Off to Oz

The Yellow Brick Trail Group Picture




Saturday arrived, and I was anxious to get to Memorial Park. I wanted to stamp in a few more boxes before we gathered to exchange and give answers to PT’s. We arrived early enough to find these boxes:

Cola Wars (3)
The Wicked Witch of the East

I normally will walk away from where I actually find a box, so if someone comes by, I’m not near the hiding place. I was glad I did this Saturday morning as PSGuru was taking pictures behind me, along came a hiker. She was talking on her cell. Suddenly she stopped and was waiting like she was waiting on someone. She spotted me in the edge of the woods and asked me if I was taking soil samples. Hhhmmmm never been asked that one before. I told her I was “coloring”!?!?! coloring? I was caught off guard and that’s all I could come up with. PsGuru had a BIG laugh out of that one!! (in my defense, I WAS coloring a stamp) She was waiting on her small dog to catch up with her. His name was Bandit and as soon as he spotted me sitting on the ground he came over and gave me a very nice hello and went on his way. (after saying hello to Psguru too)



These four boxes were easy finds which I was glad because it was time to make my way to the picnic area where the event was about to take place. We found the “green balloons”, pumpkins, familiar faces and fun all in one place. PSguru got his chair and a photo magazine and settled in for the duration. I got to meet a lot of new boxers and enjoyed their stories stamps they brought along. Thanks to Dewberry, Mother of Five and Sandibox (plus others who sent boxes) we had a great time. There is a lot of work that goes into an event, and my hat is off to those who take the time to put these together! We had to leave early, (we missed the rain) and get back home. I think PSGuru is even ready for another adventure!

Follow the Yellow Brick Trail

One of the best bonus’s of Letterboxing, is getting together with other Letterboxing fanatics at gatherings. My usual boxing partner, Lucy Locket, had a rather important place to be on Sat. Oct. 6th, so I talked my LSS into going to Houston with me to attend the “Follow the Yellow Brick Trail” event. We left on Friday morning. I had the clues to quite a few boxes with the hopes of at least stamping in a few on Friday and maybe one or two on Saturday before the event. We arrived in Houston around 11:00, found a Subway close to Memorial Park, and had an early lunch so we would not have to leave and eat. I was so ready to get to the park and begin my treasure hunt! There is one thing about boxing for me, I don’t even think about food and I have to remind myself to drink plenty of water. We started on the trail close to the Rugby Fields around 11:45 and started out with “Tossing Around the Pigskin” This is one of Dewberry’s that is easy to do following the instructions. My LSS helped me with the degrees on the compass and I was able to stamp in the box. We had fun with this one and can only imagine what we looked liked walking up and down the Rugby field!!
After replacing the box, we were off to find a few of the “Oz” boxes. We found :

The Blizzard of OZ
I’m Melting!
OZ: The Twinkies Retreat
The Cowardly Lion of OZ
A Texas Tornado
The Tinman’s Oil Can

Stamping in

These were all fun and a good hike. I was surprised how my LSS was very willing to keep going and find all of these. He had his trusty camera with him, which was great as I had left my camera case (with batteries) in the van. As I took my camera out to document my finds, I was disappointed that I needed batteries and they were back in the van. I love getting home and uploading pics that remind me of where I have been, and the adventure of the day. It’s not like me to leave the case in the van and only take the camera, but I guess I was too excited to think of everything. At least I had the clues .

Auntie Em's house after "A Texas Tornado"

I will have to say, the Texas Tornado Box location was one of my favorites. It was another view across Buffalo Bayou that I won’t forget! I wanted to get back to Llawnmower Llookout, but did not make it back there. Another good reason to go back!
One thing that my LSS commented on was the fact that ALL these boxes were still there! I informed him that one reason was because they were just planted a few days before we got there. He does not like it when boxes are missing. I know it’s part of letterboxing, but it is a part of the hobby he does not like. Wouldn’t it be great if ALL the boxes you look for or plant are ALWAYS where they are suppose to be? What a dream!
The Tinman’s Oil Can did elude us for a while but, we were determined, and our efforts were rewarded with a nice stamp. I always like boxes that share a part of history. Oz: The Winkies Retreat was such a box. I did not even know about Camp Logan until I read the clue for this box. I am always amazed to think and imagine what took place on the grounds of places such as this.
Drenched, tired and hungry, we headed to our hotel to check in and get ready for Saturday. What a great day it was!