Maine's Nautical Past

Today, just like yesterday started early - just not quite as early. After dressing and then getting coffee and a little breakfast we headed out to Thomas Point Beach for the event. When we arrived the gate to the park was closed and a sign stated that it didn't open until 9:00am. So we drove around looking for another way in but didn't find one, so we went back to the gate to check things out again. A man was getting out of his car so we asked him about the event. He just happened to be the husband of one of the organizers of the event. He opened the gate and let us in. We made our way to campsite #43 and checked in. Teacup was manning the sign in. We said our hellos and got the event stamp right away. We were then given a few things - a clue book, some extra clues and maps, our T-shirts that we ordered, a goodie bag (candy, bandaids, a hitchhiker, a felt bag for a stamp in a box, pens, trash bag and replacement log books). We also got some exchanges with a couple of people who were checking in at the same time as us. We found out that a very large number of people were camping out and we found out that quite a few had been there for days already. There were a few people mingling at different tables and I made my way to them. I only got a few exchanges though. Everybody seemed a bit stand-offish. Not sure about this - we speculated that a lot of them knew each other from other events prior to this and that since people had been there for a few days already they probably had done most of their exchanges already. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to meet more people. I am not the most outgoing person but I did try to introduce myself but it didn't go well. I had hoped that they would have seen someone new and try to get me involved - I know that if someone new would come to a Santa Fe event I would make them feel welcomed. Anyway, it wasn't working so I went to a board where people were posting new clues and copied a few down. I then organized clues for in the park and Thomas and I set out to do some letterboxing. We found quite a few boxes and then made our way back to the main area for the event. I met a few more people and it was a little better. We talked with Oldhounder, Siamese and deniserows. They were all very friendly and we had a nice visit. By this time it was a little after noon and since we weren't meeting people Thomas and I headed back to town. We had some lunch and then letterboxed in town doing some drive-bys. We decided we had enough of driving around town and I had clues for a series of lighthouses out on Orrs Island at the Bowdoin Coastal Studies Center. So we headed out that way for a nice hike, some fresh air and quite a few boxes. We ended up finding 21 boxes and walked about 3 miles. It was nice, but long - thankfully there was only one logbook at the end. It was a great way to spend the afternoon. We did return to the event and met a few more people and then gathered for the group photo. They were doing a few more things and they were going to have night boxing but we were tired and needed some dinner. So we said our goodbyes and went back to town. After a quick meal, we returned to the hotel for much needed showers and some rest. I was really tired (we did find about 40 letterboxes) and while typing this post and logging in my eyes began to close. So I started it last night and am just finishing it up tonight. All in all it was a nice time but I do wish I had met more people - maybe next time.