A Murdered Logbook....

As I mentioned previously, I'd gotten a report from The Gryzzled Gryphon and others that the logbook in my Swingle Singers LB had been purposefully damaged. Someone came in and tore each one of the index cards in half. I was definitely disappointed when I heard the report, but when I actually saw the logbook on Saturday, I had to keep my emotions in tact. I'm not quite sure why a person would go in and do this. The one thing that I am thankful for is, that they left all the pages (as far as I could tell) in the box except for my "cover page". Luckily, I was able to put the pieces together and tape it all back together. I've had many visitors to this box in the year that it has been out in the wild. Visitors from the following places stamped in to this box located near the zoo in San Antonio, TX: Boise, Idaho; Monument, Colorado; San Antonio, TX; Price, TX; Battle Creek, MI; Seguin, TX; Nashville, TN; Coryell County, TX; Bountiful, UT; Houston, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Dale City, VA; Massachusetts; Chicago, IL; La Vernia, TX; El Paso, TX; Odessa, TX; Bristol, RI.

Weekend Trip

Last Saturday, I got up bright and early (ok, dark and early) and head south towards Lake Somerville State Park. I wanted to FINALLY plant my Fragrant Flower LB and then head over to San Antonio to do some box maintenance.

After Mapquest took me on a wild goose chase to find the park, I called Blue Butterfly, who looked up Silver Eagle's directions for me and I easily got to the park. I started out by finding Sandi Box's Texas State Symbol #1-Small Mammal. It was sprinkling a little bit and there were several trees whose branches hung low over the trails and I had to do my best to go under them. Every time I touched a branch, though, I got a little shower from the water that had collected in the tree.

After stamping in, I headed to another part of the park and found a nice place to hide my Fragrant Flower LB. After that adventure was over, I headed West to San Antonio.

After getting to the zoo parking lot, I discovered finding a place to park was going to be a challenge. I finally gave up and headed down the street to park, then walked back. The last time we were at the park, there were some renovations going on, but they are all completed now and the park is even nicer than the first time I visited. I found my box and opened it to discover exactly what GG had reported to me. The log book was in pieces. I'll post more about the logbook situation another time. However, I collected the pieces of the logbook and replaced it with another. Then, I headed over to find Blue Butterfly's Go Spurs Go! LB. I collected her nearly full logbook and placed a new one inside. I can't wait for her to see her logbook from that box!

After that, I headed to Southside Lions park to find Corazon and Sunsnake's new series: Girl Scout Camp. I started off by trying to find Girl Scout Soup, but couldn't seem to put my finger on the right tree. I decided to head off for the next box, and easily found that one. When I got to the Square Knot box, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get it as there was a large group of young men at the picnic pavilion. However, I was able to spot one of the landmarks that Corazon described, and didn't have to go near the pavilion. This was a fun series, and I'm DEFINITELY going back again (someday) to try and find that Soup box! Thanks Corazon and Sunsnake!

FRAGRANT FLOWER-CLUE

The FRAGRANT FLOWER LB is located in Lake Somerville State Park. It was planted in honor of the Texas Wildflower Event held in March 2007.

To the park: From Brenham take Hwy 36 North through Somerville to Lyons. Turn left (west) on Hwy 60 and travel approximately 8 miles. Turn left on Park Road 57 and go 4 miles to entrance. Stop at the main gate, pay the fee, and get a map.

To the box: Make your way to the Post Oak Camping area. As you drive down the main road of this area, notice a sign for HIKING TRAIL and FAMILY FISHING POND. Continue down the road and park at the Rest Rooms, then walk back up the road to the hiking trail.

Head East on the trail, away from the fish pond. Take this trail to a CAUTION sign. At this point, turn around and take 25 steps back down the trail, in the direction you just came. You should have a topless tree on your right. Face this tree.

Look to the right of this tree about 4 steps off the trail. Your flower is blooming behind this small pile of logs and twigs tucked under the main log. Please rehide carefully and let me know the condition of my precious flower.

