To Quantify or Qualify

Another autumn day spent with my dearest friend. The plans we made for the weekend were carried out to a certain extent. We spent the morning letterboxing, hiking, biking and for what is probably the final weekend of the leaf peeping season for us.

One of my favorite parts of letterboxing is the navigation. I have always loved maps and the challenge of discerning exactly where to best start a hike or just how far on that log road we might be able to bike is like brain candy for me. The down side is that I am constantly agonizing over whether or not I have made the right choices and it sometimes gets in the way of enjoying the moment. It is one reason I prefer the planning stages of many activities.


Sometimes I can shave off a mile or two of a hike by choosing a different and lesser used trail head. Typically this means a steeper ascent but we revel in the road less traveled.

We hiked the entirety of the Bob Weber Trail to Wolf Run Bald. The comments in the trail register almost always included exclamations about the length of the trail along side of the written marvels of the view. It is less than 2 miles to Wolf Run Bald Vista but quite a workout. Most folks think the distance was under estimated but, according to the track on our gps, it is not.

This trail is a perfect example of what we love about a hike. It has stunning vistas which can be argued to be better than any we have seen along the length of PA's section of the Appalachian Trail, Mid State Trail, or Quehanna Trail. What makes this little hike tops for us was the lack of foot traffic it receives. I realize not everyone signs into the trail logs but it is really only a handful a month even in the summer and fall. Unlike many sections of the AT where you have to step to the sides to avoid multiple day hikers, back packers and Scouting troops we only ran into one other hiker all day. He was through hiking the Black Forest Trail and seems rather shocked to come across a couple of day hikers even on this perfect Autumn day. The trail heads are so easy to get to but don't draw in the vast numbers of vista gawkers that have scrambled up the hill from Cabella's. Thanks to the Bloomies and jbzfarm for introducing us to this great location.

We ended our explorations before we had done everything that we had planned. I tired out much more quickly than I had expected and I realized that the rest of the afternoon was not going to be enjoyable for me if I continued to push. My understanding partner was ready for a Coke break and we grinned across a table at each other. We agreed that a break was much better than griping at letterboxing clues that weren't coming together for our tired brains just to add on six more miles or finds or peaks or vistas. We opted for the road more frequently traveled and traveled home to look back on another glorious day spent together in the heart of central Pennsylvania.

Tico Tico

Ravenboy will be performing the solo role of Tico in American Ballet Theatre's Premiere of Paul Taylor's Company B. The first performance will be this week at Bard College then they will perform it at City Center in NYC.

Photos below are from his rehearsal today.

Indian Summer

Indian Summer is an inexact term for a spell of warmer weather sometime after the first frost. Some say it has to be a stretch of about 7 days after the Autumnal Equinox where the temperature is above 70°. It's never easy to predict if we are going to get any more warm weather before the chill of Autumn sets in in earnest so I am calling this Indian Summer.

The leaves are nearing peak color in this area with the Dorrito trees having been harvested last week. Maga11 is coming today to help me plant 8 letterboxes for the Scotia's Scary Secrets event in two weeks. I am looking forward to some time walking around Scotia Barrens with her this morning. RGBisMe and I are happy with a map we have designed to help navigate this area.

We enjoyed some time in the car and hiking a few places this past weekend. A nice drive through Quehanna showed us vibrant leaves and bold elk. Dropped apples near a tree were hiding one of the largest yellow jackets we had ever seen. Mososo Kruppe battled for the muddiest foot award (votes will be tallied in comments section below.)

I chatted online with a good friend who took advantage of the weather to hike and letterbox with her sister. She is only getting out once a month for such an outing but chose the perfect weekend. She was kind in wishing us the same type of weather in a couple of weeks for the Scotia's Scary Secrets event.

I am blessed to live in an area of the country that has such a great representation of each season. The lack of sunlight can be a real drag to those of us who tend toward seasonal affect disorders but I will try to embrace it as a little hibernation this winter and look forward to accomplishing some indoor tasks. Until then, the Autumn foliage is what I will feast my eyes upon to get me through the subtle shades of the oncoming Winter.

