Traveling Texas for Delicious Delights

I am traveling through Texas to attend the Delicious Delights event at Lake Houston Wilderness Park near New Caney. I am taking some back roads and going to places I have never been on my to and back from the event.
October 14 - 24, 2013

Visiting with a Friend

Today is my last day in Texas - I have decided that I want to be home. I miss Thomas and the dogs so tomorrow morning I am driving home - non stop.  But today I am just hanging out with my friend, Eddie. I didn't set my alarm when I went to bed last night but as usual I was up early, about 7:00am. I read for a little while, then showered and dressed and then went down for some breakfast. After eating I returned to my room and read emails and watched the news while I waited for Eddie to call. He ended up calling around 9:00am and I went over to his place and we just talked for a couple of hours. Then we headed out to look for something for lunch. After driving around for a bit we ended up at Snuffer's. We each had a burger and fries and it was delicious. We spent about an hour and a half there just eating and talking. After eating we walked around the area and did a little window shopping. Next we headed over to an area called Highland Park for a little more walking around and window shopping. We also stopped in at Highland Park Soda Fountain for some ice cream. Once we were done with the ice cream we drove over to White Rock Lake and went for a walk around the lake. We didn't actually go all the way around the lake but we did walk for a while and just talked. I hadn't seen Eddie for a while and we have only been in touch over the phone. So it was nice to just hang out and not really do anything but talk. We had a great day and a wonderful visit but I needed to get back to the hotel. So I dropped Eddie off at his place and now I am at the hotel with all my things packed and ready to go. I want to leave early to avoid any traffic in Dallas and also so I can get home by late afternoon or early evening. I had a great time in Texas but as always it will be good to get home.

Today Begins My Trip Home

Well after two days of non-stop boxing it is time to start my journey home. But before I actually head home I am making my way to Dallas to visit a friend. I got a good night's sleep and had most of my things packed so that this morning I could get up and dressed, get the car loaded and head out. I was on my way by 6:00am. I didn't have any plans to stop until I got to a rest area south of Corsicana. I started my drive in the dark but by the time I made it to I45 the sun was starting to come up. Thankfully on an early Sunday morning there wasn't much traffic and I was making good time and enjoying my drive. At exit 216 I left the highway for the rest area I needed to find Lone Star Quilter's Mater letterbox. This rest area was beautiful. The inside was clean and nice and there was a quarter mile walking path in back with a playground and picnic tables. I followed the clues and easily found the letterbox. It was close to one of the picnic tables so I took it there to stamp in. I was so glad to find this box because I love the movie "Cars" and Mater is my favorite character. This was a great carving and I enjoyed putting the image into my logbook. From here I headed to Corsicana. I had clues for two boxes and hoped I would find both of them. My first stop in Corsicana was at the Corsicana Hebrew Cemetery to find IRA Boxer's Rope Walker. At first I didn't think I could get into the cemetery because there was a chain around the gate with a lock. But then I noticed that there was a clip that you could undo and then unwrap the chain and open the gate. So I made my way into the cemetery and followed the directions to the grave of Rope Walker. The story of this man makes for very interesting reading - you can read it at . . .

Rope Walker
Rope Walker - The Short Version
Rope Walker (1829 - 1898)

Once I had stamped in and put the box back in place I walked around the cemetery and took some pictures. Then it was time to move to the next place - which was another cemetery. I arrived and followed the clues and parked near a gazebo. I then continued with the clues and made my way to where I thought the box was hidden. At this point things weren't making sense but I searched around the area but kept coming up empty handed. I then returned to the gazebo and tried again, still no luck. So I decided to give it one more try but I still came up empty handed. I called it quits and returned to the car. I hadn't eaten breakfast so I decided to stop for something to eat and get some coffee before hitting the highway.

