For those of you not familiar with geocaching it is best described as a “worldwide treasure hunt”, in which participants use smartphones or GPS units to locate hidden containers (caches). They are able to keep track of the caches they find on the Geocaching.com website. Geocaching is a wonderful family activity, for all ages.

In an effort to attract visitors to our wonderful town, we launched the “Winegar Reflections Series” of geocaches in mid-May. This series currently consists of 31 caches, with many of the caches highlighting a person, place, or event from the town’s history. We also had two geocaching events at the Presque Isle Community Library, during which information was presented to inform newcomers on how to get started in finding their first geocaches.

The response to these caches has been amazing! Not only did some local residents get the geocaching bug, the Winegar Reflections series attracted at least 75 visitors from other parts of the country, coming from as far away as California, Georgia, and Oregon. Because there are so many caches here, some of the out-of-towners, made 2-3 visits to locate them. While in town they visited local business’ and enjoyed the time they spent in “Wisconsin’s Last Wilderness”.

There have been over 530 logged visits to these caches since they were placed. Word is spreading about this series, and we are anticipating that there will be many more geocachers descending on our town in the future. In addition to the 31 caches already in place, plans are now underway to place at least 10 more caches next spring. We will also be working with local business’ to help promote this activity, and the “Winegar Reflections” series will be introduced at various geocaching events around the state in the coming months.

It is because of the work done by the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce, the Presque Isle Community Library, individual property owners (who graciously gave us permission to place caches on their property) and others who worked hard to bring this activity to the area, that we are proud to call Presque Isle the “GEOCACHING CAPITAL OF THE NORTHWOODS”!