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.
Showing posts with label letterboxing trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letterboxing trip. Show all posts
Sunday, February 03, 2019
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.
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.
Monday, January 28, 2019
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.
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.
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Heading to Disney Mania in Colorado
In about a week I am heading up to Colorado to attend the Disney Mania Colorado Style letterboxing event in Parker. 
The event is being hosted by The Woodshed and is boasting about 470 boxes. The boxes are divided into series with different Disney themes, they will be hidden in three different locations and will be available for three days over a long weekend. The Woodshed has planned two nights of night boxing with a dinner of pizza on one night and BBQ then other night. I have attend a few other events hosted by The Woodshed and they are always fun. I am really looking forward to the event and if you want to read about my trip to Colorado go to Disney Mania Letterboxing in Colorado. Hopefully, I will be able to write a post each evening but with so many boxes I may get behind a little.
The event is being hosted by The Woodshed and is boasting about 470 boxes. The boxes are divided into series with different Disney themes, they will be hidden in three different locations and will be available for three days over a long weekend. The Woodshed has planned two nights of night boxing with a dinner of pizza on one night and BBQ then other night. I have attend a few other events hosted by The Woodshed and they are always fun. I am really looking forward to the event and if you want to read about my trip to Colorado go to Disney Mania Letterboxing in Colorado. Hopefully, I will be able to write a post each evening but with so many boxes I may get behind a little.
Friday, June 22, 2018
Monumental Trip Comes to an End
Well, our trip to the Dakotas has come to an end and we are now home. We did a ridiculous amount of things. You can see our list of things we did and saw at Dakota Trip Stats. If you are interested in reading about our trip you can go to A Monumental Letterboxing Trip. This was our first trip to the Dakotas and there were three states I needed to find letterboxes in (North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska) to add to my letterboxing map. And we completed that quest - I can now add them to my map and now I only need three states (Virginia, West Virginia and Hawaii) to have letterboxed in all 50 states. This particular trip was amazing and I loved everywhere we went - this is an amazingly beautiful country and I so enjoy exploring it. Between everything we did I was able to find 35 letterboxes on this trip and now I am 38 boxes shy of 5000 - another big letterboxing milestone.
Friday, June 08, 2018
A Monumental Letterboxing Road Trip
Saturday, March 17, 2018
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!
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!
Friday, March 16, 2018
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.
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!
Thursday, March 15, 2018
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
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.
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.
Monday, October 16, 2017
Homeward Bound
Well, today I headed home. I was up early, got packed, loaded the car and headed out. It was still dark when I left the hotel so I just enjoyed the lack of traffic and drove. I made my first stop at the New Mexico border at the 'Welcome' sign. Here I found Hello New Mexico by Jolly Mon. 
It was quick and easy and the box was back in place in no time and I continued on my way. My next stop was at the Manuelito Visitor Information Center. It was a bit chilly when I arrived so I sat in the car and read the clues and scoped the area out. When I felt I had found the right spot I got out of the car and headed to the tree in question. I searched for LBCA/New Mexico but didn't have any luck finding the box. So I returned to the car and got back on I40 and headed for Gallup. When I arrived in Gallup I drove to Red Rock Park. On the way I stopped and filled the car with gas before getting to the park. When I arrived at the park I was pleasantly surprised to find quite a few hot air balloons floating above the red rocks. I don't think there was any special event or anything because there wasn't any signs or admission fee or anything. I made my way to the Church Rock Trailhead to look for The Outlaw by Sunny Delight. 
Before I started looking for the box I took quite a few pictures of the balloons. Then I followed the clues and easily found the box. I found a great spot to sit and stamp in and I also got to enjoy the balloons at the same time. After replacing that box I drove to another area of the park to look for Red Rock Park Series: Rodeo! by CoVicars. Again, the box was easy to find and this time I took it back to the car to stamp in and again I got great views of the balloons. Then after I replaced the box I walked around a bit taking more pictures and after 15 minutes I left the park to continue my drive home.
I got on I40 and continued eastward. It wasn't long before I was making my next stop. This time at the Continental Divide. At this exit there is an abandoned and derelict gas station and Stuckey's. I stopped here to find It's All Downhill From Here by fleetwood7. I followed the clues which lead me to a pile of broken concrete and other debris. So I looked for the box where the clue stated but didn't find the box. So I decided to just search the area working away from where I started and eventually I found the box. I took it back to the car to stamp in. Once I was done I replaced the box exactly where I found it and the headed back to the interstate. After driving about another 30 miles I took exit 72 for Bluewater Village. I followed the clues for Bluewater Farms by ArnoldZiffel. The box is hidden near a historic marker for Bluewater Village. It was a quick and easy find and didn't take long to stamp in and then I was on my way.
When I got to Exit 81B I left the interstate and headed south on NM53. Along this road I had a few things to take care of. My first order of business was near the Continental Divide. I turned off of NM53 onto Zuni Canyon Road and almost immediately pulled off into a pullout and parked. Then I followed the clues and found Continental Divide - NM by Azroadie. The box was hidden near a large rock and that rock provided a great seat for me to sit and stamp in. Once I had the box in place I got back on NM53 and then drove to El Morro. I didn't actually go to El Morro but I stopped at the entrance sign and historic marker. I stopped here and I found a spot to hide my Alphabetical New Mexico: I (Inscription Rock). I spent some time making notes for the clues and then I continued on NM53 for one more box. My next stop was Candy Kitchen, NM at the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. I left NM53 and turned onto Indian Service Route 125 and then veered onto Indian Service Route 120 and parked in a parking area. Here I found Wolf's Paradise by Rookie Traveler. I have to say I was pretty disappointed with the box. The stamp was a little plastic bubble gum machine felt stamp of a paw print. Oh well, it is what it is. Once this box was back in place. I retraced my drive back to I40.
