Arkansas!

Friday morning, we packed up the van and headed east to the home of the Razorbacks. Much to our surprise, the speed limit was 55! We drove a long way at this speed which, was pretty strange to us. After all, it was slowing down our progress! We had more boxes to stamp in. We made our way to Lake Catherine State Park to stamp in Baby Bear's "CHIP" Box. Much to our surprise, Barefootlucy pulled in just behind us. What a nice treat to have a fellow Texas Boxer to walk the trails and find the box. Really nice park with a lake of course (hence the name). The three of us made our way around the lake to the suspension bridge to where the box was. Easy find and nice stamp! After stamping in, Lucy Locket left BFL and I to chat while she hid her box. BFL had other pending obligations, so we parted and I made my way around the trail to find Lucy Locket and her clues for the newly planted box. Another nice stamp add to my collection.
One purpose of this trip was to attend The Arkansas Gathering put together by Shiloh. We checked our hotel, ate dinner and updated our finds. I am excited to meet some new boxers here in Arkansas. This is going to be a casual gathering and I can't wait to see the stamps I will get!

Another Great Day to Box

After getting a really good nights sleep, we packed once again for another day of boxing in beautiful Southeast Oklahoma. We headed north and I was hoping to ride along the Talimena Scenic Drive. This is a drive I highly recommend. Even if you are not boxing, there are great views and lots of Vistas to pull over and take in the granduer of the Kiamichi Mountains. I never tired of looking at them! We were diappointed that the Kerr Aboretum and Nature Center was unavailable at the time we were there. Silver Eagle has a box there that we were hoping to get but, alas, not on this trip. I also love arboretums so, this was also a disappointment for me. Just gives me another reason to venture back this way. It was a long drive but well worth it, as we headed to Antler's to pick up a stamp by Happydays. Nice little town and it also made me realize how important it was back in those days to find water. The box is at a historical sight where the indians found water and marked it with antlers.
It was getting late in the day by the time we left Antler's, so we headed back to get a bite to eat and rest for the next leg of our journey. It was a great adventure!

Spring Break Trip

Going to Beaver's Bend Ok. has been something I have wanted to do for a long time. When I was able to get off Spring Break week, Lucy Locket and I decided that we would venture up across the Red River. We left on Wed. morning and arrived in time to still get some boxes. I am not too thrilled with Daylight Savings Time, but, when
I have extra sunlight to find some more boxes, I forget how much I don't like it!
One of my favorites, was walking along the Mountain Fork River where there were lots of Dad's and Sons fishing. (Although, I never saw anybody actually catching anything). It was such an awesome place to walk along and watch the water flowing and seeing hopeful fisherman patiently waiting for the catch of the day.


We walked several trails and collected more stamps in our logbooks.At the end of the day when the sun was sinking into the west, we drove across the lake to discover a view that is grand! The mountains and the clouds were reflecting onto the
water and there was a soft haze over the mountains that just took my breathe away. I wish my camera would take the picture as I see it, but it will never fully get the actual beauty of what I see through the viewfinder. After taking lots of pictures, it was time to call it a day and head back to our hotel to log our finds and get some rest.

Rainy Day Fun!

Spring Break is a great time to round up your favorite boxers and head to a trail! Lucy Locket and I wanted to do just that this week. I picked up Stinky Monkey and Roarin' Lion Sunday evening so we could get out early. The weather was rainy (plus SM & RL sleep in) So we decided to head to the Discovery Science Place in Tyler. this a really cool place and there is something for kids of all ages. The boys always enjoy going there. If you are coming to East Texas, it would be anice place to let the kids have some fun for a hour or two. Here is their web site: www.discoveryscienceplace.com
After playing on every station available, it was time to go. The weather had cleared, so LL and I decided we could at least drive to jacksonville to see what the weather was like there. We were wanting to get JBK"s march series. By the time we got to Nicholas Green Park, the rain had stopped and we were able to find all of the series. They were located in places that were fairly easy to get from the sidewalk.It was very muddy of course, but as we all know, it takes a lot more than a little mud or water to keep us from retrieving a box!! After stamping in all the boxes, we were glad the rain had held off and were hoping to get one more.
We wanted to get Lightning's B-day box, so we made our way to Buckner Park. cool stamp! I have to say here, Lightning is one of my favorite boxer's. He is so polite and always makes me smile. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIGHTNING!
Tired and hungry, we made our way back home to get cleaned up, get a bite to eat and go see baby sister at SM & RL's house.

Millard's Crossing

What a beautiful day to go letterboxing! Actually, I started out with the Tyler Photo Club and my LSS who had an outing down at Nacogdoches to tour Millard's Crossing and take photos. For those who may not know, Millard's Crossing has several buildings that were rescued and placed on this property to perseve history. For more info, go to www.millardscrossing.com. If you are going to Nacogdoches to collect some new images, there is a box at Millard's Crossing which is really nicely done by Ashby. I was able to break away from the group just in time to get the box and hide it in my backpack until a better time to get it back in place, which I did without anyone even knowing what I was doing.
I had several clues with me and was excited about being able to get some of the newer boxes in NAC. After lunch, my Lss and I headed to Pioneer Park to retrieve a box for Lucy Locket. Mission accomplished, we headed to Lake Nacogdoches to get two more of Ashby's boxes. I had not been out to this area and wanted to see what it was like. It was a great view! "Dragon by the Lake" and "Peace Now" were fun finds. I would not recommend going there too late in the day, and be careful if you are going by yourself. There seems to be a lot of party activity in the area.
With other obligations pending, we headed home. It was great day and I have 3 new images added to my logbook.

