Abiquiu and the Chama Valley

Around 7:15am Thomas and I left Santa Fe and headed north for a day trip. We decided to take a drive to Abiquiu and up to Chama and do some letterboxing along the way. The drive through Pojoaque, Espanola and up to Abiquiu was peaceful and quiet. We stopped at Bode's General Store for some snacks and a quick break. Then we continued on and turned off US84 onto FR151 and drove 13 miles to Christ in the Desert Monastery. We parked near the guesthouse and then walked up the road toward the monastery. Just after passing the guesthouse we turned onto a dirt path and walked down to the Rio Chama. At this point we looked for Archangel Raphael at Monastery of Christ in the Desert by Kit. This was a quick and easy find and we sat near the river while stamping in. After the box was back in place we walked a little along the river and then headed back to the car and back towards US84. About five miles from the highway we stopped at the Big Eddy Boat Take-Out and took another walk along the river. After our walk it was time to get back onto US84 and continue our drive.

Our next stop was only about a mile and a half up the road at Echo Amphitheater. We turned in, paid our fee and parked. Then we went in search of War and Peace by RNR. This was a short walk and an easy find. I took the box to a picnic table to stamp in. When I finished stamping in and put the box back in its hiding spot Thomas and I walked the rest of the way to the amphitheater. We did the requisite echo-ing and just sat and relaxed for a bit. After about 15 minutes we headed back to the car and continued on. We didn't stop again until we reached Chama. Once in town we decided to stop for some lunch. We ended up eating at High Country Restaurant. Our lunch was delicious and we had a nice and relaxing time. An hour later it was time to complete our trip and start our drive home. The next box we looked for was Cumbres and Toltec by ArnoldZiffel and it was hidden just a short distance from the restaurant at the Visitor Center. We parked and I went around back, found the junipers and the box. I took it back to the car to stamp in. Once I had stamped in and replaced the box we drove on to the last box of the day. We took US64 west heading for Dulce. About eight miles or so from Chama we arrived at an historical marker for the Continental Divide. We parked here and I looked for and easily found Dulce Great Divide Alien Breeder Vats by Wronghat. Again, I stamped in at the car. When the box was back in place it was time to head home.

 We had a great day trip. It was an incredibly beautiful New Mexico day in Abiquiu and the Chama Valley and we thoroughly enjoyed our drive. The trip back home was uneventful and quick. Thanks to all who planted boxes in that area - we loved them all.

A "Comic"-al Event Day

Well, today is event day! I am staying in Sierra Vista and the event is in Sonoita. Before heading to the 14th Annual Tucson Gathering: It's "Comic"-al event I wanted to get some letterboxes outside of the event area. So I decided to leave early so I had enough time to get those boxes and then make it to the event on time.

I had my things ready and was in the car by 6:30am. I left Sierra Vista on AZ92 and then turned onto AZ90 and followed this highway to Huachuca City. Once in the city I stopped at an historic marker to look for One For the Boys by Desert Flower. The box was located about 50 yards from the marker even with a mile marker sign. So I parked there instead of at the marker. I easily found the box and brought it back to the car to stamp in. While I was sitting there a cop pulled up along side of me and asked if I needed help. I told him I was okay and had just needed to stop to make a call and I held up my phone. That satisfied him and he headed off. I finished stamping in and then replaced the box and continued on my drive to Sonoita. I continued on AZ90 to Whetstone and then took AZ82 heading west. When I reached Sonoita I turned onto AZ83 and headed north to the turnoff for Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. I drove into the area and began my search for five boxes . . . D is for Deer, F is for Frog, M is for Mosquito, R is for Raven and P is for Prairie Dog - all by FamilyTreeShaker. While I was at the first box a car pulled up and stopped but didn't stay, they just stared for a bit. Then I headed to the second box and here I met up with that car again. Turned out to be Lee from leeandnancy and CherryOnTop. We visited for a short time and they headed out and I needed to finish the two boxes at this spot. Once I had stamped into these two and replaced them I headed out to find the last two. I had no problems finding them and I didn't run into anyone else. Now that I was finished with all the boxes in this area I headed for the event.

