Bush House

Bush House drawing by Maga11, used with permission Gay ©1993

Tonight we found a local letterbox that was not planted by us! You have no idea the thrill for us of finally seeking a letterbox so close to home. No driving over an hour to see another's carving style or hiding techniques. What a treat!

Bush House letterbox is a lovely tour of Talleyrand Park. We have enjoyed this area on and off for many years, one of the first geocaches we ever found by "The Shadows" was placed there.

A great job was done by Archaeobirder and Litchick on every step along the way; clues, degrees, measurement of steps and description of the unique surroundings all blend together into a pleasant adventure. History, stamp artistry and a walk around a great area in the evening put smiles on our faces. We couldn't have asked for a better letterbox combination. A celebration at Bellefonte Wok followed stamping up. The big question is: who will log in next...?

Remember the Fallen

Keep Barbaro in your thoughts and remember the others who have died or been injured for life in the horse racing industry.


Ruffian, champion 1974 - 1975


Ron Turcotte with over 3,000 wins

Come Visit Me

What do you do when you Da Vinci Code plans fall through... blog it. I should have just stayed in Lewistown, sorry Mom.

Come see me sulking this weekend at Mifflin-Juniata County Arts Fesitval .

Ride of Silence

Last evening I participated in a Ride of Silence sponsored by Centre Region Bicycle Coalition. Nationwide, cyclists took to the roads last evening at 7pm in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.

Relieved to not be the only off-road cyclist there, the group of centre region cyclists was diverse in age and cycling focus. Wearing arm bands of black (to honor bicylcists killed by motorists) and or red (to signify incurred injury by motorists while biking), 40 of us gathered at the College and Allen intersection in downtown State College. With police escort, we made our way single file through 5 miles of downtown's most congested streets. We kept the pace slow, 10 - 20 mph, as we made a silent statement of what I hope makes the public more aware consequently eliminating the need for another Ghost Bike to be erected locally or anywhere.

The ride took a little over a half of an hour in the chilly spring air. The rain graciously held off and allowed me to sometimes take in my surroundings instead of dodging puddles or blinded motorists. Some onlookers may have thought it was a protest against the price of gas or to unify biking commuters. Some cheered "Yay bikers!" or "Hold out your hand, I'll pass you a beer." Riding toward the end of the line of bicycles, it wasn't until we made a slow gentle curve along Westerly Parkway that I realized the visual impact such a long string of cyclists made. It helped me understand why the majority of the onlooker's stood in thoughtful silence as we made our way past them.


Waiting for the police escort to arrive at College & Allen

Lambert Castle

RGBisMe enjoys one of the many vistas along the trail

We agree that Warcat76's Lambert Castle letterbox has just about everything you could ask for. It has a beautiful historic landmark, a nice hike, perfectly clear clues, wildlife, and a hand-carved stamp hidden near a great place to stamp up.

We ended up walking just a few feet from a large turkey who was trying desperately to blend into the background. Although it didn't stand out like the Oriole we saw, it was one of the many birds we saw on the trail to find this letterbox. We were the second group to have found it with the first stamping in about a month ago. Very nicely done Warcat76!

Da Vinci Code

Sony is discouraging any midnight showings of this movie so we are seeking out the earliest shows available in the area. So far it is noon at the Premier Theatre's in 5/19/06. Tickets are on sale now.

I can't get in touch with anyone from the Garman Theatre to find out when their shows are ( even dropped them an e-mail). Anyone...!?

ABT's Sylvia

This past Sunday, Ravenboy performed his most featured role yet, Eros, in American Ballet Theatre's Sylvia. Cheerfully described as " a potpourri of militantly chaste huntresses, happy peasants, Hellenic gods, 19th-century Oriental fantasies, love arrows, masked folderol and kidnapping. It's all set in an Arcadian pastoral without a whiff of irony," American Ballet Theatre's Sylvia is not to be missed.

Although this specific performance was not reviewed by the local Orange County Review, his performance in Cranko's Jeu de Cartes did get a nice mention. Ravenboy said his performance of Eros went really well was warmly received. He mentioned that his shooting of Sylvia with an arrow was a different take than any of the other Eros'. He realized that his weapon was that of love and there was real irony behind punishing Sylvia to fall in love with a man that she had just killed. Instead of looking angry when he shot her, he gave a light chuckle just as he returned to statue form. Bravo on this insightful interpretation!