 After eating I made my way back to I45 and headed toward Dallas. In a short while I exited at I30 and then made my way to Samuell Blvd. and to the Grove Hill Cemetery. My first stop was at the grave for William Perry Clements, Jr. to find another of Boots Tex's Governor Series. I easily found Texian to the Toenails and found a bench to sit and stamp in. I was glad to see that the cemetery was empty - this gave me a relaxing atmosphere to look for boxes. I stamped in and then replaced the box and then moved on to the next box. This box was Lone Star Quilter's Weeping Angel - Grove Hill Cemetery. This was another easy find and another great stamp. I sat on a nearby bench and stamped in while enjoying the peacefulness of the cemetery. Then I replaced the box and moved on to the third and final of the boxes in this cemetery. The next box was jb kokopelli's From Victory to Tragedy. This box is related to the Von Erichs - a wrestling family. Their story is very tragic and sad. You can read about at . . .

Tragedy in Texas: The Sad Story of the Von Erich Family

 I visited the graves and then drove to where the box was hidden. This was another easy find and I sat on the ground and stamped in.  I then replaced the box and got back in the car ready to head to my next location. I headed out and went to two cemeteries very close together. Unfortunately I didn't find any of the boxes I was looking for. But that was okay because it was getting close to the time when I was suppose to meet up with my friend. First though I was around the corner from my hotel so I decided to go and get checked in. Once I had my things in my room I called Eddie and then headed over to his place. We spent about an hour just catching up and then headed out to dinner. We ate at a Cajun restaurant called Nate's. It was really good and we had a nice visit. By the time we finished eating I was getting really tired and I told Eddie I needed to get some rest. I dropped him off at his place and then returned to the hotel. I am hoping to get a good night's sleep and some much needed rest.

Delicious Delights Day 2

After a good night's sleep I woke up this morning at 6:00am. I already had things ready for day 2 of the Delicious Delights event so I wasn't sure what to do until the park opened at 9:00am. So I stayed in bed and read for an hour and then got up and showered and dressed. I then put things in the car and went down to breakfast. There I met Mosaic Butterfly, Basketcase and screamin' meemie. We talked about the day and made plans to meet at the dining hall and start boxing. Once I was done eating I left the hotel and drove to a store to get something for the potluck at noon. After that I made my way to the park and the dining hall. I was the first one there except for Mr. Open Space and I sat at the table and started looking at clues. When screamin' meemie and Mosaic Butterfly arrived we decided to letterbox around the dining hall. We started with a series of boxes that involved triangulation - it was pretty hard and it took us a while to find all six boxes - but it was worth it, the stamps are incredible. After we found all of these we looked for some stamps just lying around hidden in plastic carrots. By the time we finished the two series we had found 13 boxes. Then we returned to the dining hall and had some lunch and visited with everyone. At 1:00pm Open Space wanted to get a group photo and then it was time to head out on the trails again.


Mosaic Butterfly, screamin' meemie and I got in the car and drove around to the main entrance to start at the Peach Creek Loop trail and then connect to the Dogwood trail. After walking both these trails and exhausting all the clues that we had we ending up finding 13 boxes. During our time on these trails we didn't meet up with any other boxers and we felt isolated because we knew there were other people in the park. But we didn't worry too much about it we just kept on boxing. After finding all the boxes we returned to the car and then drove to the nature center and parked. From this point we headed for the Forest trail. Again we divided the clues up and we each followed our clues until we reached the landmarks we were looking for. We were having trouble with two of the clues and no matter what we did we couldn't find the boxes so we put those away and continued on for the other boxes. When we had found all but one box we turned around and made our way back toward the car. The one clue we had left (besides the two we couldn't find) was on a trail closer to the car. So we arrived at the trail and I heard someone calling my name - it was Bell Motel. Then she said "Talk to NLW. Talk to NLW." and I was starting to thing she had lost her mind. Then we saw NLW and asked what was going on. She told me to look to my left for a box. At first I was confused about what she was telling me but then it dawned on me that this was one of the boxes we had looked for earlier. But because the trails have changed we couldn't locate it. I was so happy to have found this box and I don't know if I would have located it if it hadn't been for NLW. She had been coming to this park for years - first as a girl scout and then just to go when it changed to a State Park and now a Houston City Park. So she knew where the trails used to be and was able to figure the clues out. Now that we had that one we continued on to that last box we were looking for. Along the way we got to an intersection with a bench and a sign and that sounded familiar. So we looked at the clue for the other box we couldn't find earlier. So we followed the clues and Mosaic Butterfly found the box. We took it to the bench and opened it to find it very wet and yucky. The logbook was wet and we took it and placed it in a new and dry baggie. Then we dried off the box and stamp and stamped in. We put the stamp into a new baggie and made sure the box was closed well before putting it back into place. Now we only had that last box - and we wanted this box. Throughout the event you could get tokens by finding them in boxes. Once you had five tokens you could get the clue for this one box. Finally we found the box and stamped in. On this trail we ended up finding another 13 boxes.

