A Very Short Autumn

I was just hiking in short sleeves the other day. The colored leaves were at their peek. Today has been a different story. The progression of today's weather is recorded below.

Tour of PA

What a week! Maga11 and I started out not knowing how long we would be gone nor where exactly we were going. Our tour of south central to eastern PA was for two purposes: to photograph potential subjects for pen and ink drawings and letterboxing.


Our trip took us first through Cove and shooting the DeCoven Diner. It was closed and could be torn down at any time. Camp Hill turned up nothing even though we were looking for a mill there. Carlisle was a very good stop for letterboxing and photographic subjects. We took some time boxing in the Seven Gables tree park then went on to shoot Old West on Dickinson campus. The old theatre in the middle of town, courthouse and Carlisle Diner were next. Of course taking in a meal at the diner was a terrific break. We tried to get one more box before we left town but a Hallowe'en parade forming in the park where the box was totally chased us out of town.


We were able to photograph another diner, covered bridge and nice barn before we crashed outside of Gettysburg. Niiiice motel, too nice with features we never would be able to take full advantage of. It was a perfect jumping off place for going to the Arendtsville Round Barn as well as a barn on the Gettysburg battlefield. A letterbox close by was just too tempting not to grab.


After this the boxes, subjects and towns all started to blur together. Diners, barns, mills, a mill with a box, a bridge with a box, courthouses, bars, and mansions. Sometimes we couldn't find the photographic subject, sometimes we couldn't find the box, sometimes the park was closed, sometimes the diner was closed, and sometimes even the road was closed. What balanced it all out was the great time we had visiting, stopping when saw something great that wasn't part of our plan and being flexible. When are we going again mom?

Jim Thorpe

RGBisMe and I spent our first letterboxing anniversary with one of the best boxers around, Lightnin' Bug from Allentown, PA. He was nice enough to allow us to tag along while he checked out some potential spots for future boxes. It was great to see a master at work. We met at a local park and did some autmnal hiking. We just loved hearing Lightnin' Bug's mind work, he always has the most creative ideas. He is also one of the most positive people we have ever met; a real decent fellow and a friend to all creatures (including orb spiders)!



We got toward the end of one of the trails where there was an obstacle that I tried to tackle. HA! I really could have used Ravenboy's 180°+ turnout but I managed.


We ended up being obstacles oursleves as we got in the way of a woman who needed a clear trailway for her photograph. "Are we in your way?" "Yes." she clearly responded. We cheerfully moved out of the picture.


We enjoyed the sights at Glen Onoko State Park. The short hike to the falls was very pleasant and we stamped into a nearby letterbox. Before we said our goodbyes, we stopped at the nearby tunnel to look out over the Lehigh River. Many rafters were ending their days' journey there as were bikers from the area's rail trail. The sun was setting and the train whitsle made the whole moment feel nostalgic. Being out enjoying nature with good friends is what autumn is all about for me.

Team Little Dog

Jan and Barney at the final Secret Garden letterbox.

We lured Team Little Dog into visiting our area a couple of weeks ago. They stayed overnight at Poe Paddy State Park after a day of buzzing around central PA counties looking for letterboxes. Not every search ended in success (who WAS that man that sat in his car in the park 2 days in a row!?) but we hope they had fun.

They started their second day by almost being blown off the mountain at Air Sylph then cam into town for a few more urban boxes. I joined with them while they sought out some Magical Mystery Tour and Ticket to Ride boxes.


See Barney at the far end of the bridge? Sneaking away to check things out.

We went on to tackle mountains, got turned away from finding Angler's Heaven because of a scheduled target practice, and generally enjoyed the back roads of the area. I hope they will return soon so we can visit together again!

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."

The Crayola Family Show!

You will never guess what couple RGBisMe and I were compared to today?

RGBisme was at work, talking to a coworker when the topic of TV families came up. His coworker had been discussing the topic with his wife and comparing today's Osbournes with "yesterday's" Dick Van Dyke Show. They were thinking of how different the two shows were and how it reflects how much the "ideal" family has changed. "There aren't any people in the world like Rob and Laura Petrie," said his wife.

