The Sprite and the Highlanders's Boxing Spot

Hallowed Grounds Tour 2009 ready to go this weekend!

2009-10-14T21:11:00.001-04:00

For those of you that love checking out old cemeteries, I just posted the last of the clues for the Hallowed Grounds Tour 2009 (which is all driving around cemeteries looking for stamps). All you do is follow the driving directions I posted, and by the time you finish, you'll have a little mini-cemetery of stones on paper, which is kinda cool and fun. It's set up so that adults and kids will like it (not a ton of walking and easy stamps to find). The two routes I set up start and end at Panera's in Lockport, so it's close by. We'd love to see more folks joining us, so check here for the info if you haven't already: http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gEventId= 1003

You can do these any time you want, since they'll be around forever, but Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. is when you can get the main stamp at Panera's. Hope to see some of you there!

The S & H

Six Degree of Woot Coolness!

2009-08-30T15:51:00.000-04:00

Okay, I have the coolest LONG story that ends with "and so, my friend is ACTUALLY getting his shirt made by Woot today!"

It begins with a tale of six degrees of separation. My friend Patrick lived here in Buffalo with his wife Laura and 3 kids. Patrick and his oldest daughter used to do Comedy Sportz in Buffalo with me (in fact, they were in the same round of draft picks/auditions as I was and got in at the same time). Now they live in San Jose.

Guess who ELSE lives in San Jose and is funny and I've been telling to go try out for ComedySportz???

Wassa also LOVES this site called Woot! that does a one deal, one day kinda promo. It's addictive stuff if you start checking it out. After the Highlander's bat experience, he sent him a Woot shirt with "Bats!" on it that was pretty hilarious. He also sent me wine bags on accident that I used to make a fort, but that's neither here nor there (especially since Kid Woot has the fort kit now!)

Guess who's been putting designs on Woot for quite a while trying to win a competition and finally got 3rd place this time? Now scroll back up to the beginning of this post for the ending...

What makes this even cooler is that Patrick's wife Laura just noticed my posts about the WNY event and came back with "This sounds like fun. I found this site called Atlas Quest. is that what you guys use?" So, naturally, I put her in touch with the one person in San Jose I knew could be trusted to help her out with all her boxing needs. (GT, expect a call from Laura!) ;-)

Anyway, here's a little info on Patrick's shirt. It's only available today for $10, but it's also available later for $15. Even if you don't BUY one, go say nice things on the posts so that he can feel awesome and think that boxing is SOOO filled with warm, caring people and not just kooks like Wassa! ;-)

The (cool by association) Sprite & the (missing Wassa's Woots ever since the fort got sent back) Highlander

Heavens Above! & Starry Starry Nights 2009

2009-08-23T15:55:00.000-04:00

Well, like Barry Manilow says, "We made it through the rain!" The weather held off for the most part and both the day and night boxing went off with only minor hitches. We got to see old and new friends, and, as always, this was a pretty laid back event. By the way, if anyone was looking for Venus, apparently it was never missing! Bone Witch and Rowan found it first thing this morning, so either someone returned it, or it was just a tougher find than we though. Anyway, all three series are there to stay, so have fun!

Also, we're getting the clues fixed for the 2007 Hallowed Grounds Series, so if you plant to box those, refresh your clues and print them on MONDAY, not sooner!

Finally, if anyone's still in town and wants the CSz With Me stamp, I'll be playing at ComedySports tonight at 7. come to the show and get the stamp!

Thanks everyone for joining us! We hope to see you all at the 2009 Hallowed Grounds Tour as well (Niagara County, here we come!)

The (damp, but satisfied) Sprite & Highlander

Hallowed Grounds Tour don't go to Antree...!

2009-08-20T15:54:00.000-04:00

So, the Highlander and I drove around and got the boxes replanted just about half of the Hallowed Grounds Tour. Anything from Mt. Albion on still needs planting, which I'll be doing with Jiggs tomorrow night.

Scary moment happened on the way, though. By the time we hit the last cemetery tonight, there was nothing left of the sun but the glow of sunset. We could just make out the obelisk I was looking for, so we pulled into the grass driveway, turned off the lights and I clicked on the flashlight to carve the letters into the stamp. I waited to be sure the stamps were really lost before actually dropping off a new stamp, so I carved the tombstones at home, then added names to them in the car.

Anyway, I had the Highlander keeping an eye out and no sooner do I say this than he says "That truck we passed is coming back." The truck doubles back and pulls in RIGHT BEHIND us, lights on right into the back window. I'm panicking that it's a cop and I'm not sure WHAT we're gonna do. This guy with a baseball cap gets out, walks up to the window with a BEER in his hand and says "What're ya doing out here, sir?" just like a cop would say (except cops don't say it with beer). The only way for us to go is into tombstones or into a blind ditch near a cornfield.

Now I'm less worried about a ticket and more worried about personal safety. In my head, all I can hear is the banjos from Deliverance and the words "Ya already GOT trouble!", so I'm speechless for a change. The Highlander, the quiet one, actually goes ahead and explains that we're setting up a tour for out of town folks to visit these old cemeteries and that we lost track of time, so we ended up in the dark for this last one. I show the guy the stamp and he's delighted...says he farms/owns the land around here and that it's "real historic...stuff from 1910, even!" He normally comes to the farmers' market in Medina (where we live) and hopes to see us there sometime. He takes his beer back to his truck and heads on home without a single swerve on the road, much to my relief.

Unfortunately, I totally raunched the first attempt to carve the name, so when you get the Snyder Cemetery stamp, just remember the duress I was under as I carved it and you'll appreciate the stamp that much more! ;-)

The (hoping she NEVER finds the river that goes to Antree) Sprite & the (planning to slip a tape of banjo music under the bed tonight to freak her out) Highlander

Hallowed Ground Tou 2007

2009-08-19T15:53:00.000-04:00

Yes, 2007, not THIS year's event (won't even THINK about that until after the WNY gig!)!

The Highlander and I are in the process of rehiding the missing boxes from the first series, since the WNY event will be in Orleans County as well. The plan is to recarve the stamps today and plant them tonight or tomorrow. Unfortunately, time is running out to do that, relist the clues, clean the house, tutor a student and pack for WNY.

So, rather than rush this any further, the Highlander and I will bring some sort of copy of the corrections to the event table. Just ask for them when you sign in! If you're SURE you want to do these stamps this weekend, let us know and we'll even e-mail you a copy if we finish in time to reprint at home.

The S & H

7th Annual Western NY Event Updates!

2009-08-17T14:31:00.002-04:00

Just some notes for everyone about the event:

Lakeside Beach is a NYS state park, so unless you have the Empire Passport, the cost for entering the park is $6. This actually covers the cost to enter ANY park for that day ONLY, so keep the park stub. You can get the boxes located in Hamlin Beach as well, which isn't far from Lakeside.
There's a ton of new boxers in the area that may know nothing of the gathering. If you've got newbies contacting you about boxes (or you've found THEIR boxes), be sure to tell them about the event so we can meet them!
Camping is still available, as far as we know. If you want to stay for night boxing, you'll want to call the park ASAP to get your site. The Highlander and I, along with most of the other boxers, are in Loop D, so come visit! We also plan to have dinner at Brown's Berry Patch that night (before the night boxing), so you can join us there, too.
For folks who've never done the Hallowed Grounds Tours, we are replacing as many of the boxes as we can this week before we get to the park. The 2007 Tour is the one that was in Orleans County, so we're hitting those first. We'll be able to let you know which ones are back at the main event table, so be sure to ask for clue updates.
It looks like rain is forecast for the weekend, but most of the boxes are in the woods and we have a shelter. Be sure to wear a raincoat for the brief walks in the open!
Our shelter has electricity, so if you wanted to bring potluck food that needs to stay warm, you can plug it in there.
Finally, the boxes are listed on AQ, but the clues won't be listed on Wednesday. If you plan to come to the event, there will be 50 clue books available, no more. Come by at 10:30 and you should have no problem getting one of your own.

If you have more info you want to know, check the event page for the day & night for updates, as well as the event's official homepage. Or, just contact us through AQ or this blog. See you all soon!

The (working like crazy on clues) Sprite & the (gassing up the car for stamp maintenance) Highlander

Back from Canadian Boxing & on to Milwaukee!

2009-07-06T13:13:00.002-04:00

Well, we've just returned from our trip with the Quinns to Canada, where we boxed Parry Sound. This was a really nice little area that I'd never gotten to see much of. The Highlander's grandpa ran a campsite up in Pointe au Baril and before he passed, he sold most of it (which became Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park) but kept one cottage for the family. We go there every once in a while and relax, but I'd never gotten to box while we were there. We picked up the Avro Arrow and the de Haviland Beaver, but couldn't find the other box that was supposed to be there. We also didn't notice that Trailfeather's series was word of mouth, so while the rest of you are enjoying yourselves in my on stomping grounds at LB Con, the Highlander and I will spend our 10th wedding anniversary back up at Pointe au Baril. I'm FINALLY going to leave a box behind, hopefully commemorating this event!

But, for now, I'm back on the road again in less than 48 hours. I'm gonna be playing for Buffalo in the ComedySportz World Championship games this Friday (wheee!). We play against Portland on Friday, and with any luck, we'll make it to the finals on Saturday. Can't wait to see how we do! While I'm there, sans Highlander again, I think I'll be boxing a bit with Wisconsin Hiker. I'm hoping to pick up and leave a box or two while I'm in town, so we'll see how it goes.

Anyway, I'm not sure if my computer will withstand the pressure of life in Milwaukee for a week, but if anyone reading this wants to see how ComedySportz Buffalo and I are doing, just follow CSzBuffalo on Twitter. If you're in Milwaukee, I'd LOVE to have you come to the games! It's like watching "Whose Line Is It?" live. We can do an exchange and you can get my CSz With Me Traveler.

Alternately, you can watch AQ for Wassa's updates on my status, since he's had my cell phone # since ComedySportz went to Portland last summer. I'm the voice of Twitter for CSz Buffalo, but I only speak for the team. However, Wassa is MY voice, yet he only speaks for the criminally insane. Follow both and you'll get SOME idea of...well, nothing, but you'll know I was in Milwaukee! ;-)

The (excited to leave, but missing the Highlander already) Sprite & the (missing the Sprite already, but looking forward to having the house to himself) Highlander

CSz With Me Stamp & the Improvathon

2009-05-13T23:47:00.001-04:00

Okay, most of you know that I do improv comedy with Buffalo ComedySportz. Last year, a bunch of you donated money to help me go to the ComedySportz World Championships in Portland. This year, it's in Milwaukee. We're doing the same was we did last year...having a 30 hour improvathon where I get to choose the times I'm on based on how much money I earn (check the website for details http://www.buffalocomedysportz.com/ ) Lots of you helped me out last year, which made it possible for me to head to Portland and meet a TON of cool boxers.

Why am I saying all this? Because if ComedySportz makes enough money for me to go to Milwaukee...then the Highlander and I have a VERY decent chance at affording a trip to LBCon! I actually have an uncle that lives in St. Charles, so we could stay with them, which just means saving up for gas (and patches and Lock & Lock boxes and dinner and EEEEE...deep breaths) Yes, this is BLATANT begging, but this would be an AWESOME anniversary gift for the Highlander and myself. He needs the time away without having to worry about neck pain or getting a teaching job and I...just need the time away!

So, if you want to help, just contact the Highlander and I. We're selling wristbands for $10 that get you into the the improvathon at ANY time you want (and get you tickets to put in the raffle baskets therein). Again, the more money raised, the better my time slots are (no playing at 2 am). You also can get into our Thursday night shows for free until Labor Day with the same band.

