Back in Gallina

Today we decided to drive back to Gallina and get the two boxes that we missed because of rain a few days ago. We left the house around 7:30am and made the beautiful drive up US285, US84 and NM96. It took us about two hours to get to our destination. We turned off NM96 onto FR103 and parked a short distance up the road at the Continental Divide Trail.

So the clues to the first box had us head west on the trail. We walked for about a mile and a quarter and found the landmark we needed - two carins with a log between them on the left side of the trail. From there we followed the rest of the clues and found Second Saturday Seekers: S.C Shade by Dragon D's. I found a spot to sit so I could stamp in. Once done I replaced the box and we headed back the way we came. The hike was beautiful. Lots of wildflowers, especially lupine. The weather was also great - clear skies with a breeze, just perfect. We arrived back at the car and then headed out for the next box.

The next box was on FR76 and we had passed this road when we turned off NM96 onto FR103. So we just assumed and drove the one and a half miles to a two track road on the left side. We parked and hiked up the road only to have it peter out in a short distance. We looked around but nothing made sense and there wasn't anywhere to go, so we returned to the car. Then we left the car where we were parked and walked back along FR76 to another two track road we saw. This road went further and we did see some of the landmarks but then it didn't make sense and we didn't find the box. So we returned to the car and drove back to the beginning of FR76 and tried the mileage again - it took us to the same area. So then Thomas read the clues and noticed the first part of the clue said to turn onto FR76 around mile marker 17 in Gallina. Well, we had turned off of NM96 onto FR103 at mile marker 23 for the first box and just noticed that there was FR76 off of FR103 right there. Needless to say, WRONG spot! So we got back on NM96 and drove through Gallina to mile marker 17 and low and behold there was another turn for FR76. So we drove along FR76 for the one and a half miles and we arrived at a very clear dirt road heading up the hill. So we parked, gathered our things and headed up, and up and up. The clues stated to pass through a grove of pines and then pass a clearing of fallen trees and then make your way to the top of the hill. Then stand at the edge of the road, face the mountains and look for three rocks. Well, we miscalculated what was meant by the top of the hill and we ended up passing the location and kept climbing. We arrived at a spot and I noticed another landmark from the clues so we decided to give it a try and see if we were in the right spot. We left the road and walked through an area of lots of dead branches. I guess I wasn't paying attention and my foot caught on one of them and I tumbled onto both hands and forearms. Thankfully, I wasn't hurt bad just some scrapes along my left forearm. When I got up my arm was covered with blood and Thomas and I noticed that lots of the branches had parts sticking up and we realized how lucky I was - I could have been stabbed in the chest or stomach or my eyes. We decided we had probably gone too far and the weather was changing. It had gotten cloudy, windy and it looked like a storm was coming. I also needed to get back to the car to get some wipes to clean up my arm. So, we turned around and headed back down the road. I stopped to take a couple of pictures and decided to reread the clues. Then as we walked down I kept my eye out for a couple of the landmarks. I saw one of them which was 'a largish rock in between two standing tree trunks. So, I left the trail and cautiously walked over to the rock - then I followed the rest of the clues and found the box - Second Saturday Seekers: What'll Ya Have? by Dragon D's. I was so happy!!! I was so glad to find the box because I didn't want to go home empty handed after being injured. So I stamped in and replaced the box all the while the sky was getting darker and the wind had picked up. Once the box was in place we continued back to the car, moving pretty fast hoping to beat the rain. We arrived at the car dry and I grabbed some wipes and cleaned up my arm and then we headed out. When we turned onto NM96 the rain started and it came down hard all at once. Someone or something was looking out for us and let us get to the car before the deluge.

It was a good day, we found both boxes we looked for and for most of the time the weather was perfect. We also enjoyed the hikes - great spot and wonderful views.