The event was being held at Kentucky Camp off of AZ83. The camp is about five or so miles from AZ83 on a well maintained dirt road. When I first turned off of AZ83 there was a pullout on the right, so I stopped and read the clues for a couple of boxes that I remembered to be located before the camp. The first box was at a pullout on the left. So I drove up the road a bit and parked. I tried following the clues but they didn't work, so I gave up thinking I could stop again after the event. I continued on the road until I came to a split and then pulled off again to look for a second box. I followed the clues but didn't find the box. Then I read the clues again and there was another clue at the parking area for the camp. I guess they moved the box but didn't remove the first spot. Anyway, when I arrived at the parking area I easily found Kentucky Camping by blacksheep 1&2. After stamping in and replacing the box I started gathering my things to walk down the road to the camp. At this time Lee and CherryOnTop showed up. They told me about two more boxes in the parking area. So the three of us searched for and found Kentucky Bird in Arizona by Azroadie and Arizona Wild Things: J by Desert Flower. Once we were done with these two boxes we all gathered our things and started down the road. The event planners placed a series of four boxes along the road as a treat for having to walk from the parking area. We found Veronica, Archie, Betty and Jughead from the Archie Series. At the camp there was one more box for the series - the logo. Now that this series was completed I could meet a few people and visit with old friends. I also got the event stamp and some clues of boxes that had just been placed that morning. Then I found a quiet spot to map things out. Boxes were hidden on the Arizona Trail that runs through the camp and on another trail at the camp and at various spots around the buildings. I decided to hike the Arizona Trail and get the boxes out there first and then return to the camp to finish things up. I followed the trail and found the six boxes in the Dick Tracy series. Sometime during this series I bumped into Wronghat, Kaw and RNR. When I finished this series I picked up the next series and continued on. This was the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? series. There were six boxes in this series with the last box being at the top of a hill where you were rewarded with some incredible views. When I finished this series I returned the way I came and when I reached a certain spot I began a third series of five boxes. This was the Peanuts Gang Visits Arizona series of five boxes. I was working backwards on this series so I found the last box first. And then when I went to look for the fourth box I bumped into ggghiker and EdieSoCal. They were stamping into Got a Quarter? by the man with no name. They invited me to join them and then when that box was replaced we all looked for the fourth box in the Peanuts series. I found the box and we all stamped in. They continued on to the fifth box and headed in the opposite direction for the third box. I then bumped into Dawgdok. After visiting for a few minutes I continued on and finished the Peanuts series.

I then returned to the camp and got something to eat and also got a couple of exchanges and personal travelers. I also found Celebrating Leprechaun, The Rose & Le Pew and Lil' Abners: Spiderman. After this Lee, CherryOnTop and I headed to the other trail and went in search of two series and a single box. We found five boxes in the Favorite Comic Series by Wisconsin Hiker, and eight boxes in the Guardian of the Galaxy Series by Trishee and Steve Canyon by Martini Man. It was a nice hike and some nice boxes. We then returned to the camp and visited for a little while. Then it was time for me to head out since I had about an hour's drive back to Sierra Vista.

On the way out I stopped again for the box at the beginning of the road - this time I realized my mistake and found the right pullout and easily found Ghost of the Forest by Waneta Wench. Now it was time to get back to the hotel, take a shower and relax. I had eaten before leaving the camp so I didn't need to stop for food. Once back at the hotel I showered and then decided to get some things packed. I am ready to head home. So after logging some finds and then packing most of my things I wanted to get this post done. Now I am ready for the morning to head home. I had a great time in southeastern Arizona and the event was so much fun!

