Geowoodstock to TBEX: Mega-hot at Geowoodstock

You know we love our geocaching here at Camp Granola. So what better place for us than the biggest geocaching event in the world, right?

This year’s Geowoodstock was held in Sellersburg, Indiana and it was a first for us in many ways. It was our first Geowoodstock since we’d always had conflicts in years past and our first stay in Indiana. It was also the kickoff of our longest trip ever, five weeks on the road for what we came to call our Geowoodstock to TBEX adventure.

Charlestown State Park…

While many of our geocaching brethren stayed at nearby hotels, Camp Granola opted to camp…of course. So we set up at Charlestown State Park just a little north of Jeffersonville and the Geowoodstock festivities.

It’s a lovely park set along the Ohio River on the site of a former World War II munitions factory. Unfortunately with all the goings-on surrounding Geowoodstock we didn’t spend much time exploring there.

Jeffersonville…

We did however, spend a little time in Jeffersonville, just south of Sellersburg. And you know I’m not Urban Girl but I really liked this little town. It’s the “quiet” side of Louisville and it was very charming in spite of the record heat. Small, very friendly, not too crowded in spite of the influx of geocachers.

The town played quite the host to the Geowoodstockers with welcome signs in almost every store and restaurant. Even the historic candy shop offered a tour that George was set on attending. With Dobby in tow we had to do some tag-teaming as usual, so Fred and I chilled out as best we could in the heat while Jester and George went on the tour. And the report from the Schimpff’s tour is that it was really cool and you should go too. (Sorry, this is the kind of info I get when I don’t go myself…)

And, like I’ve mentioned before, the great thing about geocaching your way through a town is that you discover hidden little gems. We happened upon a great little garden that we would passed unnoticed if not for the high-tech treasure hunt we were on. In the course of our exploration we also found a groovy little needlecraft shop where I picked up some luxurious locally-grown and spun yarn…all sorts of granola knitting-tree-hugger happy.

Our geocaching exploits also took us along the Ohio River that separates Louisville and Jeffersonville. The Falls of the Ohio State Park provides a lovely green space, clearly loved by local residents. It’s easy to see why. I know I’d hang out there a lot too.

Melting at Geowoodstock…

The main event itself was held at a large park near Sellersburg and was overshadowed by record heat. I’m pretty stubborn about enjoying myself regardless of weather and I have to say it was flat-out miserable. Sure, it was fun to be with so many other geocachers, trading pathtags and stories…but only in between trying not to pass out from the heat.

With very little shade and activities spread fairly far apart, it was hard to get excited about doing anything at all except sucking down water. The coolest place to hang out ended up being the playground which had a little breeze and a good bit of shade so we parked ourselves there for much of the event.

So we made it through our first Geowoodstock but barely upright and hydrated. And with that we sent Jester back to Georgia while the rest of us continued on our way to TBEX…the long way.

And now for your moment of green…