Letterboxes, A Castle and Snow

So I woke up this morning in Flagstaff and it was snowing. Only flurries, but still - it is April and Spring. Oh, the joy of the mountains. The snow wasn't bad and it wasn't sticking so no problems. I got my things ready, loaded the car and had a little breakfast before beginning my day. I left the hotel and headed to Lowell Observatory. I arrived a little after 7:00am. The parking area was empty so I figured I could grab the boxes without any problems. And I did just that - I got Earmintor's Plutospective and Silver Eagle's Lowell Observtory. I took both back to the car to stamp in. These two boxes are hidden five feet apart from each other, one hanging in a tree and the other under rocks near the tree, so it was easy to get them both at the same time. When I took Silver Eagle's box from the tree I noticed it was messed up. It is a film canister microbox and the lid was on but the container had cracks. In the car I examined it better and it looks like someone cut or tore the container to either get the stamp and logbook in or out. When I pulled the logbook and stamp out I wasn't surprised that the container had been messed up - the logbook was bulging and it looked as though someone had added pages or something and then just shoved it into the container. So this box needs a new logbook and container but thankfully the stamp is in good shape. I stamped in and replaced the boxes without seeing any other person - it sure makes it easy to be stealthy. I think Astro D may be heading up to Flagstaff for a graduation soon - maybe she can fix the box up. I'll have to ask her. Anyway, time to leave Flagstaff and make my way to Prescott with stops along the way.

First I exited I17 and took Hwy89A south towards Sedona. Although I didn't get that far. I stopped near Fry Canyon to get Desert Flower's Frey-Fry-Frye. This was a quick and easy find but I had problems stamping in - there was snow all over and no where to sit and the car was a little further away than I wanted to walk, so I just stood and did the best job I could. After stamping in I replaced the box and walked back to the car. The next box I wanted to try and find was Team BearCat's Arizona Cactus Wren. The only directions I had were from I17 so I retraced my drive on 89A back to I17 and then easily made my way to the Beaver Creek WC Trailhead - Team BearCat's directions were spot on. I parked and gathered my things and took the short walk to the box. There were three cars in the parking lot when I arrived but there was no one around the box and I was able to grabbed it without a problem. I found a nearby rock to sit on (no snow in this area) and stamp in. I took my time because the area was beautiful and peaceful and the sun was shining - it was a little chilly but not cold and I was enjoying the area. Finally I replaced the box and continued on with my day. As I drove to the trailhead I saw a sign for Montezuma Well and that was the next thing I had on my list to do so I followed the signs and in no time I had arrived at the monument. I got my Passport Stamp and the went out to walk the trails. I followed the trail to the Well and then waked down into the area, came back up and then continued on the trail around the Well and then down again to where there is a creek. Then I came back up and finished the loop trail back to the parking area. This is a nice place and very interesting. I left the monument and went to look for a letterbox and get some lunch. I had clues for a letterbox in the area and it was hidden at a restaurant and it sounded like a good place to eat. So I made my way to Rimrock and found Cricket's Desserts and Sandwiches. I first found the letterbox and sat in the car to stamp in and then I replaced the box and went inside for some food. The place is located in what looks like an old house. I had a barbecue beef sandwich with chips and then a cinnamon roll for dessert. Everything was delicious and now that I was full I could continue on with my day. Now I made my way to Montezuma Castle National Monument. Up until now all the places I have visited on this trip have been pretty empty - not very many people around. But when I arrived here I had to drive around the parking lot twice waiting for someone to leave. As I got into the Visitor Center I noticed the place was packed and I had to wait in line to show my pass. Finally I was through with all the information I needed to enjoy the monument. First I saw the exhibits and then I headed outside to walk the short trail. The castle ruins are magnificent. Seated high up on the cliff wall looking majestic - it was one of those 'WOW' moments. I ended up sitting on a bench just staring for a while imagining the person or persons who designed this and all the people it took to build it - they did an incredible job because here it stands before us after all this time in remarkable shape. I then completed the loop, visited the gift shop and then I was on my way again.

As I left Montezuma Castle and made my way to Prescott the weather was beautiful. A little chilly but sunny and very little wind. As I got closer to Prescott the skies darkened and before I knew it there was snow. I didn't let that get to me and continued on to Lynx Lake Recreation Area. In this general area I had clues for five boxes that I wanted to look for today (I also have clues for this area but will do that another day). With the snow and having a hard time finding some of the trails I only ended up with three of the boxes. One I looked for but for some reason I couldn't find it - not sure what I did wrong but I had trouble with a couple of landmarks and then one I decided not to look for because the snow was getting worse. So I returned to the car and headed into Prescott and to my hotel.

I checked into the Grand Highland Hotel on Whiskey Row. The place is great, a nice little boutique hotel with comfortable rooms - I am loving it. After I got settled and washed up I asked the woman who checked me in for suggestions of where to eat in walking distance. I ended up at the Firehouse Kitchen. Here I had a side salad (spring mix, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and croutons tossed in a red wine vinaigrette), a Firehouse Chicken Sandwich (marinated broiled chicken, tomatoes, smothered with habanero jack cheese with a basil aioli) with sweet potato fries and an IPA. It was a great meal and now I could return to the hotel and settle in for the night. Today was a great day and now I have to organize what I am going to do in Prescott tomorrow.