Farmington Letterboxing Trip - Part I

We are at it again. Astro D, rubberpeace and I are off on another letterboxing trip. A couple of months ago we took a letterboxing trip to Gallup. You can read about that trip at To Gallup and Back (Part I) & (Part II). This time we have headed a bit further north and will be in Farmington. It has a been a couple of years since we have been here and there are quite of few boxes for us to find. We will see how we do over the next three days.

Wildflowers

Astro D and rubberpeace picked me up at a little after 8:00am and we started our trip. We drove south on I25 to Bernalillo and then took US 550. This is where our letterboxing began. Our first stop was about 13 miles up US 550 at Big Chief. This is a defunct gas station/store. There is an historic marker there for the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative - this one honors Trinidad Gachupin Medina. Near this marker we found Big Chief New Mexico by ArnoldZiffel. This was an easy find and a quick stamp in and then we were on our way. We drove only a short distance and then turned into the Ojito Wilderness and White Mesa Bike Trails so that rubberpeace could find Wronghat's Wind Down at White Mesa. It was a short but nice walk to the box. And while rubberpeace stamped in I took pictures of the area. From here we had a great view of Cabezon Peak. After this box was back in hiding we continued on our trip. The next stop was at the Perea Nature Trails, again for rubberpeace to find a box. This box is Black Mesa Inbound. Another quick stamp in and then it was time to hit the road again. [Astro D and I had found both these boxes on earlier trips.] Still on US 550 and just a short drive up we stopped for Stone Faced by RNR. This was placed near a mesa that has a profile resembling a rhinoceros. We all needed this one so we took the short walk and nabbed the box. We sat and stamped while the wind started getting worse. Once we were done and the box was back in place we continued our trip. We made it to Cuba a short time later and stopped at the Visitors Center to find another Wronghat box - Calder in Cuba. This was a quick and easy find and we stamped in at a picnic table near the box. By the time this box was back in place it was time for lunch. We had a really good meal and a nice visit at El Bruno's. Their sign said "Excellent Mexican Food" and I agree - we had an excellent lunch. Now that we were full and rested it was time to get back on the road.

Angel Peak

Our drive to the next box was a little longer than the ones we did this morning but soon enough we arrived at Angel Peak Scenic Area. At this stop it was Astro D that needed a box. We arrived at the Cliffs Picnic Area and she found my box - Angel Peak. The wind was still blowing pretty hard but she managed to stamp in while getting some cover from the juniper where the box was hidden. Once back at the car we returned to US 550 and drove up to Bloomfield. Here we stopped to find Wronghat's Promenade. We found the box at Verde De Rio San Juan Park. It was a short walk along the river to the box and we stamped in at a nearby picnic table. After stamping in and rehiding the box we made our way to the next one. We drove to the starting point for Juneau Alaska NW N.M. but then things got sketchy. We weren't sure where to go and we had some trouble understanding the clues. So we decided not to worry too much about this box and we headed out. We drove up to Aztec and stopped at Riverside Park. Here Astro D needed to find Maine Quarter (rubberpeace and I already had this one). Another quick and easy find and it was on to another box in the same park. That box was PAC-12. This was planted near a walking bridge by the river. We sat and stamped in and then rehid the box.

BirchMoon, Kaw, rubberpeace, Astro D

We decided to head to our hotel and get checked in. The hotel we are staying in is the Towne Place Suites by Marriott. This is a pretty new hotel and the rooms are really nice. We all went up to our rooms to get washed up and put our things away then we headed out again to find a couple of more boxes and then meet some other letterboxers for dinner. We stopped for Frolick in the Garden at Gateway Park. I was the only one that needed this box. I found it easy enough and stamped while sitting on the wall where it is hidden. Once done here we headed to the All Veterans Memorial to find Harry Potter Horcrux Series #6 - Harry Potter by BirchMoon and ArnoldZiffel. The area was quiet and it was a quick find - we grabbed the box and found a spot to sit and stamp in. Once that box was in place it was time to head to the restaurant for dinner.

