Connecticut Letterboxing Trip

I have the opportunity to visit the mecca of letterboxing - Connecticut, while Thomas attends a conference. Follow along with my adventure.
October 15 - 21, 2008

Connecticut Slide Show

We made it home late last night and I spent today getting the necessities out of the way. We had a great time in the Northeast and we had great weather and got to see some Fall color. As always though it is good to be home. I have gone through all my pictures and have put together a slide show. It is just a taste of what we encountered and enjoyed during our visit - I hope you enjoy! Just click on the picture to see what we saw.

Our Last Day in Connecticut

Originally I was to spend today by myself just letterboxing and hiking. But Thomas finished his meeting and was free for the day by 9:30am. So we got coffee and headed out. We went to Westmoor Park first. "Westmoor Park is an environmental, agricultural, and horticultural education center dedicated to generating awareness and appreciation for the natural world." We had a great time walking around the trails at the park, it was a peaceful and relaxing time. We ended up walking the trails about 3 times each. There were four series of boxes and it was too hard to try and look for boxes from each series at the same time. So we started with The Coffee Series. There were suppose to be 9 boxes (3 were marked active, 4 were marked unavailable and 2 were marked unknown). I found all the active boxes and one of the unknown and one of the unavailable boxes. So I was a little confused about the way the boxes were listed - but pleasantly surprised to find some of them. Next we worked on the Animals of Westmoor Series - 6 boxes. We found all but the first box - pretty good - not sure about that first box, the clues seemed obvious and the hiding place seemed too vulnerable. On to the last two series - Westmoor Park Trail and Westmoor Trail. I found one of the two Westmoor Trail boxes (I didn't even attempt the second one because I totally spaced out the clues) and I found all four of the Westmoor Park Trail boxes. These four boxes were actually planted by the Park - I thought is was nicely done and all the stamps were handcarved.

After a few hours at Westmoor it was about 2:00pm and we both needed something to eat. We found a Panera Bread and had sandwiches and a little dessert. Now full and reenergized we decided to check out Reservoir #6. Now there were about 8 sets of clues for this area and I also had clues for about 40 boxes in another area of the Reservoirs. It was all very confusing - just too many boxes to really plan out a strategy. That is why we chose Reservoir #6 (less clues = less stress). We parked at the first lot at the Reservoir and started walking - we decided to only look for one box (well actually two boxes - it was a series). We found the trail and started searching. We had trouble with finding landmarks and couldn't find the box so we went to look for the second one. We found that one right away, so after stamping in we returned back down the trail. We gave the first box another try and still came up empty handed. We made the decision to stop letterboxing and just walk around. We took pictures and walked a couple of trails and after 2 hours started back to the hotel. On the way back to the hotel we passed a cemetery and I knew there was a box there and Thomas really likes exploring cemeteries so we stopped. We found the area and parked, while I looked for the box, Thomas walked around and looked at grave stones. I easily found the box and stamped in, once I had it back in its hiding spot I joined Thomas for a walk around the cemetery.

The day was done. By this time it was 5:00pm and the traffic had picked up. We stopped to fill the car up with gas and decided to make our way back to the hotel avoiding the highways. It still took us over 30 minutes to go about 10 miles. Anyway we made it back. We are packed and ready for our trip home - we had a great time but we miss Santa Fe and it is always good to be home.

A Day in Windsor with Friends

Today I had plans to spend the day letterboxing in Northwest Park with some letterboxing friends that Astro D and I met in June of this year. I wasn't meeting them until 10:00am but as usual I was up early. So I got my things ready and headed north to Windsor. Let me tell you that today was very different than all the other days that we have been in Connecticut. It was incredibly cold! So I layered - 2 shirts, a fleece pullover and a jacket - it was still cold. I don't know the exact temperature but I was cold. So on the way to the park I got a cup of coffee and when I arrived at the park I sat there with the heater on and enjoyed that very hot cup of coffee. Then I decided to take a walk and look for a couple of boxes before Ginny and Jil showed up - I thought that would help. So I walked to the furthest part of the park and walked the Triassic trail and found Coelophysis. I was still cold. So I started walking back to the front of the park and took a quick detour to find Blue Bird Hybrid. By the time I got back to the parking area I think I may have been colder than when I started out. So I found a spot to wait that was in the sun and blocked the wind a little. It wasn't long before Ginny and Jil arrived and we made a game plan and started letterboxing. We walked through the park and followed clues to several letterboxes at once trying to get the boxes as we went along - we wanted to keep the backtracking to a minimum. We spent the rest of the morning and a little of the afternoon just visiting and finding boxes. At about 1:30pm we headed back to the front of the park and found a nice sunny area and had a picnic lunch that Jil was kind enough to prepare for us (and by this time the wind had decreased and the temperature had increased). After eating and visiting some more we hit the trails again. All in all we found 18 boxes and had a terrific day. But it wasn't over yet. Thomas was busy all day and had a dinner to attend tonight so I didn't need to get back to the hotel to meet him. So Ginny, Jil and I went out for dinner and talked some more. It was a great way to spend a Sunday and enjoy a crisp, cold Autumn day in New England.