Instead of getting onto I40 I ended up crossing over it. I then took Santa Fe Ave. (Route 66), then First St. and made my way to NM547.
Then I droveabout five miles to the Continental Divide Trail parking area. Following the clues I walked a short distance on the CDT to find Wanda's Wanda-rings: Continental Divide Trail - #2 The Logo by wandaandpete. The stamp in this box is a stamp I carved and sent to Wanda for an event she had in Rhode Island. She originally planted the box in Rhode Island and not all that long ago she relocated it to Grants. I enjoyed the area and sat for a while and stamped in. When I finally got the box back in its hiding spot I returned to my car. At this point I was done letterboxing for the day and I made my way back to I40 and continued my drive back home.
I had a great trip and found some great boxes. I always have fun when I visit Arizona and get some letterboxing done.
It was quick and easy and the box was back in place in no time and I continued on my way. My next stop was at the Manuelito Visitor Information Center. It was a bit chilly when I arrived so I sat in the car and read the clues and scoped the area out. When I felt I had found the right spot I got out of the car and headed to the tree in question. I searched for LBCA/New Mexico but didn't have any luck finding the box. So I returned to the car and got back on I40 and headed for Gallup. When I arrived in Gallup I drove to Red Rock Park. On the way I stopped and filled the car with gas before getting to the park. When I arrived at the park I was pleasantly surprised to find quite a few hot air balloons floating above the red rocks. I don't think there was any special event or anything because there wasn't any signs or admission fee or anything. I made my way to the Church Rock Trailhead to look for The Outlaw by Sunny Delight. 
Before I started looking for the box I took quite a few pictures of the balloons. Then I followed the clues and easily found the box. I found a great spot to sit and stamp in and I also got to enjoy the balloons at the same time. After replacing that box I drove to another area of the park to look for Red Rock Park Series: Rodeo! by CoVicars. Again, the box was easy to find and this time I took it back to the car to stamp in and again I got great views of the balloons. Then after I replaced the box I walked around a bit taking more pictures and after 15 minutes I left the park to continue my drive home.I got on I40 and continued eastward. It wasn't long before I was making my next stop. This time at the Continental Divide. At this exit there is an abandoned and derelict gas station and Stuckey's. I stopped here to find It's All Downhill From Here by fleetwood7. I followed the clues which lead me to a pile of broken concrete and other debris. So I looked for the box where the clue stated but didn't find the box. So I decided to just search the area working away from where I started and eventually I found the box. I took it back to the car to stamp in. Once I was done I replaced the box exactly where I found it and the headed back to the interstate. After driving about another 30 miles I took exit 72 for Bluewater Village. I followed the clues for Bluewater Farms by ArnoldZiffel. The box is hidden near a historic marker for Bluewater Village. It was a quick and easy find and didn't take long to stamp in and then I was on my way.
When I got to Exit 81B I left the interstate and headed south on NM53. Along this road I had a few things to take care of. My first order of business was near the Continental Divide. I turned off of NM53 onto Zuni Canyon Road and almost immediately pulled off into a pullout and parked. Then I followed the clues and found Continental Divide - NM by Azroadie. The box was hidden near a large rock and that rock provided a great seat for me to sit and stamp in. Once I had the box in place I got back on NM53 and then drove to El Morro. I didn't actually go to El Morro but I stopped at the entrance sign and historic marker. I stopped here and I found a spot to hide my Alphabetical New Mexico: I (Inscription Rock). I spent some time making notes for the clues and then I continued on NM53 for one more box. My next stop was Candy Kitchen, NM at the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. I left NM53 and turned onto Indian Service Route 125 and then veered onto Indian Service Route 120 and parked in a parking area. Here I found Wolf's Paradise by Rookie Traveler. I have to say I was pretty disappointed with the box. The stamp was a little plastic bubble gum machine felt stamp of a paw print. Oh well, it is what it is. Once this box was back in place. I retraced my drive back to I40.
Instead of getting onto I40 I ended up crossing over it. I then took Santa Fe Ave. (Route 66), then First St. and made my way to NM547.
Then I droveabout five miles to the Continental Divide Trail parking area. Following the clues I walked a short distance on the CDT to find Wanda's Wanda-rings: Continental Divide Trail - #2 The Logo by wandaandpete. The stamp in this box is a stamp I carved and sent to Wanda for an event she had in Rhode Island. She originally planted the box in Rhode Island and not all that long ago she relocated it to Grants. I enjoyed the area and sat for a while and stamped in. When I finally got the box back in its hiding spot I returned to my car. At this point I was done letterboxing for the day and I made my way back to I40 and continued my drive back home.I had a great trip and found some great boxes. I always have fun when I visit Arizona and get some letterboxing done.
Sunday, October 15, 2017
One More Day in Prescott and Flagstaff
This morning I slept in until around 7:30am. Then I got up and got things ready and loaded my car. Once everything was loaded I checked out of the hotel and headed out to find a few more letterboxes in Prescott before heading up to Flagstaff.
I left the hotel and headed out of Prescott on Iron Springs Road (which is also AZ10) toward Skull Valley. I didn't drive all the way to Skull Valley. I ended up stopping at Tonto Road a few miles shy of the town. Here I found Valley of Skulls by Flyin Free. This was a quick and easy find and I stamped in whle sitting in the car. Once I had the box back in its hiding spot I headed back to Prescott. My next stop was at Prescott Brewing Company. Here I was looking for Plant a Beer Day: Prescott Brewing Company by 66gypsies. I parked and went looking for a number but had trouble finding it. Then I heard my name and looked up to see Seekers Two and The Woodshed.
