A Colossal Letterboxing Trip

Another trip to another letterboxing event. This time I am headed to Tucson for the 13th Annual Tucson Gathering: A Colossal Event.
February 7 - 14, 2017

It's Event Day at Colossal Cave

The event today (13th Annual Tucson Gathering: A Colossal Event) didn't start until 10:00am so I didn't set an alarm. I figured that I would be awake early enough to make it to Colossal Cave well before the event started. Last night I also got things ready - I had clues, personal travelers and directions. As it turned out I was up at 5:30am. So I got ready and headed out. Since I already had clues I didn't need to wait until the event started. One clue I had was at a pullout on the road to the park. I parked and followed the clues, found the box and took it back to the car to stamp in. As I was stamping in a car pulled up behind me. I figured it had to be another letterboxer - I mean, really, who else would be at a pullout at 7:00am on a two lane road headed to a park near Vail, AZ.  The woman who got out of the car wasn't anyone I recognized but she had some papers in her hand so I figured she was letterboxing. So I opened my car door and asked "Which Way is North?", and she pointed skyward. We introduced ourselves and I recognized the name but we had never met. It was Baqash  - I have found many of her boxes. So we shared the box and when we had both stamped in she got back in her car and headed for the park while I put the box back in its hiding spot - that box was "Do I Feel Lucky?" Well, Do You, Punk? by The Man With No Name.

Now I could continue to the park. As I entered I took the road to the Cave entrance. But I didn't have to go that far. I stopped at a parking area for oversized vehicles and parked. Here I looked for Spelunk Spelunk by Baqash. This was a quick and easy find and in no time I had stamped in and replaced the box. So I headed to the road that leads to the picnic areas and turned into La Posta Quemado Ranch. I first went to the Ranch Headquarters and Museum area and parked. First I looked for Azroadie's Olde Goat on the Trail of the Ancestors. It was only a short walk up the trail to the box. I stamped in, replaced the box and walked back to the trail head. Next, I wanted to look for Desert Flower's Symbols of Bad Luck. This is a series of two boxes. I first had to walk up the exit road to an unnamed trail. I then followed the clues and found both boxes - Black Cat and Ladder. Once I was done with these two boxes I walked back to my car. I then drove down to the parking area near the group pavilion where the event was going to take place. It was still early and I decided do a hike and look for a series of seven boxes and two other boxes. I read the clues to see what landmarks I needed and then I started up the trail. Not far up the trail I found the first box in the series - If It Weren't For Bad Luck by FamilyTreeShaker. Then I continued on. Between boxes #2 and #3 of the series I found a box by Desert Flower - A Rock. I was doing great through box #3 but after that my brain decided it didn't want to work anymonre. Somehow I missed the landmarks for boxes 4, 5  & 6. Before I knew it I was at the landmark for box #7. I found that box and stamped in and then looked for Great Seal of Arizona Territory 1863 by Baqash. After stamping in and replacing the box I retraced my step trying to find box #6. But for some reason it wasn't working. So I decided to return to box #3 and start again from there. As I walked back I met up with a couple and talked to them about the landmarks I missed. They had just come from box #4 so they pointed me in the right direction and then we parted ways. I found box #4 and stamped in and then headed for box #5. When I arrived there the couple was just starting to stamp in so they invited me to join them. After that the three of us headed to box #6. With a little work we found the landmarks and then the box. Finally, I was now finished with the series and I had found Bird, Splash, Ball, Flat Tire, Potty, Gum and Dog. So I made my way back down the trail and to the pavilion where the event had started. When I was walking up to the pavilion both Desert Flower and FamilyTreeShaker pointed at me and said "Come Here!". FamilyTreeShaker had recarved the Abscraps stamp that I looked for the other day and was missing. I had brought her the box so she said I could have the stamp so I didn't have to do the hike again. While I was stamping in Desert Flower presented me with a certificate - I had earned my Bachelor's Degree in her Baja Botany series. After that I visited for a bit and then looked for another series of boxes hidden around the pavilion. That series was I Have a Fear. There were five boxes in the series and they were just numbered, no names. When I found the first box it was letters - Tris. Then it when in order with kai, deka, phobia. After you found box 4 you had to go to FamilyTreeShaker and answer a question. She asked me "Spell it?" So I said I - T. She laughed and then said no spell the word you found in the stamps without looking. So I spelled T-R-I-S-K-A-I-D-E-K-A-P-H-O-B-I-A  and was rewarded with a fifth stamp - the number 13 and the circle with a slash through it. I really liked this series. I had found all the boxes hidden for the event so I had something to eat, visited with people and did some exchanges.

