Maiden Voyage

Back in March of 2007, I put the following thoughts online:

Once upon a message board, a letterboxer named dragonflies asked, "Does anyone here make and trade ATCs?" She elaborated later, and a new twist on an old idea was born.

Most of you are familiar with some type of trading cards, especially baseball trading cards. (We used to get these in bubblegum packs.) In addition to these, many of you are also familiar with nonsports collectibles, such as Artist Trading Cards -- small works of art traded among artists.

While Letterbox Trading Cards are an obvious extension of Artist Trading Cards, they are not exactly the same. I like to think they bring back something reminiscent of the earliest days of letterboxing in Dartmoor, when calling cards were the proof that one had reached his or her goal. Blend the Victorian calling card with the artistry of rubber stamping and the convenience of the postal system, and you have Letterbox Trading Cards.

I still smile when I think back on that little adventure. As I prepared to mail that first set of cards back to the letterboxers who agreed to participate in the "Maiden Voyage" swap, I decided to include a little something extra to thank them. I prepared a little envelope to encase the cards, and printed the following on the outside of it:

May the only tempest
That tests this little ship,
Be the brainstorm of inquiring minds
That launched it on its trip.

Its maiden voyage completed;
The new idea cast
Upon the friendly waters
Where the old ideas passed.

What say you of its journey?
What say you of its end?
Is it just a passing fancy?
Or a lasting little trend?

Well, poet laureate, I am not. *smile*

Back to the swap (to get that poem out of your heads) . . .

Would you like to meet the Maiden Voyagers? (titles in alphabetical order):

A Chipmunk Went to Sea, Sea, Sea (created by Chippy)
Ballentine Buddies (created by Ballentine Buddies)
Bat Flight (created by Batty Girl)
Booking It (created by Webfoot)
Caught in the Rain (created by mudflinginfools)
Cuppa Joe (created by D5 Mama)
dbltall - Maiden Voyage (created by dbltall)
Ghost Horse of Monument Valley (created by alamocito)
hiking (created by skier4444)
mudflingin 101 (created by mudflinginfools)
Progression (created by SHH)
Scrapper (my hobbies) (created by Scrapper)
Shado hart (created by Tee of Draygonflies)
Stamps Carved by The Woodwhittler (created by thewoodwhittler)
Wanderers I-2007 (created by Team BearCat)

You all were such good sports! Happy New Year of Trading!

;-)

Thumbs Up

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My dear SHH,

Below is a review of the newest addition to my ink collection. Wring it like you would a soaking-wet hiking towel, and perhaps something profitable for your ink review page may drip out. No promises.

Sincerely,
MC

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

VersaFine Small

The Stampeaz blurb reads this way: “VersaFine is a natural, oil-based pigment ink that dries very quickly on matte cardstock or paper. It's a great ink for fine detail printing and it won't bleed if it gets wet, so you can use markers or watercolors right over it. The tiny packaging makes these ideal to take along with you to events or out on the trail.”

Tsukineko, the makers of this ink, claim this (on the pad itself):
"Captures fine details like no other . . . Archival Instant Dry Pigment Ink . . . Oil based . . . Long lasting . . . Water-resistant . . . Cleans up easily . . . Acid free (redundant, right?) . . . Non-toxic . . . Fade-resistant"

One other reviewer mentions VersaFine's great coverage.

So, I tested it.

My results in a nutshell? It’s all it’s cracked up to be!

Of course, the results of the “non-toxic” and “long lasting” tests are not yet in, but the VersaFine passed all of the other tests with flying colors.

Speaking of colors, I have been looking and looking for a blue this deep! Oh, joy!

Size? The pad itself is 24 mm by 24 mm, and the case is less than 1 ½ “ x 1 ½” x ¾” (with a lid that stays in place). So, next time you order from Stampeaz, just ask Webfoot to slip five or six of these babies in alongside your carving material. You will not be sorry.

