Playing Catch - Up

I have been negligent in noting my most recent finds, partly due to the fact that I am lucky enough to have three pending letterboxing dates with other boxers to prepare for, and partly due to the fact that I have been fortunate to have had lots of time with the Milkmonster lately. But I have managed to squeeze some finds in lately - the most recent being the new Flat Tire box I-76, Chester Co, PA, Who is Peter J. Camiel which I picked up Wednesday night on my way home from the Milkmonster's house.

Last Monday night, Billy Boy and I drove down to Warwick Park to find the first plant by the Steamers, The Tree Adventure. I see that they have now temporarily pulled this box, I assume that they are waiting for the permission to plant to go through. This box is along a tree identification trail and even though the stamp is store bought, they did a nice job with the clues and the box was definitely in a secure hiding spot. But poor Bill - I had told him that the walk was potentially a mile, I figured it was better to overestimate than underestimate and for some reason, he chose to wear sandals instead of his sneakers. Fortunately, the path was a wood chip covered path so the walking was easy. About three minutes into the walk, he decided that he had already walked a mile and was complaining that I had given him bad information. Then when he saw that we had to walk up about a ten foot hill, he was ready to turn back. But he stuck with me and stayed safely on the trail as I found the box and stamped in. When we got home, he hurriedly ran into the bathroom to take a shower to wash the "ticks and poison off". I pointed out that he had been no where near any poison and ticks don't usually jump out of wood chip paths but he felt better when he was showered. What a man!

I had also been boxing last weekend, headed south to Hibernia for MizScarlet's new box, Not a Geocache . I arrived at Hibernia just as the ranger was unlocking the gates so I didn't have to open the park myself this time! I also found Black Eyed Dog's For Pride's Sake , a box which I made much harder than it was because I forgot to take my map along. And Chester County parks make you buy their maps at their park offices which are rarely staffed during the time most people visit parks. While I was in the park, I checked on my Laura's Childhood Luvs - Strawberry Shortcake. The box is in good shape although I will have to make another visit soon to replace the logbook. This will be my first box with a full log and not filled by Scout troops!

From Hibernia, I headed south to Kennett Square to a park that I had visited once before with Lightnin' Bug, Anson Nixon Park. There again, I was first finder for Shroom with a View. I have to admit that after my first trip to this park I had been less than impressed. Well, I felt as though I was in a totally different park when I found Shroom - it was really nice with a lake, an amphitheatre, great bathrooms ( a big bonus for me!). This was Psychiker and Syner's first box and I hope to see many more of them. From here I headed down the road a bit to Newtown Square for Princess and Fox Catcher. Princess was a sweet child's box with child's clues in a child's home. Fox Catcher was a nice little walk along a very busy but kind of strange little walking path beside the Dupont estate. Both boxes were good finds though and were in good condition.

From Newtown Square, I headed for MizScarlet territory, Wayne. There I first found Fair Weather Boxer . I wanted to do her Walking the Dog series while I was there but by this time, I figured I had walked at least six miles and the thought of another two mile walk was not appealing. So I took off for some of her shorter ones and was successful with A Little Walk and a WOM box in the same area.

By this time, I was ready to head home. I really wanted to check on my Paoli Massacre boxes but I was just too tired - but really happy - I had been eight for eight in finds, something which does not usually happen to me.