My journey to San Antonio to visit friends and to do a little letterboxing.
June 27 - July 3, 2007
June 27 - July 3, 2007
Showing posts with label Southwest Texas Letterboxing Trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Southwest Texas Letterboxing Trip. Show all posts
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Southwest Texas Letterboxing Photos
I had a fantastic trip and got to visit with some good friends. 
Now that I am home and finally settled I was able to go through all the pictures I took on the trip. I have pick some of the better ones and made a slide show. If you would like to see them just click on the picture and I hope you enjoy.
Now that I am home and finally settled I was able to go through all the pictures I took on the trip. I have pick some of the better ones and made a slide show. If you would like to see them just click on the picture and I hope you enjoy.
Another Adventure Comes To An End
Yesterday afternoon I arrived back in Santa Fe. I had a great time in Texas and really enjoyed visiting with friends but it is always nice returning home. I was a little tired when I got home so I did not do any blogging - so I will catch up now.
Early Monday morning I packed the car and was ready to go. First, I had breakfast with my friend Tammy and her daughter, Esther Rose and then headed out. My first stop was in Boerne, TX. A series of two letterboxes had been planted this past weekend and since I was driving by I decided to stop and get them. Both were easy drive-bys and after getting a cup of coffee I was on my way again. Last Thursday I had stopped in Kerrville to try to find a few boxes but the rain was so bad I ended up calling it quits after finding two quick drive-bys. So on Monday I stopped in Kerrville and did a little hiking and found three boxes at Kerrville-Shreiner State Park. The longest hike for any of the boxes was about one mile roundtrip. 
I decided I needed some exercise so I hiked Trail #1 and Trail #3 in their entirety. After enjoying the park I went to a smaller city park and did another one mile roundtrip hike to find one last box in Kerrville before setting out on the road again. During this whole time the sun was out and there wasn't any evidence that it might rain. As I got closer to San Angelo the clouds moved in and it became darker. I was able to find Astro D's Lily Pad box and enjoy a look around the gardens - what a spectacular place when the lillies are in bloom.
When I felt the first raindrop I decided I should be on my way - there were two other boxes by runsforchocolate that I wanted to try and get. I headed over to Middle Concho Park and by the time I arrived it was pouring. Thankfully both boxes were where I could park and dash out to get them and then stamp in the car. So with only getting a little wet I was able to retrieve and stamp into both boxes. It was early afternoon but my goal was to get to Lubbock, so I filled the car with gas and headed out. Wouldn't you know that 30 minutes outside of San Angelo the clouds and rain disappeared. I was glad - it made the drive to Lubbock so much better. Once in Lubbock I checked in to the hotel, had some dinner, took a shower and fell asleep almost instantly.
Early Monday morning I packed the car and was ready to go. First, I had breakfast with my friend Tammy and her daughter, Esther Rose and then headed out. My first stop was in Boerne, TX. A series of two letterboxes had been planted this past weekend and since I was driving by I decided to stop and get them. Both were easy drive-bys and after getting a cup of coffee I was on my way again. Last Thursday I had stopped in Kerrville to try to find a few boxes but the rain was so bad I ended up calling it quits after finding two quick drive-bys. So on Monday I stopped in Kerrville and did a little hiking and found three boxes at Kerrville-Shreiner State Park. The longest hike for any of the boxes was about one mile roundtrip. 
I decided I needed some exercise so I hiked Trail #1 and Trail #3 in their entirety. After enjoying the park I went to a smaller city park and did another one mile roundtrip hike to find one last box in Kerrville before setting out on the road again. During this whole time the sun was out and there wasn't any evidence that it might rain. As I got closer to San Angelo the clouds moved in and it became darker. I was able to find Astro D's Lily Pad box and enjoy a look around the gardens - what a spectacular place when the lillies are in bloom.
