Post Gatherin' Argh! Argh! Arghs!

From comments made it appears everyone had a grand time at Mid-MO’s 3rd annual spring gathering. It was wonderful to see old friends again and equally wonderful to meet so many new . If only there was more time to simply chat and down nice cold root-beer.


So many things to say and people to thank, but for now, let me just say thanks to EVERYONE who came and made the day such a fun event. I’ve said it often and continue to say it, Mid-MO is indeed a world class LB community. A friendlier more creative group would be hard to find.



I’ve loaded a batch of pictures onto my flickr account. To go there, simply click HERE. A word about viewing the pix as a slideshow; for some reason it does something strange at about the 30th picture, it loops back. So as you’re watching be aware when a white prompt appears above the pictures asking if you wish to continue (or something to that affect). Click yes and the slideshow will continue.

With me best pirate voice,'Ye all deserve an extra draw from the root-beer keg!

Lnd-Crzr

Fast heels and high water

Just a quick heads up, as several of you have been nice enough to warn me, the Big Muddy and its many tributaries are projected to breach their banks later this week due to past and predicted rainfall. So instead of resting up from a wonderful activity filled gathering weekend, I had to race out and pull a few of my boxes to avoid them being washed down to the Gulf. If you plan on hunting any of my boxes in the near future, please check LBNA that day before heading out.

So far, I have only pulled Sadako which was totally submersed but managed to survive yesterday's flash flood. I also grabbed my Wild Mushroom #3 which was only 2 foot from the rushing water. I may need to pull a few others if the projections get any higher. I will put everything back in place, once this threat has diminished.

Photos, me shipmates!

What more could you ask for? Pleasant weather, even more pleasant company and great grub. Oh yea, and letterboxing!

The pirate-themed Mid-Mo Spring 2007 Gathering at Graham Caves State Park was as rollicking as any scurvy tar could imagine. Lot's of eye patches, scarves and "arrrgh." And the kids were dressed up, too.

Captn' Ron del LndCrzr plotted the course with his usual skill, sending teams of scallywags tromping through the forest in search of his pieces of eight (well, eight treasure boxes anyway). Then he topped that by demonstrating he was even better at cooking fajitas than carving stamps. That's powerful praise, indeed.

Here are a few pictures the I snapped. More are in a gallery you can see by clicking here. The captions (click the middle of a photo) are a bit unclear, but I'm sure you will correct me.

The Clyde half of C2B2

ah . . .the gathering at last

hello mates- looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow- anyone else up late tonight working on finishing up stuff for tomorrow . . . searching for personal travelers to come . . . ??? Though my crew won't be camping I look forward to a day of sloshing around in the water and catching up with some folks-

off to snooze land-mamaroots

Tortuga Clues

My fellow shipmates!

Tortuga is definitely a spot to wet ye whistle and grab some gruel! These pictures will lead you to a featured box to start your gathering spirits!

Indeed, as a true treasure map - X marks the spot! This is a highly highly visible and busy spot! I would recommend parking next to the large hamburger shaped stone and heading north 5 paces to grab your booty and give it a stamp!

Also, if you find the five B's at the gathering and join a rousing chorus of '15 men...yoo-ho-ho and a _____________' fill in the blank for a bonus treasure!

See you there!

Oh and if you need an additional visual clue...head on over to my blog for an extra hint!

Spring Gathering Newsflash!

Graham Cave State Park is wet. After a full day of trompsing about, I feel qualified to assure everyone that every inch of the park is indeed wet.

In the event everyone hasn't caught on, inside me is a ten year old who loves sploshing his way thorugh creeks. Everyone should come prepared to do more than a bit of their own sploshing given the current conditions. Besides, a good bit of sploshing is good for the soul.

Lnd-Crzr

D'oh!

This post was an error. I was trying to post to my new mushroom blog and accidentally posted it in here. I deleted the text but does anyone know how to delete the actual post? Or C2B2, perhapos this is something only you guys can do.
Thanks,
ahistory

GLO NODECVIPER EXERTBOLT

Below is the long awaited final part of the clue for the GLO NODECVIPER EXERTBOLT letterbox. I gave out hard copies of the clue at the Fall 2006 Arts and Craft Letterbox Gathering, and meant to post the clue within a month, but then it took me months to figure out how to scan and post pictures (it didn't help that my computer also crashed in the interim). Before hunting for this clue, check out the GLO NODECVIPER EXERTBOLT listing on LBNA in Boone County, Missouri (NE Region) then review the following:


This clue uses four different kinds of ciphers. It is up to you to determine which ciphers are used.