Thomas and I Spend the Day in East Hartford/Manchester

Thomas and I decided to spend the day finding letterboxes in the East Hartford and Manchester areas, but Thomas had to attend a meeting first. So I slept in a little and then got things ready for the day. I mapped out the locations we wanted to go to and got the directions written down just to make things easier. I then took a little walk downtown and looked at the Old State House and took some pictures. I only spent abut 30 minutes walking because I wanted to be at the hotel when Thomas was ready. When Thomas finished his meeting and we left the hotel it was already 10:30am. So we decided to try one or two places and then find some lunch before we continued the day. So we made our way over to the east side of the Connecticut River to Center Cemetery. Here we found some incredible grave stones. The oldest one I found was dated 1761. And the carvings on the tops were just beautiful. After spending about 30 minutes just walking around and admiring the stones we finally got down to business and found the letterbox - it was a stamp of an image from one of the grave stones - very nicely done. So onward to the next location - Martin Park. This wasn't an especially nice park but we had a nice time doing a little walking. We looked for a series of boxes based on Sponge Bob. They were hidden for an event in May and were only suppose to be there for the day per the clue. But I noticed they were still marked active. We found three of the six stamps - not sure if we missed them or if they were missing. Then we looked for two more stamps from a series about Kill Bill. Only two of the three were active and we ended only finding one of them - still we had a nice time.

On the way to our next location we stopped and had some sandwiches for lunch. A quick lunch completed and we were on our way. Another cemetery - this one was a nice Veteran's Cemetery. We found Blondie, stamped in and the got back on the road. Not really any interesting grave stones here since they were all exactly the same (you know the ones from any National Cemetery) so we didn't hang out here. I can't tell you exactly where we went next because the box was a mystery, we knew it was in East Hartford but you had to figure out the location. After a little work we found the box and we were really glad - it was a beautiful carve by Music Woman. Our next stop was James N. Leber Memorial Park on Love Lane. I think I liked this series of boxes the best from today. It was called Build a Snowman. You went around the park finding boxes with parts to actually stamp and decorate a snowman - there was the snowman base, arms, hat, earmuffs, face, buttons, holly and scarf. It was a nicely done series and I was just like a little kid stamping up snowmen. We also found a bonus stamp that went with the Snowman series and another box - Peace . . . in Rapanui. We ended up having a great time in this park. At the car we talked about where to go next - back to the hotel or try for one or two more boxes. We decided to do a little more letterboxing. In East Cemetery in Manchester we found three boxes - Dia de Los Muertes, Dia de Los Muertes II and Poopy's NEW BOX (#2). They were all nice stamps but Poopy's was the best. It is a beautifully carved stamp of a little boy named Eric who died a year ago at age 2 - this box is placed at his grave site by his parents. It was just wonderful. By the time we finished at the cemetery it was dark but we wanted to make one more stop. Connfederate has a box planted at his home - in his yard. The clues let you know that you can find the box anytime since it is hidden outside. I won't tell you where it was hidden or where Connfederate lives - you can figure that out on your own. But I will tell you it was nicely done and I loved his yard - it was completely decorated for Halloween and looked terrific.

Well, I guess all good days must come to an end so we started back to the hotel. On the way there we stopped for some dinner and just relaxed. By the time we got to the hotel we were both tired and needed showers. Once we were clean and ready for bed I decided to try and write about our day - I started but about half way I just couldn't keep my eyes open, so you guessed it - I am finishing it on Sunday night. And I will do another post in a few minutes telling you what I did today.

An Incredibly Relaxing Day

Yesterday was a balmy, cloudy and rather uncomfortable day - the temperature was around 72° and the humidity hovered between 85% and 90%. Thomas and I spent the majority of the day outside and by the time we got back to the hotel yesterday evening our clothes were very damp. Today on the other hand was very different. The temperature was about 60° and the humidity was around 75%. Much more comfortable and enjoyable.

Thomas was busy all day with his conference so I ended up spending the day by myself - which I do enjoy at times. I can do things at my own pace and not feel like I am pushing someone to do more than they want to or holding them back if I am more inclined to linger. Today I vacillated between taking my time and enjoying the scenery and hurrying along the trails to find more letterboxes. In the end I have to say that I had a pretty incredible day.

