The Not-So-Elusive Alpha Male

Ned was clean and dry and ready to head so we headed back over to his Aunt Ruth's favorite area. This time I brought reinforcements (gloves and spade). 

Again I followed the clues and again they brought me to the same scene. I dug until I found a few suspicious rocks and what-do-you-know, there was the Alpha Male in all of his glory! 

He was also wet and dirty so I invited him over for some R&R. He was anxious to get back on the road so he headed back out the very next day. 

I am thrilled to have met Ned, especially after all this time. What made it even better is meeting him in Cape Cod in the fall. It's sublime. Just ask Ned, Nancy, and Aunt Ruth!

Meet Up with Ned

 

The meeting almost didn’t happen. The Alpha Male was elusive. But we persevered and found him having Midadventures with Nancy. 

Some care was needed so I invited Ned to come over for some R&R. I will drop him back off in a few days once he’s clean, dry, and buttoned up ready for some more misadventure. I also plan to return with reinforcements to look for that alpha male.

The mystery continues…

Shootflying Hill

 

Bill-lay and I wanted a quick outing and decided to check out this friendly hike where we looked for a fox, a whale, dolphin, and shark, and a friendly contest over baked goods. 

It was a blustery day but the sun was smiling on us. We enjoyed all of our finds, but came up short on the shark. But overall it was a great little walk in the off season.

X Marks the Spot

 Hot Lava and I got out and looked for the X that marked the spots. Lots of social distancing going on. But nice to be out and about on this beautiful day.

Hay There!

We didn't have to go far to find the Hay Boat at Salt Pond Visitors Center but we decided to adventure further anyway.

It was a misty and foggy morning.  It was a beautiful walk and we enjoyed meeting up with a little bunny along our way.

Remembering

This was the perfect walk on a beautiful Cape day with Cubed, Hot Lava, and Joe Money! I read the comments from challenged "In Memory of" finders. After some deep searching, we found it.

It's in great condition but the logs which it was under have rotted. We moved it just a little bit under two small fallen limbs between two standing live oaks that are beyond the large pine referenced in the clues. 

It's such a great carve, we don't want it to be impossible for others to enjoy it as well. 

D.e.n.i.e.d.

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH! 'Nuff said!

Off-Season Magic

Gotta love the off-season… and some of the comments from previous finders helped too! I struggled to find all three sisters in the summer but now, in the fall, the finding was a snap! The oak for the second stamp has been cut and now has shoots growing out of the stump. In summer, "green, leafy plants" abound. But in the off-season, I found the perennial shrub easily. FWIW, I would describe it as a yucca-type plant.  

These are great stamps. Glad they are all still active! This is such a neat spot! 

Bass River

It seems like ages since I’ve been a first finder! It was wonderful to get out after all the rain and snow! I was happy to stroll along this beautiful river. What a lovely hike and a beautiful spot! I can see why the native americans would choose to winter here.

Retired Sea Creatures

It had been 3 years since the last find. So I decided to retire these sea creatures. Kind of seems ironic to retire them since sharks and seals are such a large part of this area now. They weren't nearly as much when E-man and I first planted these seven years ago.

One had become surrounded by a sea of poison ivy so it seemed like it was time. This is one of my favorite spots on the Cape. Such a great little hike. Beautiful views.

Much Needed Maintenance

Blue Delft and I met at one of my favorite spots, Nixon Park. We began by bundling up (it was very chilly) and heading down the connecting trail for TNT’s self-portrait. Recent finders had commented that there were trees down in the area and much overgrowth. But I was bound and determined to find it. Blue Delft was very patient as it took some doing. Two large trees had fallen over the exact spot where the self-portrait lay. I poked and strained and dug and pulled and came up successful! 

Next, we headed over to take a peek at Hop Along Home (doing fine) and headed up the steps to the Geology Trail.  From there we tucked our boxes in for the winter and checked on some others too: Oh Fudge, Way to Go, 3rd on the 6th, a delft tile and Nixon (weird… I felt like I was being watched...). We also found a new spot for the self-portrait.

After crossing over to the other side of the park we found and pulled Blast Off. I believe this was the first box that E man and I planted together, nearly 8 years ago. It was badly in need of repair. The stamp itself as well as the logbook were both completely rotten. Ick.

The sorry state of Blast Off! Definitely time to retire!

Then we looped around and enjoyed 37. It had been a while since I visited so I was rewarded with some new images for my logbook. Next, we tried to find the rebel base. We came up short with Luke as well as with Darth.

A fun, cold, and very productive day. All safe and sound for the winter.

Please Walk!

The farmers in the dell were gracious enough to give it another try. The clue has been updated with stronger pleas to PLEASE WALK to this box. This is  NOT a drive by. Thank you!