Washington on the Brazos

We broke camp Sat. night, and headed for Brenham to spend the night and head to Washington-on-the-Brazos Sunday morning. It was such a nice day even thought he wind made the temperature feel very chilly! It was Texas Independence day and there were people everywhere, except ont he trails!!!! Of course that was where we wanted to be. We met Ginger Cat and Sky Bird on the trail and were happy to see them. We helped each other with some of the boxes. Silver Eagle, Baby Bear and Clueless Collector were also roaming about looking for boxes. I especially liked The Legend of the Blue Bonnet. Nice stamps Lone Star Quilter!! We stamped in all of the boxes in the park and headed to the visitors center where we saw Barefoot Lucy and lighting. We chatted with them for a bit and headed to the car to leave and have lunch. It was a wonderful week-end which I needed. Sometimes we just have to stop our busy lives and focus on other things just long enough to pause and get a fresh start. All the painting of the world cannot capture the pictures that God paints for us daily. These two state parks were pictures that will forever be imprinted on my mind and heart.

Lake Somerville Gathering Part 2

We jumped in the van with my tasty Vegetarian chili and headed to the pavilion. This was my first view of the lake and it was a great view! Pulling up, we saw our letterboxing friends. The event stamp by Baby Bear was really nice. The exchanging and stamping began! I was able to get some personal travelers from several boxers to add to my collections. We were also handed a clue to a GG box which Lucy Locket got pretty quick. Thanks Lucy Locket!!!
It was nice to meet Batty Girl, Dream Catchers, Adams Trails, Ginger Cat, Skye bird,and Dizzy Monkey. After lunch, Silver Eagle held a LB trivia game that gave us all knowledge of the history of LB"ing and how it got started in Texas. It was interesting to find out that Silver Eagle has boxes in 32 states. Quiet an accomplishment.
Lucy Locket and I decided it was time to add some stamps to our collection, so we headed out with Dizzy Monkey to find GG's WILD Flower. Cool stamp and location. After location Flowers for Alergon and Wildflower Friend (my personal favorite) It was back to the pavilion for another bowl of chili and conversation. Lucy Locket and I stayed after 9 PM talking and listening to the stories that made us laugh. I was in awe at how GG started boxing and the way he cleverly made himself known to the boxers at the JEN gathering. It was a wonderful day that I enjoyed so much, I hated for it to end. One note to myself net time I hide a box at a gathering, make extra copy for myself so I don't have to email other people for my own clues!!!

Lake Somerville Gathering

I had been looking forward to the 4th Annual Texas Gathering with great expectation. I had not been to Lake Somerville State Park, so I was really looking forward to what was in store for us there. I left Friday afternoon hoping against hope to make it before dark. The sun was just setting when I entered the park. I stopped at headquarters to get my campsite, when I looked over and there was Silver Eagle, Clueless collector and Baby Bear. How nice to see them again. After a little chat, they headed out to their camp site and I finished my paperwork.
The campsite we had was near the bathrooms and a really good spot. I loved this park. The campsites were really nice and the fishing pond was something I would like to go back to with Stinky Monkey and Roarin'Lion. I have decided that this year i will take them camping more and spend more time at the state parks. They are family friendly and clean which are two major selling points for me. I proceded to get all the equipment out and set up the tent. The tent was easy, but I have made a note to myself to take a 3 prong adaptor so I won;t have to work so hard to get air in the mattress. I worked up a sweat doing that little task. :) By the time Lucy Locket made it there, the tent was up, the chairs were out and the bed was made. We were ready for the night. I was especially glad to see LL drive up to our camp site. I was starting to get lonely since it was getting late and I was there by myself and no one was in the other campsites around me. I did have a radio and flashlight which helped a lot.
We sat out with blankets around us for a while talking and then decided we better get to bed. We were almost too excited to sleep. It got rather cold that night, but we were able to get some sleep. It had been a while since I had been camping and made some mental notes of what to do and not do the next time. I am planning a trip to Gander Mountain friday to check out some of their camping stuff. I am ready to do it again!
We woke with the daylight, and made our way out of the tent. With my backpack and boxes ready, I headed out to plant a couple of boxes. As I was walking to the trail, 4 deer crossed the road in front of me. There are a few advantages to getting out that early. What a treat to see them! I found the Family Fishing Pond, which I loved and hid A Little Lady's Blue Bonnet. I decided to plant Hat Trick there also. I had this one for a while and was glad to finally find a place to plant it. With the boxes in place, I headed back to camp to see what Lucy was doing. It was time to clean up and head to the gatherng.