"Oh yes there are!" countered his coworker, " I know RGBisMe and his wife had picnic lunches for at least 2 days together this week. THEY are just like the Petries."

Go figure! Think it looks like us!?

HP # 6

As if this weekend isn't busy enough all ready, I HAD to get us a copy of the newest Harry Potter book last night. To manage the crowds, you had to line up for wristbands to stagger the release at midnight. I ended up getting wristband #2 (see yellow band above) so we were able to jump to the front of the line near midnight. We went dressed up to the store and had a lot of fun walking around checking out the games and other costumes. RGBisMe fell asleep about 15 pages into it but I kept going until page 60. Time to take it along to the arts fest.

People's Choice Festival

If anyone wishes to find me over the next 4 days (for letterbox exchanges or anything) I will be in Boalsburg at The People's Choice Art's Festival. I will be at booth #106, ask for true indigo.

Boxing with Satan

RGBisMe and I were lucky that the planets lined up just right and allowed us to visit for an afternoon with Tracdc and Satan. They showed us a great time by driving us around Allentown and taking us out to try to find a few local letterboxes. We brought along the clues for a few in one area that we suspected might also be host to a mystery box.

We were all hiking along through the park and trying to figure out the clues to the first box. When we got close, Satan sat down to watch and see just how we went about zeroing in on a letterbox. RGBisMe went off pacing in one direction while Tracdc and I looked in another likely spot.

Satan yelled up to us, "What are they supposed to look like?"

I shouted back, "Probably in a tupperware container about so big."

"Well, there it is." he pointed without moving an inch from where he had originally sat down.

Sure enough, he had spotted it from where he was sitting and watching our antics of rock scrabbling and pacing. I like his way of boxing. No sweat! Satan was our hero!

We did go on to find another one close-by but didn't have what it took to find the mystery box.

Thanks again to Satan, we later cooled off with a dip in his mom's pool. I think I drank most of it every time I sunk in the deep end. RGBisMe helped me by perfecting my noodle riding technique which helped keep me afloat.

Refreshed from the pool and the wonderful cotton candy spray my sister gave me, we decided to torture them by making them watch the recent PBS production of Swan Lake and showing them Ravenboy dancing in the background. To make up for this, we all went out to Ichibon and snacked on edamame while we watched the hibachi show. Our chef threw bits of broccoli at all of us to try to catch it in our mouths. Who was the only one at the table to successfully chomp one? Our man, Satan!

The Thrill of Letterboxing

This past weekend held some real highs and lows for us on our letterbox searches. We reached out to some of the closest letterboxes to us; north-central PA and the closer western PA boxes. Both days were filled with gorgeous weather for driving and viewing some of the most beautiful wild areas of this majestic state.


Saturday found us near Apollo, PA where we went looking for quite a few boxes. The highlight being Aroostook Sleuth and Little-Tag-Along's Childhood Adventure Club series. This is a series of 6 letterboxes that first tickle you with there very names. Our favorites were Robin Detective Girls and Star Trek Spy Club. We chose to bike the route and were not sorry for it. We spooked a groundhog from his lunch and he blindly ran off with a leaf in his mouth.. right into a deep puddle! SPLASH! We were not the only people exploring the area and came across 4 women riding horses and a couple of fellows on 4 wheelers. We highly recommend this series!


Sunday we thrilled to traveling along the Quehanna Highway along Wykoff Run. This road has been recently improved and because it is in the middle of nowhere takes you through a splendid area.

Not all of our searches were successful. We bombed on finding Qarre's God's Country mystery box even though we were really certain we had a good chance of finding it having visited the area last October. We also came up empty handed at Austin Dam where all was left was half of a soggy log under a rock. Tired and hungry but not defeated, we continued on. It took us trying multiple times to buy ourselves some lunch with the third time being a charm just before 5pm in the calm town of Smethport.