They were in their car stamping in. So I got the box from them and they showed me where it was hidden. So I took it back to my car and stamped in. When I was done I went to return the box to its hiding spot and was surprised to find Seekers Two and The Woodshed still there. And they weren't alone. 66gypsies and shutterbug2012 were also there. So I gave the box to 66gypsies because she wanted to find a better hiding spot. I visited for a few minutes then said my goodbyes and headed out. I took Senator Hwy. to the trailhead for Trail 307. I didn't have to go on a hike to find the box - it was hidden near the kiosk for the trail. I easily found Enjoy the Pines by blacksheep1&2. I took it back to the car to stamp in. When I was done I had to wait about five minutes for a couple of people to head out to the trail. Once that box was in place I got back in the car and headed out to my next box. So while I was on Senator Hwy. I decided to look for Bradshaw Mountians. I followed the clues and got to mile marker 10. But after that I didn't fnd any of the landmarks so I turned around and headed back into Prescott. Next I headed up White Spar Road to Ponderosa Road where I parked in a pullout on the right just after making the turn. Here I looked for and found Where's Rocky? by blacksheep1&2. I stamped in while sitting in the car and then put the box back in place. Now it was time to leave Prescott and begin my drive back to Flagstaff.
So I headed back into Prescott and then took AZ69 then AZ169 and then to I17. I made one stop to gas up the car before getting onto AZ169. Other than that the drive was uneventful and pretty quick. When I arrived in Flagstaff I decided to look for one box before I headed to my hotel. So I set my navigation for the Galaxy Diner. Once there I followed the clues for Galaxy Diner by RIclimber. Another quick and easy find. I found a great spot to sit and stamp in and then replaced the box. By this time I was tired and I wanted a shower. Once I checked in, I took my shower and then relaxed for a bit. Then I made plans for letterboxes along the way when I drive home tomorrow.
I left the hotel and headed out of Prescott on Iron Springs Road (which is also AZ10) toward Skull Valley. I didn't drive all the way to Skull Valley. I ended up stopping at Tonto Road a few miles shy of the town. Here I found Valley of Skulls by Flyin Free. This was a quick and easy find and I stamped in whle sitting in the car. Once I had the box back in its hiding spot I headed back to Prescott. My next stop was at Prescott Brewing Company. Here I was looking for Plant a Beer Day: Prescott Brewing Company by 66gypsies. I parked and went looking for a number but had trouble finding it. Then I heard my name and looked up to see Seekers Two and The Woodshed.
So I headed back into Prescott and then took AZ69 then AZ169 and then to I17. I made one stop to gas up the car before getting onto AZ169. Other than that the drive was uneventful and pretty quick. When I arrived in Flagstaff I decided to look for one box before I headed to my hotel. So I set my navigation for the Galaxy Diner. Once there I followed the clues for Galaxy Diner by RIclimber. Another quick and easy find. I found a great spot to sit and stamp in and then replaced the box. By this time I was tired and I wanted a shower. Once I checked in, I took my shower and then relaxed for a bit. Then I made plans for letterboxes along the way when I drive home tomorrow.
Saturday, October 14, 2017
It's Event Day!
Today is event day - Growing Up On Westerns hosted by SnakeDoctor. And I ended up being awake at 4:00am. I kind of expected it since I was in bed by 8:30pm last night. Yesterday was a long and fun day but I was wiped out by the time I got to my hotel room. So I tried to go back to sleep but that didn't happen. Then I decided to read for a while and by 6:00am I just couldn't take it anymore so I got up and got ready for the day. Finally, around 7:00am I left the hotel and headed out to find a couple of letterboxes before heading to the event. I drove to the downtown area and found a place to park near where the box was hidden. The area around the courthouse was blocked off for some event and that left me parking down the road about a block away from the box. The box I was looking for was Courthouse Conundrum by cezannie. The clues had you start at the courthouse and then follow around looking at statues. But I did some work on the computer at home before heading out on my trip and I knew where to go for the box. After parking I walked to the place where I had figured the box was hidden and easily found the box. I found a spot to sit and stamp in that was hidden from the workers setting up for the event at the courthouse. After replacing the box I headed to Cuppers. This is where we were meeting up for the first part of the event. When I arrived at Cuppers I put my things on a chair by an outside table and went around the side of the building to find Where's My Coffee? by Tepee-AZ. I took the box back to the table and stamped in. When I was done I put the box back in place and then went back to the car to get my things for the event.
When I got back to Cuppers there were a couple of people there, so I joined them. Eventutally, more people showed up and I got some exchanges. I finally got to meet the CoVicars - an extremely nice couple. The clues for the boxes hidden for the event were given out here as well. After visiting for a bit I was ready to head out to the trails and find some boxes. So Lee suggested that he and I along with Jolly Mon, Wisconsin Hiker and Martini Man all head out together. So we drove to the Peavine Trail off of Sundog Ranch Road and parked. We got our things organized and were ready to hit the trail. We had three list of clues - two of them went to the left and one went to the right.
We started with one to the left. We set out to find Growing Up On Westerns To The Left (Part 1). This series consisted of seven boxes - Conagher, The Violent Men, Bonanza, The High Chaparrel, Zorro, A Fist Full of Dollars, and The Magnificent 7. We found all of these with just one minor hiccup along the way. We used an assembly line method for stamping in. One person got the box and opened it. Then another person inked the stamp and handed it around to stamp in and then the person who found the box put it back in place when we were done. If there was a logbook then someone started with that and then we passed it around. It was a very smooth operation. Once that series was done we started the next series in that area - Growing Up On Westerns To The Left (Part 2). 
