Quilts, Friends and a Wedding

Walker County Courthouse

We woke up Saturday morning to a cloudy day, but no rain. We had breakfast and with clues in hand made our way down town to the “Airing of the Quilts”. The quilts on display are hung from the balconies of the Walker County Courthouse and frames sitting all around the grounds and streets. There are a variety of quilts, antiques, handmade, machine quilted and heirlooms passed down to loved ones. It is a sight to behold!!! Seeing those quilts blowing in the wind is a beautiful sight. I’m amazed at the talent of these quilters. We also arranged to meet a special friend, Lone Star Quilter.
One of my favorites. The stitching was in the pattern of Butterflies.

We went to the show early so we could see all the quilts and box as much as possible that day. We admired all the quilts and even bought some material that will make great “pockets” for our stamps. As the time grew near for us to meet LSQ, we walked around hoping to spot her. The first thing we heard was her laughing and talking to couple of ladies. We made our way over, and had a very nice visit. We told her our plans, which were to head to Coldspring area on Sunday to do some boxing. She invited is to come by The Red Barn and have Cinnamon Rolls! We immediately decided that was at the top of our agenda.

Blue Butterfly, Lone Star Quilter and Lucy Locket.


The Red Barn Retreat

We were also on a mission to stamp in a “Wedding Book” at Telge Park in Cypress. We made our way down to this very scary, mosquito infested park. LL and I have stamped in almost all the boxes in this park, but there were three boxes we did not have and wanted the images for our logbooks. The first one we looked for was “Boiled IRA” this one was a little tricky, as there was water all over the “road” that lead to the box. I decided we could cut through the woods and still get the box. LL and I picked our way through the bushes and found the hiding spot. Whew! So glad we were able to get this one.
We made our way back over to the park to look for “The Wedding of Ira and Oonie” Following the clue, we hiked back to where the box is located, stamped in this lovely box and was very glad to accomplish this mission.
Dewberry had also recently placed a new box in the park, which we easily found and stamped in. It was getting late by this time, so LL and I decided to stop and have dinner in Cypress before heading back to our hotel.
What a wonderful day!!!!

Cruisin' Down 59

Roadside Park at Moscow, Tx.



Last year, Lucy Locket had told me about an event in Huntsville , “Airing of the Quilts” . This event is held on the first Sat. & Sun in May. We worked out our schedules to be able to go down on Friday, so we could take in all the quilts and letterbox.
I was fortunate to be off on Friday, but LL had to make her way down after work. I decided to take a route where I could find a few treasures on the way there. I stopped in Lufkin to check on a box for LL which is probably missing, but I am hoping LL gets a chance to go look just to make sure to stamp in "FlASHBACK" at the rest stop. As you would expect, there were a lot of people taking a break, so I took my time finding the box. Once in my possession, I decided it was a good time to eat lunch, stamp in, and wait to put the box back. I cleaned up, and went back to the hiding place where I put the box back safely. Loved this craving!
By the time I left the rest area, it was after noon so I decided to alter my route . I was going to head to Livingston and pick up a couple of stamps there, but time was getting away from me. Changing the GPS destination and headed to Point Blank . Once I found this community, I made my way to the location of the box. There were a couple of guys working on one of the buildings here, so I wasn’t able to stamp in the box.
I left there and made my way to Dodge, to stamp in “Get the Heck Outta Dodge” by Boots Tex. The entrance to this cemetery is a little hard to see coming from the direction I was, even though I passed it, I was able to clearly see it on the way back. Nice stamp and location!
It was time to make my way to Huntsville to meet LL. I found the hotel room and settled in to wait for my favorite boxer. She made it just in time to eat dinner and make our plans for Saturday.

Stained Glass Windows

First United Methodist Church, Harleton, Tx.

We were hoping for a nice warm spring week-end, but it was not to be. The weather report was for rain…COLD rain! We decided to get up early and venture up to Harleton and Lake O the Pines. We easily found the sight of the first box, Harleton First United Methodist Church. The cleaning lady allowed us to go inside the sanctuary and take a look. Beautiful stained glass windows, with old pews and pulpit. She was very gracious, and told us their pastor had just retired at the age of 90, after serving 24 years at this church. He is still very active, and enjoying life.
We moved on the Community Center and Centinal park, where we searched for a box that alluded us. We noticed we were being watched by someone at the community center, so we moved on the the next box.