Around 3:00pm I decided to call it a day. I had gotten up early and was tired. On the way back to the hotel I stopped and filled the car with gas. When I got to my room I started packing and getting things ready for my drive home tomorrow. Then I logged in my finds and wrote this post. Now I am going to get some sleep so that I can leave early in the morning.

The Arizona Trail, Colossal Cave, Milagrosa Canyon and a Pre-Event

This morning was much cooler than yesterday so I planned to letterbox all day (didn't realize the temperatures were going to get to the 80's) until the Pre-Event which was from 4:00pm - 7:00pm. By 7:30am I was leaving the hotel to begin my day. The letterboxing started in Vail which was about a 20 minute drive from my hotel. My first destination was the Arizona Trail and I was starting at the trail head at the intersection of Sahaurita Road and Hwy 83. I was looking for two boxes on this trail. Before starting my hike I read the clues to see what landmarks I needed. For the first box I needed to get to a small incline and then the trail leveled out and then I needed a weird shaped prickly pear. I had no problem finding the landmarks and no problem finding the box - AZT Wild Things: PP by Desert Flower. I sat and stamped in, replaced the box and then returned to the trail. For the next box I was watching for a knoll and then when I got past that knoll I was looking for a second one. I got a little confused, went too far and had to back track and try again. This time I found the knoll and then the next landmarks were a sotol with a mesquite tree. I found these quickly and then found the box - Angiosperm: Monocot: Yucca elata by Desert Flower. This box is part of her Baja Botany series. After stamping in and replacing the box I headed back to the car. Now on to the next box.

My next location was another Arizona Trail trail head, this one being off of Marsh Station Road near Cienega Creek. The clue for the box gave the directions to the parking area but the actual clue to the box was a map. I followed the map (which turned out to be perfect) and quickly found AZT Wild Things: CC by Desert Flower. I stamped in, replaced the box and then returned to the car. Then I headed to Pistol Hill Road and another trail head for the Arizona Trail. I was looking for AZT Wild Things: PV by Desert Flower, This box only a short way down the trail and I had no issues finding the box. Now I wanted to go to Colossal Cave Mountain Park.

When I first arrived at the park I stopped at the entrance sign that spans the road. My Colossal Cave Logo box is hidden there and recently I received a note that the box was cracked and the logbook wet. So I had a new box to replace it. So I got that done first. Then I drove into the park and headed to the parking area for the cave entrance. Here I found A Big Hole Underground by FamilyTreeShaker. I had to be a sneaky since the box is hidded near the snack and gift shop but in the end I didn't have a problem. I took the box back to my car to stamp in and then walked it back to its hiding spot. From here I drove deeper into the park and entered the La Posta Quemado Ranch area. I parked near the museum and went in search of two boxes. First, I took the Gale Bundrick Trail. Here I found Butterfly Garden by Baqash. Then I headed to the museum and followed the clues to CCC by Baqash. After these two boxes I was going to look for a series of seven boxes on the Arizona Trail but I had trouble locating the trail head. So I decided to leave the park and head back to Tucson. I could get the boxes tomorrow.

My last stop of the day was Milagrosa Canyon. To get to the trail head I had to park on Avenida de Suzenu and then walk up Horsehead Road. Horsehead Road is gated and only residents can drive in - everyone else had to walk. So I walked the .8 miles up Horsehead Road to the trail head and then I started the hike to look for two boxes. Both boxes were on the same trail just a short distance from each other. I found Cometa de Milagrosa by Azroadie and Thallophyta: Lichen: Placidium squamulosum by Desert Flower (another Baja Botany series box). I enjoyed this hike, it was peaceful and beautiful.

When I arrived at my car I checked my FitBit and noted that I had walked and/or hiked 9.25 miles today. I was hot and tired and considered calling it a day. But I wanted to go to the Colossal Tucson Pre-Event at Azroadie and Desert Flower's house. By the time I drove from Milagrosa Canyon to the event it was about 4:30pm. There were quite a few people there and I spent most of my time just visiting. I didn't get any personal travelers or exchanges or any other boxes. They had chicken and pork soft tacos, chips and salsa, fruit and sweet treats. At 6:15pm I decided to head back to the hotel. Once I was back in the room I was barely moving. I was so tired from  the heat, the letterboxing and the walking and hiking. But after a good long shower I felt better. I'm glad that I was able to get this post done but now it is time for some sleep.

