As we all know, each year Baby Bear and Silver Eagle host the Texas Annual Letterboxing Event, affectionately known as TALE. TALE 13 was held at Stephen F. Austin State Park in San Filipe, TX. April 1st.-April 3rd, and the theme was Foolin' Around. Since it was the thirteenth TALE the brothers decided to begin our adventure on April 1st, and carry that theme through out the event, with emphasis on pranks, jokes and tricks along with superstitions, charms etc. Little did I know it was going to be one to remember for a very long time.
Lucy Locket and I made our way to San Filipe on April 1st, and checked into our hotel. Normally we tent camp, but all spots were taken before I was able to make reservations, therefore, we had to "rough it" at a hotel. We had a very restful night, and were excited to get up and head to the park and see everyone. We stamped in, and as always, Baby Bear did a great job on the Event Stamp. We greeted everyone, and did a few exchanges before we picked up clues for boxes that had been planted recently for the event.
On the clue table, there was a list of boxes by The Renegades, who have remained a mystery now for several years. I must say whoever they are very mysterious and unknown to us. LL and I wanted to find these first because you never know if they will be available
again, or if they will answer your email and send you the clues. The really nice thing about the Renegade boxes, is they are usually a series following the theme of the event. Therefore, you can get several boxes just by walking down the trail.
We found the trail head where we were to begin, and noticed the trail was actually closed due to so much rain in the park. This park tends to flood when there is a great amount of rain so we were very leary of what lay ahead. As we looked ahead on the trail, we could see that it was fairly dry, and we could at least attempt to find some of the boxes. I told LL that we would just turn around and go back if the trail got too muddy to pass.
We did not encounter any trails there were impassable, and made our way around the trail without any problems. We were able to find all of the boxes those sneaky Renegades hid, and headed back to the pavilion for lunch. We were back on an open trail, when we met up with some letterboxers who asked us to join them as they were going back to the pavilion themselves. We hesitated at first because we knew we were headed in the right direction even though it was a longer way around, and we were not sure if those trails were dry enough to hike down. Who could turn down the chance to visit with newly aquainted boxers, one of which was from another state? We followed them around and quickly realized this trail was VERY wet and muddy. Our boots were getting stuck in the mud, but each time we were able to free them and move forward. I was laging behind a bit because I was unsure of what was ahead. They began to throw sticks and limbs down on the trail so we could make it through the mud.
Now, just let me pause here for a minute. I know there are some saying, the trail was closed, and you should not have been on it anyway, but I know there are many of you who have "crossed the line" at some point to stamp in a box. (I have heard those stories)
The letterboxers ahead of us were very kind and helpful as we moved along the trail. It was getting hard to continue walking, and I fell down in the mud! This trail was severeal feet wide, but very wet and muddy.When I fell I was sideways in the mud. LL and the other boxers were doing everything possible to help me get up. Suddendly I looked to my right and saw two little eyes looking at me. I was so afraid it was a snake, but it was a frog crawling out of the mud! EEEKKK!! I said a prayer, and was finally able to get up and move on down the trail. It was muddy for a long way, and we had to be very careful, even walking off the trail was muddy! I also had to carry one of my boots a long way before I could put it back on.
As we topped the hill by the pavilion, the first person we saw was Bell Motel! She is one of my favorite Boxing friends, so we had a good laugh together at how muddy I was and what had happened. LL and I left our boots outside to dry, and walked out to find a note attached:
BIO HAZARD
It did not take long for the story to be heard by several boxers, and the fun began! Of course everyone was glad I was alright (me too!) In the last picture, I am holding up my prize for the day....Mud!
Lesson learned! If a trail is muddy turn around, don't fall down!
It did not take long for the story to be heard by several boxers, and the fun began! Of course everyone was glad I was alright (me too!) In the last picture, I am holding up my prize for the day....Mud!
Lesson learned! If a trail is muddy turn around, don't fall down! 