Headed to Gallina for Letterboxes

I have been having clues for three boxes in the Gallina area since last summer. We had tried to go then but the forest was closed at the time due to high fire danger and then after they reopened the forest we never found the time to get out there. So, we decided today was the day. We headed out around 8:00am and the drive took two hours. We arrived at mile marker 23 on NM96 just outside of Gallina and turned onto FR103. The clue told us to look for where the Continental Divide Trail crossed FR103. On our first pass we missed the trail and drove about five miles along the road never seeing a CDT sign. So we turned around and only a short distance from NM96 we found the trail. The sign was more on the side of the tree and we missed it from the direction we were heading at first but it was easily seen from our return direction. So we parked on the side of the road and followed the clues heading east on the trail.then the clue says "Cross an old dirt road, down and up 2 hills, and through a stile marked with a CDT tag. Cross 2 old dirt roads, down a hill then back up, past a large rock with an interesting cut out. Continue on, eventually walking down a rock path into the canyon. Pass the giant name rock and find the 6th stone cairn." It didn't give any distances. We ended up walking about two miles before we got to the 6th cairn. Thankfully, the trail is pretty level with only a few ups and downs that weren't that bad. Once at the 6th cairn it became a little cofusing. From here we had to take compass readings and steps four different times to get to the box. At first we weren't all that accurate because we were no where around the box. But we looked all the same. Then we returned to the cairn and started again. This time we were closer but still not where we needed to be. But instead of starting over we just decided to look at the picture provided and see if we could line up at the same angle - we did it and found NM Moose by Dragon D's. I sat and stamped in and the weather took a turn for the worse. The wind started blowing and clouds moved in fast. So I got the box back in place and we returned to the trail and headed back to the car. Remember, we have two miles to walk to get to the car. About five minutes into our walk it started to spritz, then that eventually turned into a steady drizzle. By the time we got to the car we were wet, not soaking, but still wet. Thankfully, the worst of the rain waited until we were in the car.

So we decided that this was the end of letterboxing for the day and we would come back in a few days. It ended up raining the entire way home. But we were still glad we got out and did a little hike. The area is beautiful and we are looking forward to finding the other boxes and seeing more of Gallina.

Pecans, Peanuts & Letterboxing

Thomas and I try to keep pecans and peanuts in the freezer to use whenever we need them. We have been out of both for a while now and we have been talking about taking a road trip to replenish our supply. So for the past two days I have been planning and mapping our letterboxes that we could get on this trip. We get our pecans in Fort Sumner and our peanuts in Portales. Today we finally got out and took care of everything.

We left the house early this morning, around 6:00am. We took I25 north to US285 heading south. Then we took I40 at Clines Corners and headed east. It was early and thankfully not much traffic on I40 (it is usually filled with lots of big rigs). I had clues of two boxes at two different rest areas off of I40 but we didn't look them because there were recent attempts without finds. So we made our first stop in Newkirk (about 25 miles east of Santa Rosa). We stopped at a gas station and found Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert by Quiet Place. Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert is credited with inventing the u-shaped taco shell. We found this box easily and I took it back to the car to stamp in. Then after replacing the box we backtracked to Santa Rosa. You can read about Newkirk at . . .

City of Dust: Newkirk, NM
Newkirk, Route 66 New Mexico
Newkirk Has Seen Better Times

Once in Santa Rosa we made our way to the Moise Memorial Library and looked for How Chile Came to New Mexico by Quiet Place. This was a quick and easy find and I stamped while sitting in the car. You can read about chile by getting the book How Chile Came to New Mexico by Rudolfo Anaya. After getting this box back in place we headed to St. Rose of Lima Chapel and more specifically the old ruins. We drove past the church and stopped just after the bridge on 3rd St. just after crossing the bridge over El Rito Creek. Here we found Saint Rose by Quiet Place. After finding these two boxes we decided to get some breakfast. We ended up at Route 66 Restaurant and had a nice meal - smothered breakfast burrito and huevos rancheros.

After breakfast it was time to move on and we headed south on US84 to Fort Sumner. Our first stop was at the Fort Sumner Cemetery. As we approached the cemetery we noticed (and loved) the beautiful old, arched, stone wall. Here we looked for Fort Sumner by Quiet Place. This is a two box series and we had no trouble finding both boxes. After stamping in and then replacing the boxes we were ready to head to our next location. We made our way to Old Fort Sumner Cemetery where Billy the Kid is buried. Here we looked for and found Wanted Dead or Alive by ArnoldZiffel. This was an easy find and there was a nearby picnic table that I sat at to stamp in. When it came time to replace the box I had to wait for a couple of people to leave the area. Then on to one last box in Fort Sumner. We had to find a Route US60 East sign and a guardrail. We found the spot and the clue said at the end of the guardrail. So we drove to the end and looked - no box. So we went back to the beginning of the guardrail and found the box - FORAYCH Goes to L&B in Texas: New Mexico by FORAYCH. I stamped in while sitting in the car. It was kind of uncomfortable being on the side of a very busy road. But now that we were done with the letterboxes in Fort Sumner we went to get our pecans. The people we get our pecans from worked with Thomas years ago. We bought 17 pounds of pecans for the freezer so we are set for a while. Now it was time to keep going to our next stop.

