Letterboxing with a Little Bit of History

This morning I decided to letterbox around the area and make a day of seeing some things and places I haven't seen before. So I drove south from Somerville on TX36 to FM390 and headed east. It wasn't long before I arrived in Independence. Here I stopped at Old Baylor Park and looked for two letterboxes. One I couldn't find and the other was a quick and easy find. After I stamped in I walked around the area and read the interpretive signs and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the area. Then I drove to Baylor Park on Windmill Hill. Here I found two letterboxes and stamped in at a picnic table. While looking for the boxes I stopped at what is believed to be the first burial site of Baylor's namesake - Judge R.E.B. Baylor. I then drove to the Antique Rose Emporium to have a look around. After this I did a quick drive around the town and then I continued on my journey.
I drove on FM390 headed east and followed it as it took a 90º turn south and intersected with TX105. Then I headed northeast to FM912 which goes into FM1155 and once here I made my way to Washington Cemetery Road and the cemetery. After parking at the cemetery I went in search of a Baby Bear box and two Mosaic Butterfly boxes. The front part of the cemetery is mowed and nicely kept but the back part (which is where the boxes are) is very overgrown. After walking all around this part of the cemetery and finding all three boxes I ended up spending about 20 minutes picking stickers off my pants. They were everywhere and they really hurt. I ended up missing one and when I squatted down I ended up sticking myself in the butt - talk about an eye opener. I spent some time trying to figure out what these things are and the most I can come up with is that they are called sandbur or grassburs. In looking for information I found this poem and picture - both sum up my experience perfectly.

Cocklebur orbs
in shiny green grass;
tiny assassins;
miniscule lance.

In addition to these stickers I also had other little thing all over me. These were easier to identify. They are called beggars lice and the good thing is that they don't hurt. Now that my pants didn't have any hitchhikers I was able to get into the car and continue on. From the cemetery I drove to Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park. I spent a little time walking around the Visitor Center and talking to one of the rangers before I set out on my walk and my search for letterboxes. Not far from the Visitor Center I stopped off at Independence Hall for a look/see. Then I went letterboxing. I had clues for about 14 boxes. After spending about two hours walking around and hunting for boxes I ended up only finding six. Seven of them I couldn't find (some might be gone but others I might have missed because the place was really overgrown) and one I didn't look for. While out on the trails I saw the La Bahia Pecan Tree and the Star of the Republic Museum. I then returned to the Visitor Center to pick up some snacks and souvenirs before continuing on with my day.

My next destination was the Round Top/Warrenton area. I drove down TX237 past Round Top to FM954. Then I turned onto Schulle Road and made my way to Drawe Cemetery. Here I found Baby Bear's William Neese House. The cemetery was quiet and peaceful out in the middle of nowhere and I enjoyed my visit. Next I made my way back to TX237 and to Florida Chapel Cemetery where I found Baby Bear's Friederike Recknagel. I brought the box back to my car to stamp in. After replacing the box I drove back to Round Top and stopped at the Festival Institute. At the Institute I looked for and found Silver Eagle's Jumble Game 20 and Dawns Glory's She Has Audrey Hepburn Eyes. After finidng these two boxes I walked around the area and took some pictures. I really like this place, it is beautiful and relaxing.

I decided to return to Somerville and make a few stops along the way to find some boxes. My first stop was at La Bahia Cemetery. There is not much left of the town but the cemetery looks very well kept. I was able to find Baby Bear's La Bahia box. I sat in my car to stamp in and then replaced the box and continued on my way. Next I made my way to Berlin and the Eben-Ezer Lutheran Church Cemetery. This was another quick and easy find and after stamping in and replacing the box I continued my drive. From the cemetery I made my way to Wauls Legion Road off of TX36. I was looking for an historical marker somewhere along the road. I missed it on my first pass and on the way back I saw it. I pulled off on the side of the road but there really wasn't much place to park. Then I read the clues for two boxes here. I was a little worried about looking for the boxes since the marker is on property with a house and there was someone outside mowing the lawn. There is also a driveway that goes between the two trees and I didn't want to make the owner of the house suspicious. So I went to the sign and read it and took a picture. Then I walked back toward the car and noticed one of the boxes. So I quickly grabbed it and took it back to the car where I stamped in. I then went and replaced it and tried to look for the second box but the guy mowing the lawn kept glancing over. So I gave up without finding the box.

The day was great - I loved all the places I visited and I found some wonderful boxes. But I am exhausted. It is now time to sleep so that I am rested for the start of the Artistic License event tomorrow afternoon.