ZYFE PFAXEGRJ SJMW VKH BRUSH-SVYWW SFSVW RISWYBPSRFI FZ YFXSW V (SF SVW WJBS) JIL AFN DYFQRLWIPW YFJL (SF SVW KWBS).



DHEA TWES ALEVERS SMILE NO GLO NODECVIPER LUNTI UYO HREAC A RCHCHU DAN ERYCEMET, NTHE RREFE OT PMA WLOBE.



(PSA ENCIENC TIPHES RQUART ED OCECODM EAU).






Happy hunting! --Fox-fyr

Gathering Tips and Reminders

Here's a few last-minutes tips and reminders to review before the Gathering.

SPEEDING: Don't speed when you reach the park. The posted speed limit in the park is only 20 mph. The park ranger has been known to issue speeding tickets to a vanful of nuns traveling less than 5mph over the speed limit (I'm not kidding!) and has even stopped park staff for the same reason.

CAVE TOUR: If you're signed up for the Letterboxing Devil's Icebox Wild Cave Tour May 11, don't forget to bring your $25 and all your gear so that I can look at it (this includes three lights including at least one headlamp; several layers of non-cotton clothing; footwear with ankle support and traction; a daypack; spare batteries; and anything else you are thinking of bringing). So far, the people I have scheduled for the trip include Ahistory, One Mean Green Bean, Touch Trek, Mr. McMonkey, E-volution, and possibly Drag-a-Long for Fun and Lnd-Crzr. Anyone else interested needs to contact me ASAP at difxofire@hotmail.com and see details about the tour at www.mostateparks.com/rockbridge.cave.htm.

CAMPING ACTIVITIES:
I'm bringing a guitar and my copy of "Rise Up Singing." If anyone else has copies of the songbook (or similar songbooks) or other appropriate musical instruments (no grand pianos, please), please feel free to bring them. I'm also bringing some night activity surprises for after dark.

FIREWOOD: In an effort to stop the spread of invasive species such as the emerald ash borer and gypsy moths, Missouri State Parks has requested that campers either purchase wood as locally as possible for campfires or, if bringing their own, to burn everything they bring and quickly so that any insects that might travel with the wood do not escape into the park.

Steer a clear course! --Fox-fyr

Tortuga!

All right mates! This is a heads up!

Tortuga was the infamous pirate hangout. This is important for you because there is a box located at mid-MO's version of Tortuga!

Where are the clues you say? Check back here tomorrow for your pictures to the clues!

Hint: if you know what the McMonkeys and thefiveB's have in common, then you will find Tortuga!

See you at the gathering!

thefiveB's

Arghh! Arghh! Arghh!

A vast me hearties! ‘Tis but a smidge over a week ‘til the gatherin’ of this motley crew of letterboxers. As it ‘tis, I be needin’ a few of yuz to bring aboard a few bits n’ pieces of this its and that’s its. If’n ‘ya can bring a this or a that, post a comment below deck.

A rough guess is we’ll be feeding 25 on Saturday night. I’m in hopes that folks will look at the list and bring a few items form it. Don’t feel like you need to bring 14 peppers. If a few bring two or three it will all add up the same.

-Large skillets (3)
-Fajita Flour Tortillas (50-60?)
-Tortilla Chips (3 bags or so)
-Peppers; Red, Green, Yellow (14)
-Red Onions (7)
-Salsa (3 jars or a big old bucket if its homemade)
-Sour cream (3 tubs)
-Good old Coleman lantern


OneMeanGreenBean has already committed to bringing her famous guacamole and someone else (sorry, I forget who) is bringing a Tortilla soup/dip, which sounds like a meal unto itself. If anyone else wants to contribute a side dish or desert, please feel free, though remember, no nuts.

Drinks are bring your own as are plates, cups and utensils.

Regarding where to meet on Saturday morning, click HERE for a small map of the park. Notice down low, near I-70 is a picnic shelter? That's where we'll meet. It is the only big shelter in the bottom. Again, I've reserved the shelter but have not told the park exactly what we're up to so please be discreet (read 'Don't ask the park staff where the Letterboxing party is'.).

Argh! One more item. Along with the other reading you’ve done, browse through ‘How I Became a Pirate’ by Melinda Long and David Shannon. Any bookstore should have it in their children’s section.

