Alas! Found!

After nearly 7 years I brought reinforcements to help me try to find the Maryland Black Eyed Susan. I must have been over thinking the clues because they really are not difficult. 

Fortunately, Blue Delft was not over thinking and even though I struggled yet again, she came to the rescue and we were able to add a pretty posy to our logbooks. Many thanks. 

More Ellicott City Adventures

Finding a Wood Thrush box is always a treat and this one was no different. The spot was absolutely gorgeous with the flowing trees bursting.

As if that weren't great enough, another WT gem!

I loved the Trolly Line trail.  We passed some interesting characters. I was particularly impressed with the guy who juggled while he walked.

On our way out of town, we also snagged a quick bite and learned about young love.

It was a wonderful day in a darling town.  Thanks to all the planters, and to Janila, for bringing me here!

Patapsco

I think I need a lesson on how to pronounce the name of this state park.  Enjoyed this hike but the bridge on the way to the bobcat wasn't my favorite.  Janila and BD got a kick out of me running across.

And to make matters worse, an enormous spider jumped on me when we were trying to sail away.  I screamed and danced around giving my friends quite a show.  I wasn't amused...

Creepy

Janila asked Blue Delft and I to accompany her to a creepy spot she had been eyeballing.  It was a perfect day to get on the trail so we set out.

We were first greeted by lots of very steep steps. The approach to the altar was lovely.  We saw a couple of deer and took in the vibes of the supposedly haunted area.

I was glad to have these pals along with me.  I don't think I would have been brave enough to go it alone!

Cold Enough for Snow

The turkey was cooking, the Turkey Trot was run, but football wasn't on yet so we decided to make our own snow scene.  There was no snow but it was surely cold enough for it!

We had a nice little hike through the woods.  Had trouble finding the snowman. (We never did.) But found another that was cleverly hidden!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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!

The Ofrenda

As I was researching ideas for Halloween costumes online, I came across some inspiration from Martha Stewart from her last minute Halloween ideas department.  If there's one thing I am all about, it is last minute. 

Anyway, I got to thinking about potatoes and how they so nicely lend themselves to the shape of skulls.  And skulls are cool. Which led me to noticing how nicely yams lend themselves to making ghosts and celery kinda could look like a marigold and I had beets in my fridge anyway so I figured I'd throw them in as well.  So veggie carving I did.  Primitive but unique. 

So then I needed a box or container to put all of them in. I began looking into the Day of the Dead celebration and learned that according to Wikipedia, "Tradition that is connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed." One thought led to another and before I knew it I had fashioned a makeshift ofrenda with carved root vegetables - patata, batata, apio, and remolacha.


I made the series available at the Dia de los Muertos event with very limited availability - after all the carving medium was perishable!  I did have a logbook but it was possibly overlooked.

Thanks to everyone for the nice and supportive feedback.  I'm glad you enjoyed something a little different.  I had fun putting it together!

P. S. Yes, I do realize that celery is not exactly a root vegetable, but who really cares? Que sera sera.