PETE'S PICKS
 A new urban geocache trail (courtesy of the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau) was recently launched that is well worth the time. This "trail" takes you to several iconic locations in downtown Roanoke. If you're not familiar with geocaching, it is an outdoor activity in which the participants use a GPS receiver or other navigational device (like most smart phones) to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches"). A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook. Larger containers can also contain items for trading, usually toys or trinkets. Geocaching is most often described as a "game of high-tech hide and seek," sharing many aspects with orienteering, treasure-hunting, and waymarking.
In addition to the new urban geocache trail, there are literally hundreds of caches hidden throughout the Roanoke Region. When we're going out for a hike we choose our hike first, and then look to see if there are any caches in the area we will be hiking. Get outside!
Pete Eshelman
Director of Outdoor Branding
Roanoke Regional Partnership
  
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CAN YOU TAKE A HIKE SANS TECHNOLOGY?
Is technology interfering with our view of nature? Think of how often you go for a trail run while listening to an iPod. Or felt the need to check in at various points along a bike ride.
Challenge yourself to forget the phone, tablet, or MP3 player next time you head outside.
 | | Illustration by Grant Snider of Incidental Comics. Published with permission. |
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GET OUT AND VISIT EXPLORE PARK
 Explore Park is open for business.
It is a great place to hike, bike, or just spend the day with the kids.
Explore Park, located at Milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is home to 9 miles of trails for biking, a hiking trail, access to the Roanoke River for boating and fishing, a living history museum, and 20 historic buildings.
The Visitor's Center will be open daily beginning in May, but you can still use the park now.
Find out more about Explore Park and read a recent op-ed >>>
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CAR COMPANY POWERING SOLAR HOUSES
 By Diane Cardwell, The New York Times
Automakers have long resorted to incentives like zero-percent financing, rewards points and rebates to inspire customer loyalty. Now Honda is offering a different deal: inexpensive home solar power systems for customers.
Through a partnership with SolarCity, a residential and commercial installer with locations in eight East Coast states and others across the country, Honda and Acura will offer their customers home solar systems at little or no upfront cost. The automaker will also offer its dealers preferential terms to lease or buy systems from SolarCity on a case-by-case basis, executives said.
Find out more about the Honda deal and a few easy green tips >>>
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