If you DON'T live in the area, then you can always give it away, or wear it as a stylish accessory (and those of you who also geocache...here's another thing to toss in the box!) Here's the event listing http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gEventId=1264 Hope to see some of you there!

The S & H

Coming out of the closet!

2008-11-15T23:11:00.002-05:00

Okay...I can now publically admit it.

I voted for Barack Obama!

Man, what a relief to finally get to SAY that! For those of you wondering why I kept it a secret, there's a ton of reasons. First of all, I'm a teacher, so I never tell the kids who I plan to vote for. They're always trying to gauge their own thoughts with my own and I want them to decide for themselves.

The biggest, though, was the subject of one of my earlier blogs and where the title for this one came from. I didn't want people throwing away my political opinion just because I was black. With some of the folks I know, just saying that I was voting for him would have made them decide to not listen to anything I had to say about ANYthing. They would have been disgusted, thinking I only voted for him because of his race and that "we all stick together".

This is patently NOT true. There are about as many divides in the black community as there are in the white community, so looking like someone does not automatically mean I'll be casting a vote for them. I was ready to vote for either of them back in the primaries, but in the end, I really just paid attention to what the candidates had to say and felt like Obama was the most likely candidate for CHANGE.

Watching the returns was amazing. I was completely overjoyed until I listened to McCain's concession speech.

And then, right in the middle, I started to cry.

All this time and I had truly forgotten that he was the FIRST (frankly, I forgot he was black at ALL!). He did such an amazing job of making this NOT about race that people of ALL races truly forgot. Personally, I really only cared about CHANGE, not making history or anything else. Even before I walked into the polling booth, the Highlander nudged my elbow and whispered "Go make history." And it still didn't hit me.

But once I remembered, really understood, I wished that my (and Obama's) grandmother had lived to see the day. My own parents (who never voted in their lives until 2000) even said they really had never expected to see this in their lifetime. Dad said he'd just never thought that far ahead. I liken it to the way one doesn't think of marrying flowers. It's not that they can't be pretty and sweet, but the idea of marriage to a plant just seems so farfetched as to never occur to you.

My favorite saying from all this was on a t-shirt:

Rosa sat so Martin could walk
Martin walked so Barack could run
Barack is running so our children can FLY.

Speaking of children, despite my attempts to NOT discuss my personal political views and stick to the basic facts of the American election process, this whole thing held my class in its thrall. I was so proud! Last week was Kids Voting, but I had NO info on the candidates. I was very disappointed because NO one should vote without finding out the FACTS about the people involved. So, without my telling them to, many of them went and did research on their own. When I mentioned that the US president is a world leader, one of my boys asked "How can we be so popular if our economy is so bad?" They kept asking great questions, so instead of sticking to the basics, we went deep into everything that's been hitting the US (war, economy, etc.). We even talked about what a patriot really is (ANYone who defends their country against outside influences). On Tuesday, we kept an electoral college map that refreshed every 10 minutes up on the tv with kid votes from all over the US. They were excited when they checked the real map and saw how well the kids mirrored their parents in voting (which led to the discussion of why kids AREN'T allowed to vote).

Anyway, it was one amazing race...now I'm just praying for the man's safety and hoping people aren't looking at me now and thinking I'm gloating. I'm not, I promise. I'm just glad to see that something NEW is happening. The world can FINALLY look at us and think we're good people again, not selfish brats that like to bully our way into whatever financially benefits us.

So, I'm all full of national pride again...and not in that "holier-than-thou-'cause-I'm-a-bigger-patriot-than-you" kind of way, either. Just the "glad-we're-back-to-normal-with-a-HUGE-sigh-of-relief" kinda way!

The "quiet and proud" Sprite & the "I'll be vocal FOR you this time, babe!" Highlander

Final Info on Hallowed Grounds

2008-10-15T01:23:00.000-04:00

Okay, it's all done! The clues are here http://thesprite.orgfree.com/letterboxing/hgtour2.htm

Also, the first map had trouble, but some folks have been able to get it here: http://thesprite.orgfree.com/letterboxing/hgtour2map.htm

You can log your finds here: http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gBoxId=94529 and here: http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gBoxId=94530

Hope to see everyone this weekend!

The S & H

Hallowed Grounds Tour update & Map

2008-10-13T22:57:00.003-04:00

Just letting everyone know that the clues are taking a little long to type up than we'd hoped, so they won't officially be posted until Wednesday (the map is already posted here: http://thesprite.orgfree.com/letterboxing/hgtour2map.htm). However, we can give you THIS much info for now:

· With the exception of the event stamp (which will ONLY be around on the 18th and 19th aka this weekend), all these boxes are permanent placements, so don’t worry if you can’t get them all in one weekend…you’ve got the rest of your life (or until the muggles find them, whichever comes first!)
· On that note, be sure to look around carefully, since even out in the sticks where many of these stamps are, there are farmhouses that can see RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE! We recommend carrying a camera or camera phone of some sort (or paper so you look like you’re doing tombstone rubbings). Tell any muggles that you’re following a “Cemeteries of Genesee County” tour instead of boxing.
· The boxes are simply the stamps on about an inch square piece of pink carving material and hidden inside medicine bottles, so don’t look for anything big (or a logbook until you reach our place).
· There are two different stamp sets this time. The Green Route takes you northeast of the I-90 from the Thruway Exit 48a (Pembroke/Corfu Route 77/63) to Thruway Exit 47 (Leroy/Route 19). When you finish, you’ll have 12 pieces that create one tombstone with the center missing (the center is the event stamp). The Orange Route takes you southwest of the I-90 from the Leroy exit back to Pembroke and makes an obelisk with its 11 stamps (print the map out so you can see what these should look like).
· Both routes at once total up to about 90 miles, plus you can add another 10 to get to our house when you’re ready. Needless to say, we do NOT recommend doing these all at once!
· Finally, don’t forget to come by our place for snacks and the event stamp when you’re finished (you can do this on Saturday OR Sunday)! You can send us AQ-mail and we'll give you the directions. Keep in mind that folks will be coming at different times, so don't feel like you need to bring something to eat (unless you'll be one of the first folks coming on Saturday and just want to leave it there). If you want to DEFINITELY meet with people, just come at 5pm on Saturday and you'll be sure to find some folks to hang with!

More on the clues soon, we promise!

Hallowed Grounds Tour coming soon!

2008-10-04T15:17:00.000-04:00

Just a reminder that our October event, the Hallowed Grounds Tour, is happening soon! This is a driving tour of several old cemeteries in Genesee County that you'll be able to do, then return to join us for some cider and doughnuts once you're done. We won't really start meeting and greeting until around 5pm, but if you can't come, you can just swing by for that final stamp between 10 and 7 that day. It's a GREAT event for new boxers and kids, since all the stamps are literally drive-bys!

Here's the link to the sign up page...hope to see you there! http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gEventId=785

The S & H

And the band Boxed ON...!

2008-09-21T17:48:00.002-04:00

OUR first time boxing in Canada...EVER. We've made commitments every year to do it and had to back out every time due to financial issues. In fact, we'dve backed out again if not for the fact that the hotel folks were going to charge us anyway! :-P

But, despite the fact that we will be dumpster diving and living in a cardboard box for the rest of our lives, we had a ball at Box ON this year! The park was beautiful, plus Fiddleheads, Landmark Leapsters, Jiggs, Lone R and all the other Ontarions (?) were super cool and good to us, even when we held up dinner for an hour and a half to find one more box in the park. I think we ended up with about 30 stamps total, which is more stamps in a day than we've done in YEARS. Plus, the hotel really WAS nice, with full breakfast included, a microwave and fridge in the room, pool, etc. Our only down side was getting a speeding ticket on our way back to the park today to get that box we missed. Still, it wasn't enough to ruin a wonderful weekend!

So, that said, who's up for going/backing out/going anyway to Ontario NEXT year??? ;-)

The (home and relaxing) Sprite & Highlander

Spanish Team on Offense and Defense?

2008-08-13T18:50:00.002-04:00

I know, it's not about boxing OR my trip to Oregon (still forthcoming), but it's important! :-)

I'm reading stuff about the photo the Spanish team did about the Chinese (the one where they do the slanted eyes thing) and I'm finding more and more people that don't understand the offense, here. So, let's put this whole "ethnic joke" thing into perspective, shall we?

Try putting yourselves in the Chinese players shoes for a moment. Picture how you've felt in school when someone made you feel stupid or look stupid, all the while laughing at you and getting others to join in. Picture the times that you've tried to fit in and felt out of place. Picture ANY time at ALL when all you wanted to do was blend in with others and not have someone point out how much you are NOT like them. This is how intelligent people of other races feel every time someone does another slanty eye joke, another ebonics joke or any other joke that makes their people look foolish.

I think the reason why many people are confused is because they can't fathom how a joke like that affects those people or reflects on those people, regardless of the intent. There seems to be a consensus in America that it's acceptable to make fun of another culture if you:

A) "don't mean anything by it" or say you're just joking (as in the Spanish photo
B) have done it long enough that it's okay to you or would take too much effort on your part to change (Ex--keeping the name Squaw in names of places or keeping offensive Native American images like the Cleveland Indians because so many people have a history with those things)
C) know a person or persons from that culture who will laugh with you or use the same words to make fun of a culture, which gives you license to do so (ex--"Well, my black friend says the "n" word, so I should be able to!" or "I know a ton of Chinese guys and THEY didn't mind!")

All of these are really just excuses to belittle someone else and make them feel like I mentioned above. Think about what you'd do if these guys had pretended to act like a person with mental disabilities or handicaps...we'd ALL be up in arms because it's considered rude. There is NO difference at ALL in making fun of another race or culture.

If you can take anything from this, remember this...just because a LOT of people have done it all their lives or think it's acceptable does NOT MAKE IT SO. After all, lots of folks liked slavery and backed the Holocaust...didn't make them RIGHT. And even if it's a joke to you (or you wouldn't MIND that same joke done on you), it's not always funny to the person who has to show people that they are SO MUCH MORE more than just differently shaped eyes, darker skin or a different accent.

Sprite's Big Oregon Adventure (at last!)

2008-08-09T23:23:00.004-04:00

Well, I was so busy in Oregon that I never had a free moment to actually recap the trip. Frankly, I'm still physically off my time zone game (Ex---woke up today at 9 am, but went to BED at 4:30 am!), so I'm still trying to REMEMBER the blur that was the trip. So, let me at least comment on the letterboxing parts. First, the Spritely Ice Cream Social highlights (you can read my original post on this at AQ here):

1. I got into a van with women I did not know because they waved happily at me (which will force me to question EVERYTHING I KNOW about "stranger danger".
2. I arrived, only to find out that this Sprite chick was some kind of princess who made people wait in line to exchange with her, but for some reason, the Portland people think she's cool (no accounting for taste, I guess).
3. I did not shut up the whole time I was there.
4. I put Maiden on the phone so she could make fun of the highlander for the Batlander stamp, thus ensuring his participation in the festivities.
5. I did not shut up the whole time I was there.
6. I brought my stamp, which I used continuously from the moment I arrived until about 20 minutes before I left.
7. Seriously, I did NOT SHUT UP the whole time I was there.
8. I do not recall seeing ice cream, for my ink and stamp were my sustenance (plus two bites of brownie).
9. Also, I talked a lot.
10. I met many folks who were really cool whose names were...(blanks out)
11. I promised to go to the ocean and box with people, only to end up too busy to call them and make further commitment to said trip. I hope to go boxing this Sunday with Dem XX Men
12. I stayed up late and slackboxed with Buppsters & Marmalade, since I left my clues at home.
13. I ate a Scotch egg with hard cider (thanks to Bups and Marm for contributing to my delinquency).
14. I talked a HELL of a lot more!
15. I gave money to a bum who is supposed to be opening for the Black Crowes at their next concert.
16. I saw a 24 square inch park, and got the !@#$ scared out of me by a giant copper babe with a triton (Portlandia, you sly minx!)
17. I got drowsy and talked slightly less.
18. I got back to the hotel sometime around 1 am and CRASHED.