Next, we headed up to Brushy Creek Area of Lake O the Pines, which was closed. We were able to get a few pictures of the lake before it started to get really chilly. It was almost lunch time, so we drove to Jefferson to eat at The Hamburger Store located at 101 Market Street. Great little place for a hamburger, chicken sandwiches and great pies too!



By the time we left the cafe, it was raining hard and getting colder. Time to head back home to our warm, cozy abode.

One Brave Lady!

Bell Motel has a box up at Potter's Point. Tx. on the banks of Caddo Lake, titled: “Bravest Woman in Texas”. There is a historical marker dedicated to this very brave lady, Harriet Potter Ames. Her husband, Robert Potter, was one of the signers for the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico. This box was placed on Jan. 10, 2009, and no one had ventured up that way to stamp in. I decided that since I was on vacation, I would venture up to Caddo Lake and stamp in this box. I knew it would be more than worht the drive, the locationa dnd the stamp would be great! It was a beautiful day and PsGuru and I made our way to Caddo Lake, and eassily found the box. Can't wait to read the book!Thanks Bell Motel for leaving a treasure for us to find!



We made our way over to Caddo Lake SP to find a box by JBK, “HOTM Bigfoot” I easily found the box and stamped in. Nice stamp! I have a couple of boxes at this SP, so I found them and I am glad to say they are still in good shape.
We left the park and made our way back to Jefferson to look for Jbk’s HOTM: Mule Ride. Easily found this box, and looked for HOTM: Ghost Walk, could not find this one. Decided to head over to Oakwood Cemetery and found a box by Mitch and Tami, Angels of Oakwood. Nice walk through the cemetery to find the box and very interesting history lesson about the people buried there.
Had a great day! So glad spring has arrived!

Scary!

Group Picture....TALE 7


Everyone made their way to the food area where there was delicious food awaiting. LL and I had a bowl of my Veg. chili and some of Bell Motel’s “Fruit Salad”. We quickly finished lunch so we could be a part of the group photo and get on the trail to find some boxes. LL had planted “Mug Shot” on Friday, so I was looking forward to seeing the image she had carved. After the photo session, we grabbed our backpacks and headed down the trail. We quickly came to “Mug Shot” and across the trail was Bell Motel’s Box. I went to retrieve Bell Motel’s box and heard LL saw “ouch” . I thought she had got a sticker or thorn in her finger. I went over to see what had happened, looked in the stump to see a Copperhead Snake making his was out of the stump. I told LL that she had been snake bit! She screamed and we started back down the trail toward the pavilion for help. At the trailhead, I dropped my backpack, and ran ahead of LL, spotting BarefootLucy, I told her I needed help! LL had been bitten by a snake. She asked me what kind, I told her the description, and she went into action, giving me info that helped calm me just a little. She called for Fearless Fox and told him what happened. I grabbed my purse from the van, and we headed to the Ranger Station, where the Park Supt. Talked to us and confirmed that the snake was a Copperhead. Fearless Fox talked to us on our way to the hospital, explaining some treatments for the bite. Once inside the ER, the nurse and doctor set to work deciding what treatment was best. After blood was drawn, it was decided that she needed to be transported to Austin, UMC Brackenridge. She was whisked away in the ambulance, with Anti-venom being administered through the IV. Upon arrival, all the nurses, students and doctors came in to look at the bite. After assessing where she needed to be, she was taken to the sixth floor Intermediate Care Unit. I was so thankful I was able to stay with her. She was monitored by several machines, and the nurse kept a watchful eye on day her progress through the night. Thankfully, the swelling had gone down quite a bit on Sunday morning. She was still not out of the woods though, the first 48 hours are critical. By late Sunday night, things were much better and she was able to move to a regular room on the ninth floor. I got much needed rest. Monday morning we were told that she would be able to go home. The doctor gave her an excuse to be off on Tuesday, and we headed home. I know she was more than glad to be back home and I was very happy that she was going to be OK.