We drove from Fort Sumner to Clovis on US60 and when we arrived in Clovis we found Norman Petty Studios. Here we looked for and found Recording Roy by Quiet Place. After stamping in and replacing the box we left Clovis and headed for Portales on US70.

As we got into Portales we stopped at Hampton Farms store to get our peanuts. We buy a 50 pound bag of shelled peanuts. Then at home we peel and freeze them. Then we have peanuts that we can oven roast or use to make peanut brittle. With that done we went in search of a couple of letterboxes. The first box we looked for was Taco Box by Quiet Place. This box is located at the Taco Box restaurant. I was a little worried about looking for the box because it is right out in the open. I think I was being sneaky enough but who knows. I found the box and brought it to the car to stamp in. Once that box was back in place we drove a short distance down the road to Eastern New Mexico University to look for He's Not From Around Here by Quiet Place. This box is also in a very exposed place - at the sign for the university near the Roosevelt County Museum. The sign is facing the road which is very busy. Again I tried to be sneaky but you can't always tell if someone is watching. I nabbed the box and took it back ti the car and stamped in. After putting the box back in place we continued on our road trip.

We continued on US70 in a southwesterly direction and after an hour we arrived at Acme. There isn't anything there except the Old Frazier School (and that is part of Frazier not Acme). Anyway, we stopped at the old school and looked for Wile E. Coyote in Acme by Quiet Place. This was an easy find and once I had stamped in and replaced the box I walked around and took a few pictures. Then we finished the drive on US70 to US285. We were just about five miles north of Roswell. We continued our drive north on US285.

About 50 miles north of Roswell we turned onto NM247 and headed west. We drove 48 miles to Corona. Once in Corona we turned onto US54 and in a short distance onto NM42. We then found the 'Welcome to Corona' sign which is only a short distance from US54 on NM42. The sign is in Sloan-Simpson Park. There are a few picnic tables and a fishing pond. It was actually a nice, relaxing area. I went in search of Corona, NEW Mexico by ArnoldZiffel. Once I found the box I took it to one of the picnic tables to stamp in. Then once the box was replaced we made our way back to US54.

We drove 20 miles on US54 to the intersection of NM3 in Duran. There is a pullout near this intersection and across US54 from the pullout is the old, abandoned William Hindi store. Here in Duran I looked for Her Name is Rio by Quiet Place. The box is hidden on the side of the store and I found it easily. I had my things with me so I found a spot to sit and stamp in. When done I replaced the box and returned to the car across the street.

From Duran we took NM3 north to US285 at Encino. And from there we headed back to Santa Fe. We had an incredible day and as we got close to El Dorado we were treated to an amazing sunset. Stats for the day . . . 50 pounds of peanuts, 17 pounds of pecans, 13 letterboxes, 8 cities/towns, 14 hours and 600 miles. I really love these road trips.

A Morning of Letterboxing in Santa Fe

Yesterday I looked through letterbox clues and found a few that I hadn't found in Santa Fe. So I planned to head out today and try and find them. I left the house with clues for five boxes, let's see what happens.

I headed out and my first stop was Museum Hill. I was here looking for Pablo and Vincent both by ArnoldZiffel. I followed the clues and easily found both boxes - they were planted close to each other. I used the bench in the clues to sit and stamp in. Both are great stamps and once I finished stamping and put the boxes back in place I decided to walk around a bit and see what outdoor art they had. It has been a while since I have been to the Hill. I spent about 30 minutes walking around and taking pictures then I returned to the car to continue on with me day.

My next stop was Meow Wolf to look for Cat at the Anomaly by hartwolfzell. Finding this box proved to be more of a challenge as there were quite a few cars in the parking lot and about 15 people milling around. There are large sculptures in the parking lot and people were taking pictures. I sat at a picnic table and waited. Then when the people moved away from the area I quickly moved over to the spot where the box was hidden and nabbed it. I went back to the picnic table to stamp in. Thankfully, when I went back to replace the box no one was around. Afterward I took a few pictures and then left to the next location.

The place I went to next is a brewery off of Cerrillos Road. I parked on the side of the street near the brewery and started to walk to the area the clues said to go. But I ended up going back to the car. There were three people unloading a truck and I didn't want to be questioned about snooping around the area. The box I was going to look for was Spring Break Flower by hartwolfzell. I decided to move on and maybe come back later to try again.

