Two Lodging Venues in N.C. Now Provide On-Site Geocaching
by Jeff on September 3, 2008
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Two adjoining accommodations in Jackson County now offer on-site geocaching to guests, a program believed to be among the first of its kind in the Southeast.
The Riverlodge Bed & Breakfast and Tuckaseigee Valley Cabins enlisted the help of nationally-acclaimed geocacher Graeme McGufficke to hide 10 caches on their mountain property, which borders the Tuckasegee River.
The caches vary in difficulty to accommodate novice or expert cachers, and the GPS coordinates are available only to overnight guests.
“Geocaching appeals to a broad base of people, so I think it’s a good idea,” McGufficke said. “For someone in the business of hospitality, any time you provide something different, it gives you a competitive edge. It’s a family-oriented activity that is close to where you’re staying. You know where you room is. It will be interesting to see how it progresses.”
Wanda Herren, owner of the cabins, learned about geocaching this spring when a family from Alabama rented a cabin and spent a week hunting caches. According to Geocaching.com, a total of 1,147 public caches are hidden within a 30-mile radius of the cabins and the lodge.
“I think our guests will like getting into the outdoors and seeing the natural areas. We’ve hidden our caches in very pretty areas,” Herren said. “It’s a good experience – something other than watching TV or playing on the computer.”
It’s hard to know how many Southeastern lodging venues offer on-site geocaching because the sport is new, but the Riverlodge and Tuck Cabins are certainly among the first.
“I commend these two attractions for their innovation and creativity, and for offering visitors a truly unique travel experience,” said Lynn Minges, NC’s executive director of tourism.
Meanwhile, McGufficke, who’s hidden the second most caches in the world, said he isn’t aware of any accommodations offering this latest outdoor craze. “They’re probably among the first in the U.S., because this is a new way to look at geocaching as a private activity,” he said.
“It’s wonderful to be on the cutting edge of a new activity,” Herren added.
For info on these geocaching programs, contact Riverlodge on the web or call them at (877) 384-4400. You can also check out Tuckaseigee Cabins or call them directly at (828) 293-5779.
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