Coronado and Sierra Vista

The plans for today include visiting another National Park Unit and doing some letterboxing in the area. After getting my things together and having some breakfast I was ready to begin my day. I left Sierra Vista heading south on AZ92 and made my way to Coronado National Memorial. As I entered the park I noticed a car stopped in the road facing my direction. As I got closer I saw why they were stopped. There was a covey of about nine quail crossing the road. I took a few pictures while waiting for them to clear the road. The funny thing was that they were not scared by the cars and took their time crossing. Once they had all left the road I continued my drive to the Visitor Center. The first thing I did at the Visitor Center was to ask the Ranger what kind of quail I had seen. He told me they were Montezuma Quail and that it is rare to see them and that birders come from all over to try and see them. He said they were specific to this area. So I was really lucky to have seen them so easily. Next I got my passport stamps, some postcards and a patch. Then I talked to the Ranger about some hikes and got a map of the park. I also got the Junior Ranger booklet so I could work on that while I was exploring and hiking. I left the Visitor Center and drove up the road, which changed from paved to dirt about half way up, to Montezuma Pass Overlook. From there I hiked to Coronado Peak which provided 360° views of the area. After a short stay at the top I hiked back down and then took Joe's Canyon Trail and hiked about a mile or so then stopped for a break and then turned around and headed back to my car. Then I drove back down the road and made a stop at the parking area for the Cave Trail. I hiked the three quarters of a mile to the cave but didn't go in - I didn't have any flashlights so I wouldn't have been able to see anything. Once back at the car I made my way back to the Visitor Center and then hiked a mile or so on Joe's Canyon Trail from the opposite end of where I was earlier. After my hikes I returned to the Visitor Center and finished working on my Junior Ranger booklet. Then I went and talked with the Ranger about the booklet and got my Junior Ranger badge. I also got a pin for I Hike For Health. I ended up hiking about six miles in the park. Now it was time to leave the park and do a little letterboxing.

So I left Coronado NM and headed back toward Sierra Vista. From AZ92 I turned onto Ramsey Canyon Road and then made my way to Brown Canyon Ranch. Here I looked for Angiosperm:Dicot:Populus fremontii by Desert Flower. This was a quick and easy find and once I had stamped in and replaced the box I spent a little time walking around the place. Then I left the Ranch and headed back into Sierra Vista and took AZ90 to the San Pedro House and the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. I went on a mile or so hike to find San Pedro River by Azroadie. I had a little trouble finding this one. My compass pointed me about 30° from where I needed to be. But with some persistence and patience I found the box and stamped in. Then I made my way back to my car to make one last stop for the day. I got back on AZ90 and turned onto Moson Road and made my way to Murray Springs Clovis Site. I hiked the loop trail and looked for Stoney Point by Merlin and Ardea. I had trouble finding the interpretive sign mentioned in the clue. So I didn't find the box. And I didn't feel like hiking the loop again. So I returned to my car and decided to call it a day.

My FitBit told me I had walked/hiked eight and a half miles today. I stopped and picked up a sandwich for dinner and then headed to the hotel. After I showered and relaxed for a bit I ate my sandwich, logged in my finds and then wrote this post. Now it is time to get some sleep - tomorrow is event day!

Chiricahua, Bisbee & Tombstone

This morning after getting all my things together, packed into the car and checked out of the hotel I was ready to head out and explore more of southeastern Arizona. From Willcox I headed down AZ186 for about 30 miles to AZ181 which lead me to Chiricahua National Monument. I first went to the Visitor Center and got my passport stamps, picked up some postcards, a patch and a park map. I was not impressed with the Ranger at the desk, she wasn't very friendly and she seemed put off with the questions I was asking her. So I did what I needed there and left to explore the park. When I got in my car I realized I forgot to ask for the Junior Ranger booklet but I didn't want to go back inside and talk to that Ranger again so I just forgot about it and started my drive up Bonita Canyon Drive to the Echo Canyon parking area. From here I hiked up the Massai Nature Trail to Massai Point. I took pictures and enjoyed the views for a while then headed back down to the parking area. It was incredibly windy and a little chilly. Next, I drove to the Sugarloaf parking area and hiked the Sugarloaf Trail. I was getting tired of all the wind so I drove back down to the Visitor Center and parked there so I could hike to Faraway Ranch. I hiked the Silver Spur Meadow Trail to the Stafford Cabin and Faraway Ranch. After a short rest I returned the way I came back to my car. At this point I decided to leave the park and continue on with my day.

From the park I drove to the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area near McNeal. I decided to look for a letterbox first and then spend some time exploring the area. I went in search of Sandhill Crane by Candies. I followed the clues and found the interpretive sign I needed and then looked for the box. I found the brick mentioned in the clue but no letterbox. So I decided to walk around the Cattalil Pond and take some pictures of the birds and relax a little. Thirty minutes later I was back on the road and headed for Bisbee. After finding a parking spot I went in search of three boxes. I first looked for Jimmy Aira's Chair by mizjen. I found the little library but it wasn't up against a storefront, it was in an empty lot up against a fence. I didn't find the box, so I moved on. Next I looked for Copper Queen Library by cq library. I found the library and looked around but was having trouble so I asked the guy at the desk. He said the box was not there any more and they had moved things around in the library. So I left there and went in search of Bisbee Mule by mizjen. The area was busy and it was difficult to look for the box in a discreet manner. So I didn't find the box. It was now time to leave Bisbee and make my way to Tombstone.

