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West Bend Cache Bash stands apart from typical geocaching mega events because it's organized by the town's Chamber of Commerce, highlighting how this Wisconsin community has embraced geocaching as a tourism draw while offering $1,000 in cash prizes to participants. We discover what makes this event special through our experiences finding creative and high-quality geocaches.

• West Bend Cache Bash features 66 brand-new caches designed specifically for the event
• Josh reaches his 10,000th geocache milestone with a Back to the Future themed multi-cache
• Creative cache designs include a pirate-themed "X marks the spot" distance puzzle
• A car wash themed cache requiring players to push toy cars through tubes to reveal codes
• Severe weather creates challenges but doesn't dampen the geocaching community's spirit
• Local Wisconsin culture experienced through cheese curds, local restaurants and a retro arcade bar
• The event attracts families with kid-friendly caches like the popular "Pull My Finger" monkey cache
• West Bend proudly calls itself the "Geocaching Capital of the Midwest" with thousands of caches in the area

If you've enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting us on Patreon at patreon.com/treasuresofourtown - your support helps us continue creating fun and informative content about unique destinations across America.

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We explore the hidden treasures of Michigan through Craig's recent two-and-a-half-week journey across 72 of the state's 83 counties, revealing why the often-forgotten Upper Peninsula might be America's best-kept travel secret.

• Traversing Michigan's varied landscape from farmlands to freshwater beaches
• Discovering the Upper Peninsula's unique character and wilderness (30% of Michigan's land area)
• Crossing the magnificent 5-mile Mackinac Bridge that connects the two peninsulas
• Finding pristine swimming spots like Perrot Lake with crystal-clear freshwater
• Visiting quirky attractions like the 500-pound "man-killing clam" at Seashell City
• Exploring Michigan's craft beer scene with creative flight presentations
• Experiencing authentic American moments like roadside lemonade stands
• Attending the Midwest Geobash event with its community impact on local businesses
• Using apps like I Overlander to find free overnight parking spots
• Witnessing spectacular Lake Michigan sunsets that rival ocean vistas

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcasting app. You can also follow us on social media or reach out via email at TreasuresOfOurTownPodcast@gmail.com.

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Wisconsin Dells represents the ultimate tourist destination in the heartland of America, complete with water parks, unique geological formations, and quirky attractions. We dive into this nostalgic vacation spot that transforms an entire town into an amusement park experience with activities for all ages.

• Noah's Ark Water Park features over 50 water slides including innovative experiences like the Black Anaconda roller coaster water slide
• Wisconsin Duck tours use WWII-era amphibious vehicles to show the beautiful sandstone formations from both land and water
• The natural beauty of the area was first popularized by photographer H.H. Bennett in the mid-1800s
• Devil's Lake State Park offers hiking trails to impressive rock formations like Balancing Rock and Devil's Doorway
• The Upside-Down White House exemplifies the quirky tourist trap nature of the town with its alien conspiracy theme
• Wisconsin Deer Park provides opportunities to hand-feed approximately 100 tame deer in a 40-acre sanctuary
• Mount Olympus combines water park and theme park attractions including Poseidon's Revenge wave pool with its massive 20-foot wave every seven minutes
• Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty serves lumberjack-style family meals on tin plates with must-try hot cinnamon sugar donuts

Noah’s Ark Waterpark

Wisconsin Dells Boat Tours

Rick Wilcox Magic Theater

Lost Canyon Tours

Paul Bunyan’s Cook Shanty

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Venture into the world of location-based gaming as we explore how Munzee transforms ordinary travel into extraordinary adventures. Join hosts Joshua and Craig as they welcome Rob, President of Munzee, for an insider's look at this 14-year-old global phenomenon that serves as the perfect companion for curious travelers.

Discover why Munzee has been called "the love child of geocaching and Pokemon Go" as Rob explains the game's unique blend of physical QR code hunting and virtual creature capturing. Unlike traditional geocaching, Munzee allows players to leave their mark virtually anywhere in the world, creating connections between travelers who might never meet but share experiences in the same breathtaking locations.

The conversation reveals how Munzee enhances travel in unexpected ways – turning tedious airport layovers into opportunities for play, guiding you to hidden local gems, and encouraging exploration beyond tourist traps. Learn about virtual gardens, competitive clan gameplay, and how capturing Munzees can create lasting digital memories of your adventures.

Whether you're a solo traveler seeking authentic experiences, a family looking to make road trips more engaging, or simply someone who enjoys discovering new places, this episode offers compelling reasons to add this versatile game to your travel toolkit. The hosts share personal stories of how Munzee has led them to unexpected discoveries, connected them with local communities, and preserved special travel moments through digital interactions.

Ready to transform how you experience the world? Download the Munzee app, scan our referral code from the episode artwork, and join a global community of explorers who find treasure in the journey, not just the destination.

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We reveal our top 10 rest areas across the United States, from basic facilities to spectacular view points to full-on tourist complexes that have become destinations in their own right.