Summer's End

Well, I needed one more photo to conclude my reflections on my trip to the Pacific Northwest. It took a while to get the final shot, and I had to drive to New Orleans to obtain it, but I guess it means I’m officially back in the land of hurricanes and safely out of danger with respect to volcanoes or tsunamis!

If you can't read the signs, try clicking on the image.

The following was on my sidebar while I was posting entries about my trip, and it’s time to move it to a more appropriate spot:

How I came to find myself so far away from home and in such grand company is a tale to tell, but I will try to tell most of it in photos. Since the fall of 2007, my husband and I had been trying to plan something special in celebration of our 20th anniversary. More than a year later, we were on our way to the PNW to visit SHH, Triple T, and their beautiful corner of the country. Unmatched hospitality awaited us, and though this was billed as an anniversary trip, it was so much more.

When I first read about letterboxing, I never dreamed that a simple interest would eventually bring me to this lovely area – but that’s not really the thing that is most significant or fascinating to me. The big surprises have been the sincere friendships that have emerged from that shared interest. Liz and Lisa, you gave us the welcome of a lifetime and made us feel absolutely at home. There is no way to thank you enough.

For friends and family who missed the earlier posts, here are the links to the plethora of pics and anecdotes:

Buckle Up!
Making My Day
Perilous Beauty
I Luv Foxglove
Shore of Discovery
Walking on a Mirror
Bedtime Story: Once upon a Murphy Bed . . .
Zora and the Tide Pool

I could have shared so many other special things, but I have run out of summer, and you may have run out of interest in this altogether. ;-) If I can ever figure out how to describe my “stamp fest” in SHH’s craft room, I’ll write again. That was more special than I can say.

There is one little item that I thought I could include, though . . .

Last spring when the SHH/Triple T crew drove through on their “Biggest Field Trip Ever,” they were without one of their number on the stop here; Cowgirl was spending some special time with her grandmother that day. I was genuinely thrilled for her grandmother, but I was sad for me. Consequently, when we began to plan our trip to the PNW, I consoled myself by thinking I would have another chance to meet her. I was pretty satisfied with that until I realized that our trip coincided with the time she was not going to be at home this summer! *gulp* What a disappointment! Imagine my surprise when we drove back to Washington State to find that she was coming home for the weekend! See that shoe? I’ve got proof! I met Cowgirl after all. What a sweetie!

I need to change my AQ profile interview now. For months is has read:

Time to close, I guess. I’ll conclude with a little slideshow of the flight home and some thoughts on long-distance friendships. I'll spare you the ". . . priceless" commercial.

[Click here for a better look . . . from the Cascades to the Rockies!]

A friend who is far away is sometimes much nearer than one who is at hand. Is not the mountain far more awe-inspiring and more clearly visible to one passing through the valley than to those who inhabit the mountain?
~ Kahlil Gibran

I am learning to live close to the lives of my friends without ever seeing them. No miles of any measurement can separate your soul from mine.
~ John Muir

No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth.
~ Robert Southey (my favorite of the four)

Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.
~ Henry David Thoreau

I am so thankful for you all!

Zora and the Tide Pool

“You’re trapped!” I heard, as the wave slid around my patch of sand and encircled both the mussel-covered rock and my feet.

I looked up to see an expression of sincere concern on the face of a little girl. Realizing that she had been warned of the dangers associated with the tides, I asked, “What should I do now?”

“Well, you’re trapped,” she repeated, and I gave her another look of helplessness.

Seconds later the water receded toward the ocean, and she called, “Jump! Now!” So, I leapt across the tiny stream of water.

Safely beside this sweet child, I thanked her profusely for being so kind to me.

From that point on, my husband and I were met with question after question about all of the beautiful creatures that covered the rocks among the tide pools. What a curious little companion she was!

Zora and I have some pics to share with you:

[They look so much nicer if you click here.]

Tying the Celtic Knot, part 2

In an earlier post, I wrote about a special stamp I carved for my sister, who is getting married very soon. I mentioned that I was going to prepare a box to house the stamp, and I thought I'd share the final project with those who are interested:



All done! Ready to deliver to the bride & groom! ;-)

Bedtime Story: Once upon a Murphy bed . . .