So I had one more box to find. The last box was Every Dog Has His Day: Scottie by Yaateeh. My search for this box took me to Frank S. Ortiz dog park. I followed the clues and took a walk along a trail leading away from a playground. When I arrived at the box's hiding spot I had to wait a few minutes as three people came by walking their dogs and decided to stop and chat right where I was. When they finally left I grabbed the box and moved to a different spot to sit and stamp in. When I went to put the box back in place luckily there was no one around and it was easy. I then returned to my car to head home.

I enjoyed the morning letterboxing in Santa Fe and found four really nice stamps - thanks to all who planted.

Letterboxing in Leominster

We are back from Malta and we are spending a couple of days with our friends in Leominster. Today we hung out and visited and we ran errands and we also decided to go out and look for a series of letterboxes.

Deanne printed out the clues for Nightmare Before Christmas by Majical. This is a series of six boxes placed at Doyle Conservation Area. Once we parked we followed the clues and headed down one of the trails. We looked for the first box and didn't have any luck so we moved on to the second box. We found the next four - Jack, Oogie Boogie, Zero and Sally. Then when we looked for the last box we didn't have any luck with this one. So we ended up finding four of the six boxes.

It was a beautiful place with some nice trails and we enjoyed our outing even though it was a bit cold. It was good to get out and find a few letterboxes during our travel - which you can read about at Our Maltese Adventure.

A New Letterbox in Malta

We are still in Malta and the friends we are traveling with are also letterboxers. Two days ago they planted a new letterbox in Birgu. Today we all went to Mdina and Rabat. You can read about that at Our Maltese Adventure. But for the letterbox Thomas and I went out on our own. We spent most of the day in Mdina and Rabat and when we returned to Birgu Thomas and I got off the bus at the first stop.

So we followed the clues they gave us and went to an open area with a trail to find the box. We followed the trail for about a quarter of a mile until we reached a stone wall. And then the clue mentioned a tree pointing to the hiding spot of the box. The clues were dead on and I found From Massachusetts to Malta by lazyletterboxer. I stamped in and then replaced the box. From here we walked back to the apartment.

So, I found two boxes on the small island of Malta. Another country I can add to my list.

One Letterbox on Malta: Found

Yesterday we tried for this letterbox but didn't have any luck. So today we were in the same area and we decided to give it another try. We made our way to Herbert Ganado Gardens. This time we were by ourselves so it was a much more relaxed search. We entered the gardens where the clue noted and then we found a spot to sit and I read the entire clue a couple of times to get my bearings. I noted a couple of landmarks so we walked over to them and then looked for the next landmark. We moved over to that one and then we had to wait. There was a man sitting on one of the benches and he never took his eye off of us. So I sat near where I thought the box was and just looked over to the spot to see if I could see where the box was. I wasn't having any luck. Finally, after about 15 minutes the man left and we could do a proper search. The letterbox we were looking for is More Memories of Malta by wandaandpete. This box is only a stamp glued to a rock. So I turned over about four rocks before I found the stamp. I took it to one of the benches to sit and stamp in. There was no one around when I went to put it back in place. I tried to locate the exact spot mentioned in the clue and I tried to place it under another rock described in the clue. I found a rock but it wasn't exactly as mentioned in the clue but it would work and make sure the stamp was hidden well. I am glad we got back to find this box and now I have another country on my list. You can read about the rest of our day at Our Maltese Adventure.

One Letterbox on Malta

We are on a trip to Malta and I found a clue for one letterbox. The box is located in Valletta. Today we had planned to spend the day exploring Valletta and you can read about that at A Day in Valletta. But for the letterbox we followed the clues (on a map) and found Crucifix Hill and the Kalkara Steps which lead us to the Herbert Ganado Gardens. Once in the garden we looked for More Memories of Malta by wandaandpete. But the clues got confusing in the garden. We looked in a couple of spots but we couldn't find the box. I was trying to read the clues and get my bearings but the others didn't seem to want to spend any time looking. So we decided to quit looking and move on with our day. I don't think we looked in the right spot and I just needed some more time. Thomas and I will come back another day and give it another try on our own. You can read about the rest of our trip at Our Maltese Adventure.

Windy Albuquerque Letterboxing

After the event in Tucson I have been wanting to get out and do more letterboxing. There have been lots of boxes planted in Albuquerque that I haven't gotten yet and I decided I needed to get out today and find a few of them. I also wanted to go and scout some locations for possible letterboxes I want to plant. So this morning I gathered my things and headed south. When I left Santa Fe it was 29° and it was snowing - I checked the Albuquerque weather and it didn't look like they were getting snow. It snowed until I got to La Bajada and then it was clear - until I got to Santo Domingo. The snow started again and continued until I reached San Felipe and then it cleared again. It stayed clear the rest of the way to Albuquerque. I went to a couple of places and looked for possible places to hide letterboxes - it was pretty cold while I was walking around - not sure what the temperature was but it was cold enough to make me hurry my little butt along. So after about an hour and a half of checking out a couple of areas I decided to go and look for a few boxes.