The Highlander's new blog!

2008-08-09T22:32:00.002-04:00

Finally, he's computer savvy!

The Highlander finally got tired of writing long e-mails and decided to create a blog of his own. He's an amazing writer in his own right with insights that crack us all up (when we have time to read them)! So, without further ado: http://whineratthegatesofdawn.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

The (now able to clear her inbox without guilt) Sprite & the (finally able to reduce his e-mails to less than a novella) Highlander

Summer boxing news!

2008-07-10T16:57:00.002-04:00

Greeting from Summer Busy-ness Central! :-) The Highlander and I have been working summer school like crazy, so this is my first Friday off to start updating the info on our 6th Annual WNY event!

If you haven't signed up yet for the annual WNY event (http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=468), you HAVE to do this...because only the COOL kids are coming. And you WANNA be a cool kid, right? Peer pressure is a game EVERYONE can play! ;-) And you can tell your mom that we won't be smoking or doing drugs, but we WILL be SERIOUSLY high on boxes. We will also be staying overnight at the county park(check here for that event: http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=787) and NOT calling to let people know where we are, so your mom MIGHT get worried sick and call the police...

Okay, seriously, the night event IS going to be VERY cool! Talking Turtle is sending us the night boxes she had from Fear Faketor, so we get to have THOSE for the night boxing on Saturday, plus we MIGHT put them out early for the camping folks on Friday. As a matter of fact...we might ONLY put them out for the camping people (ooo, incentive to do that night event!!!) We'll keep you updated as to our level of pure evil! ;-) I should also have the website up soon, which will be here: http://thesprite.orgfree.com/letterboxing/gathering5.htm Those of you that are Johnny-on-the-spot with my blogs, give it until the end of tonight before it shows up!

Finally, we jump a little ahead to early fall (and a week before MY birthday...yay)! Unless I'm missing a trailname from the states, it looks like the Highlander and I are the only Americans hitting Box ON (in Guelph, Ontario, just two hours from Niagara Falls: http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=706). Anyone else checked this out yet? If you're new and hadn't thought about going...GO! It's not far away and it's a chance to box in another country with Canada's nicest folks! Plus, they come visit us all the TIME (heck, Jiggs practically LIVES here!) We GOTTA return the favor!

Hope to see MANY of you in our area this summer...if not, hope your events are gonna be as cool as ours will be!

The (cool kid because she SAYS so) Sprite & the (cool kid when the AC is on) Highlander

Rendezvous at the Ridge Really Rocked (right?)

2008-06-08T13:45:00.001-04:00

Okay, all alliteration aside (okay, all aside after THAT last bit!), Chadams and Lady Lilac were once again the most gracious of hosts! :-) They carved a beautiful event stamp and walked people all around for stamps they already had or had personally created (pretty impressive to do when you think they did all that walking and I don't think they got a SINGLE stamp for themselves!). They were just as helpful with the groups that went off on their own, giving directions precise directions so no one got lost. I was sans Highlander, but had a Dancer RP (one of my students) as a bonus rider, so I was grateful for anything that could get us right to the boxes without her getting disappointed. We hiked like CRAZY, but got tons of great stamps, which is exactly what Chestnut Ridge is all about. Plus, the Highlander (who couldn't make it because of his neck pain) stayed in contact via text messages and had Chadams believing I was somehow mentally linked to AQ by logging finds for me while I was still on the trail! LOL

Also, I was REALLY happy to meet some of our neighbors to the north...Canadians rule! :-) Fiddleheads turned out to be a fellow D & D geek and picked up out Sword of Omens PT, all the while blowing sunshine up my ego about my funny stories (including the ones about voyeuristic gophers...very concerned about the lack of proper entertainment up Canada way...!) :-) Plus, the 4 Sailors and LAndmark Leapsters we're just some of the nice folks you could hope to meet. Hopefully, we'll be joining them in September for Box ON in Guelph and we can trick...er, convince them to come back down for the WNY event in August.

Anyway, for those of you who missed it, you REALLY missed it, so...don't miss it again! If Chadams and/or Lady Lilac says they're throwing a boxing event (heck, if they say they're throwing a FIT), you GET here and destroy all those who get in your way (won't THAT be FUN?!)

The (glad to be back boxing again for the first time since 2007) Sprite & the (looking forward to next time) Highlander

6th Annual WNY Gathering (first major bulletin of 2008!)

2008-06-01T20:44:00.002-04:00

Just letting folks know that the Western New York Annual gathering is all set for the weekend of August 22-24. There will be a regular Saturday day event, some night boxing that evening and, for those wanting to have some REAL fun, a camping event that will begin Friday and end Sunday. All this will be at the SAME park...Sprague Brook County Park in Glenwood, NY, just south of Buffalo. The theme is movies, so be ready to see some amazing images from the silver screen!

If you plan to join us during the day for LBWNY's Saturday at the Movies, you can sign up here: http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=468

If you plan to stay for the weekend for LBWNY's Movie Double Feature, you need to ALSO sign up here so we can let you know where to reserve your tent or RV site: http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=787

We always get folks from all over the country (Trekkie Gal, Eidolon, Artemis, Mysterious...OTHER GUY that's HIKING A LOT NOW, I'm talking to YOU!), so this is a weekend you don't want to miss! I'll be creating the official website once school is out and am taking box donations dealing with the silver screen from anyone who doesn't mind the box plant being permanent (I'll also take any TES's folks want to bring or send)! Hope to see you all there!

The (getting ready for on last month of school) Sprite & the (getting ready to be bossed around for the entire month of August) Highlander

First bats, now a stake through the...palm?

2008-04-25T00:56:00.000-04:00

Well, medical fate strikes again. Not long after my last post tonight, I went back to cutting open tennis balls to put on the legs of my kids' chairs at school. Now, I know what you're saying...the Sprite is BRILLIANT! What amazing judgment she must have to think that cutting tennis balls open with a box cutter when NBC is running their Thursday night lineup is a GREAT plan! And you are RIGHT! I AM brilliant...if you expand your definition of brilliant to include "people dumb enough to stab themselves in the palm after being told by no less than 5 people on separate occasions that it would happen". If that's what passes for brilliant, then I'm a certified MENSA candidate.

Almost 2 and a half hours after the blood started spurting and I'm now sporting 4 stitches. I'm also required to go get a tetanus shot within the next three days (which means tomorrow with the show going all weekend), since they were out of them tonight. Yay smart people like me!!!

The (feeling a bit less than herself...hur hur) Sprite & the (unable to contain the backload of sheer "I-TOLD-you-so"ation) Highlander

Buffalo Comedy Sportz Improv-a-thon!

2008-04-18T20:47:00.004-04:00

Okay, it's NOT letterboxing, but it's MY blog! :-)

If you are going to be in the Buffalo area between April 26th-27th, come see me (the Sprite) play in a 29-1/2 hour improv show with Buffalo Comedy Sportz (my first time with the troupe)! There will be food and drinks, prizes, and even a Chinese auction! All the proceeds will be used to send my team to the 2008 Comedy Sportz World Championship in Portland, Oregon this summer.

Also, I need pledges...the more I get, the more decent time slot I get to play in! You can pledge me per hour or just give me all your money (and I mean all of it). Email me offlist for details.

So to recap:

WHAT: Comedy Sportz Improv-a-thon
WHERE: The Riviera Theatre, 67 Webster St, North Tonawanda
WHEN: April 26th at 4:00pm-April 27th 9:30 pm
WHO: Me and the other members of Buffalo's Comedy Sportz and YOU, our loyal fans
WHY: To send us to the Comedy Sportz World Championship in Portland, OR
AND: Give me money and get a genuine thank you!
PLUS: Chinese auction, yummy foods, drinks for the whole family, and prizes!

And remember, even if you don't live in Buffalo, you can still give me money and get that genuine thank you over the internet. ;-)

For more info, check the Facebook event here:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10924904118

or the My Space Event here:
http://events.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.detail&eventID=420517.82916&Mytoken=EB484BEB-2FA1-4B7A-AD9A11A9C775BCB414263861

Virtual Break!

2008-02-19T01:59:00.004-05:00

Woo hoo! I solved this virtual on AQ and got THIS:

All hail my apparent boxing coolness! :-D

The (trying to figure out what to do NEXT with her midwinter break) Sprite & the (sleeping his away under the influence of painkillers...poor ol') Highlander

Cars, kids and other comedy sports!

2008-01-19T19:16:00.000-05:00

I know it's been a while in between posts, but in my defense, CQ was over here with Kitten and Falling Leaves and they were all...CQing and Kittening and Falling around, so we couldn't concentrate...so...yeah...! Also, if you read my other blog, this is only KIND of a crosspost. I updated some stuff and added in some boxing news.

Anyway, it's been a crazy couple of days, the worst of which came last Thursday. I'm just gonna preface this by saying "No sprites, Highlanders or teenagers were harmed in the making of this incident!"

The Highlander and I were in a car accident Thursday night. We hit two teenagers that we know through their families at school (I actually do an afterschool reading team with the mom of the passenger and had the little sister of the driver in my GT class). We were coming down the main road going home and the driver turned in front of us to make a left on our green light. When he saw us, he put his brakes on, so they slowed down instead of speeding out of the way. We slammed our brakes and tried to avoid them, but there was no way to go but into their car.

Even now, it's like a bad dream where things NEARLY happen, but nothing quite comes of it. There were emergency vehicles everywhere and lots of broken car parts, but no hurt people...even the kids were fine. Our airbags didn't deploy, but the seatbelts were enough. I had this horrible moment where I thought the Highlander was injured, and another when I thought we'd hurt the two kids, but none of that came to pass. Our car was totaled, so a sheriff had to drive us home, but the rental people got us another car yesterday. And even though we had initial worries about this being a huge problem (two teachers hit local teens, or local kids fight insurance claim), the family accepted full responsibility and all our needs will be paid for. Heck, while visiting the doctor yesterday, we found out our favorite nurse hates her green 1995 Subaru Legacy (the EXACT car we totaled!) and would LOVE to trade it for our gas guzzling GMC Sierra that we've had off the road for months!

I guess the only piece of this that makes this real is that yesterday, we were both home and safe on a school day without some sort of debilitating illness being involved (you guys KNOW what I'm talking about!). We slept in and rested pretty well, so all we have is stiffness and my tongue being sore from biting it. I actually had a UTI that I should have stayed home from work on Friday for (and wasn't going to), and the Highlander (who's a sub and part time at a lab) has had no paid days off since...um, last year at this time when he was still considered full time at the lab! If not for the car being totaled, both of us would have been stretched thin at work and come home exhausted. Had it even been just a fender bender, we'd have had to handle all the insurance stuff while TRYING to work.

This whole episode has become a weird blessing in disguise, I guess. Sure, the Highlander's neck is in bad shape currently, but still...it's the kind of day where you should hug the ones you love, call the ones you miss and thank God that you've got your health.