Now that we had found all the boxes we returned to the car and then drove around to the dining hall. Once back at the dining hall we snacked a bit and visited but then I decided to go and find two more boxes just down the road from the dining hall. So I set out and easily found the two boxes I needed and stamped in and then put them back in place. It was time to call it a day as I was starting to feel tired. So for today I found 41 boxes and with the 39 boxes I found yesterday it brought my two day total to 80 boxes. I returned to the dining hall and sat and visited with everyone but within about 20 minutes my eyes were closing and I decided it was time to return to the hotel and get some rest. When I got back to the hotel the first thing I did was take a shower and now that this post is done I can get some rest for my trip tomorrow to Dallas.

I really enjoyed this event and I am glad I made the trip to New Caney. I had a great time visiting with old friends and I have gotten some amazing carves in my logbook. Now I am all excited about returning to Texas in March for TALE 11 - Naughty or Nice in Huntsville at Huntsville State Park.

Delicious Delights Day 1

Today is the first day of the Delicious Delights event. The event doesn't actually start until noon but I decided that I wanted to go to the park and look for some letterboxes before the event started. So this morning I headed out around 8:30am to Lake Houston Wilderness Park which was only about a 10 to 15 minute drive from my hotel. Unfortunately I didn't check before I left the hotel but the park didn't open until 9am and I was about 15 minutes early and wasn't able to enter the park. So I drove a little ways up the road and found a doughnut and coffee shop and had a cup of coffee while I waited for the park to open. I also decided to review some of the clues for some boxes that were planted in the park years ago. I had read that the park has undergone ownership a few times and I also knew that things in the park had changed including the entrance. The park was originally a Girl Scout camp and part of it was owned by a paper company. The state of Texas then bought the land and created Lake Houston State Park. But now the park is owned by the city of Houston and they have begun to make changes including moving the entrance from Baptist Encampment Road to FM 1485. Even with the changes I figured I could find some of the boxes and that the clues would still be appropriate. When the park opened I paid my fee and drove to the parking area near the nature center. I picked some clues that said to start at the large bridge that crosses the creek so I headed in that direction. I continued down the trail from the bridge and started to look for boxes but I was having trouble and the clues weren't really making any sense. Then I bumped into Mosaic Butterfly who was placing boxes along that same trail. We talked for a bit and then she asked if I would go back and start to find the boxes she had placed and make sure that they were easy to find. So I did just that. I found the first box and continued along the trail looking for pie tins that she was leaving along the trail to denote an area where she had placed a box. I thought this was actually a very clever idea and an easy way to hide the boxes and not have to write clues. So we did this until she had placed all the boxes and I had found them. Then we talked about some of the clues for boxes that were in the park because we still had a little bit of time before the event actually began. So we took off looking for boxes but because of the changes in the park, some of the trails did not start where they originally had been. We looked at a couple of places but we were having no luck and decided that we needed to scratch this for now and try again later. So we started to head in the direction of the dining hall where the event was to be and along the way decided to grab a box since we had found a landmark and could easily follow the clues. We were able to find this box so we found a bench and we stamped in and were glad to have started our letterboxing for this event. After returning the box to its hiding place we crossed the bridge and walked down the road to the dining hall.