All Aboard!!!

The Clue For the Circus Train

I had only had the Circus Train for about 48 hours, but I wanted to pass it along while we were at TALE 7. Lucy Locket had a great idea about how to make the clue available to everyone. She brought a sheet cake with her and I brought writing icing and a couple of giraffes to stick in the cake to let people know the train had stopped and when it had left. so could see the logbook and stamp the images that had been added to the box. We met Silver Eagle and Baby Bear at Boots Tex and Lone Star Quilter’s campsite We ran our idea by them and they thought it was good idea. On one giraffe, LL wrote “the train has stopped……” LL placed it on the cake and I wrote “Station 17 (our campsite) Elevated platform” We had put the box inside one of our bigger containers and placed it on top of our picnic table. Off we went to the pavilion to place the cake where others would see it. Silver Eagle and Baby Bear gave their approval, so after pictures were taken, we began exchanging and stamping in the event logbook. As time progressed, we both kept an eye on the cake to make sure no one cut the cake and made the clue unattainable. I hinted to one boxer that she needed to look on the dessert table for a special clue, but she did not quite get what I was talking about. After about 45 min. or so I decided it was time to give a hint or two to someone who would get the train into the D/FW area. I was pretty sure that Beach Bum Tx. Had not had the box, so I whispered to her and asked if she had ever had the Circus Train, she said no, so I told her to go look on the dessert table there was a clue she might want to see. She immediate ran back and asked me if station 17 was my campsite, and I told her yes! She grabbed Pink Cookie, and off they went. She made it back to the pavilion with bright eyes and a smile that could light up Dallas!! She said she got the box, but it took her three trips around the camping area to find the #17. I let Silver Eagle and Baby Bear that the train had been retrieved, and Lucy Locket put the giraffe on the cake that read ”train has left the station!“ WooHoo!!! The Circus Train has made it’s way to the D/FW metroplex! Can’t wait to see where it goes next.

On My Way!

I left home and was so excited to finally be on my way to the event location. I called Lucy Locket to see how far she had made it. She was in Waco, looking (of course) for a box. Along the way, we kept in touch letting each other know how close we were to the park. Around 3:30, LL called and said she was almost there. LL was able to get a nice campsite, plant a box and visit with other LB’er’s while waiting for me to arrive.
I made it to the camping area around 5:45 and immediately saw Puddle Splasher, Viewfinder and Sandibox! Stopped to say “hello” and saw LL across the road at our campsite. What a treat to see them, especially being the first LB’er’s of the event! We visited for a little bit, then I had to unload the van and set-up the tent before dark.
LL did a great job getting all the poles in the right place and we settled down to stamp in the Circus Train. We hid in our tent so no one would see that we had the train, and enjoyed placing all the images in our logbooks.

Excited!!

The week before the TALE, I was so excited to attend this annual event. I could not hardly wait for vacation and the trip to Palmetto SP. I had been hoping for some time that the Circus Train would be on the move and I would be able to get the stamps that were hitching a ride. Andplus2 contacted me on Thursday to let me know, her husband would be bringing the train to me! YEA! I would not even have to have clues to see what was in the box! I contacted Mother’s Love to let her know that I was going to get the box and would she like to stamp in while I had possession. She was thrilled! After I got off of work, Mother’s Love met me at McDonald’s to get the images. As we were inking the stamps, we were amazed at the carvings. Each one brought new amazement at how good they were. As we were inking the stamps, one of the employees came by and looked at what we were doing, we explained that they were carved stamps that a “friend” had carved and we were putting them in a book. She looked at several images and agreed they were good!She went on about cleaning the tables.
Mother’s Love had all the images, so I left to go home and finish loading the van to make my way to Ottine.