We met Kaw and BirchMoon at Three Rivers Brewery. We did some exchanges and had a great visit and a wonderful meal. It was a perfect way to end the day. Tonight I need rest, tomorrow will be another full day that is going to start with a drive out to Crow Canyon.

I've #*@^&$ Up Again!

It seems I can't win. I keep getting these emails accusing me of things and when I try to defend myself I become the asshole.

Punished

I received an email accusing me of removing a box so that other letterboxers couldn't find it and when I wrote back defending myself I get an email saying I attack in an emotional outburst, I have insulting behavior and I don't know how to treat other letterboxers. Now I am the jerk and bad guy. All of this from an unsolicited email about someone else's box. I have very little self esteem and I chastise myself all the time and it is apparent I don't know how to deal with people and I keep making people hate me. I guess I need to just let people write me rude letters and accept them as fact and tell myself I am a horrible person. I guess these people are right. So I am sorry to everyone I have treated badly, and from the notes I get there are a lot of you. I will not be communicating with anyone from now on. I will go out and letterbox and do my own thing but I will not send notes when I log a find and I will not read or address any notes sent to me - hopefully that will keep me from insulting people with my responses. I really don't know what I have done to cause this and I truly don't know how to fix it and I am really sorry.

Bombs and 'Burque

Today we continued our little adventure to letterbox and attend the Trinity Site open house. We left our hotel in Socorro around 8:00am and drove to San Antonio and made our first stop at The Owl Bar & Cafe.

Owl Bar & Cafe

We were looking for Owl Burger by Kazam. I had noticed an attempt posted by Astor D less than a week ago but since we were right there I thought I would check. I followed the clues but did not find the box - I only found four small rocks. So I decided to check all the trees around and look in the general area, but I still came up empty handed. So we got back in the car and drove about twelve miles east on US Hwy 380 to the turn off for the Stallion Range Center entrance (about 5 miles from 380) to White Sands Missile Range and then another 17 miles to the Trinity Site. I enjoyed the visit there even though there isn't that much to see and you can read about the trip on my other blog - My Journal of Random Things at Visiting Ground Zero. After our visit to the Trinity Site we made our way back to US Hwy 380 and stopped at an Historic Marker for the Trinity Site to find a box by ArnoldZiffel called Trinity Site. This was probably not the best day to stop for this box since the area was pretty visit. You see the Trinity Site is only open two days per year and today was one of them. So there were a lot of people stopping at the Marker. I ended up walking around just taking random pictures until the coast was clear and then I nabbed the box and brought it back to the car to stamp in. Once I was done I had to wait about 15 minutes for the area to clear so I could rehide the box. I was glad I waited to find the box today - it went so well with our visit to the site and I loved the stamp since it had the perfect information on it.

Trinity Site Historic Marker

Now it was time to head back north. We weren't quite ready to return to Santa Fe because we had plans for the evening in Albuquerque. On our trip back up I25 we ended up stopping at the Walking Sands Rest Area to check on a couple of boxes. I first looked for Barbed Wire. There was a note on the clue that this box was unavailable but thought since we were near here we would check. So I followed the clues and when I spotted the area with a SPOR I walked to it and saw something under the rocks. I thought "Oh Great, the Box is There". But when I lifted the rocks I ended up finding a geocache - that was so disappointing. So I guess this box is really missing. I then went to check on Adobe Fort. I found this box way back on May 13, 2006. Now it is in the LbNA basement and is marked as adoptable. I followed the clues and ended up where I thought the box was but there was so much trash and debris I didn't want to dig around in the sand and end up getting cut or something. So I didn't find out if that box is still there or not. Maybe on another trip and if the area is cleaner I might look for it and I think a hand shovel would help - the sands move and the box could be buried quite a bit.