This series consisted of six boxes - Maverick, Two Mules for Sister Sara, Man With No Name, An American Tail-Fievel Goes West, The Outlaw Josie Wales, and Tombstone. We did the same with this series as we did with the first and when we had found all the boxes it was almost 1:00pm so we decided to head to the pavilion for some lunch.
There were a few people at the pavilion when we arrived and all the fixings for sandwiches were there and other snacks. So I made a sandwich, grabbed some chips and a banana and sat down to enjoy lunch and visit. I also drank a lot of water - it had gotten hot out on the trail. After about a 40 minute rest we decided it was time to head out and get the third and final series for the day. So we hit the trail again in search of Growing Up On Westerns To The Right. This series consisted of seven boxes - Tonto, The Lone Ranger, The Rifleman, Dances With Wolves, Have Gun Will Travel, True Grit, and Westerns. While looking for this series we also looked for Watson Lake View. We bumped in to a few people along the way and none of them had any luck finding this box but we were determined. So we found boxes from the series and between The Rifleman and Dances With Wolves we went in search of Watson Lake View. We followed the clues and looked in one area but soon decided that we were in the wrong place.
So we continued a little further up the trail and tried again. We all kind of spread out and searched. But it was Lee who actually found the box. The box was a mess - they had put a pink inkpad in with the stamp and logbook and it had leaked everywhere. So Lee wiped it out with water and a few napkins, we replaced the baggies and logbook and we got a trash bag to put the ink pad and inky baggies in to throw away later. After stamping in and cleaning up the box we continued on our way to complete the series. After the last box was replaced we walked back to the pavilion, had some snacks and visited for a bit. Around 4:45pm everyone left the park. I decided to head back to the hotel and take a shower before meeting everyone for dinner. It was nice to get cleaned up after a hot day of hiking and letterboxing.
At 6:00pm I drove to Gurley Street Grill to meet everyone for dinner. It was a great place - I had a baja chicken wrap and onion rings - delicious. At 8:00pm I headed back to the hotel. I was tired and ready for some rest. It was a wonderful event and I had a great time - thanks SnakeDoctor.
When I got back to Cuppers there were a couple of people there, so I joined them. Eventutally, more people showed up and I got some exchanges. I finally got to meet the CoVicars - an extremely nice couple. The clues for the boxes hidden for the event were given out here as well. After visiting for a bit I was ready to head out to the trails and find some boxes. So Lee suggested that he and I along with Jolly Mon, Wisconsin Hiker and Martini Man all head out together. So we drove to the Peavine Trail off of Sundog Ranch Road and parked. We got our things organized and were ready to hit the trail. We had three list of clues - two of them went to the left and one went to the right.
We started with one to the left. We set out to find Growing Up On Westerns To The Left (Part 1). This series consisted of seven boxes - Conagher, The Violent Men, Bonanza, The High Chaparrel, Zorro, A Fist Full of Dollars, and The Magnificent 7. We found all of these with just one minor hiccup along the way. We used an assembly line method for stamping in. One person got the box and opened it. Then another person inked the stamp and handed it around to stamp in and then the person who found the box put it back in place when we were done. If there was a logbook then someone started with that and then we passed it around. It was a very smooth operation. Once that series was done we started the next series in that area - Growing Up On Westerns To The Left (Part 2). 
This series consisted of six boxes - Maverick, Two Mules for Sister Sara, Man With No Name, An American Tail-Fievel Goes West, The Outlaw Josie Wales, and Tombstone. We did the same with this series as we did with the first and when we had found all the boxes it was almost 1:00pm so we decided to head to the pavilion for some lunch.There were a few people at the pavilion when we arrived and all the fixings for sandwiches were there and other snacks. So I made a sandwich, grabbed some chips and a banana and sat down to enjoy lunch and visit. I also drank a lot of water - it had gotten hot out on the trail. After about a 40 minute rest we decided it was time to head out and get the third and final series for the day. So we hit the trail again in search of Growing Up On Westerns To The Right. This series consisted of seven boxes - Tonto, The Lone Ranger, The Rifleman, Dances With Wolves, Have Gun Will Travel, True Grit, and Westerns. While looking for this series we also looked for Watson Lake View. We bumped in to a few people along the way and none of them had any luck finding this box but we were determined. So we found boxes from the series and between The Rifleman and Dances With Wolves we went in search of Watson Lake View. We followed the clues and looked in one area but soon decided that we were in the wrong place.
So we continued a little further up the trail and tried again. We all kind of spread out and searched. But it was Lee who actually found the box. The box was a mess - they had put a pink inkpad in with the stamp and logbook and it had leaked everywhere. So Lee wiped it out with water and a few napkins, we replaced the baggies and logbook and we got a trash bag to put the ink pad and inky baggies in to throw away later. After stamping in and cleaning up the box we continued on our way to complete the series. After the last box was replaced we walked back to the pavilion, had some snacks and visited for a bit. Around 4:45pm everyone left the park. I decided to head back to the hotel and take a shower before meeting everyone for dinner. It was nice to get cleaned up after a hot day of hiking and letterboxing.At 6:00pm I drove to Gurley Street Grill to meet everyone for dinner. It was a great place - I had a baja chicken wrap and onion rings - delicious. At 8:00pm I headed back to the hotel. I was tired and ready for some rest. It was a wonderful event and I had a great time - thanks SnakeDoctor.