Mythical Creatures Series

The very talented Mother of Five has issued a call to TX Letterboxers to create stamps for a new series....and I answered! I carved a stamp to participate in the "mythical creatures" series, which she plans on planting in Feb. or March. I'm super-excited to see all the carvings and unique boxes that will be a part of the series. I do have my stamp finished....my logbook finished....I have it all in an envelope...now I just have to SOMEHOW find a way to get to the post office while it's open!!

Three Boxes on Sunday

I decided on Sunday afternoon, that I'd finish up the TRIBUTE TO JOAN: SEVEN DWARFS series. I printed out the clues and mapped my route before leaving Blue Butterfly's house. As I was discussing my route with her, she reminded me about her new box, JOE ROUGHNECK. So, I decided to circle by there first, then head out to New Summerfield/J'ville. I found all three of these boxes in good condition. Happy Trails!

Rusk Redoux

I mentioned in a previous post that I'd be letterboxing no matter the weather for today, AND I MEANT IT!! Barefoot Lucy told Blue Butterfly and I that the event was basically cancelled, but we could still get together with her and JB Kokopelli to chat and exchange.

BB and I left her house a little early and hit Rusk to find a few boxes planted by Dewberry from the March gathering. The first place we hit was the Jim Hogg Park. Unfortunately, the gate was still locked when we got there, so we decided to try another time. Next, we hit a trail behind a historical marker to find STILL DREAMIN'. This was a great stamp carved by an out-of-state boxer.

We tried for one more box (missing), then found a snack and headed to the park. BB checked on her CRASH AT CRUSH LB, then we joined BFL and JBK at the pavilion. We exchanged, got the Event Stamp, and earned personal travelers. We were there for almost two hours just chatting about letterboxing. I think a good time was had by all.

Blue Butterfly and I stopped and got some lunch, then went after JB Kokopelli's JANUARY HOLIDAY SERIES. These five boxes were a lot of fun for us to find. Even though it was cold and raining, we managed to find ways of stamping in and still keeping all the boxes and log books dry. As you can see in the picture, BB is utilizing the back of her van with the back gate lifted as shelter for the precious letterboxing paraphernalia!

After finishing up with that series, we called it a day and headed home.

Stamps I earned today:
January Holiday Series (5)
JB Kokopelli-Exchange
JB's Personal Traveler
J's Personal Travler
Texas Polar Bear Event Stamp
Still Dreamin'
Mockingbird

Snow Day!

In my area today, I could hear a loud cheer from school children who were in their homes and found out that today there would be no school! There was ice on the roads in Navarro County, and it was deemed unsafe for the school buses and other vehicles, so we got an unexpected day off.

I'm looking forward, however, to Saturday, because rain or shine (or snow or ice), I'll be at the Rusk Redoux Gathering hosted by Barefoot Lucy at Rusk State Park. I can't wait to sip hot chocolate by the fire and chat with other letterboxers. This is gonna be great!

Rainy Days

I'd been planning for this three day weekend for quite some time. I was going to go down to San Antonio to find some boxes and do some maintenance on my Swingle Singers box and BB's Go Spurs Go! box. However, mother nature picked this weekend to let down a lot of rain and some freezing temperatures, so I am stuck at home.

In an effort to take my letterboxing energy and put it to good use, I've carved a few stamps this weekend. I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to call most of these boxes, or where I'm going to plant them. I guess I'll just have to wait until a bright, sunshiney day to get loose on the trail!

Joe Roughneck

Unfortunately, I didn't get out and letterbox this weekend. However, my letterboxing partner-in-crime planted a new box near Kilgore. The box is called Joe Roughneck, and it is a tribute to the oil and gas industry in Texas. I can't wait to go out and find this one myself! Happy Trails!

Wildflower

I got busy last night and found the artwork for my "flower themed" box for the Wildflower event in March. I followed up this morning by carving my precious flower. I can't wait to plant it! IF I'm able to go down to Somerville before the event, I'll probably post the clue here on this blog. Be sure and check back for a post entitled FRAGRANT FLOWER-CLUE before you head down. Otherwise, I'll just hide it when I get there and make the clue available at the gathering. Happy Trails!