Letterboxing In Tucson on a Hot Winter Day

It is February 10th and the northeast part of the country had been getting blasted with snow and today I letterboxed in 80 degree weather in Tucson. I started my day at 8:15am at Tucson Mountain Park Robles Pass Section. My plan was to hike and look for 12 boxes that make up the Abscraps Series by FamilyTreeShaker. She has a blog post titled Abscraps Clues as One Hike that leads you from the parking area to each box in an organized fashion. There is also a Trail Map that you can print out to have with you. So I followed the clues taking the Camaro Loop Trail to the Boulder Belt Trail and then to the Flight Path Trail. Along the way I found Tilting at Windmills and Ode to a Grecian Urn. But the third box - Heart and Home, was missing, at least I think it is missing. I found a small cracked and broken container near where the clues sent me but there was no stamp or logbook. At this time I had hiked about two and a half miles. From the third box you retrace your steps back to the intersection of the Boulder Belt Trail and the Camaro Loop Trail. Before I started back from the third box I was already sweating profusely and it was getting warmer and I was already tired. It isn't a difficult hike but there is quite a bit of up and down so for me it was a moderate hike. When I got back to the intersection I needed for the next clue I decided to read the next three clues and follow them on the map to see where they would take me. I decided I couldn't do it - I was so hot and tired and had already done close to five miles. Thankfully, I did come prepared - I had a hat, sunglasses, hiking pole, plenty of water and snacks but the heat was just too much. My decision was to return to the car and go and get something to eat (it was 11:00am by this time) and decide what I would do later.

For my quick lunch I stopped at Jimmy Johns and had a Veggie Sub and Chips - perfect for a hot day. While eating I decided to head to Fort Lowell Park. Last year's annual event - It's 5 o'clock Somewhere!! Margaritaville Comes to Tucson was held here and there were quite a few boxes listed. So with clues in hand I headed to Ramada 7 where the clues started. Unfortunately, there were some people there so I had to figure out where to go to start for some of the boxes. I finally figured things out and found three boxes near the Ramada but away from the people - I found How a Pirate Looks as a Minion, It's On Me!!, and This Way to Margaritaville. Then there were a lot of clues that had you go past the volleyball pit and into a wash near a bench and labyrinth, then cross the wash and follow a trail southeast. I did that but encountered signs saying the area was closed due to construction so I never made it to the location where the other boxes started. So I returned to the Ramada but the people were still there. I did try to look for two other boxes but they were watching everything I did so I decided to call it quits. It was 3:30pm when I got back to the car. I was sweaty, hot and tired and decided that I was really done for the day. All I wanted was to take a shower and relax. On the way back to the hotel I stopped and got a milkshake to help cool me down. And now I am showered and relaxing and it is all good. I now need to figure out what I am going to do tomorrow.

Making My Way to Tucson

Around 7:30am I loaded my car and had some breakfast. After eating I started my letterboxing day. I headed south from Benson on AZ 80 and then turned west on AZ 82. I made my first stop at Fairbank. Fairbank is now a ghost town and managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It is open to the public, they have brochures at the entrance and you can take a self guided tour. My priority was to find Wonka's Chocolate River by Katalina Madalina. I parked in the lot near the restroom and followed the clues. This was an easy find and once I had stamped in and replaced the box I returned to the car to put my letterboxing stuff away. Then I went into the site and had a look around. This was an interesting place and it was a nice way to start the day. Oh, I had the place to myself - not anyone else around. Leaving Fairbank I continued west on AZ 82 and only a short distance down the road I turned onto In Balance Ranch Road. I was going to look for Cochise Hovercraft by Kurious Jo but I couldn't find the parking area with the sign I needed. So I got back on the road and headed towards Sonoita. Along the way I stopped at a historic marker and found Earp's Vendetta Series: Box #5 Curly Bill by The Man With No Name. This was a quick and easy find and I was on my way in no time. Once I arrived in Sonoita I turned onto AZ 83 and drove north. I then turned into the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. I followed the clues for Angiosperm: Monocot: Bush Muhly by Desert Flower. It was a little confusing with all these dirt roads branching off and there weren't any signs. But luckily the clues described landmarks as well and eventually I found the box. I stamped in and then replaced the box and then backtracked to Sonoita. Then I got back on AZ 82 and headed towards Patagonia. There is road construction on AZ 82 in Sonoita and I ended up sitting in line waiting for our turn to follow the lead car. The whole process lasted about 30 minutes and then I was on my way again. When I arrived in Patagonia I followed the directions for Angiosperm: Dicot: Populus fremontii by Desert Flower. I parked and then followed the clues. I got to the first landmark and then there was nothing. I was looking for a snag next to a juniper - NO snag and NO juniper. I looked around and found a small stump that looked like it could be a juniper and about a foot away was another stump (maybe from the snag). The area was also covered in mulch. So I looked around the two stumps and under the mulch in the area around the two stumps. Nada! Nothing! No Box! So I returned to the car and drove back to AZ 82 to continue my drive. At mile marker 16 I stopped at a historic marker and found Telles II by FamilyTreeShaker. This was a quick and easy find and soon I was back on the road. I drove south to Nogales and then hit I 19 headed north. Then I took exit 12 and drove west on AZ 289 to Pena Blanca Lake. I parked at the Upper Thumb Rock Picnic Area. Here I looked for Arizona Counties: Santa Cruz by Squatchis. I didn't have any luck finding the box. I hope I just missed it and that it is not missing. So boxless I returned to I 19 and continued my drive north. My next stop was in Tubac and the Anza Trail to look for Thallophyta: Algae: Desmid by Desert Flower. It was a short walk to the box and I found it without any problems. I sat and stamped in and then returned to my car. I was now done for the day. So I continued my drive to Tucson, stopped for a bite to eat and then checked into the hotel. Tomorrow I have the whole day in Tucson so I need to figure what I am going to do.

