Technology Boosts Tourism
Cuba’s latest and, perhaps, oddest venture into tourism originates with
a hometown girl. It involves a high tech form of hide-n-seek and what
we might have once viewed as spy-guy stuff. While it may sound slightly
sinister, you will discover it is fun, wholesome, and will draw likable
visitors to our town. Jennifer (Neff) Crittenden, now living in
Bourbon, grew up in Cuba and graduated from high school here. Her
husband Matt graduated in Alaska and now works at Brake Parts. Since
Jennifer and Matt enjoy the area, they want to share the parks, the
murals, and locations such as the History Museum with others. So
Jennifer decided to combine a recent hobby with her enthusiasm for her
hometown.
Last October while surfing the web, she ran into a geocaching
(pronounced geocashing) web site. Jennifer found out that this sport
used gadgets called GPS units, to follow a set of coordinates to
certain locations where geocachers find more coordinates, a prize, or
just get to feel the thrill of a successful hunt. GPS means Global
Positioning Systems, and these devices get their guidance from
satellites in the sky. Winter is actually the best time for geocaching
because the signals are not interrupted as much by trees, but it is an
activity that can be enjoyed during any season.
When cachers find the site, or cache, they sign a log. It is usually
housed in something weatherproof like tupperware or some other
container. Sometimes there is something for them in the cache or there
is another set of coordinates. People not involved in geocaching, who
run across the caches and destroy them, are called “muggles.” Sometimes
there is just one cache, and, at other times, there is a series of
them. The originators of the cache can put in coins, souvenirs, or
other items of interest.
Jennifer thought this activity sounded interesting, so she borrowed a
GPS unit and tried geocaching. After a few more times out, she and Matt
were both hooked and bought their own unit. The cheapest units start at
about $100. The young couple find that going on geocaching outings gets
them outside, helps them meet people, and takes them to new
territories. “Geocaching is great for all people, even people with
disabilities can enjoy this. I am speaking from a voice of experience.
I have a spinal problem and limited upper body movement. All geocaches
have ratings of difficulty, and I find that helpful in choosing the
ones we want to search for.”
The next step was to put Cuba on the geocaching map, or, in this case,
get the caches that she would place in Cuba posted on the geocache web
site,
www.geocaching.com. If a person goes to the site, he or she can
give a zip code and find nearby caches. Caches all over the United
States and the world are posted on this site. Recently, the Midwest
Open Geocaching Adventure took place in Meramec State Park. It was
sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources and the St. Louis
Geocache Association.
After getting permission from the city and Viva Cuba, Jennifer created
the information for Cuba’s caches. If you go to geocaching.com to get
coordinates for Cuba’s sites, you will also find pictures and a history
of the area and its attractions. The Cuba geocaches will highlight
several of the city’s murals. Hood Park and Tangle Creek Park are also
featured. Jennifer says that an aspect that can help the parks and city
is CITO--Cache In/Trash Out. The cachers keep an eye out for vandalism
and pick up trash wherever they go. However, remember that you need a
GPS unit to follow the coordinates to caches in Cuba.
Jennifer says many types of people and all ages enjoy geocaching. “It
really gets families together, and it gets people away from computers
and the TV to enjoy the outdoors.” Although it is not necessary, there
are group gatherings where people go caching together. “Even though we
don’t have any children, it has been fun to be along with groups and
watch the children find and eagerly open the ‘treasure box’ to see what
they can get.”
In Jefferson City, which really supports geocachers, a group gathered
to play geobingo and have a potluck meal. The goal was to locate the
caches in the city with bingo numbers in them. At the end of the day,
they saw how their numbers fit on the bingo cards. “The best advice to
give newbies (new geocachers) is to jump right in. If you aren’t sure
you will like it, contact some local groups and see if someone would be
willing to take you along. Geocachers as a rule are a very fun and
likable bunch of people and enjoy helping new people get started.” The
Crittendens look forward to their geocaching activities and try to do
one a weekend.
If you see visitors wandering the area, looking at small devices,
looking, up, down, and all around, don’t be alarmed. Respect their
hobby; don’t be a muggle. Don’t ask them where the caches are because
if they tell you, they’ll have to ....
