Bulldogging by Old Beaver Field

On the second day of our Double Entendre weekend package provided by CPLE , they had us meet for a quick breakfast at Panera on Beaver Avenue. Stonefly had and enhanced level of maps and clues that he had organized himself, the tour package could learn a thing or two from him. Just when I was doubting if we were all really getting our money's worth, one of their representatives not only provided an excellent shuttle service but gave out complimentary coupons for their 2008 Boxin' Buns calendar! Sweet!

Campus was really low key that morning and allowed us easy access to many of the high traffic boxes without much problem. We learned that if we are loud and rude that a single cell phone user will move away from talking right in front of a secluded letterbox location. PA Paddler made some fast cash yelling "We Are..." at the Lion Ambassadors who are obliged to yell back "Penn State." Awesome photo opportunities everywhere from Old Main to the Lion Shrine. All stampers were tickled with the carved images even if the one carver was ungracious in receiving compliments.

The optimized route on campus allowed many, but not all, local letterboxes to be found. It took us right by the original "Old Beaver Field" location. We ogled the plaque which had a photo of many old beaver. Stonefly asked, "What's that aroma?" Must be lunch...

At Otto's! Someone ordered a really pale ale that was light but very hoppy. PA Paddler considered the Fish Tacos and RGBisMe recommended the Chicken Hawk. After the 3 shortest boozers ordered some Nittany Vineyard slushies, the real men (sorry there Hunter Jumper) sampled the brews. Apricot - Jolly Roger, many a fine beverage was tapped before abandoning one of us to seek out Reba's Rap.

It was a bittersweet moment but our tour guide reappeared with a surprise guest in tow, Birbanto. Exchanges and PTs were swapped.
We read of all of the many packages that this new CPLE offers. The Weekend Get Away package sounded great but the bonus that most attracted us to the Double Entendre weekend package was that it "guaranteed" one spontaneous event. This intriguing oxymoronic feature had us on our toes and we joked about what it might be. No one stripped naked and sang on the bar at the Millheim Hotel the night before (at least I don't remember doing it), the Nittany Lion didn't pop out to great us nor did Joe Paterno cruise by eating a Creamy Ice Cream cone. Our surprise came in the middle of exchanges near Beaver Stadium. Hunter Jumper exclaimed, there is a loose cow! It was a young, yet solid, calf that had escaped from someone who had just purchased it at the Ag Area and it was about to run into the traffic on Park Avenue. One of the tour guides encouraged us to take chase as they stayed to help Birbanto pack up his stamps. I do not yet have access to photos of this but they will be added - honestly.

PA Paddler met up with the feisty pawing animal first and it tried to charge him. He shouted and it veered away from traffic but decided to take a tour of Beaver Stadium and the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC). He ran back for his vehicle as Hunter Jumper hunted down a stranger and jumped into the his car. The chase continued as we all did what we could to corral this frightened and angry animal. Stonefly closed in just as RGBisMe was finishing his short stint as "cow whisperer". The agitated bovine gave the pacifist a butt then a good toss as Stonefly watched aghast! Eventually, the calf was cornered near the BJC. Hunter Jumper called campus police for assistance and made the new owner of the cow cry when she mentioned that there would probably be a few new movies on You Tube that evening. Puddleby comforted the crying bovine buyer with a hug.









We all met back where Birbanto was waiting to say goodbye. The tour guide drove him home but returned with a small token snack to commemorate the guaranteed spontaneous event. RGBisMe is all grins as he shares Cow Tails with the group!

The day was waning but more boxes were yet to be had. The local HH Resort was visited by some of us and then some Summer Fun. Although the tour provided clear instructions, it didn't mean that we couldn't get confused as to which way to go. The men differed in opinion but it took one of us ladies to really mess things up.

In all honesty, a better boxing day was never experienced and we have the CPLE to thank. Two of The 4Rhines had to sign on for the abbreviated tour so we had to say good bye to them with the view of Nittany Mountain as a back drop. We gave our final wolf whistles to each other and made a special trip to go and pick up Cpt. Morgan on the way to DaBraLady's cabin in Poe Valley. We needed to give PA Paddler and Hunter Jumper some privacy anyway (see last photo.)