Feel free to post questions and comments.
Lnd-Crzr

Arrrrgh ye ready?

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Kingdom+City&state=MO&site=LSX
7-Day Forecast for Latitude 38.95N and Longitude -91.93W (Elev. 820 ft)

I am getting ready and getting more excited as our gathering date draws near. I have posted a link to the 7 day forcast for the site. I am watching it with an anxious eye. I imagine all this rain and warm weather will explode the growth in the woods. Be sure to pack bug/tick repellant. The ticks seem to be kind of thick this year. Either that or they just like me!
I know that Lnd-Crzr has planned some fun things. Do you have your entry ready for the contest? Just one short week to finish your entry. Just to remind you the contest involves creating a way to identify your logbook as yours. The books will be laid flat on the table for us to exchange stamps. The cover of your book will not be visible. Your identifier will be next to your book. If you need more details see the gathering post below for more info.
I am looking forward to seeing some familiar faces. I am also excited about putting faces to trail names and making some new friends!
Food, Folks, Fun and Fajitas. See you there!

Spring Gathering Clue

Thanks to Perdu's post, I recalled that I owe some of you a picture regarding a certain book which you should read before the gathering. Of course it is not required, though it will make your day much easier and meaningful.

If you're needing a bit more help to go on, the illustrator for this book is one of my favorites and his last name is shown below in the form of an anagram. Unscramble it if you need to.

HEWTY

Enjoy!

Lnd-Crzr

Carpooling to Gathering?

Wow, fajitas, guacamole, etc.! I'm mightily disappointed that I'll miss out on the evening feast. However, my DH is neither a letterboxer nor a camper, so I'll be coming by myself and will only be staying for the day on Saturday. Which brings me to the reason for my post. Is anyone else from the Columbia area planning on going for Saturday only? If so, would you be interested in carpooling? I'm completely flexible regarding times.
Thanks!

Mid-MO Spring LB Gathering Announcment

I trust everyone who RSVP’d me pronto quick has received their invitation regarding the spring gathering. If you think you should have received one and have not, please send me e-mail.

Just because you didn’t receive an invitation doesn’t mean you’re not invited.

The Third Annual Mid-MO Spring LB Gathering is open to any and all. Invitations (handmade jobs) were sent out the first 15 folks who RSVP’d me.

So here is the info, in a nut shell, for everyone else interested in attending.

When: Saturday May 5th, beginning promptly (unless I am late) at 10 AM and officially running until 4 PM. Staying this entire time is not mandatory. I do however suggest being there at noonish, as you wouldn’t want to miss our famous potluck luncheon and this will be the time that we do the exchange and judge one of the contests (more on that in a moment). I’d also suggest staying until four, as some goodies will be given away.

Where: Well that is the big question isn’t it. As the folks who received the invitations had to do a bit of work, I certainly won’t just give it away here, though I will make it pretty easy. Below is a anagram which when descrambled will reveal the location. Hint, it is a state park about 20 miles East of Kingdom City.

RAHGMA VCEA TTEAS RPKA

See? Easy enough.

As mentioned, lunch on Saturday is potluck, so if you plan on eating, please bring something to share.

Allergies will be attending so pleas NO NUTs.

Water and restrooms are available at shelter where we’ll meet and the days activities will center around. It is labeled as ‘Picnic Shelter’ on the map you’ll find if you click HERE.

Camping is available and several are planning on camping Friday night and a good number will be staying over Saturday night. Campsites can be reserved. The campground has both electric and non-electric sites as well as showers and water. We have discussed trying to camp as a group and reserving sites close to one another. In order to do so I have reserved on site right in the middle and everyone else can build off it. When you do so please post a comment here as to which site you’ll be staying at so we can stay close together. I will be at campsite 34. A campground map can be found by clicking HERE.

Saturday night I am also hosting a Fire-Side Fajita Feast featuring my famous fajitas slow cooked over an open fire. I’m asking everyone who wants to partake in this culinary treat throw in $3 to help cover costs. Also, if you’re gonna eat fajitas, please let me know through a comment posted here so I have a rough idea of how many to plan on.

As of now, there is one contest I have running which will require your work prior to May 5th (though there will be many more running that day). The contest is to create some manner to indicate your logbook as yours during the big exchange. The exchanges are always chaos, so through this contest we’ll try and tame the beast. The idea is everyone will lay their logbooks around a table with something by the book to indicate whose book it is. Then we’ll be able to walk around the table and stamp into any books we haven’t stamped previously. So you book will be lying flat open, so don’t do something on the cover. Please make sure it clearly indicates your trail name, as that’s the whole point. We’ll judge this based on the most creative and the entry that most reflects the owner’s personality. Fabulous [prizes will be given away to the winners!