When we arrived at the dining hall only Open Space was in the dining hall ready to greet boxers as they arrived. She informed us that Gryzzled Gryphon and Bell Motel had already been there and were on the trails looking for boxes. So Mosaic butterfly and I got our clue booklets and found a spot to sit and started mapping out boxes. There were a few that were puzzles and had to be solved before we could find them so we took some time to try to get the answers. There was also a series of boxes where you had to talk to other people to get different parts of the clue. This series had four boxes in it and the clue for each box was divided into two parts so that meant you had to find eight different people to get a full set of clues. So we figured out most of the clues and we had mapped out which trails they were on and we set out to find boxes.

We started on the Hoot Owl trail. We found about seven boxes along this trail before getting to a junction with the Magnolia trail. On the Magnolia trail we found about five boxes. Toward the end of the trail (actually the beginning since we came from the opposite direction) we bumped in to Silver Eagle and Baby Bear. At the time we were looking for Baby Bear's Texas Twilight box but were having no luck since some signs were no longer there. Thankfully they were able to help us since they were also looking for that box and trying to redo the clues. We were able to find the box and it was nice to be able to add this early Baby Bear carve to my logbook. We parted ways and Mosaic Butterfly and I headed to the trail head. Here we found another box and then we got a call from screamin' meemie and we waited there for her to join us.

Next we decided to head to the north part of the Peach Creek Loop trail. As we were heading in that direction we met up with Bell Motel and she joined us. There were a few boxes on this trail and there was a series of boxes where you had to find words and then decipher the last clue for the final box. So we were on the lookout for that. Since we were trying to find multiple boxes at one time we each took a clue and followed it looking for landmarks. When someone arrived at a landmark we needed we stopped to find the box and then stamp in. Then we continued on to the next box. It was a great system and we had a great time finding all the boxes - including figuring out the final clue for that series I mentioned. We returned to where we had started to find that final box and ended up finding 9 boxes along that trail.

Next we headed south on the Peach Creek Loop trail to find a couple of more boxes before heading back to the dining hall for dinner. On this trail we found two boxes - aye, aye, aye, aye letterbox (a great carving by Astro D) and The Cat Who Went Up the Creek by Silver Eagle. Mosaic Butterfly and screamin' meemie continued on the trail so that screamin' meemie could get the Pie Palooza series (which me and Bell Motel already had) and the two of us went back to the Hoot Owl trail to get a couple of boxes we had missed. Then we returned to the dining hall for a BBQ dinner. We ate and visited and talked about the day's letterboxing. All in all it was a fantastic day. We did get a little drizzle for about five minutes during the day and then it rained while we were eating but other than that it was a beautiful day. After eating I had to walk back down the trail and cross the bridge and get to the nature center for my car. Luckily I had a flashlight and it was a pretty straight walk on a paved path and I got to my car without a problem. But man was it dark! So I left the parking lot and got to the first turn but there wasn't a sign to tell me which way to go to exit the park. I ended up going left and after a little while encountered a sign for the exit. I followed it and then it was a little while longer before I found the next sign and then the exit. I was glad to be at that gate. I kept thinking I might have to sleep in my car in the park.

Now I am back at the hotel and got a chance to look at my logbook. I got some great carved images and when I counted I had found 39 boxes today. It was a wonderful day and I had a great time but I am very tired. Time to get to sleep so I have energy for tomorrow.

Not Much Letterboxing But A Good Day

When I travel for letterboxing I tend to over do it by driving all over and spending from sunrise to sunset looking for boxes. The rain on this trip has kept me at bay and I am actually enjoying taking it easy and not doing as much. So this morning I woke up at 6:00am and decided to stay in bed and read. I finally got up around 8:00am and decided what I wanted to do today. Around 9:15am I left the hotel and headed south on US59 to Humble. I made my way to Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center and parked. I wanted to look for a few boxes but mostly I wanted to just walk the trails. And hallelujah it wasn't raining. The trails were a little wet and muddy but not too bad. I ended up walking about six miles all over the park and I found two out of five boxes I looked for.