In less "holy !@#$" kind of news, I auditioned for Comedy Sportz in Buffalo and made it in! I haven't gotten to do much improv outside of my normal classroom goofiness lately (plus I've forgotten what a pain it was to drive into town and do late night shows...oh, wait...). Okay, STILL, I'm gonna do it. The minute they start letting me do shows, I'll be sure to let you guys know and make a Comedy Sportz stamp to commemorate it all. :-)

Also, as Odyssey of the Mind in New York State draws ever nearer, I find that I might be in Binghamton with one or more of the Lockport teams on March 28-30. If anyone wants to meet up and exchange, contact me after March 8th. I'll know for sure whether I'm going or not by then.

Until then, keep your cars on the road, your odysseys in mind and a bit more comedy in your sports!

The (glad to be still alive, using our brains and FUNNY) Sprite & the Highlander

Our Holiday Newsletter 2007

2008-01-01T19:11:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays 2007 From The Burkes!

About 10 years ago, Kevin and I met each other playing a game online. There were, at the time, over 1500 people playing that game at any given time during the day and I was already closer buddies with one of his friends. Neither of us was looking to do more than play a game and have fun with our free time, yet somehow we ended up together for life.

You’d think THAT would be a constant reminder that things always happen for a reason…!

Life is really funny sometimes. Last year was a year of loss and change, but somehow, as I write this fifth holiday update, I’m surprised at how we gain when we accept that we lost. Too many events have happened this year to remind us of this. For starters, our picture this year wasn’t taken on our anniversary (which we mutually decided to skip to work summer school). This picture was taken at the wedding of a close friend of ours, someone we might not have been reacquainted with if not for the passing of our friend Tom Hollis.

Last summer, we lost my grandmother Lucy Rollins, but almost exactly a year later, my brother Eric breathes new life into our family by marrying Antra.

We braced ourselves for more lean years when Kevin decided to go back to teaching (even went so far as to decide to let go of the house if needed), but found that a HUGE part of the pain in his head and neck came from the stress of working at the lab. Now that he’s been subbing all over the county, we’re finding we don’t go through as much medication to keep his pain at bay. Coupled with the gas saved in going to work together, we’re actually SAVING money.

We were late to a student’s basketball game and felt we’d really missed something important, but arrived at a crossroads just in time to witness a terrible car accident. Had we been on time to the game, we wouldn’t have been there to hold the victim’s head and comfort him until help arrived. The experience became even more real for us as later that same day, another accident happened at the same intersection and a life WAS lost.

Even the song that we chose to mark our anniversary, “Solsbury Hill” by Peter Gabriel, turned out to be prophetic in more ways than one. I was listening to it while driving Kevin home from his myelogram. He was so worn out and tired looking from his 6 hour ordeal that seeing the sun shine on his face and hearing the words “Grab your things, I’ve come to take you home” really hit me hard. As it stands, it’s also a song about letting go, taking a risk to reach for your goals, despite your fears.

The name of the game this year, then, is faith and perseverance. Obviously, we haven’t STOPPED trying to do what needs to be done to survive or to help others, but we can see there’s no point in worrying any further about whether things will all work out. More importantly we know better now than to worry if they will work out the way we WANT them to.

So, while life here is never perfect, we’ve learned to accept a few basic truths:

Wherever you are is where you need to be at that time (even if you’re late to work or a basketball game).

Do what you can to make things happen (God bless the child that’s got his own), but remember to thank God for those unanswered prayers, too.

Stop waiting for the other shoe to fall…if life will take a wrong turn, it doesn’t need your pessimism to guide it in!

Love and support each other in your dreams…and always be ready to grab your loved one’s things and take them back home.

Have a wonderful 2008!!!

From Kevin & Daina

Hallowed Wrap Up!

2007-10-21T19:10:00.000-04:00

Was really great to see our regular boxers and meet some new ones at the Hallowed Grounds event this Saturday. I hope you all had as much fun as we did. Party Pig and Wes were our last guests. They came out Sunday and swung by here to say hi, so it was a full weekend for us.

If any of you come out and find any of the stamps (or want to know how to get to any other stamps in Orleans County), let us know and we'll direct you to anything you want!

Also, I know some of you wanted to know where to buy the LBNY t-shirts. The hiker logo on the front was from a specific company, but the LBNY logo is ours and is still on a shirt. You can get it by ordering from our Cafe Press store here: http://www.cafepress.com/spritesstuff

Hope to see all of you at Desperately Seeking Sun!

The (worn out but happy) Sprite & the (already asleep) Highlander

Okay, THIS is the final Hallowed Grounds Tour update!

2007-10-19T17:53:00.000-04:00

Quick update on this event...the 3rd stamp in the series (West Shelby Cemetery) has already been muggled by the little girl across the street. Since her parents might get all upset if someone came and roughed up their kid, we've decided to just call this one a loss. Follow the same directions from the clues, but DON'T stop here. Also, the East Shelby stamp IS still there, but you'll really need to peel the foliage apart down low to find it. It's fairly close to the metal Veterans marker behind the grave.

Also, if you want to swing by and visit for a bit, we'll be here all day, but probably won't be ready for company until around 5 (and the actual event is starting at 6pm). Enter our abode at your own risk and PLEASE call ahead (contact us offlist for the number). Identify yourself as a letterboxer right off or run the risk of being called a solicitor and hung up on!

Finally, if you want to stop and get the Weebls Pie stamp up at Brown's Berry Patch, contact us to let us know. We forgot to include this in the clues, but can direct you to there from the Waterport Cemetery easily for a great stamp but even BETTER PIE!!!!

See everyone tomorrow night!

The S & H

And the FINAL Hallowed Grounds Tour update!

2007-10-08T22:44:00.001-04:00

Just letting everyone know that the clues are finally done and are posted on our website. Either click on the website at the event page or go to the AQ page for the boxes and the clue link will take you right to it: http://www.atlasquest.com/lboxes/showboxinfo.html?gBoxId=57018

Again, if you want to make a test run, let us know how it goes so we can make corrections if need be. Don't try to banzai the whole tour in one day if you can help it (or start early and take a break as needed!). The first leg took about 3 hours, for sure, but we don't quite know about the second. The Highlander got some kind of 24 hour bug while we were out (on that note, Otter Creek has a nice spot in the WAYYYY back if anyone wants to play Guess What the Highlander Ate for Sunday Breakfast!), so we had to do the last part over two days and forgot to watch the time. We also mixed up two of the stamps because I grabbed the wrong one in my hurry to get him home, but I mentioned the mistake in the clues so you'll know.

No matter what, be sure to let us know if you go and we'll give you our home number in case you get lost. I uploaded the map to a page as well, but if you want a better view, get a Western Region map from Mapworks...it's the best!

No more updates unless something's changed, so we'll see all of you on the 20th!

The S & H

Hallowed Grounds Tour 2007 update

2007-10-03T19:43:00.000-04:00

Just thought I'd let folks know that with any luck, I'll be planting the boxes this weekend for the event (since I'm booked for just about every other weekend after that). If I'm able to do so, I'll be posting the clues to the boxes EARLY (yes, early!) so those of you who can't spend THAT day getting stamps could get all the main stamps, then just stop by our place for the event stamp, some camaraderie and some basic Halloween fare (candy, apples, candy, doughnuts, candy, coffee...um...candy?)

I intend to have 30 total Orleans County cemeteries in the tour (which isn't even all the places we COULD go) and all the stamps will be drivebys. There might be SOME walking uphill, but nothing to get too worked up about if you've got decent knees. I'll have a better estimate of the time and mileage involved, but I would say allot a good 3 hours (especially if you want to buy pies and pumpkins and such while you're out and about).

More bulletins as warranted!

The (spooky) Sprite & the (haunted) Highlander

Happy Birthday to MEEEE! :-)

2007-09-27T19:41:00.000-04:00

Okay, I know this should have gone under "Look At Me" on AQ, but since I'm still all puffed up with pride, I thought I'd blog it!

The Highlander and I agreed to not do birthday gifts this year, since my birthday always falls after our summer financial drought (September) and his is always after our Christmas drought (January). So, I went to school on the 27th not really expecting anything.

When I got in, 5 of my kids from LAST year came in with a box of cupcakes they had made AND frosted all by themselves! They sang to me, then had a few younger brothers and sisters holding up a banner they made with all their signatures on it. As I was gushing over how cool it was, one of them went "Ooo, let's get the whole 5th grade to sign it!" So, they held on to that, but made me open my present, which was a little ceramic fairy music box. I noticed she had a spot on her head and asked about it and the ringleader of this little band said, "Yeah, she had a crown that broke off and the knob to the music part is broken. We were kinda hoping you wouldn't notice that because we know you like fairy stuff from your earrings and your trailname (yes, I had made young boxers out of last year's class, too!) :-)

I promptly got teary eyed and said I didn't notice a thing!

I found out later from one of their moms that they had just REMEMBERED my birthday on their own and had been planning what to do about it every since school started this year! For kids who'll just be turning 11 this year, I was REALLY flattered that they remembered after a whole year. We did NOTHING special for my birhtday when they were in my class, so how they knew, I'll never know!

The rest of the day was great, too. The Highlander yelled out of the car that it was my birthday to my principal, who bellowed "Well, the WHOLE SCHOOL'S gonna know NOW!" and proceeded to shout it into every classroom as he walked in and THEN sang to me on the morning announcements and told all the kids to do the same if they saw me. So, I got musical interludes and hurriedly sketched homemade cards all day. My favorite was from one of this year's students, who made me fake money in $1,000,000 denominations. Another girl had colored a cute little purse for me, so I now have it up on my desk as my "retirement fund"! :-)

Yay kids...and Highlanders! ;-)

The (still feeling the love nearly a week later) Sprite and the (still giving her love year 'round) Highlander

5th Annual WNY Gathering ROCKED! :-)

2007-08-26T17:24:00.000-04:00

Well, I would have posted a big wrap up last night, but after a few posts and replies to the 100+ e-mails I got over the weekend, the Highlander reached over, took the laptop and started shutting things down ("The world can WAIT for one more night!" as he put it!). Good move, too...I just got out of bed about an hour ago, so I TRULY needed the rest!

Anyway, the whole weekend was a giant blast! We (Skater Boy, the Highlander and I) began it early Friday morning around 6am (after going to bed around 2!) We took the Highlander to work, then CQ picked Skater Boy and I up with the intent to head to Sprague Brook, set up camp, then go to the Ridge and get some boxing in (we learned from experience that running a gathering means never leaving the pavilion, so we wanted to get some actual boxes before 100+ folks descended upon us!). We were hoping to meet up with Eidolon and Artemis at Chestnut Ridge around 2pm, so we wanted to really get moving.

What ended up happening was we helped CQ pack, stocked up on general supplies (donation boxes, raffle items, a new black marker) until the Highlander was already done with his half day of work. THEN the truck was doing ominous things with steering fluid and oil, so we dealt with that until we finally struggled into the CAMPGROUNDS around 2pm. We met Frog Prince, Queen of Everything and JB the Huntress, who'd arrived a little before we did. By then, Eidolon & Artemis had called us to let us know they were in NO way making it on time, so the sense of urgency turned into a sense of "sit in the woods on a cool rock to beat the 89 degree weather, then slog overheatedly into Springville for things REAL survival items...like WATER!"