Now, where were we?

Oh, yeah . . . I remember.

“Later, after we arrived back in our room, we discovered two handles on the wall near the fireplace. Hmmm . . .”

Now, for the record, we were perfectly content with our accommodations. However, on the following evening, when SHH inquired about the day along the coast and eventually asked about the hotel, we told her that the room was fine and began to describe it. When I mentioned all of the door handles along the wall and then our pulling the bed out of the wall, her response . . .

“A Murphy bed!?”





. . . well, it was pretty funny, to say the least. The idea of sleeping in a bed that could have shut us up in the wall, while a perfectly good bedroom and bath were waiting on the other side of it, is amusing, I will admit. The word “suite” continues to surface in conversation.

So, let’s change the subject for a minute, shall we?

Fast-forward to the next morning. Would searching for the letterbox, “A Place to Embrace,” make my readers feel like our anniversary adventure was more romantic than it sounds at this point?


Being a woman of few words *cough*, let me just say that we followed the instructions in both the title and the clues. The stamped image will trigger sweet memories. ;-)


What a beautiful and fitting spot for such a letterbox.


Now, before I close this entry, I need to tell you the conclusion of the matter concerning our bed.

After being teased greatly by SHH and Triple T in the car, and again by many in the pity party chat room, I wanted an answer to the burning question, “Did we really pay for a bedroom that we never saw?”

So, I called the hotel.

You are not going to believe what we learned! There was a bedroom behind one of those doors -- yes, it gets worse: there were actually two bedrooms behind those doors!! As you might imagine, the hotel clerk was getting a kick out of this.

However!!!! (There is more!) While the suite did contain the option of having more rooms, we had only rented the “studio” portion of the “suite.” (i.e. all we paid for was the Murphy bed and the AWESOME BALCONY VIEW!)

How’s that for a bedtime story! I know; it's a bit anticlimactic. You all wanted me to end the story having paid for the two adjoining rooms, didn't you? *grin*

Walking on a Mirror

We arrived at our hotel just before sundown; and upon entering the room, we noticed right away that to our right, along the hall, was a solid line of doors with handles that were flush with the wall. Odd, perhaps, but we didn’t want to waste time thinking about it. The sun beginning to set!

We had originally booked a room with a “mountain view,” but at the urging of our friend, we upgraded to “ocean front” instead. So, there we were, overlooking the Pacific Ocean from our balcony. Romantic, eh? Before heading down to the beach, we spent a little time enjoying our view:


Down to the sand we walked to follow the sun to its day’s end!


I suppose I could have deleted more of these (they may seem redundant), but . . .


. . . as the sun set, the pallet of colors kept changing and changing, so I have kept nearly all of them -- at the risk of losing your attention.

Watch as we walked on the mirror:

[Better viewing with a click here.]

Later, after we returned to our room, we discovered two handles on the wall near the fireplace. Hmmm . . .

Shore of Discovery

". . . the grandest and most pleasing prospects
which my eyes ever surveyed, in front of a boundless ocean"
~ William Clark




After three wonderful days in the lovely state of Washington, my husband and I drove south to spend a little time on the Oregon coast.

We stopped at Ft. Clatsop to see the replica of Lewis & Clark's winter encampment, 1805-1806, and continued south to Ecola State Park to hike a trail “forged by Native Americans and followed by members of the Corps of Discovery.”

Those few miles were replete with terrific views of the Tillamook Lighthouse, our first peek at Haystack Rock, and quiet paths through the dense forest.

We missed our kids but were glad not to have the little ones walking that close to the edge of cliffs.


No letterboxes on that leg of the trip – we just didn’t have enough time to devote to more than a quick look to them. *pout* We needed a bite to eat before sunset . . .

