Pioneer Village

I had the afternoon off today, so I ventured out to Pioneer Village in Corsicana to pick up THE PIONEER BOX by Adams Trails. I've lived in Navarro County for about a year now, but had never visited this historic park. The village's buildings house a great deal of memoribilia from Texas history and Navarro County's history. Exhibits include The Carriage House, Navarro County Hall of Fame, the Lefty Frizzell Museum, and many others.

Rhyme Time

Since I had a free day, I decided to head out to Athens and pick up a few of Adams Trail's boxes. I stopped off in Malakoff first to try and find the box that is hidden at the Community Center, but I couldn't find the designated tree, so I had to give up on that one. I headed on into Athens and found Cain Park where TEXAS LONGHORNS and CANDI CAIN are hidden. It wasn't too hot out there and I only saw two people walking the trail while I was there.

Next, I headed over to the Arboretum. Blue Butterfly and I had been here before, but we were in a hurry that day, since we arrived with only about thirty minutes left before closing. This time, I was able to take my time and enjoy the scenery. I parked my car, took a look at the map, then wandered around the flower gardens for a bit. There were lots of butterflies floating about in the flower gardens, and I enjoyed watching them duck in and out of the flowers. After this, I walked down to the children's area. There are several play houses for children to enjoy. I finally got onto the trail and found all the boxes I was seeking: THIS LITTLE PIGGY, LITTLE MISS MUFFET, HUSH-A-BYE BABY, THE BIG BAD WOLF, PUSSY CAT PUSSY CAT, and THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN. The weather was just right and the rain stayed away while I enjoyed my afternoon at the arboretum.

Trip to Midland

On Wednesday, my colleague and I made a business trip out to West Texas. It was my first time to go to this part of my beloved state, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The landscape there is MUCH different than what I am accustomed to seeing in Central Texas, and I was definitely not disappointed with my new experience. In addition to visiting with others who are in my line of work and getting new ideas to take back to my job, I was able to find a letterbox! My colleague was kind enough to ask me if I wanted to find an LB while I was there, so I (of course) took advantage of it. We found ACME BOOTER by Wills World. This letterbox is safely hidden under a bridge on the Midland College campus. I'm very proud of my first West Texas Letterbox stamp!

A Special Saturday

Saturday was kind of special for our letterboxing team. It was Blue Butterfly's birthday AND we we attended a wedding shower for one of my cousins. I met Blue Butterfly and Stinky Monkey in Tyler, and we drove to the hall where the wedding shower was going to be. We had a great time before, during, and after visiting with family. But you don't really want to hear about that...after all, this is a letterboxing blog.....

After taking the time to visit a couple of family member's homes that afternoon, we went on a mission to find a couple of letterboxes. We'd already scouted out the park where PANCAKE CAPITOL OF TEXAS was hidden, so we zipped on over there and stamped in. The weather wasn't too hot and we really enjoyed ourselves at this park.

Next, we headed over towards Gladewater to find TSS BIRD: MOCKINGBIRD. This was hidden in a lovely little cemetery near a precious angel statue. Thanks to JBK for planting these boxes for us to find. We had a good afternoon of letterboxing together!

Thanks, Gramatrick!

I just wanted to publicly thank Dewberry and her team for going the extra mile in rescuing my box entitled PINKY AND THE BRAIN: THE BRAIN box after the recent heavy rains and flooding in central Texas. The box had washed away from it's hiding place, but Gramatrick managed to find all of the pieces except for the log book. Thanks for going above and beyond to help out a fellow letterboxer! I am sincerely grateful!!

....the State Where I Was(n't) Born...

On Saturday morning, after a good night's rest at Miss Emily's Bed and Breakfast, I decided to try and find a few letterboxes before the big event. I headed out to find LOUISIANA SEASONS: LONG HOT SUMMER, which is located in a cemetery. When I arrived, I got out and looked around, trying to figure out where I was supposed to be headed toward, then a car pulled up. I pretended to be interested in the graves and walked slowly around, re-affirming that I saw the right place. The people got out of their car and went into the section of the cemetery where I needed to be--AND it started raining. I took out my umbrella and continued to stroll along in the cemetery. These people were putting flowers on a grave, so I made a loop back to my car and decided to try again later.

Next, I tried making my way to Rocky's Video, but I happened upon Curry's pharmacy first. I went in, and after waiting in line, I gave the young man the secret password and he brought me my prize. By the time I was finished stamping in, it was time to head to the Event. I pulled up to the designated area and was greeted by Mama Cache and Company. We began pulling out our letterboxing equipment in order to get personal travelers and the event stamp. A few minutes after I arrived, Big M also joined in the fun.

We had a great time stamping in and enjoying the nice weather and one another's company. The event stamp was FANTASTICALLY carved by Mama Cache.

After the event, Big M and I went to find a few boxes. I told her about my bad luck with the SEASONS box, so we headed there and I was able to stamp in this time. Next, I found BASEBALL SKUNK, which was planted by Big M. Now, it was time for both of us to find some boxes that neither of us had stamped into. We found ROLL E'M and BRIDGE OUT (EAST) and BRIDGE OUT (WEST). After working so hard, we needed a break, so we headed to Mama Cache's house and visited with her and the gang for a while.

