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side·track (sīd´trăk): n. 1. A diversion from the main course. 2. A detour taken with children that you would never, ever take without them.
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Who and What:
Me, my husband, and our nine-year old son, all sporting brand new hiking shoes.  Geocaching at Smuggler’s Notch Resort in Jeffersonville, Vermont.

Where:
Up, across, over, and down Mt. Morse, on which the resort sits. While we hiked, our two-year old was enjoying her day in the resort’s state-of-the-art child care center, Treasures.

Why:
We’re not “nature” folks, but with the promise of using a high-tech device like a portable GPS unit, the two men in my life suddenly turned into Paul Bunyan. Plus, I had heard about the new sport/hobby, learned more at www.geocaching.org, and was seriously intrigued. (Also, I kinda wanted my son to think that I’m cool.)

The Low Point:
We were given a mission by our guide, Jamie: find seven different caches (in this case, galvanized buckets attached to tree trunks) along a string of trails, using satellite coordinates pre-set into the GPS units provided. Each bucket contained a riddle and two letters. If we found all seven, the letters would make up a word solving the group of riddles.

We could not find Cache #2, after nearly an hour wading through Morse Brook and climbing the rocks along its borders. We found out later from Jamie that it was hanging in plain sight about 20 feet south of where we searched.

The High Point:
Finishing the trail, with all but one cache found, and being able to solve the riddle anyway. It was the end of a physically challenging morning, spent in a beautiful piece of woods with my two favorite guys. For me, the most memorable moment was taking my shoes and socks off to walk through the cold, clear, shallow brook. I now visualize that image when I’m stuck in a 20-minute line at Wal-Mart.

The Kid’s Take:
My son enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, and kept pace with a smile, even when a steep, muddy patch nearly forced us to turn around. When asked what he specifically liked about it, though, he says “spending the time with my family.” Aww.

The Bottom Line:
It’s a challenge trying to choose among the multitude of family activities offered at “Smuggs,” but make sure geocaching tops your list if you have kids aged eight or older. It’s the perfect immersion; the guide keeps track of you and offers help when asked, but keeps his distance and gives you the independence to cast your trail. For families like ours who don’t often step outside their comfort zone, this program delivers a day to remember.

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