Flowers in the Botanic Garden

I am not sure it the others were there or not because I really didn't put a lot of effort into finding them. If I didn't find them quickly I just moved on because like I said I just wanted to walk. I finally left this park and then I headed over to Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. I have been to this place three times but I never walked through the gardens, I just visited the arboretum to letterbox. So today I went to the Visitor Center and got a map and looked around at the Gift Shop. then I headed out to explore the gardens. So I walked around and looked at all the plants - I wasn't even sure where I was at most of the time because I just kept wandering. I had a couple of clues but I wasn't really looking very hard - I was just enjoying wandering around. After about an hour I headed over to the west side of the park and made my way to the playground and picnic area. I walked around and looked for two boxes - I didn't find either one. That has been my experience at the arboretum, a lot of boxes have gone missing. I just walked along the trails after that and ended up at the cypress swamp and I sat for about 20 minutes just relaxing. I then returned to my car and decided to call it a day. I left the park arboretum and made my way to FM1960 and stopped to get some late lunch. After eating I returned to my hotel and ended up reading for about an hour. Then I logged in the couple of boxes I found today and now I am finishing up this blog post. I have a little work to do to get ready for the event tomorrow but luckily it doesn't start until noon so I don't have to rush tomorrow morning.

A Few Letterboxes and A Lot More Rain

I'm not sure if the rain is getting to me or just all the driving but I really wasn't excited about getting up this morning. I hadn't set the alarm and I ended up waking up about 7:30am. I got things ready for the day and had a little breakfast and I left the parking lot of the hotel around 8:45am. I left Livingston and headed a little ways north to Seven Oaks to a rest area to find Boots Tex's Pony Power. I was lucky as the rest area wasn't very busy this morning and I was able to retrieve the box easily. I stamped in at a picnic table and then replaced the box. It was a quick and easy find and an incredible carving by Mr. Boots.

The Welcome Committee

I am really glad I made the effort to drive here to find this box. I left the rest area and drove to the Oakhurst/Point Blank area. I went to the Chapel of the Nativity. The whole situation was a little weird and uncomfortable. I first turned in to the area from FM980 and found the entry blocked. So I backed out and then went to a side road and found an entrance and I immediately was faced with a large elephant and giraffe.

Chapel of the Nativity

Also the area had a lot of fallen branches and some of the driving areas were blocked. So I made my way to a large building that faced FM980. There were two white trucks parked there with some kind of logo but no one was around. As I passed the trucks I came upon a hearse parked off to the side. My path was now blocked so I turned around and went back the way I came and parked in front of the little chapel. I was skeptical about getting out and looking for the boxes because the area seemed creepy. But I walked to the chapel and saw the nativity and then went around back to find the trail. The area behind the chapel was overgrown and there were lots of fallen branches and trees. But I maneuvered myself and followed what I thought was the trail. I tried to find a box but came up empty handed and it was starting to drizzle and I was feeling a little uneasy. I decided that I wasn't having fun and made my way back to the car. The drizzle had stopped and I hoped it would hold out because the next place I was going to was a place I wanted to spend a little time at and I wanted it to be rain free. But as I drove to my next destination it started to drizzle, again. So I thought I could handle a little drizzle but I was hoping that's all it would be. I arrived at my destination (I am being evasive about where I was because the box I was looking for is a mystery box) and I started walking around. In less than five minutes it was pouring. Thankfully I already had the box so I ran to the car to stamp in. So I sat in the car and stamped a wonderful carve and was hoping the rain would abate. It didn't! So I put on a jacket with a hat (I didn't have an umbrella) and ran to rehide the box. I was a little disappointed because the place I was at was really beautiful and I wanted to spend more time but the rain didn't agree with me. So I headed out and found a gas station to fill the car up before heading to my next destination. Once the car was full I pulled over and parked at the edge of the lot and thought about what I wanted to do. I decided to head to New Caney (my destination for the next four nights) and see how the weather was there. The rain lightened as I got further south but it was still drizzling so I decided to stop for lunch. While eating the rain stopped but I decided to call it a day. I needed a few things so I stopped at Walgreens and then headed to the hotel to check in. I was glad I did - I think I needed the rest. I actually took a nap (which I rarely do) and then got up and logged in my finds and now that I am almost done with the blog post I can make plans for tomorrow. I think I will keep it simple and relaxing because I need to save some energy for the day and a half event coming up.