A Whole Lot of History

It was another early morning. I was up at 5:30am, got things packed & loaded into the car, had some breakfast, grabbed a coffee to go and I headed south out of Safford. I took US 191 and drove to I 10 and then headed east (I know that isn't the way to Tucson for the event). Desert Flower has a series of boxes planted around the southeast part of Arizona. The series is called Baja Botany 101. There is one in Safford but I couldn't get it because the mountain is covered with snow. Another one is in Portal. So this morning I headed there. I took I 10 east to exit 5 in New Mexico. I drove south on NM 80 heading for Rodeo. Just before reaching the town I turned onto NM 533 (aka Portal Road). I drove through the village and then followed FR 42 past the Forest Service Office and into the Coronado National Forest. I then passed a sign that said "Travel Caution" - Smuggling and Illegal Immigration May Be Encountered in this Area. So my senses moved to high alert. But I kept driving. I was looking for South Fork Zoological and Botanical Area. I turned into the area and then stopped to read the clues. The hike was 3 miles round trip and then I didn't feel comfortable doing that by myself in an unfamiliar area. Also, once I passed the village I didn't see any other humans. I didn't even see anyone in the campgrounds. Azroadie also has a box on a trail in this area and again I just didn't feel comfortable. So I turned around and retraced my drive back to I 10. NOTE: I am such a big chicken!

So now I headed west into Arizona. I then took exit 366 into Bowie. I turned onto Apache Pass Road and drove south to Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Around mile marker 8 or 9 there is a parking area for the Site. But to actually get to the Fort you have to walk a mile and a half. It is a easy to moderate walk and the views are incredible. So I took the walk, stopped to look around the cemetery and stopped at Apache Spring and finally arrived at the Visitor Center. When I arrived at the parking area there were three cars and I didn't see any people so I figured they had walked to the Site. When I arrived at the cemetery there was a couple just leaving and continuing up the trail. I spent a little time in the cemetery and then continued my walk. I soon caught up to the couple and passed them. With about a quarter mile left to go I passed a couple heading back to the parking area. At the Visitor Center there were no visitors, only the Ranger. I first got my National Park Cancellation Stamps and then I talked with the Ranger. Then I asked for the Junior Ranger Booklet and headed out to explore the ruins. It took me about a half hour to walk the Ruins Trail and fill out the booklet. When I returned to the Visitor Center there were eight people there. I turned in my booklet, got my Junior Ranger Badge, bought a patch and some postcards and then headed back to the parking area. Along the way I passed quite a few people and when I arrived at the parking area the three cars originally there had multiplied into 17 cars and 2 RVs. I really enjoyed the walk to the Site - it was a beautiful day - sunny with clear blue skies and temperatures in the 60s, and I already mentioned the views. I was glad I decided to stop and visit this National Park Site. Well worth the out of the way drive and the three mile round trip walk.

