Our adventures in letterboxing from 2005:
Ever seeking the unknown misadventures...
Mt Shasta…Dunsmuir…Lake Shasta
From then, it’s a blaze of stops to check on our own little and much neglected ‘babies’: Source of Sacramento, THE headwaters of the giant river that feeds much of Northern AND Southern California. Then, it’s off to Hedge Creek Falls, a failed attempt at Dunsmuir’s Shasta Shade and then a ‘faithful’ view of the Tip of Shasta. Faithful? Because the view of the mountain is supposed to be grand here, but this visit, unfortunately, provides nothing but a view of grand raindrops in front of our noses along the way. We add the beautiful impression to our journal and hightail it again to check out that dammed Shasta. The one that folks keep exchanging out the stamp for chunks of polished glass and such. Well, we quickly secure the cargo and I make $0.50 out of the deal!!! Woo—hoo! Apparently, there’s a geoca$h in the area? Now, as we’re repairing and recarving a stamp for this little baby, we get a grand display of a sunset—we otherwise would have missed. Fortunately, the extra trouble to repair this box doesn’t go un-repaid.
Annual In N Out PilgrimageFrom there, it’s a trip to pay homage to the In N Out Burger enterprise—a mandatory event every time we venture into Redding—that town known, at least in our familial circle, as that northern-most place in the US with the LAST In N Out Burger (even though we lived there for several years!!!) before you cross into Northern territories. Nothing like well done fries, animal style, to energize you for a lengthy trip of letterbox hunting up and down the Pacific Coast. This, coming from a person who rarely eats beef—perhaps twice a year AND that’s when we’re visiting In N Out Burgers throughout California!
Shasta…Submerged Whiskey
From there, we set our sights upon finding a place to spend the evening—a campsite perhaps? Inexpensive-- a requirement; safe—absolutely! We venture over to Whiskeytown Lake and check out the campsite on the Northwest side of the lake (12 miles AROUND the lake). We drive around in circles investigating the primitive (did I say primitive? What I meant to say was ‘extremely primitive’ campsites) sites along the sloping arid shore of Whiskeytown Lake (that man-made lake created solely to flood the old ghost town of Whiskey to provide interesting scuba diving expeditions for the local diving crowd). We spy nothing resembling any sort of campsite in which we’re interested. We do spy, however, a suspicious looking carcass of a, still running, car parked in the campground—not a great sight for this mis-adventure seeker, alone with two young children who doesn’t want to tempt fate. We’d rather run into Sasquatch alone in the Pacific Northwest woods than deal with this ‘unknown’ carcass driving fruitcake in a region quite known for ‘bizarre’ goings on with missing persons. So, we abandon hopes of finding a campsite for the evening in this particular spot. We venture back around (all 12 miles of it) to the OTHER side of Whiskeytown Lake and decide to check out the other campsites in the environs. Of course, the visitor center and the info kiosks are devoid of any campsite info apart from a map indicating camping symbols on it scattered throughout the several hundred acre park. So, armed with clues for a letterbox we decide to pursue the following morning, we head off, in pitch dark, on a 4WD dirt/gravel road in search of the campground mentioned near the start of the clues. Sheeps Camp—should have given us some inkling of idea of what we were about to expect. We drive the 8 additional miles up the 4WD pothole-laced, gravel road bordered by nothing but sheer cliff on one side and sheer incline on the other. We follow sporadic signs pointing to our destination and eventually get to a locked gate in front of the now roaring Brandy Creek—halfway up to our destination. At this point, I was quite tempted to set up camp right there in the middle of the road until daybreak—but my 6 year old daughter’s better judgment and the fact that I hadn’t registered/paid to camp in the park won out and we decided to retrace our 8 mile trek back down the 4WD pothole laced road, back to the highway, where we AGAIN retrace our 12 mile drive back to the Northwest side of the lake. We return to the campsite with the scary carcass of a car, this time making sure as to not pass the ‘suspicious’ vehicle so as not to tip off the ‘fruitcake carcass driving dude’ that we’re back in the area. We set up camp for the evening and eventually nod off, as uncomfortable as it is to do so in the back of an SUV.