Anyway, after we finally settled in, other folks started to arrive, like dee123, CathCainGwen, Chadams & Lady Lilac, the IAP and Bear and the rest of the Quinn clan. Party Pig and the Phoenix had started boxing at DAWN, so they were still at it by the afternoon/evening. Talking Turtle arrived around 5pm with car trouble that made our little bout with the oil and fluid look like a picnic. Luckily, she made it to the campsite, but unluckily, the auto service she got with her phone only worked on the phone she had at home (so she was told by the operator). After we all plotted the destruction of said phone company (don't worry, we'll get a name so that you can ALL hate it with us!), the Highlander and I called AAA and told them we had been riding with her and they towed her van to the local shop in Springville. Meanwhile, Party Pig and The Phoenix were STILL out boxing...

We kicked back and enjoyed the rest of the night. A group of folks (CQ, Frog Prince, Queen of Everything, and to my surprise, Artemis and Eidolon, who snuck in later) sat around exchanging stamps while the Highlander and Chadams cooked up some food. It became apparent that Chadams camping set up was way more conducive to grouping up (what with the gazebo, tent with a welcome mat and dog door and the actual campfire!) We sat around and shot the breeze for a while and Ryan told "The Cremation of Sam McGee" to us around the campfire while the dozen or so kids ran around playing sardines. I don't even remember when we all went to bed, but we were good and tired when it happened (and of course, Party Pig and The Phoenix were STILL out boxing, although they came back long enough to set up camp!).

The next morning had Green Star Quinn and a bunch of the 'tween boxers getting lost in the woods for an hour or so, just as we were getting ready to head to the park. I was so worried, I forgot the event stamp and all my boxing stuff when the Highlander shooed me off to greet folks at Chestnut Ridge. Luckily, they found their way to the main road in time for what was probably a tag team effort of parental/general adult chastisment, so I didn't have to ruin the event by sacrificing their small bodies.

All in all, the day went well! The kids never LEFT the playground (especially after the morning's scare) and folks rolled in to stamp and exchange at the pavilion and out to box and back in the same easy way they always do. To my dismay, the Highlander ended up burning himself on a misplaced barbecue fork while grilling, but Frog Prince saw him standing there with a bag of ice in one hand, the fork in the other and a line of folks with open buns in front of him (hmmm...more stuff for the Dirty Letterboxing Quotes list!) and came to the rescue! Meanwhile, I got to meet a bunch of new folks like Trekkie Gal (who must have been the star of the day since she's made it into two blogs now!) LOSTGIRL, S and K, K and T, jasondrew and a bunch of others I had only seen in logbooks or on boards. Balloon Fanatic's family was also there, which meant the winner of the youngest boxer award (Mermaid Girl) was present. She and her sister both look like they fell off a charm bracelet, they're so cute, so they probably coulda taken that award as well. We raffled stuff off and took pics around 5, just as a brief storm blew in...and blew out! Literally 2/3 of the boxers had gone when the suddenly the sun broke out and it was as if nothing happened!

With that, the Highlander and I headed back to Sprague Brook to get the night boxes placed. We'd intended to go eat at Ponderosa with everyone else, but just ran out of time before the boxing was to start. I was beside myself with ideas on where to hide them when Soccer Star 7 and gymnastics girl's dad Eric came up with the PERFECT path to hide the boxes on. It was partial in a field, but mostly in the woods, which were good and spooky dark by the time folks started finding boxes. A more mature and less rowdy group than Ryan's bunch went through with mostly kids and parents around 8, while the rest came around 10. After that, we all went to separate fun zones. A gang of adults hit the fireside again while a bunch of gamer kids and adults sat around our site playing Dungeons & Dragons again for a good 2 hours. Poor Skater Boy was out cold within the first 10 minutes, but everyone else was once again up until the wee hours having a blast.

Sunday morning began with my getting up and seeing a 6 foot something creature rear its multitentacled head from the vicinity of Ryan's sleeping gear. It took a moment to realize that this actually WAS Ryan wearing a funky ski hat to keep warm, but MAN, do I wish I'd had the camera on me for THAT! We all started to pack and say our goodbyes (being sure to give Ryan tips on how to keep strange men from touching him in the airport while he slept), then started to head our separate ways around noon (by which time Party Pig and the Phoenix were...hmm...STILL BOXING!). By the time the Highlander and I got home, I was ready to crash, but kept trying to post THIS leviathan of a wrap-up until the Highlander forced me to call it a night.

Oh, and Eidolon called me from the trail last night...he was still boxing, too, but wanted to see if we missed him yet. I told him I missed him so much that I had fallen asleep on the couch and he seemed satisfied....!

Anyhoo, for those who came, thanks for all the compliments, the donations and the general camaraderie. I couldn't have asked for more fun in one weekend, so I'm again REALLY glad we added camping to this event. Our most sincere thanks goes to Chadams for making this park more easily accessible to the layman and throwing his whole heart and soul into helping make this event come off. We also thank Frog Prince for saving the Highlander in his time of need and Eric Festor (who I'm gonna just call Nightbike for the sake of having a trailname) for saving me in mine! Another major thanks to folks who donated items for the raffle and boxes for the event (BTW, if you DID bring some event stamps, please help me out by listing them on the event page...I don't know HALF of what I got in this book right now!) :-O Also, for those who did them, the night box series (called Night Music) is listed here. If you told me the title of the song, you got the last stamp (#9). As far as pics, I know some folks are already posting pics at the event page, but those would be folks with digital cameras. Mine have to be developed yet (curse my desperate need for an upgrade!), but I think I took pics of every group that came through so you can put names with faces.

Finally, the next gathering has already been listed here. Not ABSOLUTELY sure about the location just yet (since Nightbike has mentioned another great park near Lake Ontario), but we'll keep everyone posted.

Thanks again, everybody! You make this yearly event a labor of love! :-)

The (worn, but happy) Sprite & the (happy, but burnt) Highlander

Hallowed Ground Tour 2007

2007-08-19T21:42:00.000-04:00

Hey, folks! Felt bad that we couldn't make it to Infinity's Massacre-ade, so we decided to make our own fun in WNY! This event is part driving tour, part mini-meet, all spooky! Check out the details!

http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=453

The S & H

Planting at the Ridge complete!

2007-08-19T20:14:00.000-04:00

CQ, the Highlander and I just banzai-ed Chestnut Ridge Park, planting everything we had (all 33 of ours, 14 of his and the 4 donations we received. We are "TO' up from the FLO' up", as my granny used to say (which meant "worn out" for you traditional Northerners!) but ready to go boxwise. I have a few more stamps to carve for the night event (and some prize stamps for various things at the event), but other than that, WNY is open for business!

The clues for the boxes planted today will officially be posted on the website by Thursday morning. However, if you are coming from out of state and leaving Thursday night before the clues are posted, have no fear! The exact info in on the page will be in the clue books at the park and out of town guests AUTOMATICALLY get one, so long as you come to the park for it. If you want to start early, the boxes that are already in the park have been posted on the site already...just print them off and you'll be all set! DO NOT use the clues that are currently (as of Sunday) posted, though...they've already confused one person, so Chadams is trying to rewrite them and they SHOULD be good by Wednesday.

More bulletins as warranted!

The (snuggling on the sofa, finally relaxed) Sprite & Highlander

Sending a box for the WNY Gathering?

2007-08-14T14:40:00.000-04:00

Okay, Celtic Quinn and I are planting boxes tomorrow (August 15th) at Chestnut Ridge Park. We're planting all the ones we have and have received, but since neither of us is done carving as of this posting, we MIGHT make another trip down this weekend. If you have one that you plan to send us, write us IMMEDIATELY and mail the box so it gets here by SATURDAY the 18th. Anything that doesn't show up by then will be on the table for the gathering and planted afterward.

Remember, if we can't keep it (as a permanent plant), we don't want it! Not being rude or nasty, but the plan is to seed this park pretty heavily so it'll be a boxer's paradise; plus, the park's pretty far away for those of us in the northern part of WNY, so we won't be going back unless ABSOLUTELY necessary (maintenance and such).

More bulletins as warranted!

The S & H

Uncle Julie's (Third Swirl's the Charm) Mini Meet recap

2007-08-14T14:39:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm finally home from Texas, where 102 degrees worth of heat and 9 other folks make for a great day of letterboxing! I finally got to meet Gryzzled Gryphon, Blooming Flowers and her hubby and little one, Puddle Splasher, Batty Girl and her hubby, plus I brought along a new boxer, Stealth Wookie. We all sat down to margarita swirls and event stamps galore while packing away Mexican fare. By the time I had nearly finished my swirl, the parking lot was looking kinda swirly, too, so I gave the rest to Stealth Wookie's wife and drank water until I felt like driving my father's new Infinity was a safe thing to do! ;-) Blooming Flowers gave me a LbTx patch and pin from Barefoot Lucy (not my first, but the first to go on my bag until I can find my LBMA patch again) and we all had a ball despite the heat. I even brought some noxer friends (since I really only had one day to catch up with friends this trip), but everyone was really nice about it...no taunting, mental abuse or ritual hazing the way we do with noxers up North! ;-)

Afterward Stealth Wookie and I dragged his wife along to do the Carrollton boxes of the A League Of Their Own series. What a cool set of boxes! Instead of stamping into your logbook, mater et regisfilia left a little baseball diamond so that you had to stamp the stamps (little ponytailed players) onto it! Had we done the entire set, we'dve had the entire field filled; how I wish we'd had the time to go to the other cities!

Frankly, aside from my brother's wedding, this one day was the most fun I had in the whole 5 day trip! Being without my husband/lifelong pal was tough enough (especially at the wedding where I had no one to dance with, pout, pout!), but the boxers of Texas really salvaged my visit. Thanks again everyone!

The (now freezing back at home) Sprite & the (just glad she's there to keep warm again) Highlander

WNY Gathering Webpage Updates

2007-08-06T19:01:00.000-04:00

Hi folks! The beginning of August is already here, which means the end is not too far behind. As promised, the page for the even has been updated in many ways. First, Chadams has prepared a page of his own (http://www.geocities.com/chadams2691/chestnutridge.html) that will give anyone unfamiliar with the park some info on where things are and how to use the maps.

So far, there's not many changes to the main webpage (http://thesprite.orgfree.com/letterboxing/gathering4.htm), but the clues page (http://thesprite.orgfree.com/letterboxing/gclues4.htm) now has the groups of boxes Chadams mentioned on his page for you to use in finding boxes without having to search in more than one place. I'm still adding them, but they'll all be on here by Wednesday (except the new music themed boxes, of course). Remember, we'll have this entire page plus maps printed up as a clue booklet available at the park for anyone who needs it, but it's first come, first served. Show up late and you might have to rely on your own printed (or PDA'd) clues!

The night boxing at Sprague Brook Park IS open for anyone that wants to come, whether you camp out or not. Our plan is to place the boxes along a path in Sprague Brook that's NOT in the overnight camping area so folks can still come and go as they please. It's a county park, so we can't say for SURE if they really are as lax with the dawn to dusk rules for visitors. However, since the budget cuts in Erie County, the parks are pretty well understaffed, and the ranger himself said that they don't come around checking to see where people are after hours, so we should be good.

Finally, we've got quite a few folks staying with us overnight at Sprague Brook. So far we have sites 55-64 with boxers, but we're totally out of the sites we originally reserved. If you decide to stay as well, you'll need to call the park yourself and reserve a site near us (which should still be no problem). The area we're in is shaped like an L, with the Highlander and I at the bend on Site #60. If you get anything in the 50s or 60's, you'll be in the same area as we are.

More bulletins as warranted!

The S & H

Batman is WAYYYY too easy...!

2007-08-03T18:47:00.000-04:00

From the couple that brought you Squirrels After Dawn and the Voyeuristic Gopher....

