JDPFu.com 2025

I met up with a sister to do a little geo caching over the weekend around Cochran Mill Park southwest of Atlanta. It was around 40 deg when we got started. No trail map in hand, but we both had GPSs and coordinates for 5 or so caches to find.

In summary,

• we found 5 geo caches – searched for 7
• I lost my Bluetooth GPS receiver (normally tethered to my Nokia N800, somewhere scrambling up a very steep hill
• During a water crossing, as we returned from the first cache of the day, I slipped on some frost on the felled tree (over a stream) and took a nasty spill.
  • left shin has a superficial 3" scrap (little blood)
  • left knee has a knot on it
  • left forearm it very tender. No stress or strain is possible without pain

We kept going in search of a number of other caches for the next 4+ hours. I normally take plenty of water, but not this time. I didn’t realize how long we’d be hiking in the bush. Trails were not normally used since a direct path with GPS coordinates and bearings seem to be the quickest way, especially when we didn’t have a trail map.

After getting home, the extent of my injury became a little clearer. The leg stuff is nothing. The arm … that’s a different matter. Also, bush whacking is different from hiking. It is more difficult. My legs hurt.

In the middle of the night, I needed a drink of water. As I made my way downstairs, taking 1 step at a time and holding onto the wall, I felt like a 99 yr old must. Very stiff. Opening a drink top wasn’t easy with only 1 hand working (the other hurt too much to use).

This morning, the legs are mostly fine, not too stiff. The arm still hurts, but just a little less than yesterday. It will probably a few weeks before I get full use back.

Oh, check the gallery for photos of the day. A GPS track should be available RSN too. Obviously, it won’t be from my GPS.