As I arrived in Tombstone I turned onto Gleeson Road and then parked in a pullout across from a transformer station. Here I went in search of Earp's Vendetta Series: Box #3 Pete Spence by the man with no name. I walked a short distance down a dirt road to the first electric poles. It was extremely windy and I was having trouble holding on to my hat and clues. And for some reason my compass was pointing me in the wrong direction. Finally, I found the right direction and found the box. Stamping in was difficult with all the wind but I prevailed and then got the box back in place. I had a clue for a second box here - Earp's Vendetta Series: Box #4 Indian Charlie by the man with no name. After 15 minutes I decided to call it quits - I couldn't find the box and the wind was becoming aggravating. So I headed back to the car and drove into Tombstone. I found a place to park and walked around the town for a while, took some pictures and got a snack. Then I went in search of one more box before calling it a day. I drove down Monument Road to the Ed Schieffelin Monument. I looked for and found Legends of Tombstone: Ed Schieffelin by the man with no name. I had a little problem with the clues but eventually found the box. After stamping in, replacing the box and taking a few pictures I was ready to head to my hotel for the night.

So I left Tombstone and made my way to Sierra Vista. I did stop for some dinner before heading to the hotel because I was positive I wouldn't want to leave once I was in my room. After eating I checked in at the hotel, took a shower and then did some logging of finds. Now that this post is done I am going to get some sleep so I can do more exploring tomorrow.

 

A "Comic"-al Trip Begins

I am heading to Arizona for their annual letterboxing event. This year the event isn't in Tucson, it is in Sonoita. The theme for the event is comics. The event is the 14th Annual Tucson Gathering: It's "Comic"-al. Little did I know that this trip would be comical almost from the beginning.

This morning I headed out early and my plan was to letterbox along the way and get to Willcox at a decent hour. I left Santa Fe in the dark and when I arrived at my first stop (Bosque del Apache) the sun was just coming up and it gave me enough light to find my first box of the day - Bosque del Apache by Jaybirders. This was a quick and easy find and when I was done stamping in and got the box back in its hiding spot I headed for the driving loop. I drove the north loop and stopped at the Farm Deck. I was updating my Alphabetical New Mexico: S (Sandhill Crane) box. I took the old box and placed the new one (same image and location, just updated). I finished driving the loop and the got back on I25 and continued my drive south. My next stop was at Elephant Butte Lake State Park. I drove to NM177 and made my way to a pullout with an historical marker. From here I followed the clues for Elephant Butte by Baqash. At first I had a hard time locating the landmark shown in the photo for the clue, but eventually I was able to locate the area. So I started making my way up and over some rocks. It wasn't a pretty site - I tripped multiple times and you could swear I had no coordination at all. It took me about 10 minutes to climb about 20 feet, it was ridiculous!. But finally I made it up to the tree. Then I searched for the box, and I searched for the box, and I searched for the box. After 15 minutes I gave up. I had no luck finding the box, I think it is missing and so I climbed back down the rocks and made my way back to my car to continue my trip.