Leaving Fort Bowie I continued on Apache Pass Road in the direction I was originally traveling. At stopped between mile markers 7 & 8 at a pullout and went in search of The California Column: Battle at Apache Pass by Squatchis. (The California Column was made up of Union volunteers sent to the area during the Civil Was.) I took a 200 foot walk to a viewpoint and then 93 steps up a side trail and found the box. I sat and stamped in and took in the views before returning to the car. I then continued my drive arriving at AZ 186. At this intersection I turned left and headed to Dos Cabezas. Here I looked for and found "Two Heads" Pioneer Cemetery Box by ggghiker and Grandpa's House by EdieSoCal. Once I had completed these two boxes I turned around and headed south and then stopped at Riggs Family Cemetery to find Spread Your Wings by EdieSoCal. My intention for today was to visit two National Park Units and do some letterboxing. But it was getting late and I didn't have the time to stop at Chiricahua National Monument, so I drove on by and the AZ 186 turned into AZ 181. Ten miles past the turn to Chiricahua the road made a 90 degree right turn. But instead of following that road I turned left onto a dirt road - Turkey Creek Road. Four miles down this road I arrived at Johnny Ringo's Grave Site. I found Earp's Vendetta Series: Box #6 Johnny Ringo by The Man With No Name. The box is hidden right at the pullout so I found it and stamped in. Once I was done and the box was back in place I entered the gate and took the short  walk to the grave. A beautiful place - the grave is situated on the bank of a body of water (there wasn't a sign but with a little research I figured it to be Ringo Pond). After taking a few pictures I made my way back to AZ 181. I followed this road to its intersection with US 191. I took this road north and around mile marker 64 I parked in a pullout to find Azroadie's Wild Blue Yonder  box. After stamping in and replacing the box I decided to call it a day (it was just past 4:30pm). My destination for the night was Benson. So I got on I 10 and headed west. When I arrived in Benson I first found something to eat and once I was sated I drove to my hotel. I am now settled in for the night, planned for my day tomorrow and finished this post. It was a great day and I enjoyed exploring new areas.

Heading to Safford

Another letterboxing trip has begun. I am headed to Tucson for their annual gathering - 13th Annual Tucson Letterboxers Gathering: A Colossal Event. I am taking about a week to travel a little through Southeast Arizona and spend most of my time letterboxing.

This morning I left Santa Fe early because I wanted to stop along the way and letterbox and still get to Safford before dark. So I headed south on I25 and exited in Socorro. Once in Socorro I stopped at the library to find a box - nothing. It was still dark so I didn't get a good look but I think it is missing. I then headed west on US60 and made my way to Datil. Here I turned onto NM12 and headed southwest to Reserve. I stopped in Reserve at a historic marker and looked for Reserve by Sunny Delight. I didn't find this box either. After a few minutes searching the area I decided it was gone and continued on my drive. From Reserve I continued along NM12 and then turned south onto US180 to Alma. When I arrived in Alma I turned onto Mineral Creek Road. I was headed to Cooney's Tomb to find Cooney's Tomb by Sunny Delight. The clue stated that it was a five mile drive from US180 to the tomb. At four miles the road crossed Mineral Creek - this is where I stopped and turned around. The creek was flowing across the road and it seemed to be moving fast. I was unable to tell how deep it was and I decided not to chance it. Back on US180 I continued a short distance to the intersection of NM159. At this intersection is a historic marker for Mogollon. I parked here and then walked across NM159 and found Butch Cassidy by ArnoldZiffel. I took the box back to the car to stamp in and then replaced it. I was happy to have found the box since I wasn't having a great letterboxing morning. From here I continued on US180 to NM174. This is the road that leads to the Catwalk. This was my third time trying to visit this area. But there was flooding in the area a few years ago and they have had problems with the road. So this morning I decided to see if I could make it. I drove about one mile and then stopped. the road crossed a creek and the creek was moving fast. Also there was a drop off to the right of the road and I didn't want to take the chance of sliding off into the creek. So I turned around and will have to try another time.


Once back on US180 I drove for a while and then turned onto NM78 headed for Arizona. As I crossed the border the road became AZ78. I drove to the intersection with US191. Continuing my drive on US191 I headed for Safford. At MM147 I stopped at a pullout and looked for Historic Highway 666 by Azroadie. From the pullout I went through a gate and walked a short distance to a dirt road (old US Highway 666). I turned left and walked a little ways along the road to a line of four Mesquite trees. And I found the box. I found a place to sit and stamp in and then replaced the box and returned to my car. From here I continued into Safford and stayed on US191 and drove to AZ366. This road heads up into the mountains and I was planning on looking for four boxes. I only drove a short distance and then stopped. The mountain had snow and even though the road might be clear I didn't think I would be able to hike and find the boxes. So I turned around and headed back into Safford. It was around 1:00pm so I decided to stop and get a bite to eat. After eating I went to my hotel to check in but my room wasn't ready. So I headed to the library. At the library I started this post and did a little reading until 3:00pm at which time I headed back to the hotel to check in.

Once at the hotel I got settled in and did a little reading. Then I planned for my day tomorrow and got things organized. Now that this post is finished I can get some rest for my driving and letterboxing tomorrow.