The first box I looked for was Friendship Lei by gs10530. I went to the park and followed the clues. At first I was a little confused and looked in the wrong area but then I got my bearings and headed in the right direction. As I was walking along I kept my eye out for a SPOR by the cinder block wall. I found the spot, well, I actually saw the box. It was sitting out and had two small rock sitting on top of it. As I headed to get it a woman came out of a gate in the wall about 10 feet from where the box was. She was walking her dog and so I just kept walking. I then took another path and headed back in the direction of the box. The woman kept watching me as I walked around. Finally, she headed back to her gate and so I walked around and headed toward the box. But as I approached I saw her standing by the wall watching me. So, again I couldn't get the box. She kept staring and watching so I walked over to her and asked if there was a problem. She said "No!". So I asked why she was staring at me and if I was trespassing and if the park was private and only for the use of the people living around the park. She again said "No!" So I asked her to quit staring and watching me and told her she was creeping me out. She didn't say anything but she stayed standing at the wall watching me. So I sat on a near by bench and watched her. She eventually went inside her house but by this time I decided it was time to leave and if I tried to get the box she would probably be watching me from her window. So I returned to my car and headed to another location.

My next stop was Sunset Memorial Park to look for Maxie Had Moxie by Silver Eagle. I followed the clues and easily found the box. The box has been there since September but it turned out that I was the first finder. It was still a little cold and it had gotten windy. I was lucky because there was a was that helped block the wind while I stamped in. Then I put the box back into place and was ready for the next location. So from this cemetery I headed to another cemetery. This time I went to Fairview Memorial Park to find another Silver Eagle box - The Deputy Sheriff. This was another quick and easy find and this time I stamped in while sitting in the car. After returning the box back to its hiding spot I moved on. The next box brought me to the 66 Diner. I parked in the lot and read the clue - which is actually pictures. I was a little nervous and walking around trying to find the box as there are windows looking out and there were quite a few people inside that might see me stalking around the building. So from the car I scoped things out and was pretty sure I had eyed the hiding spot. So I took out my phone and pretended to talk while I walked around and reached for the box. Thankfully, I found it on the first try and took it back to the car. After stamping in I began worrying again about putting it back and having someone inside seeing me. But I pretended with the phone again and put it back and then I decided to head inside and get a milk shake. While I waited for the shake I looked around and realized that most of the people weren't even looking out the windows and that it wasn't that easy to see the hiding spot from inside and sitting down. Oh well - it was done and all was good.

So I found three boxes today and had a nice time. I also may have found at least one good place for a box - we will have to see. Now I was ready to head home. But I will have to get to Albuquerque again soon because there are still a few more boxes to find. Maybe at the end of the week.

It Was a Wild and Fun Rodeo!

We are home from our six day letterboxing trip. We had a great time and really enjoyed the 15th Annual Tucson Gathering: Rodeo! at Catalina State Park. The event was fun and it was nice to see old letterboxing friends and to meet some new ones as well. There were lots of great boxes and stamps and I enjoyed the hiking and hunting. The park is beautiful with many miles of trails and incredible views of the Catalina Mountains. Wisconsin Hiker and Martini Man put on a great event and were the perfect hosts. During the trip Thomas and I hiked a little over 40 miles in those six days and we found 75 boxes. Besides the big event on Saturday we also enjoyed the NPTC Western Meet-up and the Padre Kino's Quest at Tumacácori National Historic Site. You can read all about our trip at Letterboxing Rodeo in Tucson.

Heading to a Letterboxing Rodeo in Tucson

Tomorrow Thomas and I are headed to Tucson for the 15th Annual Tucson Gathering: Rodeo! being held at Catalina State Park in Oro Valley. Hopefully, we will get to letterbox along the way - there are a few boxes I need to find and a few of my boxes that I need to replace or update. We will also be attending Padre Kino's Quest on Friday (the day before the annual event) at Tumacácori National Historical Park about an hour south of Tucson. Besides the two event days we will have two other days to just letterbox around Tucson. I always have fun in Tucson and always find great boxes - I am really looking forward to this trip. If you want to read about our time in Tucson go to Letterboxing Rodeo in Tucson.