A Tin Lizzie and a Weeping Angel

After poor Lucy Locket spent the better part of the day at the shop with her car, she was still game to go letterboxing in Marshall. It was such a beautiful day, even though the wind was still chilly. I had fun surfing the net at McAlister's until she arrived. We had lunch and made our way to a fun day collecting stamps for our logbooks. I had already stamped in most of these boxes, but I so wanted LL to get the images left there by Boots Tex and Lone Star Quilter. JB Kokopelli saved the day for me as she had placed a couple of boxes around Marshall that I did not have. It was a lot of fun going back to the boxes I had already visited. The Scottsville Cemetery is a historic place to visit and I enjoyed going back there and seeing The Weeping Angel. We both were about to go crazy because we had not been able to letterbox much this winter. I am ready for Spring!!!!
It was a very long day for LL, but I am so glad she and I had another adventure!

Sweet Tea

Sitting at McAlister's waiting for Lucy Locket to make her way here for lunch and letterboxing in Marshall. We tryed last week-end to make this trek but things just did not fall in place for it to happen. We are determined on this beautiful day to find some treasures and add some nice images to our logbooks.

T.A.L.E. 7

One week from today, will be the annual letterboxing gathering for the state of Texas! WOOHOO! This year's location is Ottine, Tx. Home to Palmetto SP. Can't wait to pitch my tent and have fun with some of the nicest people in the state!

A Great Week-end!!

We arrived at Stinky Monkey and Roarin’ Lions house and unloaded the Christmas gifts and the fun began. What fun it was to watch SM, RL and Baby Sister unwrap their gifts! We were also celebrating Baby Sister’s Birthday. She turns three on jan. 30th. We waited for Lucy Locket to arrive before we had the birthday celebration. With much delight, we saw LL pull into the driveway. Hugs and smiles were once again exchanged as They opened their gifts from LL. We sang Happy Birthday to Baby Sister, let her open her gifts, and had some tasty cake before headed to the hotel.
I had high hopes that we would be able to grab a couple of boxes Sat. Afternoon, but the rain kept us inside our room. Even though we were stuck inside they had fun playing with some of the toys they received as gifts.
After an exciting and fun filled day, we all retired for the night, hoping the rain would stop by morning so we could do some letterboxing.
We awoke Sunday morning to a much better day. It was still could but, it wasn’t raining. I had high hopes that we would be able to hit the trail for On this trip, I decided some treasures. After breakfast, LL and I got together and mapped out our plan of action. I had clues for three boxes, so we loaded the kids and PSGuru and made our way over to “Ray Lum Mule Skinner”. Since we were boxing on an early Sunday morning, it was very easy to grab this box and stamp in. Next we made our way to a small community by the name, Bovina to stamp in a newly planted box by a new boxer titled “St. Albans” Nice location. We would have liked to stay here longer and take photos of the church but, being Sunday, they were having services so, we quietly stamped in and left. Hopefully, we will get back to this location sometime in the future and take some time to wonder around this very historic cemetery.

Down at the river wall, the City of Vicksburg has commissioned some beautiful murels depicting the history of the city. There is a box planted at this location that has eluded me for quite a while. This trip, I decided I was pretty sure of the location of this elusive box. Slowly making our way down to the river wall, I kept a watch out for the landmark mentioned in the clue. Eureka! I saw what I believed to be the location I was looking for. With the clue in hand, I made my way up the hill to begin my search. To my (and LL’s) great delight, I found the box! Thanks Corazon! Nice stamp and great location.
It was so nice to letterbox with SM and RL again. There are so few boxes in Mississippi, that we don’t get to find very many boxes with them anymore. It was a great week-end!

A fun time!

December was a very busy month for our family as it is with everyone. We could not match our work/ time-off schedules, plus I left on Dec, 26th the go on a mission trip to Mexico. Our first opportunity to have Christmas with Stinky Monkey, Roarin’ Lion, and Baby Sister. It was raining as we left to make our way to Vicksburg where they live. We stopped in Shreveport to have breakfast, all the while hoping the rain would stop. Lucy Locket was a couple of hours behind us, making her way to see her nephews and niece. I know they are very anxious to open their gifts, and I am very excited about seeing them again. I miss my letterboxing companions. I am hoping the weather will be good so we can stamp in a couple of boxes while we are there. I brought all our letterboxing ‘stuff” and a couple of clues. There’s a new box in Vicksburg that I am hoping to try and find. There are so few boxes in the area, that it is hard to do any letterboxing. Thanks to Corazon, we have been able to collect several stamps while in the area,