After leaving MC's place, we decided to go out to the Mary Ann Brown Nature preserve. Big M wanted to stamp into the boxes I'd placed on Friday, and she volunteered to help me find a box or two I'd missed stamping into. We got started and Big M followed the clues to both of my IN SEARCH OF: boxes. (If you ever meet Big M, ask her what she found at the In Search of a Brain box....cuz I'll never tell!) We continued around the trail and found a bench to rest on while we got a peaceful view of a small pond. Big M decided that this is where she wanted to plant her box. She got to work scoping out a hiding place while I continued to rest at the bench. After she found the perfect hiding spot, we continued around the loop.

Somehow or another, the pair of us got a little confused and we looped right back around to the pond! Hmmm...we're not sure exactly what happened, but we decided to try again. This time, we followed the trail correctly and found Boxdn's BOX #8 S.C. box. We even found a turtle along the way! I was thrilled to be able to stamp into one of Boxdn's boxes. This box has been in place for about three years and has a rich history. However, the log book was quite damp and it was impossible to stamp into. Big M decided to take it home, dry it out, and bring it back. After this, we continued around the trail and headed back to Big M's place for a little repast.

I had quite a fun day at the event and going out to find LB's with Big M. Part of the fun of letterboxing is coming back with some great stories to tell, and I definitely accomplished my goal!

The stamps I earned on this day:

Half and Half

Fire Off! - Babadge's PT

Cottontail's Harvest - Cottontail's PT

Red, White, and Blueberry Event Stamp

Livin' in the Sticks - Mama Cache's PT

Irish Blessing - Mama Cache's PT

Dreams - Big M's PT

Clyde the Cowboy and Bart his Buckin' Bronco Hitch Hiker

Cottontail's Love - Cottontail's PT

Geaux Tigers! - Mike V's PT

Hey Fightin' Tigers - Mike V's PT

Roll 'em

Louisiana Seasons: Long, Hot Summer

The Head Hunter LB

Bridge Out (West)

Bridge Out (East)

Something Special Event Stamp

Give Me Louisiana - Chippy's PT

Baseball Skunk

Podling Slave~From the Dark Crystal

Please Pass the Honey, Honey Hitch Hiker

Box #8 SC

Bonus Box

Skeeter-Cootie

Hookey Walker

Give Me Louisiana!

On Thursday morning, I got up bright and early and left from Blue Butterfly's house to start my Louisiana Road Trip. I picked up a few things at the grocery store, then I headed East towards Shreveport. I planned to take a break when I got there, stretch my legs, and find a couple of boxes. However, as I was leaving, it started raining. By the time I got to Shreveport, the rain was coming down VERY hard, so I had to forego the Shreveport boxes for now. After a few hours, I finally made my way to the library in Zachary, LA. I found the children's section and asked the clerk for the LAGNIAPPE LB and showed him my LB pass. It took him a second to realize what I was referring to, then he gladly handed it over.

After leaving the library, I headed north to the Mary Ann Brown Nature Preserve to find a couple of boxes there. Mama Cache is the owner of an LB that I put together, so I was off to find "my" box, which was a first for me. I couldn't wait to see where she'd hidden BEE HAPPY. MC's clues were very well written and easy to follow. I was thrilled to be able to stamp into BEE HAPPY.

After returning Bee Happy to his hiding spot, I went back to the trail head to start on my find for THE LADY. This is a box that was planted by DrooP, who is a letterboxer from Southeast Texas. This box has been in place for about three years and has a rich history.

After re-hiding THE LADY and congratulating myself for having such a productive letterboxing outing, I decided that this was the place for the two boxes I'd brought along. I found places to hide In Search of: A Home and In Search of: A Brain. I hope these two boxes will have many visitors!

My next stop was in the town of Jackson. I stopped there to grab something to eat, re-write my clues, and change clothes before meeting Mama Cache & Company. When I arrived at our meeting place, I was greeted by all my old friends from Louisiana. Mike V was quick to tell me about some WOM boxes in the area and shared the clues with me. One of the clues was a brain teaser, but luckily, Ducky D was smart enough to help me figure that clue out and I was rewarded with a fun adventure and a great stamp! Thanks Ducky D!! I also met a few new letterboxers: Veritas, Mi, and Sun-Yi.

After the party and the letterboxing, we all went downtown to watch the fireworks. We had lots of fun watching the sky light up and listening to the live music.

Stamps I earned on Friday:

Lagniappe LB

Bee Happy

Fireworks Event

The Lady

Happy Birthday Event box including: birthday cake, shiny candle, the balloon, ice cream & a surprise

Felicia Naveat Cheesebox

Flip Flop

Veritas-exchange

Mi-exchange

Sun-Yi-exchange

Louisiana Highway Hitch Hiker

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABADGE!

My good buddy Babadge had a birthday this week, and I was invited to the party!! I had great fun while eating cake, drinking birthday juice, visting with friends, helping put together a puzzle, and ....of course...finding a few letterboxes. Thanks for letting me come to the party...and once again...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

P.S. -Thanks for letting me stamp into your personal traveler. It's such a cool stamp!!