough to get you out and finding your first geocache. But then it goes much farther - not only does it tell you about how to geocache, but gives much insight into how one can enjoy geocaching. This is what makes the book as valuable and enjoyable for someone who has over 1000 finds as someone about to embark on their first find.

The book teaches you how to appreciate the game and suggests ways of thinking about your activity and your role in the active geocaching community. It seems to me that the game is becoming more and more focused on numbers and statistics. It's easy to get caught up in that aspect of the game and forget about some of the truly enjoyable experiences that I've had while caching.

It's especially easy for a person new to geocaching to immediately get immersed in the numbers. I don't think there's anything wrong with the numbers game (for the most part). But, you may find an untapped source of enjoyment by taking some of the advice in this book to heart.

This should be required reading for all experienced cachers as well as the new ones. A great treatment of my favorite hobby. TFTB!

For Christmas in 2003, a friend gave me a low-end (yet more than adequate) GPS receiver. I had been talking about wanting to get into this new geeky outdoor hobby called geocaching, but the cost of even a low-end GPS receiver was more than I could manage at the time. She took pity on me, and it has been a gift that keeps on giving.

Over the years since then, my enthusiasm has waned as the availability of accessible and not-found-by-me caches dwindled in my area. Also, other projects began consuming my "free" time, such as writing for Blogcritics, and it became more difficult for me to find the energy and time to get out into nature and hunt for elusive cache containers. However, I have since relocated, and after reading Jeannette Cézanne's book, I have a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation for the game.

The Open Your Heart series of books by DreamTime Publishing was started by Meg Bertini as a means of exploring a variety of interests and hobbies in a way that would connect individuals to the world around them and allow for deeper spiritual meaning. The series includes other topics such as specific sports, fine arts, pets, and other common activities. Judging by the submission guidelines, it looks like anyone who can write passionately and authoritatively about their interests, along with a proficient grasp of basic grammar rules, has a good chance of having their proposal accepted for publication, so it may be worth keeping a eye out for future titles in the series.

At first I scoffed at the idea that a game/hobby that uses high-tech satellites to find cheap plastic containers could also be a spiritual or centering activity. My experience with serious geocachers so far has made the activity more of a competition (both with others and with oneself) than anything that could enhance ones mental and spiritual wellbeing. However, I tried to set aside my prejudices and read the book for what it is, and I found myself surprised to realize that by the end, it had changed my outlook on geocaching.

Cézanne has poured herself and her world into this book. The language is conversational and flows easily from point to point. She approaches geocaching less from the geeky/techie perspective, and more from the outdoor enthusiast perspective. For her, caching is less about the destination as it is about the journey. I think this is a perspective that is often lost amid the crowing and strutting by those who play for the numbers.

This is a book I would recommend to new or potential geocachers who haven't yet been corrupted, or to those who are burnt out by the competition and arguments. It's just the sort of kick in the pants one needs to gain the perspective that will increase one's enjoyment of geocaching and simply exploring some place new.

Geocaching is an interesting hobby and it is easy to see why people could become devoted to it. It is a sport where people will place a "treasure" at a location, note the location in GPS coordinates and then post the coordinates on a website devoted to geocaching. Practitioners check the site and then use GPS receivers to search for the "treasure." There are ego points for the cleverness of the hide and being First-To-Find (FTF) and there are guidelines for what locations are suitable for caching and what one can do when the "treasure" is found. A more extreme form of the sport involved placing the cache in a location that requires advanced techniques for access such as climbing a mountain, scuba diving or using a helicopter.

Cezanne describes the sport, points out some of the more obvious and realistic rules and interviews several people about the attraction they feel for geocaching. Since they are so rugged, old ammunition boxes are commonly used to store the cache. Clearly, carrying and then hiding an old ammunition box near a sensitive site such as a bridge will get the attention of law enforcement and should not be done.