Wednesday, September 06, 2017
A Wild and Enchanting Letterboxing Day
Last week I planned on taking a trip to the Taos area and do some letterboxing so I worked on getting boxes put together and on clues. And this morning Thomas and I left the house at around 7:00am and headed north. The drive was pleasant and relaxing. There was no traffic on this early Labor Day morning. We didn't stop in Taos, we continued our drive up to Questa and a little beyond. About three miles north of Quest we turned onto NM 378 which begins the Wild Rivers Back Country Scenic Byway and leads to the Wild Rivers Recreation Area which sits in the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument. I have wanted to visit this area for a while now and just never made the time. I was looking forward to this drive.
We drove along passing through the town of Cerro and made our first stop at Sheep Crossing Overlook.
We took a short walk from the parking area and got some amazing views of the Rio Grande. After about 10 minutes and a few pictures, we returned to the car and continued our drive. We next stopped at Chiflo Trail. This is a short half mile walk and has great views. Then we drove to Bear Crossing Trail. From the parking area, we walked down a path and passed a picnic table and continued straight ahead to the edge of the canyon. The views at this spot are incredible and we ended up sitting and just enjoying the peace and quiet.
Twenty minutes later we headed back toward the parking area but decided to take the trail for a bit and see what was down there. While walking down the trail I decided to plant the first box of my NM Scenic Byways: Wild Rivers Back Country box. I found a good place and jotted down some notes and took pictures so I could write up clues when we returned home. Once the box was in place and I felt good about my notes we returned to the car and continued on. We next stopped at the Pay Station to pay our $3 fee and then continued on to the Visitor Center. They have two 3D maps of the area outside that you can get a bird's eye view of the area. We looked around the gift shop and talked to the attendant and got a map before heading out again. Our next stop was at the El Aguaje Campground.
Here we took another short walk and got some wonderful views of the Red River. After a few pictures, we returned to the car and continued on to the La Junta Overlook, Campground, and Trail. Here they have a paved path that walks around the camping and picnic areas and leads to an overlook for the confluence of the Red and Rio Grande Rivers. Again there were incredible views. The La Junta Trail starts here and is a 1.2 mile one-way trail that leads down to the confluence. It is labeled as difficult and you have to traverse ladders and stairs during your 800 foot descent into the canyon. We didn't do that. I didn't think I could make it back up so we saved that trail for another time. We did take a short walk along the Rio Bravo Nature Trail and got some beautiful views of the Rio Grande. We left this area after about 30 minutes and decided to make one more stop before leaving this area and continuing on with our day. That stop was at the Chawaluna Overlook. From the parking area, we took the gravel trail to the overlook and walked along the rim (which is fenced off) a short ways to admire the views. Then we went in search of a spot for the second box of the NM Scenic Byways: Wild Rivers Back Country box. It took a bit of time to find a good spot but we managed to get it done. I took pictures and made notes and then we were ready to head out.
Here we started our drive on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway and hiding a series of five boxes related to the byway. We turned onto NM 38 and drove for about a mile and a half and stopped at Eagle Rock Lake. Here we planted the first box for the NM Scenic Byways: Enchanted Circle box. We walked around the lake and then crossed the bridge over the Red River and found a nice spot for the box - away from the people fishing the lake. Once I had pictures and notes we headed back to the car and continued our drive to Red River.
We didn't spend a lot of time at any of the stops we made along the way because we had a lot to do and wanted to make sure we had enough time.
Once in Red River we drove to the Convention Center and parked. From here we crossed the covered bridge and headed up the Red River Nature Trail. We walked the trail in one direction but couldn't find a spot for the second box because the landscape slope down toward the river and there wasn't any real safe place to plant the box. So we turned around and headed back the other way and thankfully the trail leveled out and we were able to find a nice spot to hide the box. I made notes and took a few pictures and then we returned to the car to continue on with our day.
Next, we continued along NM 38 to Eagle Nest. We turned onto US 64 and drove through town and headed for Cimarron Canyon State Park. We stopped at the office and talked to a ranger to find out about the trails and got a map of the park.
My original thought was to place the third box here but once we were out on one of the trails we changed our minds The area was really overgrown and I was having trouble finding a good spot and there were so many bugs. Lots of flies and mosquitos and I didn't fancy getting eaten alive so we nixed that idea and headed back toward Eagle Nest. We stopped at a pullout that overlooks the lake and I decided to place the box here. I didn't want to put the box at Eagle Nest Lake because I already have my Alphabetical NM: E (Eagle Nest Lake) box there. The pullout isn't the nicest place but it does give you a great view of the lake while stamping in. After finding a good hiding spot, taking pictures, and making notes we were ready to continue on.
Our next stop was in Angel Fire. We turned off of US 64 and onto NM 434 and made our way to Monte Verde Lake.
The lake is located about two miles past the Visitor Center and I was a little confused about the area. It seems the lake is part of the Angel Fire Resort and could be a private area. But we didn't see any signs and when I was doing research I didn't see anything that said it wasn't open to the public. So we continued on with our mission. We drove around the lake because I wanted to place box four on the Lady Slipper Trail. We found the trailhead and walked a short ways up the trail and found a decent spot to hide the box. I took pictures and made notes and then we returned to the car. Before we left Angel Fire we stopped at the Visitor Center to find a letterbox. I followed the clues (which were a bit of a puzzle) and found Garden Tour 2016 by wadecat. I brought the box back to the car to stamp in and then replaced it without any problems. Now we could leave Angel Fire and continue our drive.