2.14.2005
Good Ol’ Brandy, A Dreidel, Frog Legs & Mary’s Lake
Sun arises and so do we—amid the chirps of Spring welcoming Western bluebirds and cool, crisp breezes. Inhaling that incredible clean air aroma that only comes after pollution clearing rains pass through a mountainous arid environment—what a way to wake up! We quickly tear down our SUV pseudo-camp and RETRACE our steps back AROUND the lake and back up the 4WD gravel road up toward Sheeps Camp. This time, armed with the intensely focused light of the morning sun we actually SEE the hazards along the road we somehow managed to avoid the previous evening. Whew!!! Dodged many a bullet that night!!! The drive somehow made the carcass driving fruitcake dude in the distant extremely primitive camp not so alarming, in comparison. In time, we launch off on our trek to find a stash of Ol’ Brandy and are certainly satisfied with our unique trek along the roaring banks of a gushing waterfall-rich creek and our quench for strong dessert wine is soon sated by another fine Funhog production. Next, we venture to a game of dreidel with the pioneering dearly departed baby Charles. Then, we dine on frog legs over near the succulents on Mary’s Lake. The most interesting thing here, is that we had lived just a couple of hills over from this very spot, for several years and NEVER knew Mary’s Lake even existed! Our feast of frog legs was vastly improved with the grand visual delight of a Snowy Egret enjoying a fine Winter’s day fishing for a meal in the middle of the marsh.
Calatrava Sun Dial Bridge, Kalamata Olives & Virtual FriendsThen, it was off to spy the new Sun Dial bridge across the now rain swollen mighty Sacramento. We were looking for all sorts of dogs, but also found some roosters, chickens (what is it about roosters & chickens running around, unbridled, near rodeo grounds?) and THE most incredible pedestrian bridge around! This is a must see—letterbox reward or not!!! After tearing our gaze off of the newly unveiled Sun Dial bridge and the absolutely gorgeous river walk and arboretum that is unfolding before Redding’s eyes we made our way back to that ‘never-ending’ interstate—this time headed to Davis. We swing by the Olive Pit in Corning for their incredible bulk supply of Kalamata olives and eventually pull up to the gorgeous estate of Doublesaj N Old Blue—for the evening. We are graciously welcomed with open arms, by folks whom prior to this we had never before met, and exchange letterboxing stories as if children attending summer camp for the first time. The stories span many hours before we all turn in for the next days’ adventure. Since I was unable to spend Valentine’s Day with my soulmate who’s currently defending this great country overseas—what better way to spend such a lovely day than with the merriment of friends who share a similar passion for the great life adventure we know of letterboxing!!!
2.15.2005
Davis Deluge, Cemeteries, Nymphs, Cows & Jelly Beans
We quickly venture off in search of the Best of Davis and learn about the best sport, best palette, best animal and best pastime in the town. We manage to get a pretty good taste of Davis despite the torrential downpour that deluges us during this quest. We then venture over to the city’s historic pioneer cemetery and are utterly amazed by the eclectic nature and welcoming environment surrounding these grounds. Who knew that there would be picnic tables and BBQ grills in a cemetery? AND a letterbox or two to boot??? From there, we hightail over to Vacaville, in search of a couple of my sister A-Bear’s gifts to the letterboxing community. Oh, did I mention that we, again, visited In N Out Burger? We find Nymph of the Sea, who according to the clues very much misses the waters of the sea, but due to the deluge that has incessantly accompanied us along our trek throughout the region, we think that this cute little nymph was very much at home in her now water-drenched abode! ;) We bade farewell to the nymph and then venture off in search of a Little Jackrabbit—only to get within 20 steps of it when we realize that a very irate cow stands between us and the supposed hiding spot. Again, this letterboxer-errant that I am doesn’t want to tempt fate and become yet another “Mom & two children trampled by irate cow” statistic so we abandon our quest for the Little Jackrabbit in hopes of finding refuge from the cow’s pending stampede. Did I mention these cows were in a residential neighborhood? A bit disappointed, we set our sights and taste buds upon every flavor beans—hoping our dashed spirits would soon be lifted! We blaze our way to the spot and find ourselves amazingly there with just a few moments to spare in time to catch the last tour of the day. This turns out to be a highlight of our entire vacation for rnrB & trkr! We enjoy the interesting candy-aromas floating around the area and even muster up the courage to taste the earthworm, soap and, yes, even VOMIT flavored (yes, they really meant ‘every flavor bean’!!!) beans! The spaghetti bean was actually pretty good, I admit. Vomit—I wouldn’t try that one again—was not very pleasant. From there, we set our sights Southerly and brave the gale force wind accompanied rains on our trek down to Lemoore NAS; where we camp, in a room, for the evening.
