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…

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. 

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.

Kent's Point

I knew Kent's Point was a popular spot to walk your dog but I had no idea!  Everyone and their brother was walking their dogs at Kent's Point today!  We were the only ones with our dogs on a leash.  Seriously, are leashes not required in this park?  And what about poop bags?  Also not required apparently. Ick. Hot Lava got a hot mess all over his shoes.  :(

Great walk for us and the dogs, though. Nice views. I was able to find A-bear lying low as well as work out some clue updates for Licks.

Rising

It was the perfect day to visit the falls.  It had been 7 years since we were here before. Hard to believe. No wonder the boys didn't remember it well.

We saw loads of warty little toads and even found a tiny snapping turtle.  It was almost cute.

I checked in on the feather spirit but the tall stump it had been languishing in had rotted and fallen away. It was no where to be found. But thanks to bones, who found it last week (prior find was 2011!), I persevered and located the rising spirit.  After watching the family frolic in the falls and slide down the rock slide, I found a new place for it.  One that is much more accessible.

It's a cool little park.  Really enjoyed it today!

A Tribute to Pappa Bear

My very first letterbox find was Pappa Bear's Woody on January 1, 2007. I was hooked. I loved everything about the hike, the box, and the carving. I soon found most all of Pappa Bear's other hidden gems and became a big fan of his. Through finding his boxes,  he inspired me and taught me a lot about letterboxing. 

Back in 2011, Pappa Bear posted to his blog that he was moving and pulling all of his letterboxes in the area. I didn't want to see this happen since his boxes meant so much to me. So I asked if I could adopt his letterboxes along the rail trail and in Codorus State Park. He agreed!

Since then these boxes have needed some attention. I was able to band-aid things here and there in Codorus State Park but lately a complete overhaul seemed to be in order.  I hated to just retire all of his boxes. They were along a great stretch of trail, in a beautiful park, and I wanted to salvage what I could. So I came up with a plan and enlisted some help. 

An original Pappa Bear box in need of repair

My local hiking pal, Blue Delft, makes beautiful logbooks. She eagerly agreed to help out. Several boxers, even a few not from our area, stepped up to help too by carving some wonderful images.  Thanks Chunna, turkeyfeathers, Bungalow Boxer, and Janila!

Finally,  the plan was in place and Blue Delft set out with me to salvage what we could while weaving a tribute to Pappa Bear around his trail and clues, trying to stay true to his theme, original clues, trail, and carvings. 

Looking stunning in our blaze orange

Blue Delft did an amazing job with the logbooks.  Just wait until you see what she did with the logbook at the Thanks box.  Such a nice tribute.

I ended up retiring the I'm Hungry When Camping series and salvaging the Camp Coffee stamp.  With a new logbook, box, and location, I listed it along with the new series.  I know that this isn't technically correct since the carving already existed under a different listing but it seemed like the simplest and most logical way to do it.  

A final word to Pappa Bear: Thanks for the inspiration and entertainment you have provided to all of us central PA boxers over the years.  We hope that someday you can come back to visit, camp, and experience the tribute. We give thanks to you!  A surprise that's appropriate for this Thanksgiving 2013!  Enjoy!

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!

Snow day

What better to do on a snow day than organize your letterboxing backpack?!  I've been meaning to do this for ages.  Here goes.  Dumped out all leaves, pine needles, and dirt.  Retired clues for boxes I've already found.  Gathered together and logged into all the hitchhikers I've been dragging around.   And since I have so many right now, I planned a hostel to plant in the Spring.  Double checked that Hot Lava's stamp is indeed missing - and it is.  :(  Reorganized the pens in a more accessible pen holder.  Pitched old icky ink pads, put a few new fresh ones in the bag.  Added some baggies.  Ball for the dog.  Hand sanitizer and handi wipes for you-never-know-what. New logbook for Baseball Buddy.  And made an LB to-do list.

Evidence of Fathers Day

It was Fathers Day, time for the annual family bike ride on the Heritage Rail Trail.  Such a fun thing to do!

I looked for the evidence and found it with no problem.  I had a recent report of troubles but alas, all seems to be in order.

Sopping Wet

After lunch in Yarmouth Port, we searched for a little peace and quiet.  I've never seen anything wetter, moldier, and rustier.  I'm not really one to infringe on someone else's box but this one needed so much help, I didn't see any other option.  There were three logbooks in it and the first two (full ones) were in terrible shape. I left the third which was dry.  I brought them home to dry them out and will either mail them to the owner or return them to the box soon.

Peace Day Logbooks after drying

Maintenance Loop

After dropping off the self-portrait, we decided to loop around and check in on some other adventures.  We passed by the missing tile and stuck our tongue out at the tree again, and made our way to the 3rd on the 6th.  I took a look through the logbook and thought it funny that so many finders commented on the missing crude bench.  When Eman and I originally wrote the clues in 2007 the bench was very crude then, no surprise it didn't last more than a couple more years.  Anyway, I took care of a few things, removed a useless and filthy outer bag (where did that come from anyway) and hid it much better as it was practically out in the open.  

We also ran into a couple of salamanders in the area of the box.  We enjoyed looking at them but left them alone.  

From there I headed over to check in on Nixon.  I took some bearings to help with the clues since it seemed that some finders were having trouble.  Again, I removed the outer bag and rehid better. All the while, I got a strange feeling that I was being watched.  Perhaps I was.  After all, the woods have eyes.  

  

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!

Blast Off

I had heard from recent seekers that they were having trouble over at Blast Off.  So I decided to check it out.  E-man planted this box nearly 5 years ago and it was time to update the clues as some things have changed in the area.  I always love a reason to visit this park.  It is my favorite!

An unexpected meeting

As I was basking in the glory of my trip around the world, I took some time in the afternoon to visit a few of my ancestors in the Brewster area, Chillingsworth Foster (1680 - 1764), his wife, Marcy Freeman Foster (1687 – 1720), and her father, John Freeman (1651 – 1721).

Anyway, I've had a letterbox ready to plant that I wanted to put in a cemetery and was checking this one out to see if it would be suitable. As I was walking the perimeter of the cemetery yard I found an upside down container. When I picked it up and looked closer it was a letterbox. I didn't know where to hide it, I didn't even realize that any were planted here. So I brought it back with me and sent the owner a message. The box was missing a logbook which I replaced. Two days later I returned and hid the letterbox in its correct spot. I was unexpectedly pleased to meet Mr. Jonathan Cobb and have a little tour of his family. Unfortunately, Reliance was was not there, but her hollow was hard to miss.

Since I was in the neighborhood...

Since the hike is pretty short, Hydeezmom and I dropped by Pah Wah to check in there. Everything was in order.

50 State Update

I am pleased to say that I have been able to actually get my hands on the logbook portion of my 50 State Challenge hitch hiker. It has made its rounds to Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. 12 states in all so far, only 38 to go! It has some very cool images in it and has been to some really remarkable places.

In a day or two, I will be sending the logbook on to a boxer who is caring for the stamp and cover of the HH. There is still plenty of room in the logbook so keep your eyes out for it, thanks for caring for it, and keep it moving on!

Shout out "THANKS!" to Fun Loving Frogs, Green Jello, and ro of jerr_n_ro. I *really really* appreciate your help in reuniting this hitch hiker and looking after it.