Wonderful Older Grave Markers

A Very Rainy Day of Driving and Letterboxing

As usual I was up early - even before the alarm went off which was set for 7:00am. So I got dressed and got my things together and loaded the car. I then had some breakfast and coffee before heading out for the day. My destination for tonight was Livingston. The morning started out okay, it was a little cloudy but no rain and it was a nice cool temperature. So I drove to Pioneer Cemetery in Graham (which is where I spent the night) to find Batty Girl's Waitin' letterbox. It was nice and quiet and peaceful in the cemetery and there was no one else around. I easily found the box and sat on the sidewalk and stamped in. It was a nice stamp and a great way to start the day. If only it could have continued that way. After putting the box back in place I left Graham and headed for Mineral Wells. About 15 minutes outside of town it started to drizzle. But I persevered and made my first stop at The Laumdronat to find a jb kokopelli box (didn't find it) and then stopped at the old Baker Hotel to find another jb kokopelli box (didn't find it) and then went to Crazy Water to find a Wag Time box (didn't find it). But I did get some Crazy Water. After doing the tasting I decided on the #3. I really like it and I ended up drinking two bottles throughout the day. I decided to try one more stop at Elmwood Cemetery to find another Batty Girl box. This time I was successful and found Meanderin' Moose. It was still raining lightly during all this so I ended up stamping in while sitting in the car. When I had returned the box I got back in the car and looked at my clues for the area. I had some clues for Lake Mineral Wells State Park but I made a decision that I didn't want to go on any hikes in the rain with the trails probably being all muddy. I then went to a little donut/coffee place and reevaluated my day. My next stop was to be in Weatherford and most of my clues were on short little hikes in parks and with the continuing drizzle I scratched those boxes. There were also clues for boxes in two cemeteries so I headed to one of the cemeteries. I arrived at Greenwood Cemetery and quickly found a Boots Tex Governors Series box. This one is called A Frugal Man. I did most of my searching from the car sighting landmarks as I slowly drove along. When I thought I had the right spot I parked and ran over and luckily found the box. I stamped in while sitting in the car and was loving that I had added another of the Governors Series to my logbook. I then read the clue for another box because I thought I remembered reading something I had already seen and I was glad I checked because very near where I had found the first box was this next box. I read through the clue and spotted the tree I needed. So I first ran and replaced Mr. Boots' box and then went and retrieved Baby Bear's Oliver Loving box. Again I stamped in while sitting in the car and then returned the box to its hiding spot. There were two other boxes in the cemetery by jb kokopelli in different spots. I followed the clues for both of them but came up empty handed both times. I am not sure if they are missing or if I just missed them because of the rain. Anyway it was time to leave this cemetery and go to the next one. I made my way to Curtis Cemetery to find Children of the Forest's Spirit Guardian box. This was easy and quick and I was able to park close to the box and minimize getting wet. I loved the three boxes I found in Weatherford and wished I could have found more but the rain was keeping me back a little. Now it was time to continue driving to get closer to my destination.