[The photos are enlarged and annotated if you click here. ;-)]

I Luv Foxglove

"Jemima alighted rather heavily, and began to waddle about in search of a convenient dry nesting-place. She rather fancied a tree-stump amongst some tall fox-gloves. But – seated upon the stump, she was startled to find an elegantly dressed gentleman reading a newspaper."
~from Jemima Puddleduck by Beatrix Potter

That was my introduction to the wildflower known as foxglove, and when I had the pleasure of seeing Miss Potter’s home in the Lake District of England, I was also able to see it growing in the area that informed her writing. I remember being told how the plant got its common name (foxes wearing them on their paws as they quietly raided hen houses) -- both flower and tale became inseparably linked to my wonderful memories of that trip. Associations are powerful things, aren’t they?

More than twenty-five years have passed since then, and each time I read that story to my children, I think of that pretty flower that I assumed belonged to the English countryside alone. *smile* Ignorance is not bliss.

Early this summer, Triple T uploaded a picture of foxglove growing in her garden – foxglove in the United States! (Yes, I have since learned that it grows in many places in this country, but back to my story.) I mentioned my surprise to her, and when my husband and I had the pleasure of being escorted around the Olympic Peninsula, she quickly pointed them out to me -- and SHH made a special stop for me just so I could get some pics.


What a wonderful day we had with our lovely tour guides . . . driving along the Hood Canal, stopping at the Dungeness Spit for an oh-so-yum lunch, walking up a little trail for some nice photo opportunities, popping in at a lavender farm (I shall return), heading up to windy Hurricane Ridge, walking the Moments in Time Trail at Lake Crescent, enjoying the stones and driftwood at Ruby Beach, and climbing the “Big Cedar Tree” (just me . . . little girl inside could not resist) before stopping for some pizza. All of those highlights and more with ‘specially selected music in the background!

[Slideshow looks better if you click here.]

We spent that entire day driving from one scenic spot to another, so why did I choose to talk about the foxglove? I don’t really know. I think I liked my pictures of it. ;-)


What are these anecdotes doing on a letterboxing blog? Well, SHH and Triple T are connection enough for me, but if that’s too big a stretch for you, SHH handed me a special copy of her PNW LTC just before I left town . . . a foxglove! ;-)

Perilous Beauty

Isn’t it interesting what can stem from a single, simple thought?

In a conversation last spring, SHH mentioned something about the moon over Mt. Rainier. I was puzzled until she explained that her kitchen window perfectly framed the mountain. She spoke so eloquently and with such an appreciation for her unique view, that I decided to share her thoughts with my husband, who loves mountain vistas. I was certain that he would “ooh” and “aah,” but he just sat there quietly. I probed, “I thought you would love this.” His response? “Well, I don’t just want to hear about it; I want to go there and see it!”


The mountain had not been visible for about a week when we arrived in Washington, and SHH warned that if she could not see it in her window, we shouldn’t bother trying to hike it. (Oh, my hubby would have been quite disappointed.) As late as Monday, the day before the scheduled trek, Mt. Rainier was still in hiding, and we were all still praying. When we awoke Tuesday morning, there it was! Woohoo!

As we entered the park, we tuned in to the national park radio welcome which aptly described Mt. Rainier as “a glacier-clad volcano of immense proportion . . . you’ll discover a dynamic landscape of perilous beauty.”


[Click here for a better view of the slideshow.]

The photos are arranged chronologically: a surprise view from our hotel window, an invitation to a quick peek from “the” window, a scenic spot behind a lake on the way to the park, and many shots as we continued on and eventually hiked one of the snow-covered trails. It was absolutely gorgeous! My last shot of this special mountain was taken from the airplane window as we headed home – but I’ll wait to share that one in a later post.

No letterboxes did we seek that morning (national park, you know), but I did have opportunity to get some ink on my fingers later that evening. That deserves its own post. ;-)

Making My Day

Yes, I know that I am slow. ;-) For those who have asked to see the pics from my recent trip to the PNW, I have finally found the simplest way to do that, I hope!

Though the trip was a belated 20th anniversary getaway, the first day was reserved for “girls’ day” (as my husband called it) with SHH and Triple T. Pretty cool, eh?