Happy Valleys and Balcony Parties

You can keep your Mount Joy and Intercourse, just up from Pleasant Gap is our favorite place in the whole wide world, Happy Valley. We all booked the Double Entendre weekend package provided by CPLE.

We met up with Hunter Jumper and PA Paddler at an intermediate spot on the tour that was already in progress, it was an overlook with a view of Penns Creek over the Coburn area. Our drive to the vista was warm and drizzly but the colors in the Poe Valley area trees just popped! the red maples, yellow oaks and blue-green pines made a visual symphony. I didn't want to block the view with my backside so I ducked for RGBisMe's photo. Table for 4?

They were so organized! The tour guides had provided maps and an agenda. PA Paddler was a task master and made sure that all of the clues were in order. He pulled out the Swan Lake, Sylvia and Don Quixote letterbox clues from his meticulously filed clue sheets (also provided by the tour guides) and off we went down the mountain. Onto our bikes, we had to take Hunter Jumper's riding crop away from her. Whipping the bike was doing no good and some of us were getting jealous. We sent the men up for the romantic swan box who then had a bonding moment with a grouse. There just wasn't enough time to get all of the boxes on the rail trail that CPLE had available for us. We need to comment that the tour was well paced but they have to recognize that those who have signed up for the Double Entendre weekend package spend a lot of time laughing and cutting up. We were in the middle of nowhere when we looked at our watches. We had only and hour to change for supper if we wanted to make it in time for our reservations at the swanky Millheim Hotel. We were meeting Stonefly, Puddleby and DaBraLady there. It was swap night and were told by the were to dress similarly to whom you were to end up with. PA Paddler and I chose an orange and dusty sage theme while the other three ladies sported avocado cable knit tops. RGBisMe and Stonefly chose to watch. It was a regular balcony party. I was glad to have met up with skinny Cpt. Morgan although I am not sure if I need to blame him for the late night distress I later experienced. I will blame him for the fact that all of my blogging notes were either illegible or totally incomprehensible. Does this mean anything to anyone... "Laser surgery office as a good pick up spot." "There's puddin' at the buffet." Thanks Cpt. Morgan for confusing my night.

Do Unto Others...

What extent do our actions affect others in the context of new comers to letterboxing? My personal memory includes being received warmly by jbzfarm with my first excited inquiries as to what other letterboxes might be in central PA. If they had not answered my email or had been brusk in their reply, I wonder if my current enthusiasm for letterboxing would be as strong. I might have gotten the message that letterboxing was not for me if I had been treated as an interloper, outsider or newbie.

I was recently reminded by the Stonefly of the 4Rhines what it is like to move from the role of student to mentor. The 4Rhines have some people in their area that are just becoming familiar with and interested in letterboxing. Stonefly said it was a newer experience for him to have folks reaching out for advice on the subject and he remembered when he asked the same from us. He looks back to the times he requested clarification from veteran letterboxers and uses their responses as a guide to how he treats people who are now looking to him for some instruction.

We try to take our best experiences, the ones that made us feel accepted and welcome or inspired us to keep working on some difficult clue and emulate those moments when we are in the position of sharing advice. Hopefully we learn from any negative experiences in a way that we choose not to pass them on as thorny rights of passage. There is no need to have the mind-set of, "I learned the hard way and you will too."

Striving forever to be a good student as well as a decent mentor, I can get frustrated with how I see others sometimes handle those roles. I get disappointed in people who seek letterboxes and want speedy victories and difficult clues clarified for them on the spot. Sometimes it seems they have no patience for anything that doesn't offer immediate gratification whether it be an email response or big juicy hint to mystery clues.

I also have much less regard for the type of established letterboxer who has the need to drop names. I do respect the history of letterboxing, who and how it's evolution has been shaped, and the fact that not everyone wants to participate and share their clues on the same level. I however refuse to fein interest or have a mini-orgasm over the fact that someone carved a stamp for some historic event that I have never heard of (*gasp*) or solved a set of clues that are of no interest to me. This is probably the same reason I do not like perpetuating many of the online inside jokes that not only leave new comers (to the game/group/ area) feeling left out but are tedious to whomever chooses not to be included. Opposite to the beliefs of some, I do not think such foolishness fosters camaraderie; it creates exclusive groups that frequently come across as cliques.

