I Am Now in Texas

When planning this trip I wanted to get a good start on the first day and drive as far as I could. So I left Santa Fe at 4:00am after getting a really good night's sleep. It was still dark and a little cold - but I put the heater on and plugged in my iPod and headed out. I kind of like driving early in the morning since there is absolutely no traffic. Unfortunately, the weather turned gloomy as I drove and somewhere between Fort Sumner and Clovis in New Mexico it started to drizzle. This continued for most of the day but I made the best of it. I drove non-stop all the way to Plainview, TX where I made my first stop for use of the bathroom and to fill the car with gas.

Old Depot in Lyons Park

The stop didn't last long and I was on my way again. My next stop was in Ralls where I went to look for my first letterbox. I pulled up at Lyons Park and easily found The Spirit Seekers' Mitter Tmiff's Traveling Band - TRUMPET. The park was empty (since it was drizzling a bit) and really the entire area was desolate. I didn't actually see anyone in this area while I was there. Since it was raining a little I ran and grabbed the box and then I stamped in while sitting in the car. Once I was done I put it back and took a few pictures before hitting the road again to my next stop. The drive to my next stop wasn't too long and I pulled in to a park in Crosbyton. There was a covered picnic table in the park so I took my things and went in search of another Spirit Seekers' box. This time it was Mitter Tmiff's Traveling Band - TROMBONE. The park was very wet and the area where the box was hidden was extremely muddy. By the time I was finished retrieving the box, going to the picnic table to stamp in and then returning the box my shoes were completely muddy. I found a nice wet grassy area and spent about 15 minutes trying to clean my shoes. So now it was time to continue.

Plastic Geocache Sandwich

Only about 3 miles down the road is where I made my next stop at some historical markers. Here is where I found jb kokopelli's Texas Ranger Camp - well part of it anyway. I found the box and the logbook was there but the box had been geocached and there was this little plastic sandwich (the one on the right). I used it to stamp in. I have been finding more and more boxes and getting more reports of my boxes without stamps. I am not sure what is going on with the geocachers. They really don't care if they actually found the cache they were looking for - they just want to say they found it. I can't decided if they are stupid or just mean. The box I found today had a logbook that had a white cover with the word 'Letterboxing' written in red on the cover. But they still logged in and left that stupid little sandwich and took the stamp. Okay - enough about that. About a half hour down the road I pulled into an area called Dickens Springs just east of Dickens. I followed the clues and parked by a Teepee covered picnic area, climbed down some stairs and then down some more until I reached the Springs. From there I easily found the box and stamped in qucikly - since it was still lightly drizzling. And now my tires and part of my car were covered with red mud, it was everywhere.

Cemetery Entrance

My next stop on this day long journey was in Guthrie. First I made my way to the Guthrie Cemetery and found jb kokopelli's The Writer From Guthrie. The area was muggle free and I was able to find the box without having anyone watching me. The cemetery was off some back road and had two beautiful wrought iron gates with an arch over the top with cemetery name on it and these gates were flanked by stone walls. It was stunning but the actual cemetery could have used some TLC and there weren't very many graves there - not sure if this is a new place or not. After stamping in and rehiding the box I drove back into town and then headed a little south to a picnic area with a barn shaped covered picnic area (this area is famous for its 6666 Ranch and the picnic area paid homage to one of the owners. I went in search of the box (another by jb kokopelli - The Four Sixes) but had some trouble since there were two people walking their dogs. So I waited until they left and started checking under trees. Then someone else pulled up. I really don't think the box is there I kind of kicked around all the trees in the are and didn't find anything. So I called it quits and hit the road again.

Longhorn Tractor in Knox City

From here I made my way to Knox City and then drove north about five miles to a small picnic area. I quickly found Lone Star Quilter's Who Needs Seeds? letterbox. I took it to a picnic area to stamp in and was surprised to see that the box was placed on December 6, 2008 and the only finder was Boots Tex on December 6, 2008. So this box has been sitting all lonely for almost five years. I sure am glad it was still there - because I got another great Lone Star Quilter & Boots Tex stamp and letterbox. I returned back to Knox City and stopped to put some gas in the car and use the restroom. I also saw some great decorated old tractors around town. It was about 3:00pm and I still had about four boxes to look for and I wanted to get to Graham before dark.

Throckmorton Cemetery

So from Knox City I drove to Munday and then to Throckmorton. I stopped in Throckmorton at the cemetery and found Boots Tex's Chuckwagon box. Another great box and stamp and it hadn't been found in over a year. Some of these Texas letterboxers need to get out and explore their state. After I stamped in and then put the box in place I left the cemetery and headed south to find a box by Baby Bear. I followed the clues but at some point I must have gotten off track and I had driven way too long and too far so I decided to give up and try for another box closer to town. This time I had better luck and easily found a Silver Eagle Games box. This was another big cemetery but with very few graves. After stamping in and getting back in the car I noticed it was 5:30pm and I decided to call it a day. I still had about a 30 minute drive to get to Graham. I arrived in Graham and got something to eat before checking in to the hotel. Now that I am showered and sitting here I realize that I am super tired. I drove about 600 miles and was in (and out) of the car for more than twelve hours. Tomorrow is more driving but not quite as much and that will bring me closer to the Delicious Delights event.