Artwork on the Rio Grande Central Bridge

Back on I25 we made our way to Los Lunas to gas up the car and get something to eat. Once that was done we headed to Albuquerque to find some boxes until it was time to meet a friend for dinner and a concert. Our first stop in Albuquerque was at Mariposa Basin Park to find Feed the Ducks by trilla_marion. This is a two box series. So I headed out while Thomas stayed at the car to contact our friend to get the time we were meeting up. The park was pretty busy as it was a gorgeous day and a holiday weekend in Albuquerque. So I was skeptical about finding the boxes without being seen. Luckily I didn't have a problem. The first one was hidden in the roots of a bush near a tree and it blocked me from the rest of the park and the second box was away from most of the crowd. So I found both boxes and loved the series - it was a little funny. I returned to the car and found out we had until 5:30pm to letterbox. So onward we went. The next stop was the Rio Grande Bridge on Central to find Wronghat's Nexus letterbox. To find this box you had to walk along both sides of the bridge looking at artwork and answering questions from information signs. Then you had to take your answers to make compass degrees to triangulate the spot the box was in. I have to admit that I had some trouble with the questions and answers and the compass degrees. But I made an educated guess and ended finding the box easily enough. I sat on the bench right near the hiding spot and stamped in. I was also the first finder and got a nice first finder card with a pressed penny.

[I am back with a note: Today (April 8, 2012) I received this email . . .
[AQ] Nexus
FROM:
JustCat
TO:
Mark Menard
Sunday, April 8, 2012 7:34 PM
Congrats on finding the box first - we were hoping to be first and went twice yesterday to find the box. It was not present yesterday where we found it today. We had to verify clues and placement with the owner because the box was definitely missing from the sign. If it was removed for the day, please know that letterboxers are out there searching.Thanks and Happy Trails!
From: JustCat
I know I am sensitive and take things personally but I really resent this person's implication that I took the box and left with it thus making it unfindable for her. And apparently she thinks that I think I am the only letterboxer on the planet and felt she needed to let me know that she was there and I shouldn't take the box. More and more lately I receive these types of rude emails about either a box I planted or one that I found. I keep thinking I need to get out of the hobby or just keep it to myself. But then again I really like this hobby and I won't quit. So I sent this person an email letting her know that I was insulted by her accusation and that I didn't remove the box. I also let her know my stats and assured her I know letterboxing protocol and more than that just plain common courtesy - I would never remove a box far from its hiding spot unless it was compromised or if the placer asked me to remove it. Please know that if you have any concerns that involve me feel free to contact me. But please do it in a manner that doesn't insinuate that I have done something intentional to sabotage or make things hard for you. I am always willing to help and I will give hints and help you find one of my boxes if you are having problems. I wish this letterboxer that sent the above email had written the note differently. If she had written and asked "By chance, when you found the box did you take it to a picnic table or somewhere to stamp in because I had trouble finding it?", then I wouldn't feel like I was being found guilty in her little case of 'The Missing Letterbox'. Okay - I have vented - time to move on.]

Triangle Park Police Substation

From the bridge we continued east on Central this time stopping at the Albuquerque Press Club to find What What's New Mexico 100. This was an easy find and the park was empty so I didn't have to worry about a bunch of people watching me. I was still careful because there are houses just opposite of where the box is hidden and just in case someone was looking out their window I didn't want to get caught. So I set up so I blocked the view and grabbed the box. I sat right there and stamped in - it was so peaceful, very quiet and relaxing. I got the box back in place and made my way back to the car. We still had time for one more box. The last box we looked for (and found) was Albuquerque Diner. This is hidden near the Triangle Park Police Substation (which is prefabricated diner - called a Valentine Diner- that has been converted into the substation) and was a quick and easy find since the area was pretty deserted. I guess it might be a challenge during busy week days but today was quiet. I stamped in and rehid the box and returned to the car. It was a great letterboxing day with beautiful weather.

We ended up meeting our friend at O'Neill's Irish Pub for dinner and then we saw The Manhattan Transfer at Popejoy Hall. We had a great trip and some busy days but I enjoyed every minute of it. I will be posting again soon as Astro D, rubberpeace and I are going to Farmington next week for some major letterboxing - there are quite a few boxes up there in Northwest New Mexico.

Albuquerque and Socorro

Thomas and I are off again for another little trip. This one is taking us south to Socorro and then to the Trinity Site. I have been wanting to do this trip for a while now but the Trinity Site is only opened two days per year - the first Saturday in April and the first Saturday in October. Twice now we have had to cancel because something came up but this time it is working out.