While I will most likely never engage in this sport, it is easy to understand why there are people devoted to it and who consider it an uplifting experience. The explanations of the hows and joys of geocaching are well done, it offers the challenge of treasure hunting, the opportunity to interact with people of similar interests and a chance to commune with nature in a positive way.

I enjoy adventure and any reason to get outdoors with nature. Geocaching provides that connection. I enjoyed reading Open Your Heart with Geocaching and had a hard time putting it down.. For the past year to two years (it seems) Geocaching has become a numbers game based on statistics including total number of finds and 24 hour cache raids.. The competition aspect has taken away from "MY" enjoyment and reasons to geocache (everybody plays differently). I've found caches in pricker bushes and poison ivy fields and wonder why the hider is wasting my time bringing me here? 'Open your heart' reminded me of the real reason why I enjoy caching, to spend time in the woods and be at one with nature..

'Open your Heart with Geocaching' teaches you to enjoy the journey, not the destination. Through 'found it' log entries one can explain what they saw and how they felt during the trip.. With my log entries I attempt to share with the hider (readers) reason(s) I enjoyed their cache and always try to find something good about a cache location (sometimes it might be very straight painted lines in a parking lot).. I've received a lot of comments that people look forward to my log entries and the positive responses have given me the desire to get even more creative.

In the CITO (Cache In, Trash Out) chapter you talked about cleaning, including your mind and soul.. I call this "soul cleansing". I have a stressful job (at times) and when I feel overwhelmed I would climb one of the White Mountains to rejuvenate myself. I would work hard (almost jog) during an ascent to stop thinking about the stress. Once I reached a summit I usually has a solution to the problem and could fully enjoy the moment, breathtaking views, and 'soul cleanse'. Geocaching is a means for the same stress relief and allows me to make shorter (less agressive) hikes and usually brings me to a unique and rewarding destination.

My favorite chapters were the "Conversations with" a fellow cacher.. They were informative and each player had uniquely different reasons why they cache and some made me see the sport in a new light.

My last thought and comments are about friendships.. Through log entries, and e-mail conversations I feel close to many fellow cachers and look forward to events and meeting people on the trails. I'm truly amazed at how supportive and giving the people in the caching community are!! I'm proud to be a geocacher and part of this community.

"Open your heart" not only introduces geocaching but it also asks the reader to consider that geocaching will refresh their view on life. Wandering down trails you have traveled before becomes all new again when you know there is a hidden treasure - the cache. The author captures the short history of geocaching, personal stories and explores the way this relatively new activity opens people up to the wonder of the world around them.

On a personal level, my girl scout troop is going on a hike in the woods with a whole new purpose besides being "tortured, and forced to exercise". They are excited to be going out there now. As they say in the Mastercard world: Priceless.

Geocaching? I had never heard of it until Jeannette introduced me to this creative way of exploring our world through her book, Open Your Heart with Geocaching. You can think of geocaching as a scavenger hunt that uses modern day technology (GPS) to find the "treasures." This fun book will introduce you to everything you need to know! You will listen in on conversations with devotees, you will learn about the different varieties of caches, be introduced to Geo-events, and even learn to create your own cache. This book is a must-read for lovers of Geocaching and anyone seeking to learn about it.

This book was not what I expected, but good reading anyway. Not real technical, but more of a "love the world" and geocache if you want to. Don't expect to become technically proficient reading this book. This is a book you would take on a cruise boat and read it while enjoying the scenery from your balcony room. A great book for women who enjoy the outdoors. Not too manly.

Bob

Overall this is an interesting book to read for geocachers. It gives a different perspective on the game. Although the author's facination with socialism was a bit of a turn off for me personally, when she stayed on topic it was very informative. I would recommend this book to novice and avid geocachers alike.

Jeannette Cezanne has combined spiritual wisdom with much practical advice. If you haven't cached, this will get you up and going; a thoroughly thought-full work, worth savoring slowly.