Houston (Without Fog or Rain)

When I left McAllen it was still dark but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I was so glad not to be in rain or fog. Now maybe I could get in a good day of letterboxing. I drove for a couple of hours before I arrive at my first stop. That stop was Evergreen Cemetery in Skidmore, TX. I found four boxes in the cemetery and enjoyed my early morning walk in such a peaceful environment. The cemetery wasn't the most interesting or the oldest that I have visited but it was still a nice stop. I left Skidmore and headed for Beesville just down the road. I stopped at another cemetery here - it was also called Evergreen Cemetery. I was disappointed because this is the oldest cemetery in Beesville but it was locked and you couldn't get in. The letterbox I found was planted outside the cemetery - which didn't make it as interesting. After logging in and rehiding the box I decided to head to Veteran's Memorial Park (even though the box listed there was reported missing). I went to the area where the box was supposed to be, I looked for it, I didn't find it. But it was still good - I walked around and took pictures of some very gnarly oak trees in the area. Okay, enough of that - I need to get to Houston and I still want to stop a couple more times.

Leaving Veteran's Memorial Park I kind of got turned around and I had to stop and ask directions to Hwy 59. Once there I headed for Goliad. There were a few boxes listed in Goliad State Park. When I arrived I went to the visitors center and paid the entrance fees and made a stop at the Mission Espiritu Santo. I walked around the building and walked through the Chapel. I also took quite a few pictures. After that I headed for the Nature Trail to look for some boxes. I found three and I think two were missing. Not really sure at this point. I returned to the Mission and took a few more pictures and then left the park. As I was driving down 59 I debated whether or not to stop in Victoria. Once there I saw a sign for Riverside Park and I had a couple of clues for boxes in this park. So I turned and headed for the park. I quickly found the areas for both boxes. I decided to go to the Duck Pond first. I followed the clues but couldn't find the box - missing?!?!? - I don't know - just couldn't find it. I left there and headed for the next location. I followed the clues but couldn't find the box - missing?!?!? - I don't know - just couldn't find it. Well, I came, I followed clues, I didn't find. I took my losses and now headed straight for Houston.

My plan for Houston was to check into the hotel and rest. But I got to Houston early and the hotel is just two blocks from Memorial Park. After checking in I went to the Houston Arboretum. I had clues for four boxes there. Evidently there is a rule that when I am planning to visit Houston and try and do some letterboxing and hiking it has to rain the week before so that the trails are soggy. Today the rule applied. But it wasn't all bad. I was able to navigate around the arboretum and find four great boxes. The boxes were planted by: dewberry, Baby Bear and Lucy Locket (the stamp for this box was carved by Mama Cache). Even though it was a little muddy in places I still enjoyed myself. Once done at the Arboretum I still had time so I headed to the picnic area and was able to find two more boxes before calling it quits for today.

It was really humid this afternoon and by the time I finished walking around the park I was soaking wet. My first priority when I arrived at the hotel was to shower. The second was to go downstairs and have a drink. The hotel has a happy hour with free drinks and snacks. So I spent an hour there and had two drinks, a few snacks and looked over clues for tomorrow. It was so relaxing - just what I needed after a long day of driving and letterboxing. Tomorrow I will spend the day back at Memorial Park.