Monarch Walk with Maga11

Maga11 and I made a day of hiking near Woolrich, PA. We started the foggy morning seeking a very spooky letterbox that she has been looking forward to. The misty morning made for some ghostly scenes in an old cemetery. She kept saying to me, "What was that!?" I got a little freaked out before we made it back to her van.

We drove on for some breakfast and then to a sweet local park. The letterbox there had perfectly written clues but I was reminded that a large metal backstop curving around me affects my compass even when I am ten feet from it. The back bearing from the next point was perfect but it took me longer to find with my mistake. We stamped in after avoiding quite a lot of poison ivy leaves and vines.

The drive across the river and to the access point along the Mid State Trail afforded some bright foliage in the sunny morning. For the next couple of hours we strolled through the woods on the rocky MST enjoying the solitude.

The first thing that struck us were the colors of the ferns. Many had been frost bitten and we changing to amazing golden shades from their vivid greens. The mix of them all together was like a water color artists palette with all of natures colors blending into the forest floor.

We made it as far as where we were to seek the first letterbox of four in this series of Monarch stamps. I was looking forward to where I projected the final box might have a view of Pine Creek. Much before that, the clue mentioned that the fifth blaze would be on a large pine tree. We were in an area where there were NO pine trees (ok - there was a tiny 1' one near by). The clue mentioned stumps, yes there were stumps but no pine. How could the placer have mistaken this large deciduous tree for a pine!? I read back over the clue and I had made my second mistake of the day, I had started us out walking the wrong direction from the access on the trail. The placer was very clear to take the trail to the west, we had hiked through the beautiful ferns to the east. I had assumed the hike was to the view and didn't even read which way to go first.

It was no hardship to enjoy the ferns again on our walk back past the car and onto the section of trail the placer intended us to hike. Maga11 said her ankle, which she had broken early in the summer, would probably benefit from the workout on the uneven terrain. We took it slow and she used her cane for added balance. There was no reason to rush our pace, re-injure her ankle, or neglect the beauty around us. We were out to enjoy every part of the trail we hiked and any letterboxes we managed to find along the way.

Each box we uncovered was a special treat; a visual representation of the stages of a Monarch butterfly's life. The carvings were done with care and we were happy to take the time to use the colors the placer recommended. The impressions all came out really well and we were glad to take time for that.

This section of the MST had a few little boggy stream crossings that were a small challenge. Maga and I did our best and helped each other across, trying not to laugh and fall in. Thanks goodness none of the mossy stones were very slippery but the thick branches we used to reinforce the one section still sunk us very close to the smelly muck.

When I hike with RGBisMe or Tracdc or Maga11 it is always different from when I hike alone. Our paces are all different and the focus or dynamics on the trail changes. I wouldn't ever say any of us was more oriented in covering distance just because because we can. I also couldn't say any one of us is more interested in making sure we find as many letterboxes as we possibly can.

I don't think it's fair to try to assume that I am "a hiker" or not. With letterboxes or hikes, I rarely give a thought to "how many" or "how far" as much as "how much I have enjoyed." I frequently think back to the writings of Haim Ginott and agree that to label any one of us, just because we have a different style or approach, is to disable us. I enjoy all variations of many activities. When it comes to hiking, I like all hikes: long, short, fast, slow, rugged or easy. When it comes to letterboxing I think it's safe to say I like letterboxing: a single box, tricky clues where I never find one at all, an easy series in a park. I'll pass on your labels, thank you very much, because I am an ever changing person who can be quite adaptable depending on the circumstance.

Maga11 and I wrapped up our day in the area with a trip to the Woolrich outlet and a nice sit down meal. I thought back on our day as we shared salads and nachos and I sincerely hope to be just as vibrant and active as she is in 23 years. We both agreed we had met our goal for the day; we enjoyed our time together very much.