My original plan was to stop along the way in Benbrook, Cedar Hill, Waxahachie, Corsicana, Centerville and Crockett before getting to Livingston. But by the time I left the last cemetery the rain was coming down harder. I left Weatherford in a downpour but as I got onto I20 the rain lessened and by the time I got to Benbrook it was only a drizzle. Some of the boxes I had clues for were at a park and on a short hike which I didn't want to do in the rain so I ended up at a cemetery to find a box that I had to solve a puzzle for. I had solved the puzzle but I didn't find the box. This rain and all the boxes I wasn't finding were dampening my spirits. But I continued on. My original plan was to go to Cedar Hill State Park but with the rain I decided to skip it but I did stop at the Joe Pool Overlook just before the park. The rain had lessened and I thought I might be able to find a box or two here but the trail was really wet and muddy and I didn't want to chance slipping and ending up covered in mud. As I left the Overlook the rain increased and it rained pretty hard all the way to Waxahachie. I was starting to get tense driving in the pouring rain and I wasn't about to go out and letterbox - I would have gotten soaked the minute I stepped out of the car. But I decided I needed a good break. It was now almost 1:00pm and I saw a sign for Taco Cabana - you can't go wrong with a Taco Cabana. So I pulled in and grabbed my map and clues and travel info for the day and I also took in my iPad so I could see what I wanted to do. I ordered some tacos and a drink and found a spot by the window to sit and watch the rain (and hoped that it would stop soon - but it didn't). So I ate - which helped and then I studied the map and decided to stick to part of my original plan (to go to I45 and head south), but I changed my plans from there. Instead of going to Centerville and then heading east to Crockett and then south to Livingston I decided to stay on I45 to Huntsville and then take US190 to Livingston. As for stopping for boxes I thought that I would be able to nab a few in Corsicana if the rain let up and maybe a couple off of US190 - but all this was up in the air. But I felt better about this plan. So after relaxing for about an hour I continued driving. Between Waxahachie and Ennis it rained the whole time - sometimes it was a drizzle and sometimes it was a downpour. When I reached I45 I immediately merged into a traffic jam. From what I could see ahead it looked like an accident. So I crept along with all the other vehicles and about 20 minutes later I passed three cars that had been in an accident with about seven police and emergency vehicles. Couldn't tell if anyone had been hurt because I didn't actually see any people only cars and cops. And by the way, it was still raining. I decided to forego Corsicana since it was still raining and just continue driving. Just a little south of Fairfield the rain stopped and the sky had some blue in it but that only lasted to just north of Centerville and then the rain started again. As I got closer to Huntsville and the exit for US190 the weather was perfectly clear so I took the exit and a little ways down the road I turned off onto FM405 and headed up to Dodge. I made my way to the cemetery and found Boots Tex's Get the Heck Outa Dodge letterbox. I loved the cemetery and took my time stamping in and enjoying the good weather. After replacing the box I walked around and took a few pictures before hitting the road again. The weather was still good so I made another stop at Point Blank. I followed the directions and eventually reached Robinson Cemetery. I parked and followed the clues to hopefully find Boots Tex's Where's George? (part of his Texas Governors Series). Unfortunately I didn't find the box and it was starting to rain again. I left the cemetery and found a gas station to fill the car and then I headed to the hotel. I am glad to be out of the rain and to be dry again. It has been a long day and I am so tired. I have decided not to set the alarm and just let my body and mind wake up when they want. Today I drove abut 340 miles and spent about nine hours in (and out) of the car. I found six boxes and missed six boxes - the rain stressed me a little but it is all good and I am safe in Livingston and now relaxing. Tomorrow I am headed for New Caney and will be in that area for three to four days.

I Am Now in Texas

When planning this trip I wanted to get a good start on the first day and drive as far as I could. So I left Santa Fe at 4:00am after getting a really good night's sleep. It was still dark and a little cold - but I put the heater on and plugged in my iPod and headed out. I kind of like driving early in the morning since there is absolutely no traffic. Unfortunately, the weather turned gloomy as I drove and somewhere between Fort Sumner and Clovis in New Mexico it started to drizzle. This continued for most of the day but I made the best of it. I drove non-stop all the way to Plainview, TX where I made my first stop for use of the bathroom and to fill the car with gas.

Old Depot in Lyons Park

The stop didn't last long and I was on my way again. My next stop was in Ralls where I went to look for my first letterbox. I pulled up at Lyons Park and easily found The Spirit Seekers' Mitter Tmiff's Traveling Band - TRUMPET. The park was empty (since it was drizzling a bit) and really the entire area was desolate. I didn't actually see anyone in this area while I was there. Since it was raining a little I ran and grabbed the box and then I stamped in while sitting in the car. Once I was done I put it back and took a few pictures before hitting the road again to my next stop. The drive to my next stop wasn't too long and I pulled in to a park in Crosbyton. There was a covered picnic table in the park so I took my things and went in search of another Spirit Seekers' box. This time it was Mitter Tmiff's Traveling Band - TROMBONE. The park was very wet and the area where the box was hidden was extremely muddy. By the time I was finished retrieving the box, going to the picnic table to stamp in and then returning the box my shoes were completely muddy. I found a nice wet grassy area and spent about 15 minutes trying to clean my shoes. So now it was time to continue.