Okay, so we're sleeping last night and all the sudden, the Highlander jerks half up out of the bed. I assume he's having a some kind of internal trouble, like acid, but when he barely makes a sound except a startled grunt, I start to think he's having a heart attack!

I go "Hon, what IS it?" and then he jerks a second time and I hear something hit the wall. He stammers something about there being "something", then flicks the light on and stares at the wall for second. Then he goes "Holy !@#$ it's a BAT!", jumps up and says "I gotta get something to put him in" before running out.

Either I totally missed him saying this or just didn't get what he was saying, so I end up laying there in the bed trying to see what he's seeing. I look over on the sill and hanging off it IS a BAT! Panicked, I go to get up and move and its HEAD follows my movements. This panics me into "deer-in-batlights" mode, so I'm just laying there frozen in place while he rushes back in with a plastic cookie thing.

He goes after it and catches it in the container while I bravely waited below the blanket, then he sighs and says "Well, it BIT me, so we're going to have to go to the hospital and THAT means I'm going to be TIRED in the morning!" Not "Oh, I could die of rabies...hold me, my love for one last kiss" or "gosh, shots really sound TERRIBLE!"...no, the Highlander's hacked because he's going to lose sleep over a winged mouse! (did I mention how much he HATES his second job at the lab???)

So, we (yes, even our new buddy) pile into the car and go to the hospital where the entire night staff (including some EMTs) come by to visit and express sentiments along the lines of "wow" or "gross" or "you gonna EAT that?". Eventually, they gave him a tetanus shot and some antibiotics, then they kept the bat to give to the health department. They'll have results on Monday after they destroy it and check the head, I think they say (Snappy's, of course, although for the right price, I MIGHT have let them check the HIGHLANDER'S head...would explain a LOT...!). They also let us take some pics that I have to scan in and show you guys.

The funniest part to me was when one nurse came in and said "Well, don't get too attached...we'll have to give it to the health department and they have to destroy it." The Highlander got all cute and wide eyed and tells the lady, "Oh, but I've already named him! I call him Snappy!" Maybe it was because it was so late at night, but when he started to nod happily, she looked like she really believed him and thought he was just getting messed up from the rabies or something!

So, this morning I told him company policy frowns on draining the blood from others and he was like "Don't worry, I'll be a pile of dust LONG before I get to work this morning! LOL Poor guy. Honestly, he's had the rash, the beasts, the burning fire (from his butt, anyway). So...I'm thinking locusts next.

The (shampooing her hair with garlic) Sprite & the (eyeing up the only non-garlicked eligible young females in the house to attack...our 3 cats) Highlander

Solsbury Hill

2007-07-18T16:33:00.000-04:00

Okay, another post that has NOTHING to do with boxing, but this was just...yay!

Last night (July 17th) was the Highlander's and my 8th anniversary. Even though we ain't got money (there's a song in there somewhere), we've sort of developed a tradition over the past 5 years that I really enjoy that doesn't cost us a thing.

Back on our 3rd anniversary, I put together a list of songs that really represented our entire relationship history up to that point (the high tech version of the tape of songs couples used to make for each other back in high school!). I put them into a playlist on my Musicmatch program, then, in the Notes section, I wrote a little blurb about each one. For example, the first song is "Boy From New York City" (since the Highlander lived in New York and I was in Dallas when we met). I wrote:

Kevin Burke, bachelor farmer, super uncle and generally laid back guy. He works all day, goes out on weekend nights, hunts during the season and sleeps when his body tells him to. He's out of the race for the right girl and has decided to enjoy life the way it is.

Poor bastard...doesn't even know how miserable he is! ;-)

When I first did this, there were 10 songs for the first part of our relationship, where we met online and really fell for each other. I used songs like "Take A Chance on Me" by ABBA and "I Just Want to Hang Around You" by George Benson. Then there's another 10 for when we met in person and things initially went sour because SOME dumb sprite was too afraid of commitment. I had some pretty sad songs there like "I Don't Know How To Love Him" by Helen Reddy (from Jesus Christ Superstar) and Please Mister Please" from Olivia Newton-John (on that one, I began with "Once you've reached the country music phase, you're missing someone too much!") and the last 10 for our amazing reunion and the two more separations afterward, all the way to our finally being together permanently. That part ends with "At Last" by Etta James and "Our House" by CSNY.

Anyway, it's become habit to listen to this set of songs on each anniversary. We read the blurbs all over again and sit and talk about where we were, how we were, and even WHO we at that time (plus we usually dance to our favorite ones). It had sort of become a musical timeline of our lives between 1997 and 2002, so for our 5th anniversary, I decided to go back and add a song for each year we'd been married. I already had songs up to the 3rd anniversary, so for the 4th, I added "You Just Can't Smile It Away" by Bill Withers (the song we danced to our first night in our new and VERY empty house) and the 5th was "As" by Stevie Wonder (where I began the blurb with "Our 5th anniversary...and now we're old enough to find meaning in obscure Stevie Wonder songs!") The blurbs have become longer each year so that I'm now writing short letters to go with each song and just adding it to the list. The list itself I've finally put into a Word Document so we can read it while we listen to the songs.

Which brings me to out 8th year...

This year's song was" Solsbury Hill" by Peter Gabriel. It was the song playing when I drove him home from the hospital a few weeks ago (he had a myelogram done to see what was wrong with his neck), and we were REALLY scared about it. Everyone told him how bad the pain could be and he put it off for months. So, as I looked over at him looking all worn out and tired, with the sun shining in on him, I was so overwhelmed that I suddenly had to just thank God for letting my hubby come home safe and sound. The song just wouldn't leave my head, thought, so after researching it a bit, I found out it's a song about changing your life and being ready to lose what you have for what you might get and just letting go in general.

That's been a HUGE thing for us this year...we had to choose to give up our home, most certainly gave up our pride, our personal and physical comfort and many other things, only to find out that fate had other things in mind. We gave up the house, only to find a last minute option that let us keep it and got us back on track financially again. The Highlander gave up working at the lab to sink everything into trying to become a teacher and we discovered that, even though he made less, we actually saved some money in not having him drive clear to Buffalo, plus he was SO much happier that we spent LESS time at the doctor's in pain. Because of the pain, we both gave in and decided to do this myelogram in the first place, knowing it meant he'd be in horrible pain for a solid week, but found out it wasn't as bad as we thought. We gave up any hope of having a child, only to discover how important the kids we teach have now become to us, as well as each other. And about 10 years ago for the Highlander and 6 for me, we both chose to leave our homes and families to live with the one we committed out lives to (he moved down to Texas where I was and we both moved back up to Western New York where he was from).

Sometimes you just have to give up your comfort zone to move on to the next big thing in your life.

And through all that, we've had each other. He's been my silent, stalwart companion in the storm, keeping me calm and centered when I thought I might crash on the rocks, while I've gone and STARTED storms for him, being his lightning and thunder when he needed someone to speak up on his behalf or to get him motivated. Each of us has been there to protect and care for the other.

So, what have we learned in 8 years? Life isn't always what we planned, but when you feel like you're "in a rut" or "part of the machinery" and you have to let fate take over, I hope each of YOU has a person like I do that can come to you, give you a hug and say:

"Grab your things, I've come to take you home."

The (thankful for 8 happy years) Sprite & the (hoping for many more) Highlander

Missing Lockport boxes replaced!

2007-07-09T21:50:00.000-04:00

Finally got out to do some maintenance on a few boxes, including some that we adopted. Since the adopted boxes had stamps that were muggled just months after they were placed, we recarved them from the images we had in our logbook and put them back out. Therefore, the clues for all have changed a little, but the stamps are basically the same. Here's links to all three (the first two are the adoptees):

The Biz: http://www.atlasquest.com/lboxes/showboxinfo.html?gBoxId=3101
Take Me Out: http://www.atlasquest.com/lboxes/showboxinfo.html?gBoxId=3102
If Only For A Moment: http://www.atlasquest.com/lboxes/showboxinfo.html?gBoxId=1982

The S & H

A new page for all WNY Gatherings

2007-06-29T18:41:00.000-04:00

Now that summer's here (and summer SCHOOL hasn't started), I have a little more time to do some of the stuff I've been wanting to. One of those things was making a page where folks could link to all the Gatherings that we've had in WNY. I don't know that I have EVERY single event that's gone on between Buffalo and Rochester, but I gave it a shot. Let us know what you think!

http://thesprite.orgfree.com/letterboxing/gathering0.htm

The S & H

Location, location, location!!! (More WNY Gathering Stuff)

2007-06-28T16:22:00.000-04:00

Our WNY Gathering is now happening in two different locations. We'll be having our normal day event ((LB)WNY is ON THE AIR!!! 2007) at Chestnut Ridge Park on Saturday, August 25. The address is 6121 Chestnut Ridge Road, Orchard Park, NY 14127 You can either put that address into Yahoo Maps, Mapquest or Google Maps, that will let you do driving directions from where you live to the park OR (even easier) use the map search on the event page and it will already have the park's address in for you! It's right in the location box near the top.

For those who want to stay overnight with us and do some night boxing, we're also spending that weekend at Sprague Brook Park for Block Party W(NY)eekend 2007. The campsites are only $13 a night (much cheaper than the other campgrounds), plus having an actual PARK for the nightboxing means the night boxes can STAY instead of being picked up at the end of the night. The park's address is Foote Road, Glenwood, NY 14069, so use both addresses to find your way between here and Chestnut Ridge on a map search. Anyone planning to stay overnight should sign up for BOTH events, but if you're only coming for the day, just sign up for (LB)WNY is ON THE AIR!!! 2007. Once you've signed up, we'll tell you how to reserve your campsite.

Finally, the gathering webpage (not to be confused with the event page at Atlas Quest) is changing regularly now. If you've yet to see it, be sure to check it out. It gives you info on the parks, the boxes, the schedule and anything else you wanted to know about the gatherings. I'm also planning to add a link to the past gatherings on here so you can see the pictures and general aftermath for yourselves! :-)

Hope to see you soon!

The S & H

WNY Gathering Site Updated!

2007-06-23T17:24:00.000-04:00

Finally added the webpage for the 5th Annual WNY gathering site! You can either go to the Atlas Quest event page and click on the website, or just click here: http://thesprite.orgfree.com/letterboxing/gathering4.htm

Also, we're still looking for box donations that have anything to do with music, so contact the Highlander and I if you're interested in carving and sending something. We need to get it by August to have time to plant them all, but we need to know if you're sending something ASAP so we know what we've got. Oh, we're also still trying to find a place to camp out and night box....more info on that as it comes!

The S & H (& Chadams!)

5ht Annual LBWNY Gathering coming in August

2007-06-17T10:53:00.000-04:00

It's getting to be about that time to start promoting the Western New York gathering, which is coming as the last holler of summer (you know, the summer that starts...well, NOW???) We'll be in Orchard Park (Chestnut Ridge, to be exact) and our theme this year is "(LB)WNY is ON THE AIR!". We intend to do a standard day tripper's Saturday event from 10-5, but also plan to have night boxing again and hopefully camping from Friday night to Sunday at one of the closer campgrounds.

We'd REALLY like to seed this park with boxes enough to make this trip as worthwhile as our past gatherings have been (okay, and to try and meet or beat the Stone Mountain record!), so we'd love to get box donations. Any stamps you'd like to create that deal with music of any kind are great, so long as we can get them by the beginning of August (gives us enough time to plant them). Contact us here and we'll give the address to send them to.

Thanks in advance and hope to see you there!

The Sprite, the Highlander and this year's local host in OP, Chadams

The New Boxer Spiel!