In preparation for that particular day, Liz asked, “What do you want to do?”

I confess, it took me a ridiculously long time to answer that question; in contrast, it took my dear friends no time at all to fashion a day from my response. I had written my thoughts as a free-flowing, “what if I could do anything and everything my heart desired” wish list – you know, something nice and long so they would have plenty from which to choose – at least, that’s what I was thinking! There is no way I can adequately describe all of the surprises that were woven into this adventure – it was as if my list had grown legs and started walking! I guess that’s what comes from handing such a list to an “all or nothing” type! *smile*



Not realizing how closely we had parked to the ocean, I stepped out of the car, took one breath, and . . . oh, what a wonderful smell . . . I turned my head and caught my first glimpse of the Pacific. Yes!


As we grabbed cameras and headed to the beach, I was keenly aware that my senses were being uniquely engaged! The handful of sand I grabbed was so unlike our own in color and texture; even the sound of the waves seemed different than those of the Gulf Coast. One, two, three, four . . . yes, all but one of my senses took in the Pacific Ocean that morning. (We all agreed tasting things would be a bad idea.) Oh, what an introduction! ;-)


All of the wonderful photographs and stories that I had seen and heard from these friends were beginning to unfold again in our many walks on the beach, frequent letterboxing stops, essential driving music, and conversation – what excellent company! We closed the day with a stop for a special WOM box . . . so thoughtful.



[For a better look at the photos click here.]

As I write, I keep thinking of a little song from the movie, Babe:

If I had words to make a day for you
I’d sing you a morning golden and new
I would make this day last for all time
Give you a night deep in moonshine.

To be sure, that was a day made for me. I went to bed feeling exceedingly thankful and so very special!

Buckle Up!

I don’t know about other moms, but mine had a special way of working music into the everyday for us. If something could be said, it could also be sung. If something was to be taught, then it was best sung. As a result, when the safety plug for seatbelts aired, she adopted it and we were often reminded with . . .



Just ask my children who are too young to have watched it -- but are not too old to have forgotten their grandmother singing the same to them.

Though she was a strong advocate for a safe ride, Mama often spoke fondly of the days when my dad had rigged a playpen/bed across the back seat of our black Falcon. This sheet of plywood covered the entire back area of the car, had a cutout for the diaper pail, and was covered with a quilted pallet for naptime. Those were the days, huh?

Even if we could legally ride unbelted, I would still buckle. But, you know, I think I would have a hard time convincing a couple of my friends that this is true.

On my recent trip to the Pacific Northwest (see sidebar), buckling up became a bit of a conversation generator. I suppose I have a bit of a routine when I’m driving: get my stuff where it goes, buckle up, drive -- in that order. As a passenger with an inordinate amount of stuff, I was slow to “click it” during the first few days of my trip. My routine was in need of adjustment, to say the least.

The morning of our first excursion laid the foundation for my newly hatched reputation for lawlessness. SHH at the wheel, we took off for an adventure. I was getting settled and decided to move to the middle of the back seat right about the same time that my beloved driver decided to pull into the Starbucks parking lot. One quick turn sent the unbuckled me back to my original seat, and tossed my little stuffed companion onto the floorboard, all fours up!

By the end of the week, I had this buckle-up-first-settle-in-later thing down – but something tells me it will take years to convince SHH and Triple T that I really do voluntarily buckle up. This might require several trips – first impressions are pretty strong!




(This little movie is just my practicing. I am trying to decide how I will post my trip pics. By the way, the song in the background is called, "To Be Held.")

Tying the Celtic Knot

ithout a doubt, we have Irish blood coursing through our veins, along with strong French and Acadian lines, very German genes, many English ancestors, and bits of Dutch, Italian, Micmaw, and Cherokee trickling from over a century ago. My husband jests that I have given “hybrid vigor” to our children. *smile* No banjos playing in my camp!!!