My drive continued on I25 until I reached Hatch. From here I took NM26 to Deming. On NM26 about two miles from Deming I stopped at Centennial Park to find Spring House at Fort Cummings by WanderingOkieWomanj. This wasn't much of a park, it was mostly overgrown with a few covered picnic areas. There was also some police doing practice drills and there was lots of shooting. Thankfully, I was not too close to the shooting where I found the box. I used one of the picnic tables to stamp in, then replaced the box and headed out, happy to get away from the guns. Then I headed for Rockhound State Park to look for PAL Day 2017 - Thunderegg by Yaateeh. I took the Thunderegg Trail from where it starts between campsites 13 & 14. I only had to go up a short distance to a wooden bridge to find the box. There was a bench nearby that I used to sit and stamp in. Then I replaced the box and made my way back down the trail to my car. Next, I headed over to the Spring Canyon area of the park to look for Environmental Steward Series: Appalachian Mountain Club by Dawgdok. This box is hidden at the top of the Lover's Leap Trail, well maybe not quite the top but at the saddle. The clue said about two strenuous miles round trip. As I drove into the park I saw a sign stating that the park closed at 4:00pm, and it was about 2:15pm - I thought I would have time. So I parked and started on the trail. At first it was okay, but soon the climb started to get to me. I had to take frequent breaks and move slow. Thankfully, I had a full camelback of water. Closer to the top I got really tired and then I noticed the time - 3:25pm, and I still had a ways to go. I decided that I would have to head back down in order to make it before they locked the gates. So I turned around without finding the box and began moving fast down the hill. At one spot I hit some loose rocks and my feet and legs came out from under me and I landed on my butt . . . and on a cactus. It didn't really hurt at first but when I got up and started to move I felt the cactus spines in my leg and butt. So I spent a few minutes pulling the biggest ones out but had trouble with the smaller ones and the ones that weren't sticking out through my pants. I thought about taking my pants off and trying to get more of the spines but realized I needed to get back to the car. So I continued my hike down. During that time all I could think about was the scene in The Lion King where one of the hyenas goes off a cliff and lands on a bunch of cactus and the other two hyenas are laughing at him - really all I could hear in my head was Whoopie Goldberg's voice - laughing and saying "Cactus Butt". [See video below!] I pretty much laughed all the way back to my car. A comical trip indeed. When I arrived at my car the Rangers were waiting - but I made it with 10 minutes to spare.  And, I still didn't have time to get the spines out of my butt. I got in my car and drove out of the park. I decided that I would have to make the best of things until I got to my hotel in Willcox. So I continued letteboxing (cause that's what we do) in Deming. I went to three areas - Nacio Herb Brown Park, Deming Luna Mimbres Museum and Pit Park to find four boxes in the series NM Favorite Things by WanderingOkieWomanj. The first box at Nacio Herb Brown Park was missing, but I found the other three boxes - one at the museum and the last two at Pit Park. Now it was time to get on I10 and head to Arizona. Oh, but one last stop in New Mexico before making my way to the hotel. I pulled off of the interstate at the Gage Rest Area about 20 miles west of Deming. Here I easily found Mickey on Vacation by WanderingOkieWomanj. After stamping in and replacing the box I decided that I was done with letterboxing for the day and I would just head for the hotel.

So the rest of the drive to Willcox was uneventful and I arrived sometime around 6:00pm. On the way to the hotel I picked up something to eat so I wouldn't have to go out again. After checking in and getting to my room I took off my pants and started pulling spines out of my pants, leg and butt. After 30 minutes I stopped and took a shower. By this time my dinner was cold but I was hungry so I ate it anyway. I still have spines but they are so fine I can't get them out. I will just have to see how things go from here. It was a weird, funny, crazy and good day. But I need some rest so I can continue on my trip tomorrow.

A Quick Find in Santa Fe

Today I had a few errands to run and while I was out I added a couple of letterbox things to my list. My first letterbox stop was off of the Old Las Vegas Highway at Café Fina. Here I was looking for Fina of Santa Fe by Kit. I parked, read the clues and went on a short walk to find the box. It wasn't long before I had the box in hand and took it back to my car to stamp in. A nice carve and box and an easy find. Once I was done stamping in I returned the box to its hiding spot and then continued on with my day.

The next stop was on Canyon Road. My main reason here was to check on artTrekker's Artful Southwest series. Two of the three boxes are hidden on Canyon Road - Santa Fe Style and Little Pot. Artful Southwest was still in place but Little Pot was gone (along with the post it was hidden on). While on Canyon Road I also checked on my Goodbye MOM box. All is well with this one. I returned to my car and then drove to check on the third box for Artful Southwest - Cathedral Moon. This box is also missing. I then sent artTrekker a note which hopefully we help her to get them replaced when she visits Santa Fe over Easter.

Well, that's all the letterboxing I did today. It was nice to get out and find and check on boxes. And soon I will be in Arizona for their annual event - really looking forward to the event.