What’s the theme? Pirates! There is a specific book that by reading it prior to May 5th will not only help in some clues, but will also make the day much more engaging, but I won’t disclose the title so simply. I’ll post a picture which will require you to do a bit of leg work.

This will be a very kid friendly event, but due to the location close adult supervision will be required.

It looks as if we’ll have close to 50 attendees on Saturday.

Please be sure to come prepared for a full day of LB, meaning sturdy shoes, sunscreen, bug spray and so on.

Wow! That is some nutshell!

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to shoot me an e-mail. Also, if anyone has a clever idea they'd like to share, feel free to share it and we'll collaboarte on making it happen.

Lnd-Crzr

What's in a name?

When Cecile and I started letterboxing lo these many (3) years ago, a trailname was often a somewhat secret identity -- some boxers worked hard to make sure you never associated their personal stamp with a face.

Now it is more of a shorthand means of logging a find. It is much easier and much more fun to stamp C2B2 and a speeding dog into a book than to merely write my name. We now meet face to face often and address each other by our real name. Many -- me included -- sign our real names under our stamp.

So what are the protocols these days? I rather like our moniker, as it stands for both Clyde and Cecile Bentley -- neither first, neither last but as one unit. I think of it more as a family brand.

All this comes up now because we are buying a new car. Our shiny black Prius will have custom chrome wheels, but I would also like a custom license plate. The first "number" that came to mind was C2B2.

So what do you think? Does having that on my bumper spoil the sport any more than "Bentley", "TwoCs" or "ltr-bxr" (I don't really plan to use the latter)?

Please comment quickly -- the tax break for hybrids expires Sunday.

What's in a name?

When Cecile and I started letterboxing lo these many (3) years ago, a trailname was often a somewhat secret identity -- some boxers worked hard to make sure you never associated their personal stamp with a face.

Now it is more of a shorthand means of logging a find. It is much easier and much more fun to stamp C2B2 and a speeding dog into a book than to merely write my name. We now meet face to face often and address each other by our real name. Many -- me included -- sign our real names under our stamp.

So what are the protocols these days? I rather like our moniker, as it stands for both Clyde and Cecile Bentley -- neither first, neither last but as one unit. I think of it more as a family brand.

All this comes up now because we are buying a new car. Our shiny black Prius will have custom chrome wheels, but I would also like a custom license plate. The first "number" that came to mind was C2B2.

So what do you think? Does having that on my bumper spoil the sport any more than "Bentley", "TwoCs" or "ltr-bxr" (I don't really plan to use the latter)?

Please comment quickly -- the tax break for hybrids expires Sunday.

The BIG 200 Contest Winner

Drum roll please…and the winner is….AHistory! I know many folks have been eyeing the regional total in anticipation of hitting the 200 and it’s been done in grand style with what appears to be a very clever series that I know young and old alike will enjoy.

Thanks to everyone who continues to make Mid-MO a world-class LB community with their wonderfully artistic and creative LBs.

AHistory will receive something for his accomplishment, though at this point it is still a secret (or undecided). Once he receives it maybe he’ll post a picture of it.

Well done AHistory…and just before the morels too!

Lnd-Crzr

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2007/Mar/20070326Feat003.asp

Here's a good article in the local paper about picking a good pack for the trail. Am I the only person who has never heard the trerm "slackpacker"? Happy Hunting this Spring!

A flavorful favor

This isn't truly box related and more of a selfish indulgence (though there is a special stamp in it for any lucky ones). this is just a brief reminder that the morel mushroom season is upon us.
So if you are out boxing and happen to see any of the little spongelike jewels, please do me a favor. Take a few moments to note the general location (rocky slopes, creek bottoms, etc) and any plants and especially trees that are growing nearby the mushrooms (especially if you stumble across a nice patch). Drop me an email letting me know. I am not interested in the exact location though if you decide not to pick them please include this (Can't have any of the little guys going to waste).
I am more interested in the places they are popping up this year so I can refine my own hunting spots. Of course, anyone who provides information will be rewarded in true letterbox fashion.
Thanks for your time and your help, perhaps with a little luck I can find enough morels to bring some to the Spring fling in May.