2007-06-17T10:24:00.000-04:00

Just in case some of you are reading this and don't know about anything else but Atlas Quest, here's a version of the spiel the Highlander and I like to send to new boxers that join the LBWNY Yahoo group.:

Welcome to letterboxing and I hope you're finding it just as much fun as we did (and still do)! Kevin and I (the Sprite and the Highlander) thought we'd give you some info to help you connect to a bunch more boxing info and some of the nicest folks you'll ever meet!

First, if you haven't already, sign up for Atlas Quest (http://www.atlasquest.com/) and Letterboxing North America (http://www.letterboxing.org/). Both are great places to find box clues and log your finds. The first also has other boxing info, like message boards and listings for events you can join other letterboxers in.

Second, there's a few Yahoo groups that folks from our neck of the woods frequent (great for asking questions and connecting in general):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lboswego/ (a more central NY area board)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LBNY/ (full New York State board)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/letterbox_ON/ (our Canadian buddies)

Finally, be sure to set your settings on Atlas Quest so you can find out when any local boxes or gatherings are posted. Just go the "Letterboxes" heading on AQ, click on "Advanced Search", then type in the name of your and expand the distance out to 100 (or less, if you can't go too far). You can also click on the right to hide all the boxes you've planted or found so you just see the ones you need to do. Once you do this, click "Search", then when it comes up, click on "Save Search" in the upper right of the screen. Name your search and be SURE to click "Yes, tell me about new boxes!" That way, anything that happens in the mile radius you chose (including letterboxing events) will be sent directly to your Atlas Quest e-mail. Then just be sure your preferences are set to alert you when you have Atlas Quest e-mail and you're all set!)

Feel free to contact us here or there if you have questions...hope to see you on the trails soon!

The Sprite & the Highlander
(aka Daina & Kevin)
check us out at http://spriteandhighlander.blogspot.com

The Highlander and I send a version of this out to each new person that logs a find on one of our boxes so they can meet more people and join us at the gatherings. We used to only use it as a way to post gatherings by getting folks' e-mail addresses and adding them to a e-mailing list, but once we started the LBWNY Yahoo group, we just started directing folks to there instead for info. Now, with AQ having event listings, it's even simpler to just teach everyone how to set their preferences to find info on AQ on their own. It's a REALLY easy way to expand boxing in your area, so feel free to modify this and use it yourself!

Next week...how to make a pepperoni pizza! First, you'll need about $20, a phone and the number to your favorite pizza place...! :-)

Panning for (Mo)Wiz(liz) mini-meet a success!

2007-06-10T10:58:00.000-04:00

It began with a simple note from Mowizliz:

Hi CQ, Kitten, Sprite and Highlander, River Otter, and Craftymouse,

Teepsman and I will be flying out of Buffalo early morning, Saturday June 9th, which means, that we'd love to meet any of you over coffee or dinner Friday night somewhere in the vicinity.

Normally, when we travel together some place new, letterboxing isn't high on the list, but ever since River Otter put up that Mel Gibson's Drunken Tirade box, I've laughed so much over that that we absolutely have to have that one. Now it is compounded that I've seen some of the bunnies of Morbid Affair with ...301...302 calling strongly.

This is short notice, so its understandable meeting up isn't a possibility. Without a doubt, I'm leaving someone out of this message that I'm going to kick myself for having missed when we get back, so
any suggestions are welcome. :-)

Thanks for the consideration! I'm hoping to meet all of you!

Pats

And suddenly, we were all sucked into a wonderful evening of mini-meeting in the classic WNY style; laid back and relaxed with lots of chatting and general silliness! And don't ask about the Panning for Wiz thing...for some reason, the title just wouldn't leave my mind, so I HAD to use it!

If you haven't had the chance to meet Pats (Mowizliz) and her significant otter Teepsman (whose real name eludes me all the sudden!), they are a TON of fun! We weren't five seconds into the Panera's Bakery where we were all to meet when this woman in front of us in line says "You think they serve Sprite here?" Trying to be as helpful as possible, I start to tell this laughing lady about the variety of beverages the place DOES have before realizing that THIS is, in fact, Pats giving me a hard time! :-)

It all just went uphill from there! Most of the regulars were there, such as the Phoenix, Celtic Quinn and the rest of the Quinn clan (including his fiancee Kitten Without Mittens and her mother, Falling Leaves), Chadams and his fiancee Lady Lilac, and dee123 with her family. A few of my students came as well, since the meet was in Lockport where I teach, but we also got Team Dakota to make an appearance, as well as carve an event stamp while we waited!

I don't know who's got pictures, but I DO know that we all hung out there for about 2 hours just stamping and talking about everything, then most folks went back to the hotel room with our guests while the Highlander and I had to call it a night because he'd braved the entire evening without his pain medication and we had to get him back. Still, a good time was had by all and we can't wait to have MWL and Teepsman back around here again (we hear she's a D & D player from way back, so we're thinking we MIGHT have to kidnap her and get her geek on during the NEXT visit!)

The (bouncing in anticipation of the next gathering) Sprite & the (packing the proper medication just in case) Highlander

Gox Box Sox (revisited)

2007-05-12T14:26:00.000-04:00

Well, I just went out and got the mail today and lo, there in our box were gox box sox from dbltall, along with the brand new Gox Box Sox HH (here's a pic of them at the Woolrich catalogue http://www.woolrich.com/CGI-BIN/LANSAWEB?WEBEVENT+L3D74537A45138000EA4303U+PRD+ENG)!

I was laughing like an idiot until I actually put them ON!

Oh...
...my...
...GOD!!!

These sox...I mean, SOCKS are AMAZING! They are SOOO on my list for boxing wear (and daily wear, really...after all, we're in upstate NY, where Winter goes for the winter...and summer...and spring break...and the vernal equinox...!). First, they're the right color (I LOVE blue and those wintry sweater type patterns). Second, they're merino wool, so they're warm AND soft and have this delightfully cushy feel to them everywhere I walk. I'm walking around barefoot in them now and making sounds that the Highlander normally associates with a different room of the house! And finally, they're MINE! Muhahahahahahhaaaaaaa!

I'm telling you, I'm going online to get more of these because I will TOTALLY PAY for this kinda sex...I mean, SOCKS! :-)

The (cheating on the Highlander with winter wear) Sprite & the (been in love with the other socks for YEARS, but never told the wife) Highlander

Iron Man/Woman Goxing!

2007-04-15T14:27:00.000-04:00

The Highlander, CQ and I just put a good 24 hours into gaming and boxing (hereafter known as goxing until someone gives us a better name). First, we went to Panera's on Friday around 9pm to hang with the early boxers before Kitten's A Morbid Affair event on Saturday. Around 10:30, we left there and headed to Kitten's house, where CQ ran an impromptu gamin session until about 1:30 in the morning (or later, but that's when we had to leave to get home...got in bed around 3 am). We got up around 7:30 the next morning, then headed back to Buffalo to box and exchange from 10 to about 12:30 at Kitten's event, then lwent to the University of Buffalo for UBCon, a gaming convention that actually started Friday and ended today. We gamed some more from around 1:30 to about 6:30 (strangely early, really!), then went back for dinner at Chili's with more boxers for 2 more hours. When we realized a bunch of the gamers couldn't make it back to meet us again, we finally ended up calling it a night around 10 and got home about 11pm.

We had a great time doing both and only wish we could have had more TIME for both...the Highlander and I are gonna play a little more today just to get the NEED out of us before we go back to work Monday!

Still, a GREAT time was had by all, proving even MORE that we really SHOULD try a goxing event sometime!

The S & H

Box maintenance at Royalton Ravine & Let's Go Morbid!

2007-04-10T02:06:00.000-04:00

I (the Sprite) am planning on doing some box maintenance on the set of boxes we've got at Royalton Ravine, which still have last summer's Record Holder stamps from the It's a WNY-ld Ride gathering. I'm also planning on moving the last boxes from the series (Hot Baths, Anime Babes and Ivy) to a different location so no one has to climb that huge hill anymore to get to it. I'm pretty sure they'll be out of the park entirely (thinking Williamsville in a month or so or UB this weekend).

So, if anyone wants to get those or any of the summer stamps before they go away (or just an exchange), I'll be there starting at 11 AM. Some of my students are coming with their parents, so you can get a few other exchanges as well. No matter what, wear clothes you don't care about and hiking boots...it'll be MIGHTY muddy and nasty out there!

Here's the link to both the regular permanent boxes (SOME of which are leaving): http://www.atlasquest.com/lboxes/showboxinfo.html?gBoxId=1814

and the extra stamps (ALL of which are leaving): http://www.atlasquest.com/lboxes/showboxinfo.html?gBoxId=20183

PLEASE contact me ahead of time if you plan on being out there so I know to wait for you!

Also, in case you haven't heard already, there's another gathering coming up
VERY soon! It's Kitten Without Mittens "A Morbid Affair" and it'll be
in Tonawanda, NY on the 14th! I don't know of many folks in the WNY
area that AREN'T going, so don't miss out! Here's all the details at
AQ...sign up now by going to this site:
http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=305

then scrolling WAY down to the bottom of the RSVP list to click on
"Sign Me Up!" The Highlander and I have two places to be that day, but
we'll be around with the IAP from 10 to noon. Hope to see you there!

The (enjoying spring break) Sprite & the (whiteknuckling the wait for teaching interviews) Highlander

Herobia

2007-03-13T21:02:00.000-04:00

Totally off the boxing topic, but...

WHAT THE HAPPY HARPY HADES is THAT ABOUT??? WE GOTTA WAIT UNTIL APRIL FOR MORE HEROES???

SERIOUSLY!!!!!!

The Highlander was immediately like "They're gonna lose viewers like this. Who the heck is gonna watch it THEN???"

That's when I sighed and said, "We are and you KNOW it."

God, we're so hooked...I swear we're going to need rehab after this...

The CLAIRE Center ad:

Do you religiously watch Heroes?
Do you suffer from anxiety whether the show is on or not?
Do you experience moderate or severe depression when the show goes off?
Do you worry about whether New York City will be blown up by a man that no one can see?
Do you unconsciously shy away from cheerleaders, Japanese tourists, clock repairmen and Haitians?

If so, you are one of the millions of people who suffer from Herobia. However, there IS hope...

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Canadian boxes everywhere and not a box to find!

2006-12-28T00:09:00.000-05:00

Well, we went clean up to Toronto this week and TOTALLY skipped the 6 boxes in town, as well as didn't plant one while we were there! Argghhh!

We have a good reason, though. My dad sent us my grandmother from Florida and money to show her a good time and we've been doing just that She's been up here visiting us for a few days now and just having a ball. She's 83 years old and recovering from a spill she had in February, so she's moving slower than usual, but she's keeping up the pace pretty well, with the exception of stairs. While we were in Toronto heading to the subway, she was coming down stairs and going one step, one step, one step, etc. when all the sudden, this OTHER old lady, shorter than her and older, comes flying down the steps past her! She gave this lady a look so crooked as to be mistaken for a jealous 5 year old! I look back at her and, like a mom, tell her in a gentle voice, "It's NOT a race, honey," before we both crack up laughing.

She's also where I (the Sprite) get my goofy sense of humor from. We were sitting on the sofa all relaxed after that long trip to Toronto when Foggy (our youngest cat) jumps up on her lap. She tries to pet her, but Foggy can't sit still when you pet her unless you MAKE her, so she's doing her little ADD dance all over her while Shug (my grandmother) tries to make her happy. Finally, she goes "What is WRONG with you, cat? What do you WANT?" in her little soft Southern accent.

I pipe up with "She likes it when you scratch her more than just petting her."