Ravenboy had his first solo curtain call because of the importance of his role. Clueless to that fact, he was onstage as the curtain closed and was hugging people in congratulations. About the leave and get his costume and make-up off, he heard someone yell, "Eros to the front of the curtain!" Out he darted between the slightly parted curtains onto the proscenium to receive his solo round of applause and hearty cheers for a job well done.

His make-up of god-like golden glitter refused to come off completely. When he exited the stage door he heard someone yell his name and he was, for the first time I believe, mobbed. A flight attendant who knows his grandmother (MagaG) was who had yelled but oodles of teens wanting their point shoes signed and photos taken with him ran over too. There was a young lady who had attended a summer camp with him years before who was dear enough to deliver a gift to him from his devoted parents. He also had 2 friends who came from Chicago wait patiently until the crowd cleared before whisking him away for a power sports drink.

He gave a call to us just as the company was getting to the airport for the red eye back to NYC. He mentioned that the most important Artistic Director of ABT, Kevin McKenzie, told him he did "really, really good." Ravenboy sounded exhausted but exhilarated and laughed as he told us his gold glitter would be with him as he crossed the country over the next 4+ hours. May the warm feelings that go with a sense of accomplishment stay with him much longer.


Bootleg clip thanks to Turns4Ever

RRR2

The Crayola Posse


The bike guy when he was a kid.

Making of ABT Men 2007 Calendar

see if you can see Ravenboy at least 4 times

Happy Beltain

Sorry our annual picnic is a no go this year (first time in 20 years). I want to say I am thinking of you all dancing around our May Pole, getting the wishes you make as they are woven together with mine. Enjoy the images from last year's bash here. If you drop me a note, I'll make your wish on my May Pole for you. Sorry Raveboy, I probably cannot produce Jet Li again this year. ;)

R2: RUBBERMADE ROAD RALLY REDUX

CRAYOLA POSSE IN TRAINING FOR RUBBERMADE ROAD RALLY
Maga11 building endurance.


Maga11 adding the insentive of a Hitch Hiker


Maga11 goes the extra mile gladly for Douggerware®


RGBisMe pressing 100 lbs of Douggerware®


Toolman Luke searching the horizon for SPOR


Toolman Luke realizing the rock he was on was pretty suspicious


true indigo increasing her flexibility


true indigo with her eyes on the prize


As last year's first place team in the Rubbermade Road Rally, the Crayloa Posse urges you to sponsor them in supporting LBMA Giving Dogs Wings.

Your sponsorship of our posse (or any contribution) will help this couple focus on healing. Consider sponsoring us by the mile (average ~24 miles) by how many boxes we find (~10 boxes or more) or a flat contribution (link will be added as soon as possible).

Back our winning team, The Crayola Posse, and together we can support Dog's With Wings.

Workin' It

The Earth Day Triathlon is over so what could have true indigo so worked up? Is she building staying power for her geocaching boy-toy? Might she be gaining strength for planning and planting for a Poe's "Nevermore" gathering? Did RGBisMe make a snide comment on that extra falafel she ate? Stay tuned...

Spritz!

The weekend was looking like a bummer. True Indigo's nasty cold nixed any chance of making a surprise appearance at any of the local CITO's in the chilly and blustery weather. They were stuck inside, no geocaching, no letterboxing, no fun.

If they could, they typically would try to get far out of town during any of the big Penn State football events. This morning found them in the heart of Happy Valley with the excitement of the Blue & White game buzzing all around them and clogging the roadways. To top off the grumpy morning, they were out of milk for their morning tea and that would require braving the bustling tail-gaters doing last minute shopping.

RGBisMe opened the front door to brave the elements and masses as Spritz smiled up at him, "Wha...?" True indigo heard RGBisMe exclaim along with what she assumed was the sound of rain splattering into their flower garden. Spritz shook off a last few drops and asked, "Well, are you going to invite me in?"

"Where did you come from feller?" asked RGBisMe as he helped Sprtiz into the house, "Are you wearing True Indigo's bandana? Did she drop it on the trail last week?"

"No, mine is still in my backpack, his looks just like it. Isn't that strange!" exclaimed True Indigo. "Where are you from and what are you doing in our area?"

"Oh, just pissin' around," remarked Spritz as he refueled with water from the turtle tank. "I am hoping to make my mark in Happy Valley. Could you give me a lift to the Nittany Lion Shrine?"