On a basic level, everyone wants to be accepted. We were all new once, at everything. Remember what it was like the first time you created a decent piece of artwork, solved a difficult math puzzle, or successfully hiked up a steep hill. When we can draw on those memories we have less need to draw attention to our own accomplishments and our guidance of others who are just getting excited about the game can be more supportive and less critical.

WLBX

Well before I moved to State College I lived in Lewistown, PA and enjoyed listening to the two radio stations that could easily be picked up. There was the AM station, WKVA that my mother played when I was a young child. I remember the many used car lot commercials and was cheered by the end of Paul Harvey's talk show wishing me a "good day." As I grew and my musical tastes changed from my mother's, I chose to listen to the Lewistown's FM station WMRF. I looked forward to Casey Kasem's weekly American Top 40, hoping to hear if any of Frankie Valli's newest songs might actually make it up the charts. Many of them did.

Many of my idle moments were filled by mindlessly listening to the radio. The tunes became a soundtrack to my adolescence as I sketched, etched, painted and drew. I would find a way to jerry-rig the antenna so that my battery run Mickey Mouse head radio might play me some tunes all the way in the basement where I worked for hours in our home-made dark room. The music saw me through a summer of developing film and prints after I had successfully marketed myself as a portrait photographer to the region's Pony League baseball teams.

The hour commute to and from college was eased with music from WMRF until reception was lost on the far side of the Seven Mountains. State College radio stations had nothing to offer me so a lot of the time my thoughts were taken up with how to make the best out of learning at Penn State. A large college and my easily distracted nature were not a good fit. After a couple of years, I abandoned the idea of pursuing a degree and got a job in Lewistown.

It must have been during the couple of years I was in college that my musical tastes changed again. For the first time that I could remember, I found myself trying to tune into a different radio station out of Harrisburg, PA. I had moved my bedroom into the attic of our house, perhaps it was this move that allowed me to open up to the classical music that WITF offered.

I have never been one to easily make friends and have rarely sought out opportunities to make acquaintances. Like music, the people in my life have often been like songs playing in the background of my life with a few favorites that I would tune into to sing along with.

Recently, I have been lucky enough to have letterboxers whom I have met and befriended come to visit me while they are in the area. Cyclonic and Schizokeet came to State College the first weekend in October. We spent some time visiting in our home and then made a trip to Otto's for some brews and more conversation. The evening, like a good concert, could have gone on for days but RGBisMe had to work in the AM and our friends had to make it to their camp site at Greenwood SP.

This past weekend, Mr. Yuk, Longstockings and the Pirate visited. The came into town on homecoming weekend to pick up a package we brought to PA for them from GA. They were also glad to find some local letterboxes like Archaeobirder's Elms of PSU. During the time they spent in our home, RGBisMe and the Pirate played many a hand of Uno while Mr. Yuk, Longstockings and myself chatted about many interesting aspects of letterboxing. I could have, like with the other dear couple from the weekend before, talked with them for hours. The moment they left, RGBisMe said to me, "Fill me in! I only caught snippets of what was going on." We spent the evening smiling about the many ideas and things that had been shared.

I have been looking forward to this coming weekend for quite a while. Jbzfarm and the 4Rhines will be coming to the State College area for some letterboxing and visiting. We only had about and hour or so together at the Knoebel's camp out before commitments pulled us in different directions. So many great thoughts and jokes to share, grabbing a few moments with them will be wonderful and I know will feel all too short. I will have to keep in mind Lotus and Leafcutters are trying to plan a trip to the area soon after that. That will keep my spirits up.

Maybe letterboxing is like being tuned into a favorite radio station. On WLBX, each personality I have met is a tune I wouldn't mind hearing again. Letterboxing offers many varied playlists and I am really enjoying the genre. Having so many wonderful folks come into my life and take the time to visit with me fills me with a harmony that I can only define as friendship. Thank you, my letterboxing friends for filling my days with your varied and joyous music. Your ideas, love of nature, care and spirit will keep me tuned in to WLBX; every song you play is sure to be a hit.

