Our friends at Cache Advance let me know of Northumberland County’s geocaching marketing, and it’s great to hear they are promoting it. If you haven’t visited this part of Ontario, it is an area of rolling hills, farmland and lots of woodland. The Trent River makes its final run down to Lake Ontario through the county and there’s conservation areas and pretty villages to explore.

Warkworth is a real secret – a little town of craft stores and art galleries, along with some very nice restaurants.  There’s a great micro-brewery just outside Campbellford and a chocolate outlet in town!  And of course there are plenty of caches to be found.  What more could you ask for on a geocaching break in this great area?

Image of Maiden’s Mill near Warkworth by John Charlton

When you are choosing a winter cottage for a snowy geocaching break, there’s a few things to consider.  Not all caches are winter friendly, so make sure the ones you have chosen on Geocaching.com have the snowflake icon.  To find out, go to the cache page and check the Attributes box on the right hand side; if you can get to it in winter there is a snowflake to identify it as winter friendly. Here’s an example at As the Crowe Flows

Make sure you carry a snow shovel, a sack of sand/salt, a flashlight, and a blanket in the car with you, and don’t even think about heading to cottage country without snow tires.  Even if the side streets are all clear of snow in the city, you will not find the same in the country. Some roads may have been ploughed but not sanded so if they are icy, it could be quite challenging.

Dress for the weather. This should go without saying but its a reminder to wear warm, layered clothing, good boots, and really good gloves. 

When walking on trails, watch out for snowmobiles, particularly if you have a dog with you. Remember the riders cannot hear you, and may be going fast.  If you hear a sled coming, get everyone off the trail and wait for them to pass.

Carry a pencil in your geocaching pack in case your pen freezes up!