Knoebels Gathering

see more photos at this link

Cyclonic's gathering at Knoebels was a perfect blend of great folks, laughter, and well thought out letterboxes. Blessings of the International Weather Workers were upon even those of us who camped the night before.

Nothing beats a meal with Janila when there is a letterbox for desert. We stamped up at Team Little Dog's "Piece of Pizza" before we set up camping at Knoebels. Cyclonic, his sister EB, Sewsowbusy, and Hikers & Hounds were the perfect hosts on the Hawaii section of the campground. They shared their canopy and showed us a preview of the most imaginative event stamp ever. Cyclonic's 4 color image creatively used a registration frame to bring the four stamps into alignment. Judy required extra "spirit" for hers to come together.

Bright and early Saturday morning, the boxers started meeting at pavilion Q. We were happy to see Lightinin Bug again and finally get to meet Star Wars Lego Boy. They brought some fun event only boxes and we were thrilled to eventually find their "World's Largest" letterbox. JBZfarm came soon after with Rainbow Girl bearing homemade cards and gifts for many and PA Paddler sharing cookies and a beautiful event stamp! It was fun watching them find the many nearby event boxes. I will never forget Hunter/Jumper asking her daughter, "Where are you *getting* all of these?" as they stamped into Janila's perfectly carved "Whitman's" table box.

The "Feedin Frenzy" was in full swing at no time at all. So many new faces for us! We were thrilled to meet Phynstar (whom we later tortured with a ride on the Phoenix), the gracious Charmed1, Teddy Bear and Flutter Bye. The von der Insels (Dave & Diane) came from Rhode Island and we had a chance to meet Anne of Green Gables, Gerania and later Lotus and crew. It was wonderful to again to see Sprite, Sheba and Death Moose.

It was a perfect day in the park but I was glad to have come many times before because there wasn't enough time to enjoy all of the rides. There were people to chat with and letterboxes to explore. We are glad we took time to be a part of the caravan that took Cyclonic's Covered Bridge Tour; a series of 6 local covered bridges situated in some of the best central PA landscape. Cyclonic made sure his directions led us to view each bridge at it's very best. In the end, we came away with yet another print of a master carving and an experience that shared a slice of this area's history.

I can't think of how things could have gotten any better except for having more time to visit before we had to drive back home. Thank you Cyclonic for the energy you put into making an event where we have gained new friends and warm memories.

American Ballet Theatre

Here is a shameless plug for a fun calendar. The 2006 Men of ABT Calendar, you must get it just for March, September and November!

What kind of mother promotes her son in a beefcake calendar!?

1,000 Steps

One awesome hike and one terrific letterbox were had today in Huntingdon County. The leaves are just starting to change and the weather is just cooling off. This is the perfect time to seek a perfect letterbox.

It was our second attempt at finding this letterbox and our third time on this hike. It doesn't get any easier with age but the reward seems greater each time. We had a a great time. You will too if you dare to hike 1,000 Steps.


I do wear other shirts, honest!!

Nature's Inquisition

"Why are you here"? asked Mother Nature "Why are you wandering my woods and fields?"

I don't think I heard her the first few times she asked but she took my silence as avoidance and tried to get my attention. Pointy sticks scratched my scalp as I scrambled up a deer path looking for an elusive letterbox. I stubbed my toe hard on a rock that seemed to come out of nowhere. I blamed it on fatigue and vowed to eat something when I got back to the main trail.

My morning saw very little of the main trail and by mid-day Mother Nature's voice started to become clear to me, "Why are you walking in my thickets and groves?"

"Why indeed," I wondered as I tried to twist my bare arm free from clinging green briers that had pierced my skin.

"Do not turn away from me when I am speaking to you!" she insisted but I gritted my teeth and stubbornly plowed my way through the grabbing needles of the raspberry bushes. I really hoped the next letterbox had a nice stamp, this hunt was a killer.

In the mid-afternoon, I stopped to take a long drink of water and look at my map. A few more letterboxes on the edge of a field that I could bike through.

"Why did you come this way?" she clearly asked as I was bludgeoned by cornstalks as my bike whipped down the trail. Poison ivy met me at the entrance to the wooded area where I had hoped to start seeking one last letterbox. I tried a different approach and was met by a wall of multi-flora rose bushes.

Exhausted from a day of biking, hiking, bushwhacking and rock hopping, I later sat with my sweaty back against a tree. I tried to pick a thorn that had wedged itself deep into the heal of my palm as I looked out over the lake. The late afternoon sun turned the water a color that matched my many scratches and cuts. The sky was turning purple and mauve to match the bruises I had on my shins from the logs and rocks I had failed to avoid.

"Why do I come here?" I answered with a sigh as I reminisced on the day, "Because I love you so."