A Thousand More

There is something about this time of year that just calls us to hike Thousand Steps. It didn't hurt that jbzfarm planted another letterbox up there. That temptation was enough incentive to have us agree to leave the cats alone for 5 hours as we hiked the 1,000 block steps to the level where the letterboxes are. Having two quality letterboxes on that hike by jbzfarm should be enough to make anyone want to run right up there (allow at least 2 hours) but the views are bliss. A group of Mennonite youngsters agreed that it is the perfect Fall Sunday (SGL) outing. I hope our random photos might encourage you to make the hike too.


This reminded us of Mososo Kruppe's first sig stamp

Miles Francis Kitten-Cat

Over a week ago a stray cat looking just like our youngest planted himself on our back porch. I did not want to encourage him to stay; I was sure his people missed him and I wanted him to return. He was starving though and required food, then love. All he wanted was to come indoors. This was during a very warm spell and we felt it was safe for him to stay on the back porch while we tried to locate his home. After much running around and expense, we had no luck and someone was removing our posters (odd!).

With the weather turning colder and the fact that our cats did nothing but act like he was one of our family, we took him to the vet for tests and allowed him to come in. This dear fellow now has the name of Miles. He gets his middle name, Francis, from the day he appeared on our doorstep. October 4th is St. Francis of Assisi Day. Why that didn't kick me between the eyes that very day is beyond me. Miles fits into this family perfectly.

Amphigorey with a Walk

Maga11 and I had to take a very large potted tree to Tracdc before the cold weather set in. We we happy to get together and visit at Tracd's home. She told us about her upcoming foot surgery and lamented the fact that she wouldn't be able to walk around freely for over 6 weeks. She happily accepted the idea of seeking Indigo Vulture's Edward Gorey letterbox series as kind-of a final hike before her surgery.

The creek was low but our spirits were high as we came quickly to the first box. It was just a nudge off trail and it suited us to be a bit hidden. Amazingly, Tracdc was true to frm and even in the thick of the woods managed to be a disc magnet yet again. OUCH!

We enjoyed the trails and the area very much but the highlights were the nicely carved stamps in each letterbox of this series. We snaked around the park trails. Tracdc didn't realize that the trails in the park were so many and she was happy to know of another great local park. We all agreed that it is one of the most enjoyable things about letterboxing; when a letterbox opens your eyes to something that was right under your nose but you didn't fully appreciate it.

Toward the end of the walk, Maga11 regretted not bringing her cane. Not because she was fatigued but she probably wanted to bean me for getting goofy with some feathers I found along the way. We had a long drive back to our homes that evening but it was pleasing to be able to look back on this letterbox series that allowed us to visit in a cool area.

There's No Place Like Home

What ever made us think we could start out early Sunday morning is a mystery to me. It was just hard enough waking up and on top of that we had to say goodbye to our close friends. It reminded me of when my family would travel to MS when I was under 10. We would travel a few days, visit a few days or a couple of weeks and travel home a few days. This had been another intense trip like when I was a kid and when we had to leave, I felt myself choking up. It is rare when you make such a connection with someone. Mososo Kruppe are so down to earth and big hearted. They opened their home to us and lavished us with praise on our letterboxes. I know I will think back on our conversations for months and they will bring a smile to my face.

The beginning of our trip would have been more glum if we had a dull stretch of interstate to start with. Our goal was to get through Atlanta while everyone was in church. (As it turned out those who weren't in church could watch a service on tv at the McDonalds in McDonough). Navigating the city was a thing I had been dreading, it turned out to go very well and we busted into South Carolina in not time at all. After a quick letterboxing grab at a rest stop, it was on to North Carolina.

I had taken some time to solve a mystery box near Charlotte, NC. We didn't take time to get it on the way down because we planted a letterbox, Draw a Red Card, near Gastonia. The park in Charlotte was a good place to take a break but we came up empty handed on the trail we chose. We trailed another access point to the trail to try to make the clues work but failed again. After two more access points we found it, isn't it always the last place you look? I was pretty happy that RGBisMe encouraged us to persist. I was getting pretty tired.

We did manage to push on past Roanoke to Staunton for the night. We had stopped for some Chinese food off of I77 exit 14 and, well, it wasn't sitting very well with us for the next day. RGBisMe maybe should have washed his hands after rubbing that Buddha belly.