Back on US 64, we continued on our drive towards Taos. Our next task was to find Forest Walk by Brave Bonnie Bonsai and Miley Mystery Machine. The clue is a poem and I had spent some time researching before we left home and I hoped I had figured out the right spot. Once we arrived at the location and started looking I was relieved that we were in the right place and we easily found the box. I found a spot to sit and I stamped in. Then once the box was safely put away we walked back to the car and continued with our adventure. We drove to mile marker 264 and stopped at a pullout to find another box - this one being From Texas with LOVE to the Land of Enchantment by Texas Wanderers. This was a quick and easy find with straight forward clues. I stamped in while sitting in the car and then replaced the box. Now we had one more stop to make and then we were done. We continued along US 64 and drove through Shady Brook and then made our next stop at the El Nogal Picnic Area.
We drove along passing through the town of Cerro and made our first stop at Sheep Crossing Overlook.
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| View from Sheep Crossing |
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| View from Bear Crossing |
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| Confluence of Red and Rio Grande Rivers |
Note: This box is made of two stamps that are stamped over each other. When you find box one you will stamp the image and then when you find box two you will stamp that image over the first one - to get a good image line up the top and side edges.From the Wild Rivers area, we drove out the way we came in and made our way back to Questa.
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| Eagle Rock Lake |
We didn't spend a lot of time at any of the stops we made along the way because we had a lot to do and wanted to make sure we had enough time.
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| Red River |
Next, we continued along NM 38 to Eagle Nest. We turned onto US 64 and drove through town and headed for Cimarron Canyon State Park. We stopped at the office and talked to a ranger to find out about the trails and got a map of the park.
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| Eagle Nest Lake |
Our next stop was in Angel Fire. We turned off of US 64 and onto NM 434 and made our way to Monte Verde Lake.
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| Monte Verde Lake |
Back on US 64, we continued on our drive towards Taos. Our next task was to find Forest Walk by Brave Bonnie Bonsai and Miley Mystery Machine. The clue is a poem and I had spent some time researching before we left home and I hoped I had figured out the right spot. Once we arrived at the location and started looking I was relieved that we were in the right place and we easily found the box. I found a spot to sit and I stamped in. Then once the box was safely put away we walked back to the car and continued with our adventure. We drove to mile marker 264 and stopped at a pullout to find another box - this one being From Texas with LOVE to the Land of Enchantment by Texas Wanderers. This was a quick and easy find with straight forward clues. I stamped in while sitting in the car and then replaced the box. Now we had one more stop to make and then we were done. We continued along US 64 and drove through Shady Brook and then made our next stop at the El Nogal Picnic Area.
(Not sure if this is a picnic area or a campground or if it is a trailhead. I have found lots of things mentioned here from signs at the location and from things on the internet. There is a brown sign on the road that points to the are and mentions the South Boundary Trail #164 and an arrow pointing to the Devisadero Loop Trail #108 across the road. Google maps shows this as El Nogal Campground with both trails noted. When we pulled into the parking area we saw a sign for the El Nogal Trailhead, so I am not sure exactly what the area is called but you are safe to know that it is El Nogal and whatever else - picnic area, trailhead, campground, etc.)Anyway, we stopped here and parked. We took a trail that crossed a bridge and walked a short distance before planting the last box in the NM Scenic Byways: Enchanted Circle box. Again, I took pictures and made notes so that I could write up clues when I got home.
Note: This box is a series of five boxes placed in five different towns along the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. I know it is a lot of driving but the Byway is worth it. The five stamps are stamped together to form one image and I made a template for you to use. The lines are very faint because I didn't want them to interfere with the image but I think you will be able to see them well enough to stamp the images in the right spot. You can download and print the template at NM Scenic Byways: Enchanted Circle Stamp Template. There is only one logbook in the last box. The clues are written in a way that you can find the boxes in any order. I hope you enjoy these boxes.Now we were done. It was time to head back home. We had a great time on the Wild Rivers and Enchanted Circle Scenic Byways. It was a full day of driving and stopping but it was wonderful as well. It was 7:00pm before we got home and we were both tired. But after showers and some dinner we feel good.
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| Our Drive Today |
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Colorado Letterboxing Trip Comes to an End
Well, I am back from my letterboxing trip to Castle Rock for the Walk Like An Egyptian Colorado Style event. 
I had a great time, hiked some beautiful areas, found some wonderful boxes and visited with some incredible letterboxing friends. The trip was a little rough - I had low blood pressure during the entire trip and it caused me to be light headed and dizzy at times. That caused me to have to cut my letterboxing way down to rest and regain my bearings. I even took one day to rest, spending the day at the hotel reading and sleeping. But in the end, the trip was wonderful and I enjoyed all of it.
I had a great time, hiked some beautiful areas, found some wonderful boxes and visited with some incredible letterboxing friends. The trip was a little rough - I had low blood pressure during the entire trip and it caused me to be light headed and dizzy at times. That caused me to have to cut my letterboxing way down to rest and regain my bearings. I even took one day to rest, spending the day at the hotel reading and sleeping. But in the end, the trip was wonderful and I enjoyed all of it.
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Heading To An Event In Colorado
On Wednesday I am leaving for a trip to Castle Rock, CO to attend the Walk Like An Egyptian Colorado Style event. 
I am making this a letterbox trip and I will be there for six days. There are plenty of boxes in the Castle Rock area so I should be able to keep myself busy. I am also looking forward to being outside and doing some hiking. As usual, I will keep a blog of my trip and you can read about it at Walking Like An Egyptian Colorado Style. I will try to write a post each day and keep up with the trip.
