The 12 Geocaches of Christmas

Looking for something fun to do this holiday season? How about a high-tech treasure hunt?

For those of your who aren't familiar with geocaching, here's how it works:

• You get a trail of GPS coordinates to start with.  They are used to go on a treasure hunt!
• You can use your Smartphone or GPS device to find these places.
• When you get there, there is usually a little treasure cache where you can sign a log book and see what other people have left behind.
• Then you can take a photo of yourself at the location and share it online through Facebook.

Geocaching is usually associated with hiking in the great outdoors.

ABC 57 has decided to use these same principals to take you on a Christmas adventure around Michiana!  We came up with a list of 12 different Christmas-themed places in Michiana that are a must-go.

• We will give you a GPS coordinate and a clue.
• The 'cache' is the exciting Christmas sight that will be waiting for you!  
• Experience the holidays with ABC 57 and our 12 Geocaches of Christmas! Then send back your photos of your family and friends.  You can post them on our Facebook wall. We will make a photo gallery of all of our fans who participate!
  

Make sure to check back each day for the next coordinate and clue!
(Note: Some locations are free and others have a small cost associated with them.)

MONDAY, December 12:  Historic Niles Train Depot

COORDINATE: N41° 50.2384', W086° 15.1403'

CLUE: On the first day of Christmas, ABC 57 showed to me colors in a gorgeous night sky!

NOTES: If you choose to participate, this location is in Niles, Mich. This is a public space and is always open.

TUESDAY, December 13: Pinecrest Christmas Tree Farm

COORDINATE: N41° 45.7165', W086° 33.5042'

CLUE: On the second day of Christmas, ABC 57 showed to me four fields of fir and colors in a gorgeous night sky!

NOTES: If you choose to participate, this location is in Galien, Mich. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and has special events on weekends.

WEDNESDAY, December 14: Ruthmere Mansion

COORDINATE: N41° 41.6064', W085° 58.3733'

CLUE: On the third day of Christmas, ABC 57 showed to me 100 years of Christmas cheer, four fields of fir, and colors in a gorgeous night sky!

NOTES: If you choose to participate, this location is in Elkhart, Ind. It is open for tours on the hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Mondays.

THURSDAY, December 15: South Bend Farmer's Market

COORDINATE: N41° 39.9535', W086° 14.0575'

CLUE: On the fourth day of Christmas, ABC 57 showed to me a workshop with lots of gifts, 100 years of Christmas cheer, four fields of fir, and colors in a gorgeous night sky!

NOTES: If you choose to participate, this location is in South Bend, Ind. It is open for business on Tuesdays from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., Thursday from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., and  Saturday from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Santa will be at the location, Saturday, Dec. 17.

FRIDAY, December 16: Round Barn Winery

COORDINATE: N41° 55.2196', W086° 27.5075'

CLUE: On the fifth day of Christmas, ABC 57 showed to me FIVE WINE GLASS RINGS, a workshop with lots of gifts, 100 years of Christmas cheer, four fields of fir, and colors in a gorgeous night sky!

NOTES: If you choose to participate, this location is in Baroda, Mich. It is open for business every day at noon. They will be open until 6 p.m. on Friday. They will have a festive light display and extended hours on Saturday until 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, December 17: Merrifield Ice Rink

COORDINATE: N41° 39.9676', W086° 9.8673'

CLUE: On the sixth day of Christmas, ABC 57 showed to me Winterfest's sleek oval, FIVE WINE GLASS RINGS, a workshop with lots of gifts, 100 years of Christmas cheer, four fields of fir, and colors in a gorgeous night sky!

NOTES: If you choose to participate, this location is in Mishawaka, Ind. It is open for Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 9 p.m.

SUNDAY, December 18: Studebaker Museum

COORDINATE: N41° 40.4757', W086° 15.7109'

CLUE: On the seventh day of Christmas, ABC 57 showed to me Santa's tricked out ride, Winterfest's sleek oval, FIVE WINE GLASS RINGS, a workshop with lots of gifts, 100 years of Christmas cheer, four fields of fir, and colors in a gorgeous night sky!

NOTES: If you choose to participate, this location is in South Bend, Ind. It is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

MONDAY, December 19: The Oliver Mansion

COORDINATE: N41° 40.576', W086° 15.7196'

CLUE: On the eighth day of Christmas, ABC 57 showed to me Ollie's fine legacy,  Santa's tricked out ride, Winterfest's sleek oval, FIVE WINE GLASS RINGS, a workshop with lots of gifts, 100 years of Christmas cheer, four fields of fir, and colors in a gorgeous night sky!

NOTES: If you choose to participate, this location is in South Bend, Ind. Tours are available daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.

TUESDAY, December 20: Winding Brook neighborhood lights displays

COORDINATE: N41° 41.9184', W086° 10.3339'

CLUE: On the ninth day of Christmas, ABC 57 showed to me a neighborhood's tradition, Ollie's fine legacy,  Santa's tricked out ride, Winterfest's sleek oval, FIVE WINE GLASS RINGS, a workshop with lots of gifts, 100 years of Christmas cheer, four fields of fir, and colors in a gorgeous night sky!

NOTES: If you choose to participate, this location is a public space in Mishawaka. A small entrance fee is required and goes to local charities.

WEDNESDAY, December 21: Live Nativity at St. Peter's Church

COORDINATE: N41° 39.928', W086° 12.9065'

CLUE: On the tenth day of Christmas, ABC 57 showed to me three shivering magi, a neighborhood's tradition, Ollie's fine legacy,  Santa's tricked out ride, Winterfest's sleek oval, FIVE WINE GLASS RINGS, a workshop with lots of gifts, 100 years of Christmas cheer, four fields of fir, and colors in a gorgeous night sky!

NOTES: If you choose to participate, this location is in South Bend and will be Wednesday, Dec. 21, from 7 - 7:30 p.m. only.

THURSDAY, December 22: Notre Dame Christmas Tree

COORDINATE: N41.702995', W86.238972'

CLUE: On the eleventh day of Christmas, ABC 57 showed to me beauty and brilliance under the Golden Dome, three shivering magi, a neighborhood's tradition, Ollie's fine legacy,  Santa's tricked out ride, Winterfest's sleek oval, FIVE WINE GLASS RINGS, a workshop with lots of gifts, 100 years of Christmas cheer, four fields of fir, and colors in a gorgeous night sky!

NOTES: If you choose to participate, this location is on Notre Dame campus in the main administration building.

FRIDAY, December 23: Santa's House and Workshop

COORDINATE: N41° 40.5796', W086° 14.9273'

CLUE: On the twelfth day of Christmas, ABC 57 showed to me songs of joy and peace on earth, beauty and brilliance under the Golden Dome, three shivering magi, a neighborhood's tradition, Ollie's fine legacy,  Santa's tricked out ride, Winterfest's sleek oval, FIVE WINE GLASS RINGS, a workshop with lots of gifts, 100 years of Christmas cheer, four fields of fir, and colors in a gorgeous night sky!

NOTES: If you choose to participate, this location is in downtown South Bend. Thanks for coming caroling with ABC 57 News! Merry Christmas!

SPOILER ALERT: If you get stuck geocaching and are lost, feel free to use a GPS Visualizer Tool online, however, this will spoil the surprise of where you are headed.