Mi Verano Loco or My Crazy Summer

Since my last post I've moved to Eastern Oregon. Needless to say my LB has been put on hold. I have been doing LTCs. Yesterday I went to the Fall Carve Social in Vancouver. It was so nice to get back to civilization. 

I will post pics of my new home: town, actual house, etc. I plan on planting in the local area soon as well.

Last weekend I went hiking in Milton-Freewater at Harris Park, which I believe has a hidden letterbox! On my list to hunt for! 

Where I shared an enjoyable lunch

Stay tuned more to come~

To The Dogs

JoJo’s favorite playtime is visiting his friends at the dog park. So I decided to plant a series of well-loved dog characters at this dog-friendly place!

Abby: Australian Sheep Dog

Oscar

Nelly

 This dog park is very lively. Many dog breeds visit this place.

 As you can see small dogs and large dogs have seperate play areas for fun and safety.

The Clues! ~Kid Friendly!!!

Go to the "liveliest" park in Springfield, Oregon. Park behind the building next to the portapotties. Follow the sidewalk past the playground and take the path to where the dogs play.

When you cross the gravel road find the "Private Driveway" sign take the large bark path right at the sign.

To Dog #1:

This Big dog has a wonderful owner who would love to take him on letterboxing adventures. I think he'd make a lovely boxing buddy. Let's find him

Follow that path straight until you reach the "S". In the middle of the "S" is a multi-trunked tree practically laying in the path. He is waiting for you between those trunks behind a piece of bark. (haha "Bark!")

To Dog #2:

This dog will have the clues to whatever mystery or adventure needs solving! He'd also make a fine boxing buddy, don't you think? (Though, you'd have to sit in a chair to do that).

Continue on until you come to the "Y". Go left. The path will turn right. On the right side off the trail a bit you will see fallen tree trunks. Beyond that is a tree standing behind a stump. You will find this friendly canine sitting between the tree and the stump.

To Dog #3:

Stay on the main trail as it curves you to the right, pass an open field. Keep going and you'll find yourself heading back to the park, you'll see the fence. On the left you will see an unusual log that resembles elephant tusks. Search the end of the log near the tree to find what this curious Beagle has found.

Don't worry about getting lost. Just follow the trail and it will lead you back to where you started.

While you're there visit the dog park with your canine friend and/or take the kiddos swimming! 

http://www.willamalane.org/pages/parks/jackblively.shtml 

http://www.willamalane.org/pages/swimcenters/lpsc.shtml 

 

April/May Nature Walks

I captured some lovely images of nature during hikes, nature walks while letterboxing over the past month. Oregon has beautiful country!

Stay out of the Lily Pads!

130 Year old Cherry Tree

Notes on Random Thoughts...nothing important

It is looking like Spring is finally here! Sunny days and warmer nights. Rain here and there. Been letterboxing so much that my yard has been neglected. Planning on planting more strawberries-my favorite fruit ever! I love getting in the dirt and watching the fruit of my labor grow! Plus there's nothing like the taste of a fat juicy strawberry!

I finally mailed my first LTC's this week. Pictures to come later.

Now I'm working on a new traditional LB series to plant on the 24^th of May. Pictures to come...

Adventures in Letterboxing: California Redwood Coast

Misty redwoods

Our week was funfilled and packed with adventure as Chris and I went to the Redwood Coast in Northern California.

Trees of Mystery is a must visit when at the Redwood Coast

Day 1: Crescent City and Klamath, CA

Some great letterboxes hidden around these two coastal towns! And, some great beaches! During one of our hunts in Klamath we spotted a grey whale which made the long trek to the letterboxes doubly fun! To find what I am speaking of you should go to Requa Road!

JoJo and Chris at the beach in Crescent City

 

Day 2: Eureka, CA

Went to Sequoia Park in Eureka, CA. They have a small zoo and park with a duck pond in the lower section of the road. It's full of ferns, and breath-taking giant redwood trees!

Grooming ducks in Sequoia Park

Happy LBers at Sequoia Park

 

Another stopping point is Woodley Island in Eureka at the harbor. Full of fishing boats at the dock, gift shop, and a lovely resturaunt right next to the bay.

Fisherman monument on Woodley Island

 

Day 3: Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Orick, CA

If you want to walk through the Redwood forest this is the place to be. Dedicated to First Lady Lady Bird Johnson in the 60's this grove has gravel trail with informational signs and a nice place to rest at the dedication spot! Only downside is that dogs are not allowed on the trail.

 To learn more about our adventure visit these websites:

treesofmystery.net

http://redwoods.info/

http://www.eurekachamber.com

http://exploredelnorte.com

http://www.sequoiaparkzoo.net/ 

http://www.redwoodhikes.com/RNP/LBJ.html 

http://humboldtsearch.com/Orick-California.htm 

 

 

Adventures in Letterboxing: Fern Ridge Wildlife Area

JoJo on a letterboxing hunt

 Last week's LB adventure was quite wonderful. Though I wasn't able to attend yesterday's LB event: City of Books in Portland as I had planned. But I did get some morning LB done locally around town. It was a beautiful sunny day and went on a couple trail hikes in the process.

