Retirement for Pappa Bear's Dutch Oven

I have decided to retire Pappa Bear's Dutch Oven.  I got a note from a finder, 3BOYS4DOGS that yesterday they found the box destroyed and two torn ziploc bags in the vicinity but no logbook or stamp.

It makes me sad to retire such a great box but it seems like the right thing to do under the circumstances.  Pappa Bear's stamps really are neat.  His Woody was my very first find and holds such a special place in my heart.  Many of his are hidden in the beautiful Codorus State Park.  Check 'em out while they're still there!

No Apple Pie in the Dutch Oven today

From the Nut we headed over to the Dutch Oven, also in Codorus State Park.  The box was hidden in the best hidey hole.  And there was the cutest little toad hopping all around. I was afraid that I was going to step on him.  But he hopped up behind the bark of the hidey hole tree for safety.  I tried to get a picture of him but he was too fast.

As recent finders had been reporting, the stamp from the Dutch Oven was missing.  I looked all around the area thinking that maybe it was among the leaves and bark but I was not able to find it.  I've decided to keep the Dutch Oven active even though it is missing its stamp.  Hopefully between Pappa Bear and myself, we can get a replacement there soon. 

From the Dutch Oven, we went to find the Apple Pie but I looked all around and it is definitely missing.

Adopted Nut

You might remember that I adopted a handful of Pappa Bear's boxes.  We had been getting some reports of box issues so I decided to enjoy a late summer morning in Codorus State Park.  I was looking forward to it because I hadn't actually found these boxes before myself.  I there's nothing better than a Pappa Bear Codorus State Park box!

So I rounded up a few friends and headed out.  We found the Nut with no problem.  And what a mess the box was!  Ink was dripping and leaking all over inside.  I came prepared and provided the maintenance needed, replacing baggies and cleaning up all the ink.  And the carving did not disappoint!  We loved it!

Adoptions

Pappa Bear is the owner of my very first find, Woody.  It is still one of my most favorites.  In fact, many of my early finds were boxes of his, including the one pictured, Campfires.  Unfortunately, I believe that both Woody and Campfire are missing now.  But he's still got some other wonderful boxes in the area.  Anyway, I happened to see on his blog that he was relocating out to the mid-west and was planning on retiring his boxes.  I thought to myself how much I enjoyed these boxes and how I'd hate to see them retired so I dropped him a note and offered to look after them.  He took me up on my offer and just recently, he transferred his area boxes over to my care. If you haven't already, check them out.  The Heritage Rail Trail and Codorus State Park are both great destinations!