The day wasn't nearly as glum for them anymore. Grabbing a box of Kleenex, a camera, and Spritz, the posse battled the pig-skin obsessed crowds across campus. They introduced Spritz to the Nittany Lion and hooked a little souvenir of the day onto his collar.

"Where would you like to go next buddy?" asked RGBisMe.

Proper Hiding Technique

RGBisMe demonstrates the proper technique for hiding a lettterbox.


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Twenty-five Mile Weekend

Nothing beats the scent of a freshly carved stamp in the Spring morning air!

Fire Tower atop Third Mountain near Dauphin.


A nice Easter Exchange with Music Woman, Lit Chick, Archaeobirder, RGBisMe & true idigo.

Ten Mile Weekend

Over the weekend, we covered about 10 miles of steep, rocky terrain. It was through a series of different hikes. Finding and planting letterboxes, mystery and otherwise.

Maga11 and Toolman Luke joined us for some of the miles and brought some sandwiches for all to enjoy. It got too chilly to picnic so we ate in the car. Maga11 took some photos so we have something to show for our sore quads.

Tribute to Jane Austen

We never thought we would ever be able to walk from Longbourn to Pemberley, let alone in a single day. The lure of Bucks Co. and the Jane Austen Series by Clueless made it all possible.

RGBisMe & I decided that the posting of Pride and Prejudice letterbox was enough enticement for us to make a 3+ hour trip to eastern PA. A perfect morning, our hike started at 9:30 am. We followed the clues without a hitch to the first of the Pride and Prejudice boxes. A quick bagel snack as we enjoyed the view and we were off to the next. The trail started to get busy just as we re-hid the second box. We loved the log books and stamps for both of these boxes. The First Finder's certificate made me start to cry; we were thrilled with the care and artisty put into it, little things mean a lot to us. It was at this point, we agreed to only seek boxes from this series so we could stay focused and make sure to get them all if we could.


As we drove to Emma, the skies began to darken. Donning rain coats, RGBisMe got our bearing and off we went onto the trail. We enjoyed one of the counties many land marks and walked on as it started to rain. By the time we reached where the clues refered to "Emma seated here with her parasol", it really let loose and we too opened our parasol so we didn't have to "hood" our PDA as much. We grabbed the Emma box and dashed all the way to the car to stamp up. Very cool stamp!

In another part of the state, Lightnin Bug, Tony Tony Chopper and Janila of Team Little Dog were boxing up a storm. Between planting and finding multiple letterboxes, they gave us a few calls via cell phone. They let us know that they were first finders for our Bowery Mission letterboxes and we were pleased to hear that they had enjoyed themselves.

Next was near a town we had been to this with Tracdc and wished we had time to again wander the groovy little shops. I should like to retire there and read tarot, poorly, to the masses. We had no problem following the clues to the Persuasion box and stamped up as we enjoyed the surroundings. We lunched in the car spooking around the area for a bit.

Jane Austen's box was next. Poor dear Jane had not been visited in almost a year! The last visitor had stamped in 4/24/05 but this box, like all we had found so far, was in great shape. What a charming stamp and great area.


We didn't always drive the most direct routes, we enjoyed a lot of the county. Using coordinates from geocaches that were in the somewhere in the same area helped us navigate to the some of the letterboxes but it wasn't always helpful. On the trail to find Masfield Park, we took a wrong turn at one point on the trails but got back on track after wandering a bit in a really neat area. We stumbled onto a place we recognized later in the clues then it took us no time to find the box. It too was dry and doing well.

Going for Northanger Abbey box was our biggest challenge of the day. We were getting a bit tired and silly as we acted out the clues along the trail. I gave RGBisMe a lot of grief because he was not properly reining his horse. The clues did not lead us wrong on our final box of the day. The blue lidded container was exactly where it should be but was sadly open and the log ruined. It was not muggled, but the container was not chewed, just opened and the log chewed up. No stamp was to be found or we could have just replaced the log with a new one. We gathered the entire remains and brought them home. We can barely read Hikers & Hound's last entry in September of last year so Clueless has decided it must totally be replaced.

We are sorry to share this bad news about the last box. We did have a wonderful time with the whole series and hope others can visit them soon also. We know it is not perfect form to hint where hitch hikers are but we were so pleased with our Mr. Darcy HH that we left in one of the boxes that we needed to share his photo.


We gave Janila a call as we were starting to drive home. It happened that she was stopped at a McDonald's ahead on our next turnpike exit. We pulled off and shared the highlights of our expeditions. Meeting up with her was icing on the cake of one great day.