R.I.P.~World's Greatest Pug!

A lot has happened since I last blogged. Working too much to enjoy my hobbies and haven't been LBing much! Especially since JoJo died last June. He was my boxing buddy and is greatly missed!

JoJo's marker Born October 2008 Died June 30, 2013

JoJo Letterboxing Buddy- Not a picture-taker!

He was a great dog!
I haven't done much letterboxing since my move to Heppner. But, all that will change!

Almost 1 Year!

Where has the time gone?

I moved my family here last July to start another chapter of my life. I accepted a job as a Home Health and Hospice RN in Eastern Oregon. And, Boy! Did time fly!

I live 45 minutes to an hour away from the nearest town in every direction! And, I am the only letterboxer in over 50 miles. So, I felt very lonely for awhile. Having to get accustomed to my new life wasn’t easy. And, letterboxing took a back seat!

So, I spent most of the year dedicated to postals and LTC’s! I also had slacked off on exercise since there is no gym for 50 miles!

 Now, driving is like pouring milk to me! So, I'm feeling ansy again for LB hunts and driving to the gym almost daily. After thinking about it, and spending time in S.F. in December reminded me that the city is about the same when you factor in traffic and distance it also takes a while to drive. The upside in the country is no traffic and you lose that feeling of having to rush everywhere!

 I am enjoying this countrified living! Love the farmland and the ranches. It’s a quilted patchwork of browns, yellows and greens as far as the eye can see! Wildlife is abundant. I am used to seeing one or two deer roaming the neighborhood. Here, you will open your window to find a herd of them having breakfast on your lawn. Have to watch the garden! 

We purchased a 4 bedroom country home on 3.5 acres. Haven't decided how to utilize the land yet. But, goats, gardens, chickens, and cats and dogs come to mind! 

I will be posting pictures of the beautiful country side! Stay tuned for that. 

Here are pictures of how I stayed busy my first few months in EO:

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