I am making this a letterbox trip and I will be there for six days. There are plenty of boxes in the Castle Rock area so I should be able to keep myself busy. I am also looking forward to being outside and doing some hiking. As usual, I will keep a blog of my trip and you can read about it at Walking Like An Egyptian Colorado Style. I will try to write a post each day and keep up with the trip.
Monday, February 13, 2017
Home From Colossal Event in Tucson
So the 13th Annual Tucson Gathering: A Colossal Event is over and this morning I left Tucson, in the rain, to head back to Santa Fe. 
My plan was to look for a couple of letterboxes along the way. But that plan didn't work out. It rained from Tucson until I reached Belen. I only stopped to fill the car with gas, use the restroom and get something to eat. In the end it all worked out fine and I arrived home a little after noon. It was a great trip. I found some wonderful boxes. Visited with old friends and met some new ones. And I got to visit places that I had never been to. I went on some incredible hikes and saw some amazing landscapes. Of course, I didn't get to do all I wanted but that is okay because there is always another trip to be had. I did manage to blog about my trip and you can read about it at A Colossal Letterboxing Trip. You will read about all the places I visited and the boxes I found.
My plan was to look for a couple of letterboxes along the way. But that plan didn't work out. It rained from Tucson until I reached Belen. I only stopped to fill the car with gas, use the restroom and get something to eat. In the end it all worked out fine and I arrived home a little after noon. It was a great trip. I found some wonderful boxes. Visited with old friends and met some new ones. And I got to visit places that I had never been to. I went on some incredible hikes and saw some amazing landscapes. Of course, I didn't get to do all I wanted but that is okay because there is always another trip to be had. I did manage to blog about my trip and you can read about it at A Colossal Letterboxing Trip. You will read about all the places I visited and the boxes I found.
Sunday, February 05, 2017
A Colossal Letterboxing Trip
For the last couple of weeks I have been getting ready for another letterboxing trip. 
I am going to attend the 13th Annual Tucson Gathering: A Colossal Event at Colossal Cave Mountain Park in Vail, Arizona. I have mapped out a route and planned boxes to find. I also want to check on some of my boxes and replace boxes that are missing. I am also working on finding a series of letterboxes by Desert Flower. It is here Baja Botany 101 Series. She has 12 boxes planted around southeastern Arizona. So this trip is going to take me on a vast road trip - from Safford to Portal, Portal to Benson, Benson to Patagonia, Patagonia to Tucson and on to Vail for the event. I am looking forward to this trip since I will be going to places I have never been. I will be gone for about a week and you can read all about the trip at A Colossal Letterboxing Trip.
I am going to attend the 13th Annual Tucson Gathering: A Colossal Event at Colossal Cave Mountain Park in Vail, Arizona. I have mapped out a route and planned boxes to find. I also want to check on some of my boxes and replace boxes that are missing. I am also working on finding a series of letterboxes by Desert Flower. It is here Baja Botany 101 Series. She has 12 boxes planted around southeastern Arizona. So this trip is going to take me on a vast road trip - from Safford to Portal, Portal to Benson, Benson to Patagonia, Patagonia to Tucson and on to Vail for the event. I am looking forward to this trip since I will be going to places I have never been. I will be gone for about a week and you can read all about the trip at A Colossal Letterboxing Trip.
Friday, December 23, 2016
Driving to Carlsbad
For a few weeks now I have been planning and working on a trip to Carlsbad. It has been about 20 years since Thomas and I have been in that area. Since Thomas has some time he needs to take off we decided on a trip for Christmas. I have carved five stamps and made boxes for those stamps to plant while on the trip and I am also going to do maintenance on a couple of my existing boxes. There are also a few boxes for me to look for while on the trip.
This morning we left Santa Fe sometime around 7:30am and headed out. It was cold and foggy but the drive was okay. We made a stop in Vaughn to have some breakfast and coffee and then continued on. My first letterboxing business was to stop at a rest area about 20 miles north of Roswell to replant a box. I had a box called Aphonopelma (the stamp was carved by Highwayman) planted at this rest area but it was geotrashed - the stamp and logbook were still there but the original box was taken and replaced with a soft sided CD case and trinkets. My logbook was damp and messy but I was glad the stamp had survived since it is the only stamp that Thomas (Highwayman) has carved. I had received notes about the box being geotrashed and on a trip a couple of years ago I stopped and took the stuff with me. I hadn't had time to make it back to the area until now. So we stopped and I walked around looking for a suitable spot for the box. Unfortunately, the place is well cared for and I couldn't find a decent spot to hide it. So I decided to hold off and think about it and see if I come up with a better place.
We continued on to Roswell and we were going to stop at the UFO Museum to update a box I have there but decided we needed the time for other things and we would stop on our way back home on Tuesday.
So our next stop ended up being in Artesia. Here we looked for and found Love this Spot #11 by Road Junkies. I easily found the box and went to a bench to sit and stamp in. When I opened the box I only found the logbook - no stamp. As I looked through the logbook I noticed that there were only signature stamps up until July 2015 and after that there were only written names. So I figure that the stamp got taken by a geocacher. I wanted an image so I found a raised portion on a statue near where the box was hidden and did a sort of rubbing and then replaced the box. Now it was time to continue our trip.
Before leaving Artesia we filled the car with gas and then continued south on US285. About 12 miles north of Carlsbad we turned onto NM137. We had a few things to do on this route.
