Adventures in Jacksonville

The perfect day finally arrived! The weather here in East Texas has been cold and wet longer than usual. I was so ready to get out and stamp in some boxes and check on some of mine. First, I headed to Jacksonville to not only stamp in JB’s May Series, but to finally exchange with a family of boxers that I have been trying to meet for a while. The Martin Girls were going to be at a location in Jacksonville very close to a box I needed to get. Martin Girl #2 had answered my PT quite a while back (Jan. 2007) They were going to be at the Redoux Event but had a change of plans. We exchanged Emails and agreed on a time and place. I drove over and sure enough there they were just waiting for me! What a delight! MG # 2 and I went outside and set on the sidewalk to exchange and learn a little about each other. She had carved her Sig Stamp which was very good. I came away with a couple of new stamps and a new friend.
Leaving the Martin Girls to their chore, I headed to stamp in the rest of the May Series. I drove over to Joe Smith’s Plant Farm where I was greeted by a very nice young lady. I asked for “The Patriotic Plant in a Box” to which, I got the look of a lifetime!! She had no idea what I was talking about. I then (as the clue said) asked for Betty Lou (she is Joe‘s wife). She was on her way to errands. I then began to tell the young lady that I was a Letterboxer. Another strange look! She began to call Betty Lou on her cell phone which was, in my opinion, beyond the cal of duty. I was sitting there thinking, I am going to have to leave and come back at another time. Alas, Betty Lou could not be reached. I was told the other lady who had worked there for a long time was ahem…in the bathroom but would be right back. I waited. I asked the young lady if she knew what a letterbox was. This her direct quote answer: “No, I have only been working here about 6 weeks or so, but I am learning my plants” I had to turn my head to hide the smile that was quickly spreading across my face. I was about to explain it all to her when, here came the “other lady” who knew just what I was talking about. Apparently she and Betty Lou both had been there the day JBK placed the box. I gave the “young lady” a lesson in LB’ing which she thought was fascinating. Now, here is where the story should end, BUT we started talking about the other boxers that had stamped in. Grizzled Gryphon had beent here the day before. They thought he was a delight. I told them they had met a very famous Texas Letterboxer! That made their eyes light up! It was a very interesting encounter and this was only my second box of the day! I would like to go back there sometime and look at all the plants and other unique items they have.
Next up was Mother Goose. All I had to do was go to Country Charm Candles and ask for a “Mother Goose Candle” I have stopped many times at the Country Charm Candle Shop and bought their nice candles with no problem. This was a Saturday, and when I pulled into the parking lot, It was FULL! This is not a common event. They had chosen this Saturday , to hold a “Candle Making Camp”. There were Mother’s and Daughter’s everywhere. There was a long line to get in the shop, so I decided that another day would be better.
The Memorial Day Box was in a nice little park dedicated to the Veterans. Easy to get and a cool breeze was wafting thorough the branches of the Crepe Myrtle trees where the box was located. Leaving there I headed for Castle on the Lake which I did not even know was in Jacksonville. Nice and quite. Easy find.
Now, by this time, I was running out of time. I had to be at my Daughter-in-laws house with a cake and supplies by 2:oo for a baby shower she was giving. I also wanted to head to my favorite spot in Jacksonville…Love’s Lookout. There were three reasons I wanted to make my way there.
1. THE VIEW!!!
2. Stamp in Monarch B’s Box.
3. Put a new logbook in my box there.
I decided to try for the last box in the May Series. National Hamburger Day located at Gourmet Gardens. Now, at that time, the clue did not say how far it was. My stomach was growling, and I needed to get to Love’s, pick up a cake and get to my destination. I made a decision to try and find the box . I was too far to turn back when I realized, this was going to be farther than I anticipated. I made it to Gourmet Gardens and had two encounters. First, there was another lady there wanting to by a specialty item at the store. It was closed. She drove from Nacogdoches to get this certain item to take to North Carolina. We could not find the business hours anywhere so, she gave up. Whew! I thought now I can slip across the road and get that box and get on back to Love’s. NOT! Here comes the mail carrier who pulled up and asked me if I was waiting on her. No, I was wondering what the hours are for the Gourmet Gardens. She had an express letter for the business, and said it was only open M-F. She left and I pretended to get back in the van and use my sell phone as she stopped just a few yards from where I was. Finally victory was accomplished as I stamped in the box.
Back on the road as I headed North to Love’s Lookout. Stopped and got a sandwich at Subway. Pulled into the paring lot and got Monarch B’s box which was really nice, and made my way to the trail where my box is. For the first time ever, there was a family there grilling and relaxing! They had both tables covered with summer fun items and ere enjoying a lunch cooked by Dad. I made my way to a picnic table enjoyed the view and the sandwich. The good thing about the situation is, I will have to go back soon to place the new logbook. It’s worth the drive!