Geocachers can find the third cache in the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism’s “Cache in with The Natural State” program near the pristine shores of one of the cleanest lakes in the world on a fitness trail at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa near Mount Ida. The coordinates to the cache are: N34 34.492; W093 25.996. 

   The cache is stashed along the Woodland Circuit Trail, a half-mile trail lined with work-out stations to help visitors maximize their time on the trail. The resort and spa lie on the southern shore of Lake Ouachita, a 30-minute scenic drive from Hot Springs National Park and just 12 miles east of the charming community of Mount Ida, the crystal capital of the world. 

   Lake Ouachita is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency as one of the cleanest lakes in the nation. With 49,000 surface acres, more than 1,000 miles of wilderness shoreline and more than 200 islands, Arkansas' largest lake is host to a variety of water activities. Property maps and certificates for prizes should be picked up at the lodge.  

   Embracing the fast-growing hobby of geocaching, the department launched its program in January. The first cache is hidden at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, and the second cache is at Village Creek State Park. Coordinates and more information are available at www.Arkansas.com. This cache is posted under waypoint GC115QZ on www.geocaching.com.  

   A cache is simply a hiding place for treasure, and geo means earth. Geocaching is a world-wide game in which people use Global Positioning Systems to pinpoint spots on the earth where treasures are hidden. Cache locations range from deep in the woods to city parks to urban locales.  

   Caches are stashed all over the world by individuals or groups. The location of each one is marked with GPS coordinates which are shared via the Internet. Geocachers use a hand-held GPS unit in their search. Each hunt and the terrain around it vary in difficulty. Some caches contain only log books in small tins or film canisters, while others hold mini treasures inside containers such as ammo boxes.  

   Through the “Cache in with The Natural State” program, new caches in locations throughout the state will be unveiled each month. The treasures in the caches will reflect the offerings of Arkansas – from lodging to restaurants to businesses and manufacturers. Each will contain a different range of items, most of which will represent the region in which the cache is located.  

   Examples of some prizes are certificates for digital cameras, overnight lodging, free meals at restaurants, posters of beautiful Arkansas landscapes, savings bonds from banks, children’s toys and promotional items from tourist spots such as Daisy Airgun Museum. Arkansas Tour Guide books, state maps and other tourist information brochures will be included for geocachers to take along with a treasure. 

   Caches will be monitored throughout the year and restocked with prizes for the first four to six weeks they become available. Some treasures will be placed directly in the cache containers. Others will be certificates for prizes that must be redeemed at an indicated locale. Geocachers are asked to observe standard protocol - taking only one item, leaving an item in trade and signing the log book. 

   The rewards for finding the cache are much more than the material goods found inside. There’s the satisfaction of an accomplished quest as well as the joy of experiencing the locale.  

   “Our geocaching program is a fun way to entice people to discover the great outdoors of The Natural State,” said Jana Greenbaum, communications director for Arkansas Parks and Tourism. “Additionally, it provides a unique way to highlight the tourism offerings of Arkansas. We want people to travel the state in search of the caches and see areas they may not have visited before.”  

   Aside from the state program, geocaching is allowed in 40 of Arkansas’s 52 state parks. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission lists caches on its Web site, leading enthusiasts to its nature trails, hatcheries and nature and education centers.  

   More than 2,000 geocaches are hidden in Arkansas steering people to some of The Natural State’s scenic and historic settings containing waterfalls, caves, wildlife, diamonds and trails amid diverse terrain and picturesque landscapes. For coordinates and geocaching details, go to www.geocaching.com. This official Web site provides information on caches in Arkansas and around the world. 

   For those new to geocaching, there is some etiquette to be observed: 

·        Don’t move a cache.

·        Tread lightly. The sport never requires digging and cachers are mindful of the environment.

·        CITO – “Cache In, Trash Out.”

·        Don’t leave food, weapons, alcohol or anything harmful or inappropriate.

·        Take something only if you leave something.

·        Sign the log book.