If you are an avid geocacher and are going to be in the Sacramento, California area (or want to make plans to go there), the sixth annual GeoWoodstock geocaching event is being held May 24, 2008 in Wheatland, California.

It is a free event and even though this is only the sixth year for it, it has become the world’s largest geocaching related event, drawing avid geocachers from around the world.

For more information, check out the official website for the event by clicking here.

And, if you have been puzzled by this entire post and are wondering what the heck geocaching is, I compare it to going on a scavanger hunt. People all around the world hide “caches” which contain a logbook for everyone who finds the cache to write in and often also contains trinkets or sometimes larger items that people who find the cache are welcome to take one of - but also are expected to leave something in return. When people hide a cache they note the coordinates which many people then post on geocaching.com. A GPS device is needed to hunt for the caches and while it may seem easy to find a cache if you know the coordinates; avid geocachers are quick to point out it can be very hard to find them. Some caches are very small and the people who hide them are very clever about placement and even making sure the container holding the cache is painted to blend into the surroundings so well that people walk right by it. It’s a fun activity though.

Camping World, the store that caters to people like me who love camping, just opened its first store in Wisconsin. It is located in the Madison area which is in the southwestern part of the state.

The Madison store is 24,000 square feet and sells almost anything that is needed for camping and motorhomes plus it has a sales lot that has everything from popups to Class A’s on display.

I’m excited about the new store because I live in Wisconsin and have been waiting for a “camper” dedicated store to open. It’s frustrating to visit the camping section of sporting goods stores and find out it’s only 1 aisle but the fishing section has 6 aisles of space. It’s not that I have anything against fishing. I like fishing (except for the part where I have to put live bait on my line - ick!). But I also like camping and would like to have a choice of more than 3 different tents when I’m shopping for one.

If you’re in the Madison, Wisconsin area check out the new Camping World store (post in the comments section if you go to let everyone know what you think). I’ll be taking a road trip to the store in the next couple of weeks. I’m hoping they will have an easy to set up and take down screen room/gazebo that my husband and I can use on our camping trips to keep the bugs at bay without having to take a bath in insect repellant.

Spring is a great time to go to Yosemite National park even though some of the park roads in the upper elevations of the park are closed due to snow (they usually don’t open until the latter part of May or early June).

Yosemite Falls, the longest waterfall in the United States, builds volume in the spring and is typically at its highest volume around mid-May with the water cascading over the falls in an awe inspiring roar. By the time late summer and early fall arrive, the falls are usually just a trickle so spring or early summer is definitely the time to go if you want to see the falls at their best.

There are 13 campgrounds in Yosemite but if you are taking an RV or large travel trailer or 5th wheel, keep in mind that some of the roads have height and length restrictions (click here for more info on vehicle restrictions).

Seven of the thirteen campgrounds at Yosemite are on a reservation system with the remaining six on a first come first served system. Park officials say reservations are essential from April through September for the reserved sites and to get to the park early for the first come first served sites because they are often full by Noon.

Ten of the park’s 13 campgrounds have sites that will accommodate RV’s, travel trailers, and 5th wheels but keep in mind the park’s campgrounds were first established when camping vehicles were smaller so there are a limited number of sites in the park that will accommodate larger rigs. Make sure the site you reserve is big enough for your camping equipment. Click here for more information about camping in Yosemite. To make camping reservations, click here to go to recreation.gov.

To take a “virtual” tour and see some great vacation shots of Yosemite, watch the slideshow below:

Yosemite National Park - California - U.S.A

One Final Note: Yosemite is gorgeous to see but keep in mind that it is also home to black bears who have a keen sense of smell. That means you will need to take precautions with food while there. Food needs to be stored in the metal food lockers which the park provides for campers in every campsite in the park. And the word “food” takes on new meaning when camping where bears live because food to bears is anything with a scent including cosmetics, shampoo, empty food wrappers and dirty dishes. For more on bears and safety at Yosemite, click here.