During the trip we were treated to vistas and rolling hills. The Blue Ridge Mountains really are blue in certain lighting and the Piedmonts are breathtaking. It was with pleasure that we swept into the flat area from West Virginia to north of Harrisburg, this meant we were almost home. We missed our kitties. We had been keeping in contact all throughout our trip with the reliable and generous folks who took care of our pets. Here is to DaBraLady, Maga11 and Terra for making our trip possible.

When we drove up and through the region called the Seven Mountains I commented to RGBisMe, "We live in a beautiful area!" Each region has wonderful things to offer. Meeting new people spawns new and creative ideas. I can say, I love where we live and the letterboxes that surround us. Visiting an area with differences can sometimes make you appreciate all that your own home has to offer.

99 Bottles Tour, Taco Mac

We were late but we were much more fresh than if we hadn't stopped at the MK homestead. We also felt a little sad leaving the Barghest behind but we had no choice. Even showing up an hour late, the other event attendees had not yet gotten their entrees. I am sure we missed a round of beers and maybe some bloomin' onion but my ever expanding thighs didn't need that anyway.

I had done some research about Taco Mac online and until very recently the only thing they had for vegetarians were a side salad and maybe french fries. We couldn't even have the grilled cheese on the kiddy menu because it clearly stated it was for children 12 and under only. I wrote to the corporate headquarters asking for some suggestions on what entrees vegetarians might be able to take advantage of. The fellow that wrote back to me, within the day, was pleased to share that they had just expanded their menu . Although it wasn't on their online menu there were some very tasty veggie entrees. I can't remember what all they had but there were some nice selections. We both opted for the vegetarian burrito.

The party was underway and everyone was quite happily seated at the two outdoor tables they had secured in the mellow evening. Then came the part that made my evening... I was CARDED! I later found out everyone has to be carded, unlike in PA where you only have to look like you are over, um, 29. Regardless, our waiter was guaranteed a substantial tip.

I sat by the charming Artemis who told me about her travels across the country to different letterboxing meccas. She was a wonderfully caring conversationalist but it was at this point in the evening, I am afraid, I went from being antisocial to obnoxious. I neglected to ask little if anything about the people I was sitting near and laughed loudly at my own jokes. I started channeling demons, being rude to underaged peoples at the party, even after they generously brought me a drink.If there are rumors of my behavior at this party, it is all true. Things that normally just stay in my head as thoughts came pouring out of my mouth. The only time I regained my decorum was for when some boxers asked me for my Of Things Arcane personal traveler. I read the cards truly as they fell and was honest and pure of heart with intent. Leave it to tarot cards to sober me. I was glad to give Oread a second reading as it gave us a chance to chat a bit when we hadn't earlier.

The meal was good, the brews were very tasty and unique. It was a great place for a get together. Before we left for some night boxing (I know right?) RGBisMe and I were able to sneak away and get one of the coolest little boxes, Mooky's Beer Run. It had a lot of inspiring elements as do a lot of MookyDipper's letterboxes. We were pleased it came as our 400th find.


The night boxing we did wasn't quite like any we had ever done before. The theme of the stamps was for the 99 Bottles series so it wasn't a night theme, well I guess you drink beer at night so it kinda was. The plants weren't hidden in a way that they used reflective materials so I am thinking they will be regular boxes after they debuted. The clues weren't chosen as to what is easily seen at night, like lights that are only on at night or reflective devices. I guess it was more like regular letterboxing but at night. The planters of some other nearby letterboxes were along so they generously allowed us to slack box and stamp in.

It was a long day but the evening went on until the very last box was found at 1AM, near the courthouse, with police parked all around the other side of the building. We said our goodbyes to many of the folks we had met and most likely insulted over the course of the evening. I am afraid I didn't do our Central PA letterboxing reputation proud but I was glad to have met these hospitable and polite folks.

Pow Wow 2007

The Barghest was a very good fellow all night long but our day started out way earlier than any of us would have liked. After a yummy breakfast of mix n match cereals, we headed off to the Pow Wow that required a couple hours of driving. We were tempted to stop and buy some golf clubs but stayed focused so that we would not be late.

