The Pine Tree State

Hello from the Pine Tree State!
I arrived in Maine on Saturday and am staying with Teacup and NBS (non-boxing spouse) near the coast of Maine. It feels like I have come home. Trees everywhere!

Early Sunday morning we struck out for a day of boxing. Between work and grandchildren, Teacup doesn't letterbox alot but she usually makes a full day when she goes. Even though she says she doesn't night box, it was dark when we left home. We stopped at the park and ride to pick up Mudflinginfools (Mff) and we were off.

Our first stop in the capital city of Augusta was for part of a series of cemetery boxes that are fun and informative. Alas, the box was missing. Not a good start to our day.

We made a couple more stops for the Parks and Playground series by Yah Yah. The mist across the water made for a nice photo op. While we were stamping up two and four footed muggles came up behind us. Just about scared the life out of Mff! You would have to wonder what they were thinking about adults and a stuffed moose in the park at 6 a.m.

One of our two destinations for the day was a preserve in Palermo, Maine. Halloween Series 2007 planted by Nizzie was where we were headed. None of us had been to this area or knew of Nizzie's carves so we were looking forward to a new planter and new area. This is a rural area of Maine and a nice drive. Why do the wild turkeys cross the road? We don't know but they do it alot up in this neck of the woods. I feel right at home.

The preserve was a beautiful spot and we took our time enjoying the views on the trail. There was alot of tree damage in the area but that was a mother nature event. Sad though to see the stately giants felled. We took some photos along the rocky stream bed. Teacup thought it should look like I was in the middle of the water so she set up a photo shoot. Usually Mff gets wet so she thought it was funny when the wet shoe was on the Teacup foot! Silly humans. The clues and stamps by Nizzie were good and we had a fine time in this area.

We went back through Augusta for a couple more drive-bys by Yah Yah and headed to Mt. Pisgah for Summer Fun letterbox. We didn't get lost looking for the mountain but did have to ask directions of a most interesting human. Let's just say she gave good directions but wow!

The clues for the letterbox were unclear to us until we got to the mountain. Information at the kiosk put everything into perspetive and so we climbed. It was a bit steep for my hosts but we found the box without any trouble. The stamp was store bought but was planted by a child so we added colorful inks and did some maintainence on the box and we were off. There were some very interesting tree formations in this area. Legend has it there was a curse put on the woods by an indian. You'll have to visit the mountain for the rest of the story.

We made a quick stop in Leeds for a box by The Thompson Twins. They list it as their first carve so is fun to see how much they have improved since then.

We headed to Lewiston to tie up a loose end. Apparently, the last stamp and logbook for a series had eluded my hosts and they were determined to find it today. I led them right to it but didn't stamp in because I didn't have the others in the series.

We headed back home and stopped in Topsham for a series that Teacup had but Mff wanted before it was pulled for the season. It's a nice little trail behind a school and another perfect place to see more of my kind. Where are all the moose in Maine anyway? As we were stamping up in the last book, two ladies were standing down the trail watching us. Couldn't see any logbook in hand but it sure looked like clue sheets from LBNA. We looked at each other warily and one asked " Are you looking for what we're looking for?" We laughed and asked "Which way is North?" They were new to boxing and didn't even have trail names but we did exchanges, traded stories about how fun it is to letterbox and told them about Atlas Quest. A totally good end to our letterboxing day.

I've had alot of fun on my first outing here in Maine. Teacup has a great friend in Mudflinginfools. She loves to laugh and have a good time so hope we get to go out together again. I understand a big event will be held later this month and I'll be going along.

Until next time...
Frankie