East Comes West

Well today is the event - East Comes West to Central Arizona. This event was organized by Desert Flower and Azroadie for Mark and Sue Pepe and it is at Riverfront Park in Cottonwood and starts at 10:00am. I had clues for four boxes that I wanted to get before the event started so I made sure I was up early, had breakfast and was on the road by 8:00am. I first found "Lest We Forget" by Jim & Marcy. This was a quick and easy drive-by and was a pretty bad store bought stamp, so I didn't waste any time stamping in and moving on. Next I went and parked in a dirt lot across from Dead Horse Ranch State Park. I had clues for Cottonwood by Desert Flower and Verde River Spikedace by Azroadie. This was on a trail that runs between Dead Horse Ranch State Park and Riverfront Park and I probably only walked about a little over a mile to find both boxes. It was nice and peaceful out on the trail - I didn't see anyone and I was able to take my time stamping in and enjoying the area. After I found both boxes I returned to the car and drove into Riverfront Park to find one more box. I found the clue posted on AQ last night. This box was Cottonwood, AZ by Jolly Mon. I walked a short distance on the trail and easily found the box. Again there was no one around so I took my time stamping in. Once I finished I went to the pavilion where the event was to be held and made some notes in my journal. I was the first finder on the last three boxes I found this morning. I also had time to give Thomas a call before the event started.

Then people started arriving. There weren't too many people that showed up but it was nice and fun. I got some exchanges, personal travelers and a couple of more boxes before the event was over. It was really good to see Mark and Sue and it was nice to hang out with some of the Arizona letterboxers. At 2:00pm when the event ended a few people were going up to Jerome to visit the town. I decided to head up that way as well since there were two more boxes I needed to find. On the way I made a stop in Clarkdale to try to find the box I missed yesterday. This time I read the clues better and I did find the box. It was a store bought stamp, pretty nice one of a train and I stamped in while sitting in the car. I returned the box and then headed up to Jerome. I had a little trouble finding a place to park but then I saw someone pulling out and I grabbed the spot. I found the landmark for one of the boxes and made my way to the area, then followed the clues and easily found the box - Arizona 1912 by 8 Bare Feet. While I was stamping in at a picnic table I met up with connecticut croaker. She stamped in as well and then we replaced the box and went in search of the other box. On the way to the next box I needed we passed one of the boxes I found yesterday so we stopped so she could get it. After that we followed the clues and found Liberty Theater Eagle by Old2AK on a side road away from town. Once we had stamped in and replaced the box we walked back and did a short walk around town. Then connecticut croaker needed to leave so she could drive home and I was making my way back to my car when Desert Flower called. Desert Flower, Azroadie and Mark & Sue were going to find another letterbox and then get something to eat and wanted to know if I wanted to join them. I had decided to return to Cottonwood and get things packed for tomorrow. And I didn't need anything to eat because I had made a plate of some food from the event that I could eat for dinner. I decided to fill the car with gas for my day tomorrow and then I returned to the hotel. I have everything packed and ready for my day tomorrow which entails meeting Mark and Sue up in Prescott to find a series of letterboxes. So I have one more day in Arizona before I head back to Santa Fe and I am looking forward to finding this series of boxes and spending some time with Mark & Sue.