The Valley

I woke up this morning with the hope that today would be better both weather-wise and letterboxing-wise. But when I looked out the hotel room window all I saw was wet. It had rained during the night and it was still drizzling when I woke up. So I packed up everything and loaded the car. I then went to the hotel lobby and had a quick breakfast. By the time I was ready to head out the rain had stopped and it wasn't long before the sun peeked out from behind the clouds and I swear there was a little blue present as well. Unfortunately, the letterboxing aspect wasn't starting off as well. The first two boxes I searched for I couldn't find. I hope that they were missing because if they weren't that means that my letterboxing skills are quite wonky at this point. Finally the third box I looked for I found and the fourth box I looked for I also found. Okay now things are going better. So far I was 2 for 4 for letterboxing. I left Floresville and headed to Elmendorf. I found a quick drive by box and then headed for a cemetery to find one last box before heading into the valley. When I arrived at the cemetery I read the clues and found the box easily. Of course the cemetery was really small and there wasn't a lot of area to search. I really liked this cemetery - it was very peaceful and quiet. It was also a very casual cemetery - not all manicured. As I was leaving the cemetery there was actually a break in the clouds and I did see blue sky.

My next stop was in Pleasanton. There was a box there and to get the clues you had to write the placer due to the fact that this was an adult themed box. I'm really glad I wrote and got the clues because the stamp is excellent - a fantastic carve. Heading south my plan was to stop in Three Rivers, Calliham, Alice, Falfurrias and Edinburg before arriving in McAllen. First stop - Three Rivers at Tips State Park - unable to find the box (now 5 for 8). So I drove to Calliham feeling a little bummed (one because I was having trouble finding boxes and two because it was ashamed that so many boxes seemed to be missing). I arrived at Choke Canyon State Park - Calliham Unit, paid the entrance fees and headed for the area where there should be two boxes. I found the trail head and started looking for the landmarks. I was unable to find either of the boxes. And by this time all the blue had drained out of the sky and it was completely clouded over and it was starting to rain - again! I drove through the park and found the next trail for one last box. I hiked the short trail in a light drizzle and surprisingly I found the box (now 6 for 11). I left the park and the rain began to fall harder. It rained on and off until I reached Alice. I stopped just south of Alice at a picnic area to look for another box - you guessed it - I couldn't find it. On to Falfurrias - this time a rest area - again I couldn't find the box (now 6 for 13) and it was raining harder. My original plan involved two more stops for boxes - my new plan was to drive straight to my friend Regina's place. I decided to call it a day for letterboxing.

I arrived at Regina's in a light rain and quickly unloaded the car. We decided to stay in tonight and avoid the weather. We talked, then ate dinner, then talked some more. In between talking I worked on my blogs. Here it is midnight and I am just finishing - thanks goodness I can sleep in tomorrow.