Pirate in Every Port

My pictorial story of the Pirates in Every Port gathering in Connecticut follows:It all started in the rain, yes, again, in the rain. My first stop on my way to Connecticut was to finally stop for the Vynecrest Winery letterbox. It is one of those boxes which was so close to home that I kept putting off getting it - saving it for a rainy day. And that is when I got it!
I stopped for a number of drivebys on my way to Groton. I arrived at the New Jersey HHH close to dusk as the rain had slowed down. The view from this overlook must be spectacular when there isn't a cloud cover.
I ended up pulling into a rest stop and sleeping the first night. When I woke up about 4 AM, I saw that the rain had returned. And it didn't go away at all that day. Till I got to the camp ground that afternoon, the rain was so heavy that it I just nestled with a book in my bed in the back of my car and read for hours. It did manage to taper off by 6 that evening but it had spoiled a whole day of boxing for me.
In between the showers, I grabbed a few drivebys and was amused at several of them to see that the last person who had signed into the logs was our own Pennsylvanian, Lotus. Here is my New England fast food stop for lunch. Had shrimp and chips and they were delicious.
The weather on Saturday morning was so unbelievably different from the day before. It was sunny and crystal clear. Kelli couldn't have ordered more perfect weather for her Pirates gathering. This is the view from Peace Sanctuary, the home of the Life on the Sea letterbox.
Just in case I hadn't ever hiked in French Creek State Park and didn't know what a rock was, someone had kindly pointed out this landmark at Peace Sanctuary.

Kreepy Kelli was there to greet us as we arrived at the Pirates in Every Port gathering. The only thing that was bigger than her smile and hospitality were the New England mosquitos.
One of the first to arrive at the park were old friends, Martini Man and Wisconsin Hiker, boxers extrodinaire.
Co-hosts, the Pointer Party, came fully prepared with the Pirate look. We did wonder what the other users of the park thought when they saw all these people dressed as Pirates at the neighboring picnic areas.
The Wildcats weathered the storm of Friday with me. They were my neighbors at the camp site the first night I camped in CT.
Team Green Dragon and I were able to exchange grandchildren stories. They are fortunate to be expecting a second one in January.
I was so happy to meet MayEve! She and I had exchanged many postal letterboxes. With her is the beaming and outgoing Connfederate.

My friends, Lee and Sherry of Dogs with Wings. Lee kept himself occupied with a Stephen King book while Sherry was a stamping fool. She learned very quickly how to handle a gathering.
Although this was the biggest gathering I have ever attended, it was amazing that I met so many people. Everyone was friendly and took the time to chat as we exchanged stamps. There was never the rushed feeling that I get at so many get togethers. Here Wisconsin Hiker and Martini Man exchange with CPAScott.
Sherry from Dogs with Wings exchanges with Bandaid and they compare nursing stories - the rookie with the veteran.
Other old friends, Nightowl and Scarab, led our quest to capture a few boxes at Bluff Point before darkness hit.
Eyebob and Cuddlebug introduced a neat new type of personal traveler where we got to pick one of three stamps which would predict our fortune. Mine was very dour news - it said "BAD LUCK".
Lockwench, the queen of carving in my opinion, truly outdid herself with her pirate themed stamps. Along with being one of the nicest people I have met in letterboxing, that makes her an almost perfect boxer.
Little Thomas, the youngest member of team AMPMTM, totally stole my heart with his harmonica playing. Just a little older than my Milkmonster, he reminded me of my little guy.

Two of my bestest buddies, Hikers 'n Hounds and Cyclonic. It was truly ironic that as I pulled into the parking lot for this gathering with over a hundred people that I had never met before in attendance, the first one I should see was Irene with Dude.
Sunshine and Tenacious Rose were two new boxers that I was happy to meet. Also in attendance and first time for me to meet were many other well known boxers including Donutz716, Nautilus of Maine, Jay Drew, Mark and Sue Pepe, Orion, Butterfly and Moonstone. Old acquaintences included Silent Doug and Clueless, and Pete and Wanda.
Music Woman was the official planter of many of the boxes at Bluff Point State Park.

The official attempt to take a gathering picture.

Mistress of the Event, Kreepy Kelli, surveys her scurvy crew.

Cyclonic, Sherry and Phynstarr give one final check for a box along the waterfront. One box was lost when the tide came in but if I remember correctly, the one in this location, survived.

Connfederate conducts some exchanges.

Chickabirdie and Chuck with their new puppy, Amy, joined our crew of boxers after the event.

Another beautiful sunrise greeted us on Sunday morning. Dogs with Wings joined me at Rocky Neck State Park for a final day of Connecticut boxing.
I love boarkwalks through the woods but I think I also love boardwalks along the beach. This one led to a missing box but we got to enjoy the boardwalk anyway.
The writer of the clues for The Denizens of Rocky Neck invited the box finder to log their opinion of what this tree reminded them of. There were a multitude of responses and I was tempted to write that it reminded me of a certain "P----" tree in French Creek State Park.
Dogs with Wings look for the cave in the rocks which contained a box that had also been reported missing. They were hoping to prove this report incorrect but unfortunately, it WAS missing.