When we arrived at Macintosh Park, we realized that none of us knew just where the letterboxing event was gathering in the park. I had also neglected to copy StarSAEL's cell phone number down before my Atlas Quest mail was not accessible. We decided to wander around the park and pow wow area and eventually hope to bump into some other letterboxers. Our stroll took us along the bank of the Chattahoochee River. Now jbzfarm pay attention here, this is NOT the Susquehanna yet there is a letterbox hidden on a little island out there. The Chattahoochee is not quite as wide as the Susq but even when the water is low due to drought it is rushing! That is one powerful river. Folks have swam out to the letterbox even in November! We were going to bring our rubber raft but thought that the pow wow would have brought so many folks to the park that our escapades would draw undo attention to the letterbox. As if they would have gone out to check it out, ha! As it turns out, Ma Pickle later swam out to the box the same day and logged in. Crazy!

As we expected, we ran into some kind letterboxers who were coming down to also enjoy the area around the amazing and beautiful Chattahoochee. They directed us to where a few folks were parking their cars and getting ready to exchange with each other. The Barghest lead the way, unless it was in the sun then he decided to lie down. When we got there we were glad to meet our host, Star SAEL's (our event host), Nature Crew and the intrepid Ma Pickle. We stamped onto the event log, got the impression of the event stamp and settled down for a brief meditative moment before the cheerful exchanges began.

We met so many new folks, a few like MookyDipper we have heard about for years but knew nothing about. RGBisMe had an advantage over me as he had done research on everyone's personal travelers. I had gotten tired of doing so much research for the answers then not having the guts to approach anyone to get the stamps. What I found I missed was not knowing anything about the people I was exchanging with. I found there were all sorts of personalities, many reminded me of letterboxers from Pennsylvania. RGBisMe agreed that if we can eve get PA Paddler, Lightnin Bug and Eidolon together and harness their enthusiasm that there would never be an energy crisis again.

If you are ever feeling peckish at a pow wow you know that it is time to seek out some FRY BREAD (recipe below)! I got in the line for some fry bread and "res juice" while RGBisMe went to a different vendor for some fried potatoes. My line went more quickly so I stood and waited with Mososo Kruppe and watched the Barghest get puppy socialized with many kids and adults. It was so neat to see him be approached by a fellow in native Creek garb with his face painted and the Barghest didn't even flinch. He was much more interested in a pair of furry leggings with bells that a man who walked by was wearing. From tear dresses to loin clothes to ribbon shirts, our good people were in full regalia. The Barghest had a chance to meet a few other dogs as we stood there too. I looked over to see RGBisMe paying for his food and saw a couple of well groomed dogs waiting in line behind him. I pointed them out to Mososo Kruppe but they were confused and said they could only see RGBisMe. We then realized that "Look, there are some boxers," had a couple of meanings on this day.

We walked back toward where the letterboxing event was centered but decided to get a few boxes along the way. Mososo Kruppe were kind enough to orient us to find a few boxes they had already found. They were on the same paths as some of the newer boxes put out just that day. All of the clues were really straightforward and many of the boxes were pretty much right on the trail. Carving styles were very diverse but all were crafted by hand. No complaints at all. We dodged road apples as the trails were shared by horses. This gave the Barghest a few new experiences.

Chatting with our good friends on the trail, we realized we would all like to freshen up before the next event. Although 3 of us had pre-arranged to hitch a ride with Oread, Artemis and Eidolon, we changed our minds and all decided t.o all go back together. Visiting on the 2 hour trip back was more good fun once the Barghest got cooled off from the air conditioning. We were glad he was tuckered out because he wasn't invited to the next event, 99 Bottles at Taco Mac.

true indigo's fry bread
4 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup powdered milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon canola oil plus oil for frying

Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add 1 cup of water water all at once and mix well. Add more warm water until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a clean, dry surface and begin kneading adding additional flour if the dough becomes too sticky. When dough is smooth and elastic, add 1 tablespoon of oil and work it in a little, leaving the dough slightly moist. Place the dough in an oiled bowl in a warm spot, covered with a clean dish cloth, and let it rise for 1 to 2 hours.

Heat oil in heavy skillet until almost smoking. Pull off small balls (about 1 1/2 inches in diameter) from the dough and roll them out to 1/4 inch in thickness. Deep fry the dough patties in hot vegetable oil, turning once, until golden. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately, with powdered sugar, honey or best of all, plain.