When I felt the first raindrop I decided I should be on my way - there were two other boxes by runsforchocolate that I wanted to try and get. I headed over to Middle Concho Park and by the time I arrived it was pouring. Thankfully both boxes were where I could park and dash out to get them and then stamp in the car. So with only getting a little wet I was able to retrieve and stamp into both boxes. It was early afternoon but my goal was to get to Lubbock, so I filled the car with gas and headed out. Wouldn't you know that 30 minutes outside of San Angelo the clouds and rain disappeared. I was glad - it made the drive to Lubbock so much better. Once in Lubbock I checked in to the hotel, had some dinner, took a shower and fell asleep almost instantly.Tuesday morning I loaded up the car and then got some breakfast. I decided to look for about four boxes before leaving Lubbock. I visisted a rose garden, a windmill museum and a prairie dog park finding all three boxes I was looking for. One last place to go - the coliseum on the Texas Tech campus. Unfortunately I did not find this last box. Not sure if it was missing or if I was just not looking hard enough or if I was just ready to get home. I left the campus and got some coffee for the road. 
I drove for a while and then decided to take a detour to Earth. Thirty minutes later I was at the cemetery in Earth, TX and had found Texas Celestial Series: Box #2 - Earth. Leaving Earth I headed for Clovis, NM. I made one last stop to find a letterbox in Clovis (an easy drive-by), filled up with gas and headed for home.
I drove for a while and then decided to take a detour to Earth. Thirty minutes later I was at the cemetery in Earth, TX and had found Texas Celestial Series: Box #2 - Earth. Leaving Earth I headed for Clovis, NM. I made one last stop to find a letterbox in Clovis (an easy drive-by), filled up with gas and headed for home. The rest of the drive was uneventful. It was great to be back in New Mexico. The sky was clear and blue, no rain in sight. Another adventure comes to an end!
Sunday, July 1, 2007
A Weekend with Friends
Well I haven't written since Thursday evening and the weekend seemed to just fly by. Most of the time was spent visiting with my friends Tammy and Regina. We met at college (Texas Woman's University) and have remained friends. Regina is a Physical Therapist and Tammy is a Child Life Specialist. I finally got to meet Tammy's daughter - Esther Rose. She is three years old and a wonderful child. I had such a good time. We also has a little time to do some letterboxing. Let me tell you a little about the weekend.
On Friday Tammy and I ran errands. She is having some renovations done in her home and needed to pick up a few things. We stopped at the paint store and the hardware store, and then shopped for some storage items at The Container Store - one of my favorite places. During our errands we made a detour to Orsinger Park and found Flower Fairy Letterbox - once we stamped in and rehid the box we headed for our next letterbox. We arrived at Eisenhower Park and hit the Shady Creek Trail. We were in search of the Inca Trail Series Letterboxes. Box #1 was found easy enough but with a few little surprises. When I reached to move the rock covering the box I saw something move. So I took a closer look and found the area covered with Daddy Long Leg Spiders. I used a branch to brush them away and when they were all gone I retrieved the box. At this point Tammy was freaking out. She was standing about ten feet away and was not in the least bit happy. Shortly after stamping in a few of the park maintenance guys show up. They had a good laugh about all the spiders and then pointed out that right above my head on a branch of the same tree the box was hidden under was an entire nest of the spiders. One of the guys reached up and grabbed a handful of the spiders and tossed them on the ground. I had to pick up my backpack so they didn't get inside. Finally they all left (the spiders and the maintenance guys . . . and Tammy). Tammy decided it would be best if she waited in the car while I found the last two boxes.
Box #2 and Box #3 were found without any other incidents. I finally arrived back at the car soaking wet. On Thursday it rained most of the day and on Friday the sun was shining bright - so that made for a very hot and humid hike. Once I cooled off in the air conditioned car we headed for a late lunch. It was a nice relaxing lunch - Tammy decided we need wine after the spider ordeal. After lunch we picked up her daughter from her play group and headed to one last park to find Beware of Mountain Lions. Unfortunately we never found the box (may be missing) but Esther Rose had a great time at the playground. Regina arrived shortly after and we spent the evening just catching up and relaxing.On Saturday morning we headed out to the Magnolia Pancake Haus. This is Regina's favorite place in San Antonio to have breakfast. The pancakes were incredible and once we were all stuffed we opted for a movie. The day was already getting muggy and we figured indoors would be best. We saw Ratatouille - I loved it, but then again I am just a big overgrown kid! We did a little shopping and then headed home. We rested and then took Esther Rose to a pool party at their gym. She was scheduled to be there from 6:00 t0 10:00 pm. Once she was in good hands we headed for dinner - we talked, ate and had some wine. Afterwards we did a little shopping and then stopped for ice cream. At 9:30 pm we picked up Esther Rose and headed home. I can tell you after a long, hot day all I wanted was a shower and the bed.