2.16.2005
Outlaw, Elk, Swallow-less San Juan Capistrano & BauernbrotArise and shine, we set our sights upon the Outlaw Joaquin Murieta and eventually find his head in a jar near Coalinga. From there, we focus our binocular on a herd of Tule Elk and actually leave with a ‘two-fer’ (a letterbox AND a geoca$he find). The elk put on a fine demonstration of how they nap in the sun and we are rewarded with an incredible display of a Golden Eagle perched high atop a nearby tree—for the ENTIRE time we’re in the area. Of course, rnrB & trkr are more infatuated with the physical mechanics of the new superball they find in the geoca$he than they are impressed with the physical attributes and the once in a lifetime experience of the elk and golden eagle standing in our midst—such is life for a 3- and 6- year old, I guess! Next, we labor through LA traffic (did I mention that I hate traffic???) and eventually make it, without stopping, to San Juan Capistrano, where I find it incredibly difficult to peel my ‘death-grip’ hands away from the steering wheel. Not because I don’t want to explore the mission but moreso because they’re frozen in place after driving, non-stop through ALL of Los Angeles and ALL of its suburbs on our way to San Juan Capistrano suburbia.
Archeological Digs, 10’ walls & San Diego Sunsets!!!
We explore the mission and experience another one of those incredible ‘home-schooling’ moments. We’re studying ancient history with rnrB at the moment and only a week before our mis-adventure trek we studied archaeological digs. Well, lo and behold, imagine my amazement when we actually find remnants of an archaeological dig on the mission grounds! The ‘tell’ still bore the registration stakes and twine—just as we studied in school and personally replicated on a Puget Sound beach quite near our home. In addition to this, the remnants of Mission San Juan Capistrano (the one much destroyed during a devastatingly deadly earthquake) still included the 10’ wide walls and handmade bricks used in its construction. Yet more details we had studied in great detail just a week before we set off on this very trip. From there, we stumble upon the weekly San Juan Capistrano farmer’s market and literally act like hogs wallowing in mud—gobbling down Austrian Zwolf Kern Brot, Apfelstruedel, traditional German lime-salt brined Brezeln, handmade artisenal Greek Feta cheese, Fuji apples from Temecula and an assortment of other handmade delicacies from the region. We could not have timed stumbling upon this treasure any better if we had tried to!!! From there, we venture further South to San Diego and upon crossing the Coronado Bridge, we are welcomed by one of the most amazing sunsets we have ever experienced outside of the Arizona/New Mexico/West Texas desert!!!
2.17.2005
Rain
2.18.2005
Rain
2.19.2005
Rain
2.20.2005
Rain
2.21.2005
Rain
2.22.2005
Rain
2.23.2005
Rain, then sun!
2.24.2005
Sun!
San Diego Launch, Space Ventures, Time Travel,Whales & Traffic, Traffic, TrafficWe begrudgingly depart the now sunny and sandy shores of North Island, Coronado. We aim our sights on several stops along the way. We first attempt a few ‘launches’ near San Clemente but never find the starting points and abort those missions almost immediately. Then, we hug the coast and eventually find ourselves seeking out Corona del Mars, successfully! Funny, a Suncoast Seabird sought sanctuary with the rover before he hitchhiked a ride with us to another destination. On our next stop, we travel through the galaxy and get tossed from planet to planet, being swung from gravitational pull to gravitational pull but never truly find our destination before we abort our mission. Then, we succeed in finding the key to time travel—with an hourlong interlude while some ‘alien’ (I presume this one was illegal?) takes up residence in the vehicle. We bide our time with yet, another, visit to In N Out Burger. Again, fries, well-done, animal style—save the day! We successfully travel in time on our second attempt as the alien had since departed and then set out for a shore bird near Huntington Beach. Alas, the bird was unreachable as the authorities had locked the gate to its very existence. Eventually, we find consolation in locating our relative’s CA Whale and even get tickled by a Fickle Feather in the process. We now head toward Pt Vicente Lighthouse but in the process get caught up in a police blockade thanks to a murder that happened somewhere in the vicinity. The blockade ends our quest for letterboxes for the rest of the day. We park, camped in LA traffic for hours upon hours—with nary an inch of progress spanning hours of attempts. Our hearts dashed—that proves to be the end of our hunt in the area. We seek out refuge in Topanga Canyon but learn, after a 20 mile drive to its gates, that it’s closed for the winter? Then, it’s off to camp in a hotel. Yuck!