 

I have also began carving my stamps for my very first LTC

The tools I use for my stamp carves

 

 

 

 

The most memorable LB adventure occurred last week at Fern Ridge Wildlife Area in Eugene, OR. A beautiful wetland spot :wet, green, and a wonderful place to view a variety of birds. There is a lovely carve hidden on a small trail there that is worth the trip!

Platform to view wildlife and record finds!

Here is a link to more information on Fern Ridge Wildlife Area:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/visitors/fern_ridge_wildlife_area/index.asp

When in Eugene, OR take time to visit this beautiful landmark!

 

A Break In The Rain

My first carve and plant

I planted my first letterbox last week. It was an experiment to see how good a carver I am. Apparently I'm ok. Wish I was more artistic though.

I also carved a couple personal travelers as well. And, my son carved his own signature stamp under the trailname Dragon Killer. 

My son Chris AKA Dragon Killer

 

 After all the rain, snow, and hail this season we finally had a day of beautiful sun! So, I took advantage of the opportunity and me and my Boxing Buddy JoJo went out on the Amazon Park trails in town and went treasure hunting. What a fun day with many finds! 

JoJo loves to hike!

At Amazon Park

 

Happy Spring!

On this Spring day Mother Nature decided to bless us with snow this morning...

Battling the Bug (and a gross blog)

This weekend left me ill. And, I was miserable! Blah! Well, the good side to it all is that it rained through the weekend so I didn't miss out on letterboxing and on the brighter side I lost 5 pounds! But, it wasn't fun.

This year's flu virus may be confused by some folks as food poisoning, as many I've talked to and what I've experienced is that a couple hours after eating you start vomitting. But, like any other type of flue it presents itself with vomit/diarrhea, stomach upset, headache, fever, muscle aches. It lasts 1-3 days. 
So how do I know that I had the flu? 

COLD VS. FLU symptoms:

*You have the flu

~headache, fever, muscle/body aches, chills, weakness/fatigue (coughing, sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat, chest discomfort can accompany sometimes)

*You have the common cold

~coughing, sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat, chest discomfort

MY THOUGHTS ON VACCINATION

I don't get the flu vaccine due to personal opinions about vaccination: 1. I believe that flu shots are why we have new variant strains of influenza virus every year, thus needing a new vaccine every year; 2. I believe in allowing my natural immunity to fight the virus. Of coures, I am a healthy individual with a healthy immune system.

As a registered nurse I do advocate the flu vaccination for others especially if they could greatly benefit from vaccination. Always consult your physician.

Flu shots are usually given between September and November. And given to children 6 months to 18 years and adults over 50. And anyone with health risks.

Remember the best way to avoid the WASH YOUR HANDS, get the vaccine, and boost your immunity with Vit. C., zinc, ecchinacea, and other natural immunity boosters! Don't pass your germs! WASH YOUR HANDS, sneeze into your sleeve-NOT YOUR HANDS. And, if you feel sick don't be around people stay home and quarantine! Ok, so you don't have to go that far...

Know the facts! 

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

Bargains and Rainy Day Past-time

What does Puggietail do outside of letterboxing? I have many interests but one that I am becoming more and more devoted to is coupon clipping. With gas prices sky-rocketing beyond what one makes in a day, something's got to change in the Pryor household. We just spent over $100.00 at Walmart yesterday! So, coupon clipping has been a lifesaver as well as a penny-saver.

Go to these links to save your pennies:

www.coupons.com 

www.dealigg.com

www.groupon.com

Also, if you have Facebook "like" your favorite brands, companies for some good deals as well.

Just today my son and I enjoyed a free dinner with purchase of an adult dinner and 2 beverages at Hometown Buffet for less than $15.00. 

Also, another way to get more bang for your buck is stop going to the mall and start hitting the bargain stores like Goodwill, St. Vincent DePaul, and outlet stores. I refuse to pay more than $20.00 on new clothing. I find brand new pants (with the original tags still attached) at the Goodwill for $5.00. You have to know what to look for and you can save, save, save!

JoJo My Boxing Buddy!

Jo's First Bath

 JoJo is 31/2 year old Brindle Pug. He was the last of his brothers and sisters when I brought him home. As in the movie “Marley and Me” he, too, was a clearance puppy.

He loves hiking with me, going for rides in the car, and playing with his friends at the dog park. He also loves to lick things: he licks the walls, the carpet, himself, me and everybody he encounters. And, he loves to go to Washington to visit his cousins Lolo and Sarebear. He is the inspiration for my letterbox trailname. His curly tail is one of the cutest things about him.

Like any other pug, he snores, chortles, and snorts all day long.

Everyone asks me if he is a full pug breed. And, I say I am not sure because I believe he is part Pug and part French Bulldog. If you meet him, you will notice that his legs are longer than a Pug's legs and he has a fuller chest. But, he is full pug to me!

A New Adventure

This is my Trailname: Puggietail

 This past year an acquaintance had introduced me to a new past-time. It keeps me and the pug active and happy. We go on adventures looking for letterboxes - It's similar to geocaching, but creative. I love it! Why?Because I love to hike and see nature at it's finest! Along with my workouts I can stay in shape in a fun way. Also, you can witness the talent and artistry of many fellow letterboxers as they carve their creations into exquisite stamps. 

My "logbook" to record my finds

For more information about letterboxing go here:

www.atlasquest.com