• Rest areas provide safety, convenience, and often unexpected attractions for travelers
• Clean bathrooms remain a top priority, with Buc-ee's setting the gold standard
• Many stops feature historical exhibits, museums, and cultural attractions
• Location and scenic views elevate basic rest stops into memorable experiences
• Food options range from vending machines to multiple full-service restaurants
• Truck stops have evolved into complex facilities with amenities like movie theaters, arcades, and rental baths
• The world's largest truck stop in Iowa has its own zip code and eight restaurants
• Rest stops frequently feature geocaching and Munzee opportunities
• Many stops serve as impromptu picnic locations for traveling families
• Locations like South of the Border have become iconic tourist attractions in their own right

Let us know how many of our top 10 rest stops you've visited! Reach out at treasuresofourtownpodcast@gmail.com or find us on social media.

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What happens when 5,000+ geocachers descend upon Morgantown, West Virginia? Pure magic, unexpected friendships, and countless stories worth telling.

Join us as we pull back the curtain on our Geo Woodstock 21 adventure – from the spectacular highs of performing our live podcast to a standing-room-only crowd to the technical woes that left our recording unusable (again). Before reaching Morgantown, Josh took a soul-stirring detour to Pittsburgh's Mr. Rogers statue where the beloved icon's voice still echoes beneath an arch overlooking the river – a moment he describes as "almost spiritual."

Our Morgantown home base proved to be a geocacher's dream: a three-story Airbnb complete with hot tub (which Craig claimed immediately and repeatedly), arcade games, and ample space for late-night geocaching tales. We traversed the region collecting stamps for the Country Roads Challenge, discovered surprisingly exceptional margarita flights at Mountain State Brewing Company, and Josh fulfilled his destiny by donning full Barney Fife regalia at the Don Knotts statue downtown.

The main event showcased geocaching at its finest – vendor halls brimming with gadget caches and trackables, a massive GPS maze chronicling the hobby's history, and the electric energy of thousands sharing their passion under one roof. The weekend crescendoed with Midnight Madness at West Virginia University, where our team of content creators squared off against Geocaching HQ staff in Family Feud, claiming victory despite Craig's memorable "nano" blunder that earned thunderous boos from the crowd.

Whether you're planning for next year's Geo Woodstock in Hutchinson (near the world's oldest active geocache!), or simply love hearing tales of travel and community, this episode captures why these gatherings represent the heart and soul of geocaching.

Have you experienced a Geo Woodstock yet? Share your story with us on social media or email treasuresofourtownpodcast@gmail.com

1hr LIVE Link

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Ever wondered what happens when two location-based gaming enthusiasts walk into a town called Uranus? This episode takes you on a journey to one of Route 66's most memorable roadside attractions—Uranus, Missouri—a place built entirely on juvenile humor and unexpected charm.

Discover the fascinating backstory of how this quirky destination came to be when businessman Louis Keene pivoted from adult entertainment venues to family-friendly (technically) attractions after pushback from the nearby town of St. Roberts. The result? A roadside stop that leans heavily into innuendo while remaining just appropriate enough for all ages.

From the moment staff members enthusiastically shout "Welcome to Uranus!" as you enter the Fudge Factory (where "the best fudge comes from Uranus"), to exploring the bizarre Sideshow Museum with its sword-swallowing performer and peculiar taxidermy, every corner of this place is designed to both make you laugh and shake your head in disbelief. We share our experiences playing the Pirate Mini Golf course, visiting the former world's largest belt buckle, and taking photos with the "Mayor of Uranus"—a muffler man statue with its own tornado survival story.

As Munzee and geocaching enthusiasts, we also dive into the gaming opportunities available in and around Uranus, including the Saturday Munzee event that brought players from across the country. We explore the differences between these location-based games and how they create unique social experiences for players.

Whether you're planning your next Route 66 adventure or just love hearing about America's quirkiest destinations, this episode captures the essence of what makes roadside attractions such a beloved part of American travel culture. So join us as we prove once again that sometimes the most memorable travel experiences come from the places that make you giggle like a 14-year-old.

Carry On Luggage - https://amzn.to/3YHW3Et

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Jeff Wagg returns to the podcast with a special travel challenge as he explores three supposedly "boring" American towns and reveals the fascinating stories, attractions, and historical significance hidden within each location.

• Bagley, Minnesota (pop. 1,305) offers beautiful Lake Lomond with its haunting loon population, the legend of "Green Jenny," and Minnesota's longest-used prison
• Sandwich, New Hampshire (pop. 1,466) served as the filming location for "On Golden Pond" and features incredible fall foliage due to its remarkable biodiversity
• Unity, Oregon (pop. 43) wasn't officially a town until 1972 when ranchers needed a water grant, and now features rentable fire towers with 360-degree views
• All three locations demonstrate how even the smallest American towns contain unexpected treasures waiting to be discovered
• Jeff shares his own approach to finding fascinating stories in seemingly ordinary places through research and appreciation for local history
• Each town has limited geocaching opportunities (1-3 caches) likely due to small populations of active geocachers

Visit our Patreon at patreon.com/treasuresofourtown for exclusive content including Jeff's "golden nugget" advice on finding interesting aspects of any town.

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