Trinity Site Aerial View

We left Santa Fe around 8:30 this morning and decided we would have a leisurely drive to Socorro. By the time we reached Albuquerque the traffic from the morning commute was gone and it was clear sailing through the 'Big I'. We made our first stop just outside of Albuquerque. We took the Rio Bravo exit and headed for Astro D's Bombs Away letterbox. Astro D placed this box based on a true story of a "Broken Arrow" incident. I decided since we were passing right there we should stop and when she first planted the box is was gone within 24 hours and she had to replant it - I decided I didn't want any more time to pass before I went and got it so that it wouldn't disappear again before I found it. Luckily we had no problems and we found the box easily. There was no one around and I took my time stamping in. This is another great Astro D & Great Wuga Wuga box and you should make an effort to go and find it. We replaced the box and headed back to the car and then back to I25.

We headed south and decided to take a detour before driving in to Socorro. Before I tell you where we went on this detour let me preface it with a note - apparently, I am a glutton for punishment. Thomas and I exited I25 to US Hwy 60 and headed for a small, dark mountain around mile marker 174. We were going to look for The Dormant Dragon (this would be my fourth attempt at this box - see what I mean about the punishment). And Astro D don't you laugh - I just can't accept the idea that the box is missing and I keep getting this urge to go and look for this box any time I am passing the exit on I25. The box could very well be missing but no one that has found it (or the planters) has gone back and looked and said "YES" it is definitely missing. So we made an attempt again and tried a lot of different things with the clues. We were up there for an hour and still didn't find the box. And I keep thinking it is something I am doing wrong because I don't always find all the landmarks. Anyway we got some good exercise and had some great views while up on the little mountain - and we will see if I try another attempt later on. So it was back to I25 to continue on to Socorro.

Dream Snake by Evelyn Rosenberg

By the time we reached Socorro it was past lunch time and we had been snacking in the car but we were still a little hungry. We stopped for just a little lunch before continuing with our letterboxing. I had clues for five boxes (three active ones and two that were missing) all on the campus of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. So we went and looked for the three active ones. We found Harry Potter Horcrux Series #7: Nagini (appropriately placed near a large sculpture of a snake), The Inspector placed near the New Mexico Mineral Museum and Harry Potter Horcrux Series #2: Marvolo Gaunt's Ring. All three of these boxes were placed by ArnoldZiffel and BirchMoon. We enjoyed finding all of these boxes. The campus was pretty empty - either Spring Break or Good Friday - not sure, but was glad that there were not too many people around.

Duck at New Mexico Tech

It sure made it a lot easier to look for the boxes. Also it was a beautiful Spring day in Socorro so we decided to head to the duck pond and walk around a bit and check for those other two boxes (Joe Cool Goes to College and The Festival of the Cranes). We didn't find either box but then again we didn't put too much effort into it since they were both marked as missing, but we did have a nice walk and there were so many ducks and geese around - it was amazing.

We checked into the hotel around 3:30 and did a little reading and relaxing. Then about 6:30pm we walked over to Socorro Springs Brewing Company for dinner with friends. We had a great time and some good food. It was a very nice and busy day and we still have lots to do tomorrow. I'll be back to let you know how our day goes.

Alphabetical New Mexico Series - Finally Complete

Quite a while back (sometime in early 2007) I got an idea for a series of letterboxes. The idea was to plant a series of 26 boxes related to people, places and things of New Mexico - thus was born the Alphabetical New Mexico Series. For those of you who don't know me let me explain something - I am very anal retentive. So before I could actually think of getting out and planting boxes I needed to do some research. I used Google, a page from some tourism guide called 'From Adobe to Zozobra, a book called "New Mexico: A New Guide to the Colorful State" and countless travel guides to cities and towns all over New Mexico. From this I compiled a list for each letter of people, places and things that would work for each letter - and for each letter I had multiple items. After compiling the list I then started looking for information and images. When I would find an image I liked and some very interesting information or place I would make a decision on that letter. Finally I had made some final decisions on about five letters so I started carving. Once the stamps were ready I worked on the logbooks and then decided which ones to plant first. I chose the closest place.