Having said all of that, it is our Irish heritage that has come to the forefront lately. At the close of the summer, one of my “little” sisters plans to be married; and because of our beloved Irish roots and the same of her fiancé, they have chosen to weave that theme throughout their wedding. This is where I come in. ;-)

Knowing my affinity for carving, my sister asked that I carve something that she could use as a theme image for her wedding. No, the request was not as broad as that; she wanted a pair of Celtic cranes like the ones she had seen somewhere . . . oh, help . . .

I finally found a suitable image that had a vintage look and seemed to capture the feel that she sought. It was originally carved or impressed into clay, and I had a difficult time following the Celtic knotting. Over? Under? Over? Under? My eyes literally began to cross as I worked with the image. Finally, I was able to produce something I thought I could carve without inviting disaster.

The result was pleasantly surprising, despite the condition of the original image and the criticism I always heap upon my work. A scanned copy is in her hands, and she is delighted.

Before these little cranes make their way as a gift to the bride and groom, though, I intend to get some mileage out of them. Perhaps a virtual letterbox image as per the new rules. Maybe some LTCs. We’ll see.

When I have had my fun, I’ll encase the stamp in a felt-lined wooden box bearing its image.

Congratulations, you two! We love you both.

Good Question!

The following question was asked on a letterboxing board:

“I have heard that you are supposed to carry a letterboxing kit that contains your signature stamp and your logbook. I was wondering what else you should carry in your letterboxing kit.”

A couple of years ago, I altered a comic strip (shown above) by incorporating answers given to that same question. (click on the image to find a large print copy)

I’m going to list all of the answers from that thread and update the list as the thread lengthens. I thought it would make a handy list for reference. (Credit for answers can be found
in the thread, as well.)

So, what's in your backpack?

What most would consider general essentials:
Signature Stamp
Logbook/Index Cards
Markers/ink pads
Pens/pencils
Clues

Your choice for cleaning stamps & an inky you:
Hand sanitizer
Unscented baby wipes
Paper towels (folded in a baggie or otherwise)
Water

Additional “basics” for some:
Clues for nearby boxes (never know when you might drive by a letterbox)
Large gallon Ziploc® bags (for keeping clues dry & readable in the rain)
Plastic bag (to give a layer between you and the damp or dusty ground & to carry out trash)

For use in locating and retrieving the box:
Map
Compass
Folding binoculars
Headlamps (for looking into dark, hard to reach spaces)
Flashlight (for looking into dark, hard to reach spaces)
Glove (for going into webby spots)
Hiking stick (to keep snakes away if there could be some)

For general use and protection during the excursion:
Hiking stick
Camera
Drinking water
Trail-type snacks
Cheap rain ponchos
Umbrella (in car)
Bug spray
Sunscreen/Suntan lotion
Jacket or Sweater
Hat
Toilet paper (or should this be filed in the next section?)

For use in case of emergencies or for minor first aid:
Whistle
Mace
ID (even if you do not have a medical condition)
Cell phone
Water
Band-Aid® bandages
First Aid Kit (in vehicle)

Letterbox Repair/Replacement Kit:
Film canister with a mini log
Mini roll of camo duct tape
Extra “about letterboxing” sheets
Permanent marker
Extra Ziploc™ bags (freezer bags, stamp size ones, and quart size)
Paper towels (to replace the old gnarly ones in some boxes)
Extra logbooks (some specified small)

As long as you’re the one carrying it:
Cooler (with drinks and food)
Grill (for BBQing later)

I really wish I knew how to draw. Some of the answers just beg for a cartoon:
1. One nice fella toting his grill and cooler on the trail.
2. Another letterboxer engaging a snake with a hiking stick.

Honestly, some items I did not fully understand . . . I will probably inquire further about them and then add them in the update. ;-)

I have heard arguments against using some of these items, so please do not take my listing them as an endorsement. In fact, if you let me know via the boards, email, or the box below, I’ll include the arguments against bringing/using particular items as I update this page. (I’m already aware of several.) How does that sound?

Feel free to contact me with other additions!