I didn't set an alarm to get up this morning - I just let my body tell when it was ready - that happened to be at 8:00am. By the time I showered, dressed and got my things together it was 9:00am. I left the hotel and headed for East Hartford and Manchester - just across the Connecticut River from the hotel. I find it hard getting around places I have never been and when I am alone in the car I really have difficulty navigating sometimes. Today was one of them. I wanted to visit a cemetery in East Hartford but somehow missed the exit off the Interstate. But I did see an exit for a park I wanted to go to so I took it and made my way to Wickham Park. This park has about six or seven different themed gardens and has about five other attractions that could keep you extremely busy for a few days. I was focused on only two or three today. There are numerous boxes hidden in this park with most of them being on the Fitness Trail. But I first began my visit at the Oriental Garden. Here I found two boxes (well actually only one, the second box had me walk through the Italian Shrine to the Cabin Garden). The second box was near where you could see the Hartford Skyline. It was incredible! After I had logged into the second box and rehidden it I headed back to the car and made my way to the Fitness Trail. On this trail I found seven boxes (I also attempted two boxes that I couldn't find and I also was looking for a junction with the bird sanctuary that I never saw). It was a beautiful walk. The trail was carpeted with leaves and every time the wind blew it started raining leaves. By the time I reached the car again my backpack had about 4o leaves in it - I loved it! I decided to drive to the parking area for the Cabin Gardens and I ended up sitting on a bench at the opening to the gardens just looking out at the Hartford Skyline. After about 20 minutes I decided to head to my next destination (even though at the time I didn't have a next destination). I sat in the car and looked at my map of East Hartford and Manchester (this map has little dots and "x's" all over it - my way of mapping out where the boxes are in that area). I decided on the Oak Grove Nature Center. It was another park with quite a few boxes and I could spend a few hours there and not have to navigate around the area. But getting there proved to be quite a challenge. I first turned the opposite way out of Wickham Park that I needed to go - I drove about 2 miles out of my way before I realized I was on the wrong road. So I turned around and headed in the right direction. Then about half way to the Nature Center I missed a turn and ended up another 2 miles in the wrong direction. But eventually I made it and was extremely happy to be parked. So I hit the trails. I only worked on finding one series of boxes. There were other boxes in the park but the series I wanted to do had nine boxes and I figured that would take me the rest of the afternoon. So I made my way down the trail. Again the trail was carpeted with leaves and at times it was difficult to know if I was on the trail. A couple of times I was off and thankfully there were blazes to get me back on track. The Oak Grove Nature Center was very nice. It has a pond (and ducks in the pond), a covered bridge and numerous stream crossings. I made my way around the Pond Loop and a couple of times I ended up sitting on benches and just enjoyed the peace and quiet. I only saw two other people at this park. I ended up finding eight of the nine boxes - not sure where I went wrong with the third box in the series - I thought I was in the right place but I never found it - oh well. It was still a nice afternoon.

Not knowing exactly how to get back to the hotel and not knowing what traffic might be like at five I decided to call it a day at 4:00pm. It turned out that it only took me about 15 minutes to get back to the hotel - I didn't make any mistakes or wrong turns this time. I got into the room and first things first I showered. Then I logged in my finds, did my picture of the day and am now documenting my day. I had a great time today and I feel so relaxed. I'm on my own again for tomorrow so I am going to go and plan out my day so that I do a better job of navigating.

Getting a Slow Start

We arrived in Hartford yesterday afternoon. With the two hour time change, the long flight, waiting for luggage, getting the rental car and getting checked into the hotel it was almost 6:00pm before we felt settled and decided to see a little bit of Hartford and get something to eat. We left the hotel and walked two blocks to State Street. We passed the Old State Capitol Building which I loved - it is a small brick building with a clock tower on top - I thought is was great. We didn't get to go inside since it was already closed. So we continued on. It was Thomas, his boss Rhonda and myself. Rhonda wanted some wine and we stopped at The Goodwin Hotel thinking that they would have a nice little bar that we could sit and have a drink and eat something - it really didn't have anything so we continued down the street. At some point we ended up on Asylum Street. At this point we were all hungry so we decided the next restaurant we came to we would go in and eat. That restaurant ended up being Mayor Mike's. It was a nice little restaurant that sort of reminded us of a pub. Rhonda ordered her wine, I ended up with a pint of Guinness and Thomas just had tea. We looked at the menu but I kept going back to something I saw on the Specials Board. - so I decided to close the menu and order the Sweet Potato Ravioli - it came with a tarragon sauce and a sprinkling of cinnamon. It was incredible - I almost ordered a second plate (but decided against it so that I could have dessert). Once we were done with dinner we decided to order two desserts and share them. We had carrot cake and apple crisp a la mode and the waitress gave us a little history lesson - Mike was the Mayor of Hartford for eight years (four terms), he is currently in the hospital (having a liver transplant) and is seriously thinking about running for Mayor again. [Sidebar: Tonight at the mini-meet I found out that most of Hartford really likes Mike and they would love him to be Mayor again.] After dinner we walked a little and ended up going through the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch as we made our way to the Capitol. We were walking through Bushnell Park and we could see a fountain to our right and we wished it was still light out so that we could actually see the park better. But we continued on to the Capitol. It was really nice all lit up but unfortunately it was still too dark to get any good pictures and we couldn't go in because it was closed. So we walked all around and admired the architecture and made plans to come back today to see the inside. It was around 9:00 pm and we were all tired from the day of traveling so we returned to the hotel. After showering I looked through clues and mapped things out and then hit the pillow. I think I may have fallen asleep before my head actually hit the pillow and I didn't wake up until the alarm went off at 7:30 this morning.