Plastic Geocache Sandwich

Only about 3 miles down the road is where I made my next stop at some historical markers. Here is where I found jb kokopelli's Texas Ranger Camp - well part of it anyway. I found the box and the logbook was there but the box had been geocached and there was this little plastic sandwich (the one on the right). I used it to stamp in. I have been finding more and more boxes and getting more reports of my boxes without stamps. I am not sure what is going on with the geocachers. They really don't care if they actually found the cache they were looking for - they just want to say they found it. I can't decided if they are stupid or just mean. The box I found today had a logbook that had a white cover with the word 'Letterboxing' written in red on the cover. But they still logged in and left that stupid little sandwich and took the stamp. Okay - enough about that. About a half hour down the road I pulled into an area called Dickens Springs just east of Dickens. I followed the clues and parked by a Teepee covered picnic area, climbed down some stairs and then down some more until I reached the Springs. From there I easily found the box and stamped in qucikly - since it was still lightly drizzling. And now my tires and part of my car were covered with red mud, it was everywhere.

Cemetery Entrance

My next stop on this day long journey was in Guthrie. First I made my way to the Guthrie Cemetery and found jb kokopelli's The Writer From Guthrie. The area was muggle free and I was able to find the box without having anyone watching me. The cemetery was off some back road and had two beautiful wrought iron gates with an arch over the top with cemetery name on it and these gates were flanked by stone walls. It was stunning but the actual cemetery could have used some TLC and there weren't very many graves there - not sure if this is a new place or not. After stamping in and rehiding the box I drove back into town and then headed a little south to a picnic area with a barn shaped covered picnic area (this area is famous for its 6666 Ranch and the picnic area paid homage to one of the owners. I went in search of the box (another by jb kokopelli - The Four Sixes) but had some trouble since there were two people walking their dogs. So I waited until they left and started checking under trees. Then someone else pulled up. I really don't think the box is there I kind of kicked around all the trees in the are and didn't find anything. So I called it quits and hit the road again.

Longhorn Tractor in Knox City

From here I made my way to Knox City and then drove north about five miles to a small picnic area. I quickly found Lone Star Quilter's Who Needs Seeds? letterbox. I took it to a picnic area to stamp in and was surprised to see that the box was placed on December 6, 2008 and the only finder was Boots Tex on December 6, 2008. So this box has been sitting all lonely for almost five years. I sure am glad it was still there - because I got another great Lone Star Quilter & Boots Tex stamp and letterbox. I returned back to Knox City and stopped to put some gas in the car and use the restroom. I also saw some great decorated old tractors around town. It was about 3:00pm and I still had about four boxes to look for and I wanted to get to Graham before dark.

Throckmorton Cemetery

So from Knox City I drove to Munday and then to Throckmorton. I stopped in Throckmorton at the cemetery and found Boots Tex's Chuckwagon box. Another great box and stamp and it hadn't been found in over a year. Some of these Texas letterboxers need to get out and explore their state. After I stamped in and then put the box in place I left the cemetery and headed south to find a box by Baby Bear. I followed the clues but at some point I must have gotten off track and I had driven way too long and too far so I decided to give up and try for another box closer to town. This time I had better luck and easily found a Silver Eagle Games box. This was another big cemetery but with very few graves. After stamping in and getting back in the car I noticed it was 5:30pm and I decided to call it a day. I still had about a 30 minute drive to get to Graham. I arrived in Graham and got something to eat before checking in to the hotel. Now that I am showered and sitting here I realize that I am super tired. I drove about 600 miles and was in (and out) of the car for more than twelve hours. Tomorrow is more driving but not quite as much and that will bring me closer to the Delicious Delights event.