There were highs and lows through out the weekend. We grumbled at the section of ripped post-it-note log that was saturated with the ink leaked from the stamp pad. We let our spirits soar as 8 young turkeys followed their momma. We sobbed as a chipmunk died after one of us hit it with our bike. We held hands gazing across a golden field of wheat. Store bought self inking stamps that were not matched to the box's theme and highly detailed hand carved masterpieces. Too many blow downs to find even the clues mentioned for one box but first to find another.


We didn't realize until today that sandwiched somewhere in the middle of all of this craziness, we hit our 100th find. We think it's fitting to remember the entire weekend when thinking of our 100th. A blend of awesome and mundane, terrific and expected, challenge and ease; a letterboxing roller coaster.

Wonderful Week

My family just had a very nice week of visiting. We had a picnic, put up our May Pole, and went on a rail trail bike ride.



We picked up Ravenboy last Tuesday and got to hear bits about his tour to Kansas City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. It's amazing some of the things that they had to deal with. The week he was in Chicago, there were few food options left open nearby when they were done for the day. They had the choice of either room service ($68.00 for breakfast for 2) or a local 711. Ravenboy and his friend are trying to save money and opted for the 711. They don't have too many vegetarian choices so the poor guys ended up eating egg salad sandwiches for 5 - 6 nights in a row. His friend started to get a stomach ache because of it.

He also told us of cool things he saw in LA. He reunited with a very good friend on the west coast and she took him around the city sight seeing a few times. He got to see Hollywood and spent an afternoon at the beach. Ravenboy's skin never gets to see sunlight so this meant instant burn and a quick search for aloe.

While he was home, we had our annual picnic for friends at Spring Creek Park. It was chilly but we had fun playing games and eating.

We also did a stretch of Lower Trail on our bikes. There are sections that are closed due to the damage Hurricane Ivan did but we found a nice section to pedal and chat and goof around on. We passed snacks from person to person without stopping, took photos of a mysterious outdoor cafe, and discouraged Ravenboy from doing his Jet Li moves on a speeding bike.

We took Ravenboy back to NYC yesterday. We were going to go to an Indian restaurant for a meal but found we needed reservations. We decided to go to our favorite place, Zen Palate. We jumped into a cab and got to Union Square in just a few minutes. As we were going into the restaurant, we saw that a group was on a stage and we decided to check it out. They were speaking and giving some type of award and Morgan Freeman was standing up there smiling. Ravenboy's radar kicked in because Morgan Freeman's last movie was "Unleashed" with Jet Li (set to be released here in the states in about a week.) Sure enough, there on the stage was the man. Ravenboy was able to snap a couple of photos of Jet Li before he got into a car an zoomed uptown. We were lucky to have a approached the stage from the back, just at that moment.

Letterboxing

The thing I like about letterboxing is the stealth factor. You go out to a location that sometimes is used by others for recreational activities other than boxing. You have to be careful about not giving away the location of the box so that "noxers" (non-boxers) will not find it nor plunder it. It's a lot of fun waiting until it's clear before diving under a bush to check a location or carefully peeking under a pile of rocks in the woods while other hikers are walking away.

RGBisMe insists that I need to hone my stealth skills. "Bug," he says to me, " everybody is wondering what you are doing out here on the trail. You are giving too much away and it's pretty obvious you aren't just hiking."

"What do you mean!?" I countered,"I wait until there is absolutely nobody anywhere near me before I seek and retrieve the box. I move the box to a location that is far away from the hiding place before I stamp in. I repack the box carefully and make doubly sure that there is no one around or watching me when I replace it to it's hiding place." I insisted that he prove to me that I was a careless letterboxer, giving away that I was doing anything more than just enjoying a day in the woods.

"You are correct on all of your careful boxing techniques," he agreed, "but you also stand out like a sore thumb in the woods. This photo is what you look like after you are done stamping up."

Maybe I should change to using a solid color inkpad.