Not everything that can be counted counts,
and not everything that counts can be counted.
-- Albert Einstein

More Autumn Photos

Every year, the trees near us take on a crispy cheddar corn chip look. It is then that our golden delicious apple tree magically sprouts Doritos!

Giant roadside pumpkins near Renovo!

Sinnemahoning State Park.

Autumnal knob.

Trout Run.

Morning horses along Kettle Creek.

Twomile Run shows the effects of acid mine drainage.

144 to Coudersport.

Feet from a "child friendly" letterbox.

Ferns blanching as cold weather comes on. This one was a study in symmetry!

Autumn's Splendor

It was four years ago that we felt that we had to travel so far to find a geocache that we might as well start focusing what had originally intrigued us, letterboxing. Over a year a half prior to this, we had found some letterbox/geocache hybrids in NYC and planted some hybrids of our own. They were our first letterboxes, hand carved stamps and all. It was within a month of starting to gecoache we had our first signature stamps carved.

October 2004 JC & Brickman from DE planted a series of fall foliage letterboxes in North Central PA. As far as we can tell, most if not all of these letterboxes still exist. It was thanks to the pleasure of that trip that we decided to try more carving and make the trip, no matter how far, to find more letterboxes that had clues on LBNA.

This year, we made a similar trip to enjoy Monarch Lady's Kettle Creek letterbox series. Foliage as we made it near Renovo, Kettle Creek State Park and then north to Coudersport was nearing peak. The history this series shares goes hand in hand with the driving tour of some wonderful locations. Her hand carved stamps are a joy and the way they are presented on the logbook covers show the care she has taken with each letterbox.

We did find a few other letterboxes in Lock Haven and then Sinnemahoning. It was fitting to end our day with another JC & Brickman letterbox called Snows-A - Fallin' box1.

It all brought back the first time we letterboxed in this wonderful area. Autumn's leaves were splendid as they were years ago. The only thing that really changed was that I love RGBisMe more than ever.

Miles Returns

Our good good Miles has returned from the vet and is doing pretty well. Here he is lying on his back showing off the narcotics patch he has on his chest for the next day. He has a shaved area on every leg from IVs and monitors. Don't ask the vet bill.
Here he is helping RGBisMe make a map of the trails of Scotia.

September Highlights

Ravenboy and Asrai were able to stay with us through the beginning of September. It was the day that Hurricane Hannah blew through that we had to drive them back to the city. The rainy gray day suited my mood that two bright spots in my life would be going to their own homes.

Maga11 and I finally made it to Belleville to the Amish farmers market and I took some photos of the scenes there.

RGBisMe and I quickly made use of any space second to start organizing and firming up plans for our upcoming letterboxing gathering out in Scotia Barrens. We took our mountain bikes out to explore and map all of the trails that we will be planting letterboxes on. It takes a long time to orient yourself out there even when the sun is shining. Add an overcast day and you might not realize that after hiking and biking for miles that you are just across a pond where you were hours before. I am so grateful for our gps in this mapping project. Not even USGS topo maps have enough detail to know where you are out in Scotia. We are only mapping an area maybe 2.5 miles across and .5 wide but it is easy to lose your way on the many twisting trails. It is all worth it for the beauty and history of the area. We ended up spending the Autumnal Equinox on the trails out there.

Tracdc and Satan were married this past Saturday and the whole posse was together for maybe the most beautiful day this month. Their ceremony was held behind an old inn on a bridge crossing a lovely brook. The temperature was warm and sunny but had just enough chill to the air that the gentlemen felt comfortable in their dress jackets. Toolman Luke looked great in his tux shirt and Maga11's dress made her look lovely. The were picture perfect parents of the bride.

The end of the month has taken an unwanted twist with our dear Miles going into the hospital for a couple of days with FUS. I have word he is coming home this afternoon but will be on a prescription diet for a while and a specialized diet after that. I sat with him for a couple of hours yesterday in the hospital. It was so sad to see our friendliest fellow hooked up to an IV. He wants to come home and we are ready for him. I ask you all put in a good though for his recovery. It's been a rough couple of days for us.