This morning I woke up early and decided to head to a nearby park to find two letterboxes while everyone else slept in. I headed to Cathedral Rock Nature Park and found the two boxes. On the way back to Tammy's I stopped and picked up a newspaper. We spent the morning reading the paper and drinking coffee and talking. Around noon Regina headed out - she has to be at work in the morning and had a five hour drive ahead of her. After she left Tammy and I headed up to Austin for a little shopping excursion at IKEA - another one of my favorite places.Once back in San Antonio Tammy had some things she needed to do for tomorrow. So I headed to McAllister Park and Walker Ranch Park to do some letterboxing. While we were in Austin it had rained and things were really wet and it was muggy. But I decided I really needed to find these boxes. Six boxes later I called it quits. I stopped and gassed up the car and then returned to Tammy's. After showering I organized and packed my things. Tomorrow I head out for my return trip to Santa Fe.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Can You Say Rain?
Leaving Fort Stockton early this morning I never realized how much rain I was to encounter. For the first hour the sun was out and it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. So I made my way to Sheffield and to Fort Lancaster. 
I found The Boys from Company K and enjoyed a little breakfast at the picnic area. I made my way back to I-10 and headed to Kerrville. I was planning to look for five or six boxes. But as I got further along the interstate the rain worsened. I was still hopeful that either the rain would stop or at the very least lessen. So I found Cypress Park and while sitting in my car I found the box's hiding spot. When the rain slackened a bit I ran for it. Once back in the car - I was able to take my time stamping in without getting wet.
After rehiding the box I decided to stop and get some caffiene. I found Starbucks and enjoyed a warm cup of coffee and hoped for the rain to stop. It never did stop but it did lessen considerably. I decided to try for one more box before making my way to San Antonio. Once I located Tranquility Island I sat in my car and thought about whether or not to go and find the box. This was a much further walk than the one at Cypress Park. Remembering I had a poncho in my letterboxing backpack I donned it and headed out. It turned out that the walk wasn't all that far so I returned to the car to stamp in so I wouldn't get the logbook wet. By the time I had rehidden the box the rain was really coming down. I decided it was time to call it quits and head to San Antonio. It rained and rained and rained. They even closed parts of I-10. Luckily I was exiting anyway to get to my friend Tammy's house. Once I arrived at Tammy's I relaxed for a while and just visited with Tammy. Around three o'clock we had to pick up her daughter, Esther Rose. Now the rain had stopped completely and the sun was actually shining. So Tammy, Esther Rose and I headed for O.P. Schnabel Park - which just happens to be around the corner from Tammy's. Appropriately enough we found a three box series entitled Rainy Day. By the time we finished the series we were all wet and muddy. We decided to pick up some dinner and head home. Once we ate, I took a shower - now I feel much better. Not sure what tomorrow holds - I think the forcast calls for more rain!
I found The Boys from Company K and enjoyed a little breakfast at the picnic area. I made my way back to I-10 and headed to Kerrville. I was planning to look for five or six boxes. But as I got further along the interstate the rain worsened. I was still hopeful that either the rain would stop or at the very least lessen. So I found Cypress Park and while sitting in my car I found the box's hiding spot. When the rain slackened a bit I ran for it. Once back in the car - I was able to take my time stamping in without getting wet.