Happy May Day

As I sit here, waiting for Ravenboy to wing his way back to the east coast, I thought it was a good time to blog.
It was an ever changing weekend weather wise. RGBisMe and I ran around on Saturday when it was overcast for most of the day but got caught in the rain when we went to find our last letterbox outside of York near the Shoe House. Sunday dawned with sunshine and hopes of warmer temperatures but it changed from sun to clouds to rain all day. We decided to see the balancing rock and letterbox at Trough Creek State Park near Lake Raystown.

The hike up to the rock was not bad at all and the Rainbow Falls were very nice. RGBisMe thought that the balancing rock was going to be more spectacular than what he found.

I told him that it must be farther up the trail. He was perplexed and even less impressed with the next sight he saw.

We kept walking, enjoying the plants and birds. Many summer birds are coming into the area and this past week we were lucky to see indigo bunting, towhee, and heard many others.

We made it to the balancing rock, found the letterbox and had plenty of time to go home and get ready for our May Day picnic this Friday.

Pinnacle & Pulpit Rock

We have been so lucky to have perfect weather for hiking lately. It made planning for and taking this trip to Hamburg, PA very easy.

We met Janila, no Team Little Dog today because of the rockiness of the trail, at the parking lot near Hamburg Reservoir and got an early start. We opted for the roadway for our assent because although we were all ready for rocky trails and climbing 1000 in elevation, keeping those 2 treats separate sounded like a good idea.

We made it to the area where the observatories are and many scouting troops were gathering (via CAR) for their day of appreciating all the area has to offer. The best it offered was a fantastic morning view of the valley. We were early enough to be the only hikers enjoying the area and snapped quite a few photos before going on to find 2 letterboxes and a geocache.


Rocky ridge running was next for us. For the next couple of miles to the Pinnacle, the best PA view on the Appalachian Trail, we hopped rocks. Other hikers passed us by and we passed other hikers. It was now a very busy morning on the mountain. By the time we got to the view it was crowded with happy day hikers. We joined the throng and found a super place to enjoy our lunches.

After a restful spell, we explored the area and found a geocache thanks to RGB(One of Us)isMe. When we found Pinnacle letterbox it was in the open and tossed around. An animal had chewed into the container and then into the log. The log was soaked, slimy and chewed but the stamp was fine. We pulled out our emergency repair kit and between the 3 of us we able to get this box back into working order.

Our walk back was filled with lively conversation. Jan brought us up to speed with many of the happenings in the letterboxing world. We swapped genealogy stories and chatted about our kiddos. At trail's end, we weren't ready to part ways so Billy Boy joined us for a meal at the nearby Cracker Barrel. I know he had a good laugh at us as we had stiffened up in the air conditioned building and we moving in a stiff jointed sort of way. It was all worth it. Thanks Jan and RGB for a day I will remember as golden.

Pine Creek Trail

What a glorious weekend spent with my most favorite person in the whole world, RGBisMe. We packed up our bikes and went north to bike on the Pine Creek Trail. It's a 54 mile rail trail between Ansonia and Jersey Shore. We only did small sections of it but what we did was terrific. We also stopped at to view PA Grand Canyon near Wellsboro (photo above) and were able to see the rafts and kayaks that were floating down Pine Creek all day long.



We biked most of the northern section starting at the Darling Run access. Most of the rafters early in the day seemed cheery and waved to us as they floated by. We were able to find a couple of letterboxes and RGBisMe almost pocketed one of the stamps for keeps. We had to take it back when we found what had happened.



Later in the day found us near the Rattlesnake Rock access. After hiking a small section of the West Rim Trail we enjoyed lunch there and found a few more letterboxes. I won't print the pictures from the restroom but let me say it had some of the funniest graffiti.





By the end of the day, we had made it as far south as Cedar Run and Hilborn. We loved this section and ran into a couple of nice fellows who showed us where they had seen an otter family playing last year! Upon returning to the car, RGBisMe read the menu outside of the Cedar Run Inn. They had a wonderful vegetarian entrée! We dined there and drove home talking and scheming about biking the entire length someday. Join us? We snagged 8 letterboxes along the way and planted one.