2.25.2005
Missions, Legends, Dashed Hopes & Critters all around!
We start the day with a jaunt to Mission San Fernando. We succeed in finding it, despite myriad schoolchildren roaming the grounds. Then, it’s off to pay our respects to a recently fallen legend. We spend a lot of time reflecting upon history, a great man’s life and an ever-changed world. Then, we head to Mission San Buenaventura. What a gorgeous spot! The children have a blast splashing in the town’s water fountains while I enjoy the interesting architecture and the old advertisement murals painted on the town’s buildings. 20 Mule Borax totally brings back some interesting memories for me! We collect up some prayer stones and continue on our way up toward Santa Barbara. We explored the grounds of Ennisbrook---finding critters in many nooks and crannies. Our hopes are a bit dashed when we learn that there’s an ldm box in the area and we are totally, positively and utterly clueless. It’s so hard to leave an area—knowing that a legendary box is in its midst. Had it not been for the bumper crop of poison oak in the region, we would have left no stone unturned! ;) We cut our losses and continue North—aiming for Nojoke falls. Well, it wasn’t a joke when we actually got to the turnoff and the bridge was out! Bummed—we hang our heads low and continue on our way. A few miles further, we see a detour sign for our no joke of a waterfall. Our hopes glimmer again and we make the valiant attempt, at sunset, to negotiate the 20 mile detour in hopes of making it to the falls. We eventually reach the terminus—gate closed, no joke! This being the one time we challenge authority—since the sign said the park closed at sun set and the sun hadn’t yet set. We park the car in front of the gate and dash into the park—with the quest for No Joke in our sights. Not 200 meters into the park, we’re approached by not one but two different ‘authorities’ demanding we depart the scene. Dang it!!! The one time we tempt fate—it bites us, hard! Our hopes now dashed, we continue on into the sun set—looking for a camp site. Eventually, landing at Pismo Beach—with several hundred other ‘part-time’ campers, too. So much for traveling ‘off-season’!!!
2.26.2005
Oceans, MonarchsWe awake to a gorgeous beach sunrise and hastily break down camp. We set out for Ocean O and quickly find it—trkr is in little boy heaven on Earth!!! Then we seek out Flutter and Fluttering Kings amidst myriad monarchs floating around a eucalyptus grove. What a sight! We quickly find a new ‘gem’ of a campsite for future travels. Too bad, we hadn’t found that site the night before! L Then, it’s off to the land of the green tortuga! We quickly find the mission and bookstore. Lo & behold we meet Juggler Mouse, fellow letterboxer, along our trek. What a delight! We spend the rest of the day exploring San Luis Obispo’s nooks and crannies. From movies, architecture, spooky places, to memorial groves, train bridges, you name it—what a neat little town with an interesting history, too. Next, we’re off to the ocean!!!
Elephant Seals in action!We take in the glorious sights of the Pacific Ocean nearing sunset. Capping the day with a visit of elephant seals—in action. If ever there were an opportunity to teach rnrB & trkr about the birds and the bees, this was it! The elephant seals were ACTIVE!!! I’d never seen them move around so much before this experience. The bulls were hopping around from shore to waves and back to shore and the cows were watching in awe. The harp seals were barking away and the calves were chirping. There was so much activity that it more than made up for the typical wretched stench that accompanies any trek to an elephant seal rookery! I eventually peel the children away from their ‘Discovery Channel’ and we make our way to our new campsite—Plaskett Creek.
2.27.2005
Salmon, Scuba Divers, Jade, Big Sur & Carmel
We awake to a gorgeous morning amidst eucalyptus trees, pine trees and fresh Pacific Ocean breezes. We wind our way South to Salmon Creek Falls, then work our way back North to Jade Cove. We pass many scuba divers along the trail—all searching for that long lost ‘jade’ treasure currently tossing amidst the surf. We depart ‘jade-less’ but still in awe of the spectacular experience of crashing waves, gorgeous vistas and cool Pacific breezes. We venture North to Saddle Rock and find ourselves weaving in and out of even more eucalyptus groves in our quest to find saddle rock. Somewhere along this trek, we realize our compass has disappeared! L A letterboxer-errant is always prepared to overcome such trials and tribulations, but, alas, this letterboxer-errant had met her match. No compass in sight, no where to turn but to her own innate sense of ‘in’direction for the rest of the travels.