Once dressed I decided to take a walk along the Connecticut River going through Riverfront Plaza. There are some statues along the walk and it is a paved trail with lots of trees alongside the trail. It was a peaceful and easy walk - I only encountered four or five people during my hour walking around. I did try for two letterboxes even though they had been marked as attempted and neither of them had been found in about a year - I was unsuccessful at finding either of them. After my walk I returned to the hotel and Thomas and I got into the car and headed back to the Capitol area. And since it was daylight we actually got to see the Capitol building a bit better and walk around Bushnell Park a little more. After finding a parking spot (which took way too long) we walked into Bushnell Park and went to see the Carousel. It wasn't open yet so we walked around and I took some pictures of a few statues and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch as well as the Corning Fountain with the Capitol in the background. When the Carousel was opened we returned there and I got a few pictures fo the horses. Then we headed for the Capitol - I took a few more pictures of the outside of the building and then we went inside and did a self-guided tour. It is a beautiful Gothic inspired building. When we had walked around the night before I noticed stained glass windows all around. Today I found out that the architect that designed the building was well known for designing Gothic Churches - and you can definitely see that in the Connecticut State Capitol Building. This is a truly amazing building and I thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

Next we headed for the Mark Twain House. Mr. Clemens lived in Hartford from 1874-1891. We weren't able to get a tour until about an hour and a half after we arrived so we decided to just walk around the grounds. The house is beautiful and we had a nice time walking around. We then headed to the Store at the museum to find Mark Twain's Letterbox by MayEve. It was a beautiful stamp and I enjoyed finding this box - my first find in Connecticut. From here we headed to Elizabeth Park. We entered the park and parked near the Rose Garden - we were both surprised to find quite a few roses in bloom. But first things first - we searched for two letterboxes. We found both Happy Birthday to Us 2008 and A Rose is a Rose. After stamping in and rehiding the boxes we decided to walk around the park. We enjoyed the roses and dahlias and then walked across a beautiful stone bridge, grabbed a snack at the pond house and then watched the ducks at the pond. Two hours after we arrived we haeded out to our next destination.

There was a Mini-Meet put together by Music Woman in Rocky Hill and we needed to be there by 5:00pm. So we thought we could spend some time letterboxing in Rocky Hill and we would be closer near the restaurant for the meet. It only took us about 15 minutes to get from Elizabeth Park to Dinosaur State Park. After checking in at the Visitors Center we found out we only had about a half hour to do any letterboxing because they close the trails at 4:00pm. So I looked at my clues and we decided to try for a six box series. We headed out on the Red Trail to its junction with the Blue Trail and then hiked the Blue Trail in its entirety. Along the way we found all six boxes in the Creation Series. They are nicely carved stamps and the trail was a pleasure to walk. By the time we found all six stamps and got back to the beginning of the trails it was 4:30pm - all I could say was thankfully there were no gates to the trails so they couldn't lock us in - but there was a sign at the trailhead stating that they were closed. Anyway, we got into the car and headed for the restaurant. We arrived in about three minutes and saw a familiar face - smooth mtn biker ct was there already (she along with smooth mtn biker ma visited Santa Fe in June of this year and Astro D and I had afternoon coffee with them). It wasn't long before everyone arrived and we had been seated and the stamps started flying. Music Woman had carved an incredible event stamp, and of course there were all the exchanges to do and a few personal travelers - it was fun and chaotic - but I managed to get everyone's signature stamp and all the available PT's before leaving. Music Woman also gave me the event stamp and logbook - what a great momento of a wonderful little mini-meet. Who was there? - Music Woman, Brandy, Kit Kat 61, Miss Birdie, OpalsMom, smooth mtn biker ct, smooth mtn biker ma, Connfederate, Jei, TsukiAmes, JudyintheSky, R, Highwayman and me and we also had a surprise visit from Wanda and Pete. It was incredible meeting all these nice letterboxers who took the time to meet with me and I thank them for a fun evening and for some wonderful suggestions of where to go while I am here.

So here I am now - after a good shower and some coffee trying to get everything logged in and this blog written. I also need to get my day planned for tomorrow and get some sleep. I'll be back soon to let you know how things are going here in the Constitution State.