First, we drove about 22 miles down NM137 until we reached the junction of CR409. We turned here and drove another seven miles to Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area. We arrived at the parking area and we were greeted with lots of wind that was frigid. There were only two other cars in the lot and a forest ranger truck close by. We saw one couple just coming back from a hike as we set out for our walk to the falls. There is a short paved trail to a viewing platform and then from there you can go down a few steps and walk around the pool of water at the base of the falls. The wind was a little better here since there were some cliff walls that protected the area. So we enjoyed the sound of the water and the views, I took some pictures and then I hid a box. I planted Sitting Bull Falls and I hope that it will get some visitors. The area is really worth the drive. We left the area and headed back toward NM137 and along the way we stopped to look for Sitting Bull Falls Letterbox placed by LazyD. There had been some attempts but we decided to stop and look since we were right there. We didn't find the box so we continued on.
When we arrived at the junction for NM137 we stopped at a picnic area so I could plant my next box. This box is called NM Scenic Byways: Guadalupe National Back Country. This didn't take long and we were soon on our way again.
We continued along NM137 and made our next stop at The Flying Paperboy Memorial. For years I have talked about placing a box here and now I was finally here. So after taking a few pictures we walked around and found a great hiding spot for Frank A. Kindel (The Flying Paperboy of the Guadalupes). And once that was done we continued just a short distance to Queen, New Mexico. Not much here - an RV park, a general store and a couple of other buildings. 
A quarter mile or so down the road from the store we found an old chimney surrounded by a fence. At this spot I place another box - Queen, NM. By the time we finished driving NM137 and hiding these boxes it was about 4:30pm and the sun was getting lower. So we made our way back up NM137 heading back to US285. It was somewhere around 6:00pm when we arrived in Carlsbad. We were both hungry (we had only had breakfast, no lunch) so we decided to stop and eat before going to the hotel.
We stopped at Pizza Inn and had their buffet. Once we were full we headed to the hotel and checked in. Now that we are settled and I have logged in the new boxes it is time for some rest. Tomorrow we spend the day at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
This morning we left Santa Fe sometime around 7:30am and headed out. It was cold and foggy but the drive was okay. We made a stop in Vaughn to have some breakfast and coffee and then continued on. My first letterboxing business was to stop at a rest area about 20 miles north of Roswell to replant a box. I had a box called Aphonopelma (the stamp was carved by Highwayman) planted at this rest area but it was geotrashed - the stamp and logbook were still there but the original box was taken and replaced with a soft sided CD case and trinkets. My logbook was damp and messy but I was glad the stamp had survived since it is the only stamp that Thomas (Highwayman) has carved. I had received notes about the box being geotrashed and on a trip a couple of years ago I stopped and took the stuff with me. I hadn't had time to make it back to the area until now. So we stopped and I walked around looking for a suitable spot for the box. Unfortunately, the place is well cared for and I couldn't find a decent spot to hide it. So I decided to hold off and think about it and see if I come up with a better place.
We continued on to Roswell and we were going to stop at the UFO Museum to update a box I have there but decided we needed the time for other things and we would stop on our way back home on Tuesday.
So our next stop ended up being in Artesia. Here we looked for and found Love this Spot #11 by Road Junkies. I easily found the box and went to a bench to sit and stamp in. When I opened the box I only found the logbook - no stamp. As I looked through the logbook I noticed that there were only signature stamps up until July 2015 and after that there were only written names. So I figure that the stamp got taken by a geocacher. I wanted an image so I found a raised portion on a statue near where the box was hidden and did a sort of rubbing and then replaced the box. Now it was time to continue our trip.Before leaving Artesia we filled the car with gas and then continued south on US285. About 12 miles north of Carlsbad we turned onto NM137. We had a few things to do on this route.
First, we drove about 22 miles down NM137 until we reached the junction of CR409. We turned here and drove another seven miles to Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area. We arrived at the parking area and we were greeted with lots of wind that was frigid. There were only two other cars in the lot and a forest ranger truck close by. We saw one couple just coming back from a hike as we set out for our walk to the falls. There is a short paved trail to a viewing platform and then from there you can go down a few steps and walk around the pool of water at the base of the falls. The wind was a little better here since there were some cliff walls that protected the area. So we enjoyed the sound of the water and the views, I took some pictures and then I hid a box. I planted Sitting Bull Falls and I hope that it will get some visitors. The area is really worth the drive. We left the area and headed back toward NM137 and along the way we stopped to look for Sitting Bull Falls Letterbox placed by LazyD. There had been some attempts but we decided to stop and look since we were right there. We didn't find the box so we continued on.When we arrived at the junction for NM137 we stopped at a picnic area so I could plant my next box. This box is called NM Scenic Byways: Guadalupe National Back Country. This didn't take long and we were soon on our way again.
We continued along NM137 and made our next stop at The Flying Paperboy Memorial. For years I have talked about placing a box here and now I was finally here. So after taking a few pictures we walked around and found a great hiding spot for Frank A. Kindel (The Flying Paperboy of the Guadalupes). And once that was done we continued just a short distance to Queen, New Mexico. Not much here - an RV park, a general store and a couple of other buildings. 
A quarter mile or so down the road from the store we found an old chimney surrounded by a fence. At this spot I place another box - Queen, NM. By the time we finished driving NM137 and hiding these boxes it was about 4:30pm and the sun was getting lower. So we made our way back up NM137 heading back to US285. It was somewhere around 6:00pm when we arrived in Carlsbad. We were both hungry (we had only had breakfast, no lunch) so we decided to stop and eat before going to the hotel.We stopped at Pizza Inn and had their buffet. Once we were full we headed to the hotel and checked in. Now that we are settled and I have logged in the new boxes it is time for some rest. Tomorrow we spend the day at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
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