After rehiding the box I decided to stop and get some caffiene. I found Starbucks and enjoyed a warm cup of coffee and hoped for the rain to stop. It never did stop but it did lessen considerably. I decided to try for one more box before making my way to San Antonio. Once I located Tranquility Island I sat in my car and thought about whether or not to go and find the box. This was a much further walk than the one at Cypress Park. Remembering I had a poncho in my letterboxing backpack I donned it and headed out. It turned out that the walk wasn't all that far so I returned to the car to stamp in so I wouldn't get the logbook wet. By the time I had rehidden the box the rain was really coming down. I decided it was time to call it quits and head to San Antonio. It rained and rained and rained. They even closed parts of I-10. Luckily I was exiting anyway to get to my friend Tammy's house. Once I arrived at Tammy's I relaxed for a while and just visited with Tammy. Around three o'clock we had to pick up her daughter, Esther Rose. Now the rain had stopped completely and the sun was actually shining. So Tammy, Esther Rose and I headed for O.P. Schnabel Park - which just happens to be around the corner from Tammy's. Appropriately enough we found a three box series entitled Rainy Day. By the time we finished the series we were all wet and muddy. We decided to pick up some dinner and head home. Once we ate, I took a shower - now I feel much better. Not sure what tomorrow holds - I think the forcast calls for more rain!Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Interstate 10 to Highway 90 to Interstate 10
It was sitll dark in Santa Fe when I headed out for my next letterboxing adventure. I am headed to San Antonio to visit with my friends - Regina and Tammy. I drove south to Las Cruces and then took I-10 to El Paso. Continuing on I-10 I exited in Fabens and headed to Indian Cliffs. I was unable to make it down there on my last trip to El Paso so I made sure I could stop here and get Cattle on the Mesa today. It didn't take very long to find the box. I had an enjoyable time hunting for this one. Once I found the box I made my way back to I-10 and headed east. Soon I was going 80 mph. I don't think I have ever been on a road with that high of a speed limit. 
Eventually I arrived in Kent. The ruins of the old Kent school were incredible! I found the box easily and enjoyed a walk around the ruins. Now on to Valentine. From Kent I had to make my way back west to Van Horn and Hwy 90. I was on the hunt for Prada, one of Astro D's boxes. I found the Prada store , took some pictures and then began my search. I am hoping I just didn't look well enough because I was unable to find the box. After walking and searching for about a half hour I gave up.
On to Marfa - two boxes - Giant in Marfa and Marfa. First stop was the Cementerio de la Merced, I found the giant resting in the tree where he was supposed to be. Again heading east I made my way to the Marfa Lights Viewing Area. Since it was daylight I wasn't able to see any lights but I did find the box. Once I stamped in I changed the logbook for Astro D, rehid the box and continued on my journey.
Sul Ross State University was the next stop on the list. I followed the clues and found myself sitting above the giant Bar-SR-Bar on the hillside overlooking the campus. I found this great stamp by Warm Front and enjoyed the views from the hill. It was starting to get late and I wanted to stop in Marathon for a Silver Eagle box and then make my way to Fort Stockton. Once I made it to Marathon I headed for The Post and found Pecos Bill waiting for me. It had been a long day and I still had about an hour to drive if I was to get to Fort Stockton, so off I went. In Fort Stockton I found Paisano Pete and located another of Silver Eagle's microboxes. Now I really needed to find a hotel! After checking in and taking a shower I decided to write this blog and log in my finds of the day. Now it is off to bed and tomorrow will bring me into San Antonio.
Eventually I arrived in Kent. The ruins of the old Kent school were incredible! I found the box easily and enjoyed a walk around the ruins. Now on to Valentine. From Kent I had to make my way back west to Van Horn and Hwy 90. I was on the hunt for Prada, one of Astro D's boxes. I found the Prada store , took some pictures and then began my search. I am hoping I just didn't look well enough because I was unable to find the box. After walking and searching for about a half hour I gave up.
On to Marfa - two boxes - Giant in Marfa and Marfa. First stop was the Cementerio de la Merced, I found the giant resting in the tree where he was supposed to be. Again heading east I made my way to the Marfa Lights Viewing Area. Since it was daylight I wasn't able to see any lights but I did find the box. Once I stamped in I changed the logbook for Astro D, rehid the box and continued on my journey.
Sul Ross State University was the next stop on the list. I followed the clues and found myself sitting above the giant Bar-SR-Bar on the hillside overlooking the campus. I found this great stamp by Warm Front and enjoyed the views from the hill. It was starting to get late and I wanted to stop in Marathon for a Silver Eagle box and then make my way to Fort Stockton. Once I made it to Marathon I headed for The Post and found Pecos Bill waiting for me. It had been a long day and I still had about an hour to drive if I was to get to Fort Stockton, so off I went. In Fort Stockton I found Paisano Pete and located another of Silver Eagle's microboxes. Now I really needed to find a hotel! After checking in and taking a shower I decided to write this blog and log in my finds of the day. Now it is off to bed and tomorrow will bring me into San Antonio.
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