Groundspeaketh and Loblolly Love payeth

Bill has used his brand-new stamp with his geocaching handle "Loblolly Love" for the first time on a white envelope's return address. Inside the envelope, which is bound for Seattle, is a check for his renewal of "premium membership" with Groundspeak.

Groundspeak is a young corporation, which began in 2000 to manage the website (www.geocaching.com). Its originators founded the worldwide sport of geocaching, which combines hand-held Global Positioning Systems (GPS) with the Internet for treasure hunting.

Geocaching, sometimes called the "fastest growing sport you never heard of" has quickly spread to more than 250 countries in the world. In fact, a look at the website this morning reveals that more than 350,000 active caches (hidden containers bearing trinkets/collectibles and a geocaching log) exist worldwide.

The procedure from the treasure hunter's standpoint begins at the computer, looking on the website for locations of caches, jotting down coordinates and viewing clues for finding the caches. This information is found by typing in the zipcode for the area where the person wishes to explore.

Then, with information and GPS in hand, off goes the geocacher for a day or several hours of adventure either in municipalities. Caches lead hunters to far off mountain tops, scenic vistas, structures, etc. Once the cache is found, the person can select an item, replacing it with another item, thus keeping the cache full with interesting offerings. The treasure hunter also signs the log and moves on to yet another cache.

Once back home, it's back to the computer to record yet another log and to comment on the cache and the experience it presented. Naturally, my husband loves to comment at length on his observation of surrounding trees or the historical significance when he checks in at the individual site for each cache. In my daughter's case, she uses her photography talent and posts a picture taken at the cache site.

On the other side of the coin, for cache originators, the activity involves filling a container (small, medium, or large) with items and a log. Once the container is ready, the geostasher sets off to find an appropriate place to hide the treasure box. No caches can be hidden in National Parks, near hazardous areas, near schools or beneath the ground. Geocaching.com has a strict set of rules to protect the environment with this sport. In fact, once a person records his or her cache with the website, it goes through thorough scrutiny before being posted on the Internet.

The fun of the sport is that caches are being established every day around the globe, so there's always new ground to cover and new treasures to be found. Loyal slightdetour readers know that the Love family has been actively involved in geocaching for the past three or four years, so much so that Loblolly Love has managed two trips to the emergency room while geocaching. And, I must add that geocaching is not designed to be a dangerous sport.

Today, I'm happy to announce that the Love family is becoming more involved than ever in geocaching and its technological cousins. Our enhanced involvement will not come from that envelope with Loblolly Love's handle and his check for premium membership as much as it's coming Jan. 29 when Miss Annie Love begins full-time employment with Groundspeak, which is currently moving into a new office complex in downtown Seattle.

The corporation has grown to about 20 employees, and Annie, who learned her way around Seattle thanks to her own geocaching activities, will serve as community relations/receptionist at the growing company. She received official word last night that they want her on their staff, and she's thrilled, to say the least.

One more time, the notion of pursuing what you know about and pursuing what you love to do certainly fits in this new career adventure for Annie. It's very possible that most questions directed to geocaching.com after Jan. 29 will have the Annie Love stamp on their responses.

To say that Annie is excited is understandable. To say that her dad is excited is an understatement. Mr. Loblolly Love will more than likely be stepping up his geocaching activities from now on, and that's pretty difficult to do, although I will say that the busyness of our adjustment to this new place has eaten into his normal geocaching activity.

We're all proud for Annie, and, of course, we'll be the first to say that if you haven't looked into the possibilities involved for family for retired babyboomers, for virtually anyone who loves the challenge of a good search, by all means, check out the "ultimate Easter egg hunt," at (www.geocaching.com).

It's definitely a hoot, and soon it will keep our daughter happily occupied answering your questions.