Friday 26 October 2012

Scotch Settlement

We went geocaching this morning. It's OlderSon and Callum's newest hobby. This particular cache was hidden at the Scotch Settlement Arboretum in Bradford, West Gwillimbury. It was a cool morning.... rain threatened.
In 1815, 140 Scots came from Lord Selkirk's Red River Settlement in Manitoba eventually making their way to what is now known as the Scotch Settlement in West Gwillimbury. The first school and church known as Auld Kirk was established in 1823 .
In 1865 a second church was established. Originally known as "The 2nd West Gwillimbury Presbyterian Church" — over time, the church became known as "The Scotch Settlement Presbyterian Church". The arboretum trees were planted by members of the local Horticultural Society. 
The small cache was wrapped in camo tape and well hidden..... I'm not going to tell where and spoil it.... but easy to find using the GPS.
So we signed the paper with the date and our names, tucked the cache away in it's hiding place and registered the find on the web site. This was a very small cache, but some of them are a lot bigger and contain all sorts of exchangeable items.
On the way back, there were lots of these grey mushrooms in an area surrounded by pine and spruce trees. Anyone know what they are?
Update: Possibly Grey Knight (Tricholoma terreum) also known as the Dirty Tricholoma. This is a late-season mushroom that thrives in pine forests, forming large groups with the first cold spells. And it's edible! But we didn't take any home for dinner.
Geocaching seems to be great way to explore areas that you'd otherwise miss. I had no idea that this little arboretum existed and I knew nothing about the history of the Scotch Settlement..

23 comments:

  1. What a great way to get children to enjoy the outdoors (and adults too lol).
    I've never heard of geocaching before, but have come across a treasure hunt. Near our daughters house there is an area called Woodbury Common and we have found what are known as Letter Boxes hidden in various locations. If you take something out of it, you have to put something in its place. So geocaching without the technology!

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  2. Sounded a lovely way to spend some time in the great outdoors.
    All I know is ....... that you have to be extremely careful with mushrooms!
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May

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  3. What fun! I've never heard of geocaching either, but what a nice way to learn about different places, people and the history of the area. I'd love to try it sometime. It sounds like a great outdoor activity to do with the grands.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  4. There's a lot of Scottish settle in the Ottawa Valley as well. We have our own Auld Kirk in Almonte although I guess it wasn't called that at the time.

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  5. I think I would enjoy geocaching. I just need to find someone who thinks that they would too. ;) What a lovely way to spend the day. And that Callum just gets cuter all the time.

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  6. I have never gone geocaching but Have been to the Scotch settlement. :)) My kids love to geocache though.

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  7. Funny that it is called the Scotch Settlement. I was always told that Scotch refers only to whiskey, not to the people. Guess I was told wrong!

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  8. Geocaching is familiar to me but only through my friends :) It is a fine way to find new things and open our eyes to see more.
    We have here a sunny day, no snow just a fine day to walking outside.
    Greetings to you Fenella and yours!

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  9. I've got to try that some day. I used to love treasure hunts when I was a kid.

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  10. Geocaching... I may have to look into that. Sounds like fun!

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  11. That geocaching is an unusual idea. Sounds great if one has the time to enjoy the activity. - Dave

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  12. What a wonderful way to do exciting and clever things with the family. A wonderful learning tool and fun besides.

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  13. Kids of all ages love treasure hunts and geocaching!! I haven't gone in years, but my favorite part was finding spots I never would have thought to go otherwise...i miss it! Happy November Shammie!

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  14. What a GREAT outing!! Amazing that there are so very many mushrooms growing wild---everywhere! But, knowing if they are edible---Now, that is a good question! Callum is soooo BIG!!!

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  15. Geocaching sounds a great idea!
    Callum is so beautiful and so big!
    Hope you have a nice weekend.

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  16. Old Phat Stu in Germany is big on geocaching, too. Have never tried it, but it seems like a good way to really get out and into one's environment! I'm amazed at Callum! He's almost the same age as I was when I started first grade! Holy smokes!! Handsome fellow!!

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  17. Geocaching - that is a new word for me. We had so many mushrooms in our yard but I was not sure if they were edible. You showed some beautiful fall pictures in your earlier posts. We still have fall foliage here – it seems the foliage season is longer this year.

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  18. Not lost on your next Geocaching outing are you Sham?

    Fran wondering if all OK down there.

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  19. Just checking in to see if you're OK. Long time, no blog!

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  20. Just checking in. Everything OK? Long time, no blog!

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  21. Missing your posts Shammie.
    Hoping things are okay with you.

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  22. UPDATE THIS BLOG or I'll report you to the internet...

    OlderSon

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  23. Tap, tap, tap!! Where did you go? It's not like you to disappear from the blogosphere for this long. Check in when you can, please.

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