So on October 16, 2007 I travelled to Angel Fire and Eagle Nest and planted the 'V' and 'E' boxes. And so this started my journey to plant these 26 box. The rest of the boxes were planted on September 5, 2008; September 7, 2008; January 31, 2009; March 12, 2009; October 2, 2009; June 26, 2010; July 3, 2010; July 17, 2010; September 6, 2010; October 27, 2010; October 30, 2010; October 31, 2010; April 26, 2011; April 27, 2011; April 28, 2011 and March 20, 2012.

The total number of days between Thursday, October 18th, 2007 and Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 is 1,616 days.
This is equal to exactly 4 years, 5 months, and 3 days.
The total time span from Thursday, October 18th, 2007 to Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 is 38,784 hours.
This is equivalent to 2,327,040 minutes.
You can also convert 1,616 days to 139,622,400 seconds.

I told you I was anal. It took me this long to actually get all 26 boxes planted. There were some things that got in the way. Traveling for vacation and letterboxing, planting other boxes not related to the series, work, a detached retina and four surgeries and multiple other things besides the fact that I was being very picky about the items I choose for the letters and then finding the images I wanted to carve. So here are the boxes I planted in the series. If you click on the letter it will take you to the clues and if you click on the name it will take you to some information. I hope everyone has as much fun finding these boxes as I did planting them and I really hope you learn something new about New Mexico as you find these boxes.

A Atomic Bombs
B Billy the Kid
C Crow Canyon
D Dorsey Mansion
E Eagle Nest Lake
F Farmington
G Pat Garrett
H Ham the Space Chimp
I Inscription Rock
J Jemez State Monument
K 'Black Jack' Ketchum
L Aldo Leopold
M William C. McDonald
N National Solar Observatory
O Orchard Ranch
P Pancho Villa
Q Quarra
R Roadrunner
S Sandhill Crane
T Turquoise Trail
U UFO Museum
V Vietnam Veterans Memorial
W White Oaks
X X Prize
Y Yucca
Z Zuni Pueblo

Out Planting in the Wind

This past weekend I worked on carving a stamp, making a logbook and putting a box together. The box I worked on was Alphabetical New Mexico: Y (Yucca). This was the last box in the series and I was determined to get it done by the end of this week. So today I headed out to plant this box. I wasn't really looking forward to going out to plant this box because the wind has been pretty bad and it was blowing pretty hard this morning. But I was determined to get this done. I only had the idea to plant this box on the beginning of the Atalaya Trail that starts at St. John's College but not exactly where on the trail. Once I parked I walked to the information board at the trailhead and started walking . I walked for a while taking little side trails but I didn't want to go very far, so I ended up just walking in all directions trying out hiding spots along the way. Eventually I found the right spot and and I placed the box. I then sat on a rock and made some notes and then walked from the box to the trailhead adding to my notes. Then I sat in the car and made more notes and then wrote out the clues. Of course before I drove away I felt compelled to check the clues so I made one last walk to the box. I think they will work but if anyone who goes to find the box finds a problem please let me know so I can fix it. I am so glad I have finally finished this series and have all 26 boxes in place. I also survived the wind, I just hope my allergies don't kick in.

The End of Another T.A.L.E.

Well T.A.L.E. 9 and my letterboxing adventure to Houston has come to an end. This morning I made my way to Hobby Airport and checked in for my flight. I grabbed a cup of coffee and a muffin and found a spot to sit. I had quite a bit of time before my flight so I took out the laptop and worked on some emails and then on the blog. I had a very full and busy few days in Houston. I want to thank all the Texas Letterboxers for their hospitality and for their amazing letterboxes. I had a blast and I really enjoyed the event and Brazos Bend State Park. It was good to see a lot of familiar faces and meet some new boxers. I just looked through my logbook and I am enjoying reliving the trip through the amazing stamps I collected. Already I am anticipating the next event - T.A.L.E. 10 - at the beginning of March next year. If you want to read about my trip go to Getting Wild in Texas for T.A.L.E. 9 to get more details about what I did while in Houston.