There are many beautiful places to go walking in our watershed. Click here for a map of some of our favorite places.

You might also enjoy trying something new while going for a walk - Geocaching! In 2002 the NSRWA's own Judy Grecco introduced us to this new "sport" that combines exploring the great outdoors while honing your navigation skills. Known as geocaching, this treasure finding sport is taking over the nation! Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game of "Hide and Seek" for Global Positioning Systems (GPS) users and their friends of all ages. The basic idea is to have individuals set up and hide caches all over the world and share the locations on the Internet. Some caches are already hidden in your local area and you did not even know they were there. GPS users can use the location coordinates posted on the website to find where they are hidden.

The word Geocaching broken out is GEO for geography, and CACHING for the process of hiding a cache. A cache is a term used in hiking/camping as a hiding place for concealing and preserving provisions. The cache (pronounced "cash") in geocaching is a hidden container with a log book, pencil/pen and silly trinkets such as key rings, super balls and magnets. Sometimes old ammunition boxes or a variety of plastic watertight containers are used.

A GPS unit is a handheld electronic device that can determine your approximate location (within 6-20 feet) anywhere on the planet. The coordinates are normally given in Longitude and Latitude and you can use the unit to navigate from your current location to another.

How can you find a hidden cache site near you? Go to www.geocaching.com and enter your zip code. It will display all of the caches that are located within your area. Just enter the coordinates of your chosen site into the GPS and it will tell you how far to the cache. You can also print a map out of the area to find the closest parking and then you use the GPS to guide your path. If you do not own a computer, you can go to your local public library. Don't have a GPS, ask around a friend may have one; you will want to get one after your first hunt.

Geocaching is a relatively new phenomenon started in 2000 and grown, as of today; there are 40,683 active caches in 161 countries. Massachusetts has over 600 hidden caches. The North and South Rivers Watershed area has many caches hidden, with names like "Along the Greenway", "Luddam's Ford", "Miller Woods", "North River View", "2002 Trex", "Science Fair Search", "The Dwelly Stone", "A Stones Throw from Blue", "Reportage", "Whatcha Dune" and "Here Comes Da Judge." Don't miss out on this great walking and hiking sport, start today!

The NRSWA occasionally sponsors Geocaching walks at various locations in the watershed . Remember, the rules are very simple: 1. Find the Cache. 2. Take something and leave something. 3. Sign the logbook. 4. Along the way don't forget to enjoy the hunt and the hike!