She says "Well, now why didn't you just SAY all that, cat?" and starts doing it.

Meanwhile, Kevin (the Highlander) goes, "You know what she DOESN'T like?" With a totally straight face he goes, "She doesn't like it when you attach jumper cables up to her ears and attach her to a battery. She doesn't like that at ALL." I laugh to beat the band, but Shug looks at him all serious and we're thinking "D'oh, we went too far."

Finally after looking at him for an uncomfortably long moment, she says, "Exactly when was the last time you TRIED something like this?" Kevin is about to say he was just kidding or something and she adds, with an equally straight face "She might LIKE it now!" as if enough time has passed that our cat might ENJOY being electrocuted!

Man, I LOVE the way the nuts just float to the top in my little gene pool! :-D

Anyway, at some point we really WILL get back to boxing, but for now, I think I'll hang out a bit more with the granny and get back to you all after the holidays. In case we don't hear from any of you, have a great New Year and enjoy those shirts!

The (tainted apple) Sprite & (honorary apple) Highlander

LBNY t-shirts are in!

2006-12-15T22:01:00.000-05:00

Okay, everyone, the shirts are now here! If you want to pick yours up, let us know before we mail them out. Other than that, you can expect to see them in your mailbox just in time for Christmas.

Hoping your holiday prep is going less hectically than ours,

The (fluttering about looking for more friends on the Christmas tree) Sprite & the ("Sweetie, the STAR traditionally goes on top of the tree, not Tinkerbell") Highlander

WNY Boxing Rainout Mini Meet

2006-12-04T01:08:00.000-05:00

There were so many complaints about the rain and all the misery it brought to boxers a few weeks ago that the Highlander and I decided to throw an indoor mini meet. We were pleasantly surprised to find that most of our guests were relative newbies! Celtic Quinn (an old hand at boxing by now) brought his siblings (Green Star Quinn and Silver Dragon Quinn) as well as his sweetie, Kitten Without Mittens with him. Kitten brought her mom, Falling Leaves, who was also a newbie. Chadams joined us from the Southtowns and Tom of The Phoenix joined us from suburban Buffalo. By far, the person who drove the most miles was DEFINITELY Morgun, who drove in from Massachusetts to visit family in Irondequoit, but swumg by our place for the day.

We really didn't have much planned except the usual (eat, stamp, talk and exchange in varying orders!) and that's pretty much what we did! The Highlander manned the grill and I manned the socializing. Celtic Quinn brought his hostel to our place so we literally swapped the entire set of HH's out to put all his in ours and vice versa. Everyone brought a stamp related to the rainy day theme to either add to the hostel or plant for the day in our yard (thanks for the mini hunt, Morgun!) We were supposed to end around 5, but we all had such a great time that the last of the guests didn't leave until around 8 (not including CQ and Kitten, who stayed over night to work in a little geek time with D & D!).

Anyway, the whole thing rocked and totally reminded me how there really IS no place like home! We always seem to meet the nicest folks in WNY and they all seem to have no problem including newbies in and having a good time. Honestly, I can't wait to hook up again with folks at Desperately Seeking Sun or Suds (whichever we think we can make cheaper!).

Well, I'm off to bed! In the morning, I'll check on those LBNY t-shirts and hopefully be able to get back to everyone with more info than "Uh, should be in pretty soon!"

The (seriously worn out) Sprite & the (already been in bed for 3 hours) Highlander

My Underoos Shame

2006-11-12T16:52:00.000-05:00

Totally unrelated to boxing, but...it's time I came out of the toon closet...

Like the commerical said, Underoos WERE fun to wear and they WERE something super new in underwear. I had not only the Supergirl Underoos, but the Wonder Woman ones. Now, the Supergirl ones just had the red panties with a pic of Supergirl on the shirt, but the Wonder Woman Underoos were the full deal...a red tank top shirt with the golden bird on it and the blue panties with the big white stars. Seriously, the only thing stopping me from looking like was Wonder Woman was not having the crown, the lasso and the armbands (oh, and being a 4 foot something 11 year old African American girl instead of being Lynda Carter, but other than that, I was a dead ringer!).

Did I mention I was 11 years old?

Anyway, my mother commanded me to NOT wear these under my clothes at school and I was really bent out of shape that she would say this. She was forever telling me I couldn't do things without reasons why beyond "Because I said so" and I was CERTAIN this was just one more in the series, since wearing Underoos was what all 11 year old girls did (forgetting entirely that all girls my age were begging to wear makeup and training bras, not racing boys on their bikes through the neighborhood).

After a long battle which ended in my tears and her not wavering, my dad came in and tried to convince me that if I wore these to school (especially since I had to change for gym that day), the girls at my school would definitely laugh at me. I still wouldn't buy it, so my dad sighed and said "Okay, go ahead, hon. But don't say I didn't warn you."

Remember the tampon scene in Carrie?

Okay, picture that (girls coming from all over the locker room to point and laugh), but without the tampons and blood and stuff and THAT was the scene when I busted out my Underoos in the locker room that day.

Years (of therapy) later, I've come to realize that parents sometimes DO know what's best, but 11 year old girls DON'T.

After all, what but sheer jealous rage could have driven those girls to be so mean? ;-)

The (now has naughty underwear and sprite wings) Sprite & the (likes the birthday suit Underoos on her best) Highlander

T-shirt update...taking orders now!

2006-10-15T15:28:00.000-04:00

Okay, we're about to do another round of the LBNY t-shirts (see attached pic for the logo)! The cost is $11 if you can pick your shirt up from our place in Medina within two weeks of the shirts coming. If not, we'll mail them to you in a priority flat rate envelope for an extra $4.05 (or if you want the box for more shirts, $8.10). Just send the money via Paypal to our regular e-mail address (contact us offlist if you don't know it already). Be sure to include the number of shirts you want and the sizes (Adult S-XXL only).

If you've already sent us an e-mail telling us what size you wanted and where you live, we've got it, so just send the Paypal payment with info to confirm (I'll post a list of whom we already have on our list once I get my laptop running again). If you didn't give us info, just send us the money and info via Paypal, anyway and we'll add you to the list. We can't place the order until everyone's paid, so if we haven't gotten payment from you by the end of October, we'll have to drop your order and let you in on the next round.

Hope to hear from you soon!

The Sprite & the Highlander
(aka Daina & Kevin)
check us out at http://spriteandhighlander.blogspot.com/
or http://www.geocities.com/dasprite222

Want an LBNY t-shirt???

2006-08-30T19:00:00.000-04:00

I found some more people interested in another round of Letterboxing New York t-shirts, so I thought I'd check once more to see who else is interested. The front has the image you see at the WNY event page (http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=35) and the back has the LBNY logo (same as this minus the W for Western http://www.atlasquest.com/gallery/viewphoto.html?gPhotoId=555&gReturnUrl=%2Fgallery%2Fviewalbum.html%3FgAlbumId%3D12)

So, even if you've already told me you wanted a shirt, write me again and tell me what size you'd like (adult sizes only, but the adult small is perfect for those elementary sized boxers!). They should only cost $11 (plus the cost of shipping to you in the flat rate priority envelopes).

And a NEARLY damp time was had by all...!

2006-08-28T18:57:00.000-04:00

Well, the 4th Annual WNY Gathering is over and only NOW am I soaking wet! The promised rain only hit when we were all packing up to leave this morning, so we avoided a weekend full of squishy shoes and damp stamps.

The day event went as laid-backedly (new word!) as they always do upstate...lots of folks hanging out stamping and eating and exchanging without the intensity you might find elsewhere. Frankly, it's like a family reunion, even with our new folks...and the list of first time gatherers was enormous! I got to meet tons of folks I had only chatted with online for the first time and was really glad to mix it up with them.
Our farthest guests came from CT, (Bluebird & Music Woman), PA (Cyclonic), Canada (just can't keep the Jiggs Clan away!) :-) and new friends from Ohio (Pioneer Spirit and Lady Dove). Unfortunately, the Highlander never made it to the event (had a long day of certification testing that he never woke up from Saturday night), but he was there in Sprite...er, spirit! :-)

The night boxing seemed to go pretty well, too. I didn't have as many boxes as I would have liked, but the idea of night boxing was enough for all of us to be excited about. The camping out was a blast in and of itself...can't believe how much fun we had just hanging around talking! Without the Highlander around, I was glad to have so many folks around to hang out with (plus I was THRILLED to find a cadre a letterboxing GAMERS to play some late night D & D on Saturday...power to the geek!).

Anyway, the next event is already posted, so we hope to continue the trend of one big happy family next summer...thanks to everyone for making this event a wonderful experience!

The (worn, but happy) Sprite & the (glad to have his Sprite back home) Highlander

Nightboxing for daytrippers (and other updates)

2006-07-17T12:41:00.000-04:00

First, this commercial break in honor of the upcoming event (forgive me if I get the words wrong to this commercial...haven't lived in Pennsylvania in nearly 20 years, but the tune won't leave my HEAD!!!):

If...you...
Feel like riding, just climb in your car
The roller coaster capital is right where you are!
The Enterprise'll rocket you around and around,
The Laser Loop is gonna take you up when you're down,
The Log Jammer's gonna drench you 'til you're anything but dry,
The Thunderbolt will be a blast from outta the sky!

Kennywood Park, Kennywood Park
Around the corner and out of this world!

Okay, so that's just ONE amusement park you'll find at the gathering, but one of my favorites nonetheless! :-) Now on to the important stuff!

Just found out that Darien Lakes SP is open until 11pm to vistors, so those of you who can't come for the official gathering at the pavillion on August 26th can still show up later that evening to do some boxing (I've already changed the time for the gathering to last until 11pm instead of 5pm). The night boxes will ONLY be there that night , though (since they can't be left in the spots we're placing them longer than that), so you will definitely want to make this trip!

Also, we're thinking of taking Lock Wench's suggestion and making a set of the day boxes into a psuedo-road rally (meaning you'll follow a set of driving clues instead of walking ones). Darien Lakes doesn't have quite as many trees and such for hiding boxes, so we've got to take advantage of the surrounding area instead. It won't be as intense as the Road Rally we went to in PA, but it'll be a chance for those of you who've not boxed in Genesee, Orleans & maybe even Niagara County to pick up something old and something new in the way of local boxes.

Some of the stamps will be placed in the current permanent boxes on your route, while others will be placed as new permanent boxes. No matter what, we intend to only have ONE logbook at the very end rather than a full set of logbooks for each box (since that really backfired at the last gathering...too many people all in one place!)

Anyway, hope this encourages more of you to stop in and say hi...hope to see you soon!

The (besotted with dreams of coasters and rides) Sprite & (just hoping to find respite from the HEAT) Highlander

Main page for the 2006 WNY Gathering is now up!

2006-06-29T00:14:00.000-04:00

Click here for the details! http://www.geocities.com/dasprite222/gathering3.htm

The official theme is It's a WNYld Ride and it's all about theme parks and rides. Wanna donate a box about your favorite ride? Contact us soon! We and the Quinn Clan are camping at Darien Lakes SP this weekend to scope the place out and will start looking for hiding spots ASAP.

And now for something...completely different...

2006-06-29T00:11:00.000-04:00

Totally NOTHING to do with boxing! This was a snippet from a story I wrote a while ago that I never did anything with and I just like the description! :-) Afterward, I'll return you to your regularly scheduled letterboxing blog!

…fwhooff…

It's the noise you always hear in the movies when an atom bomb hits, that dull air-rushed thud that's even more baffling because the word "bomb" is attached to it. It's almost as if the very fact that it's the most deadly thing you can imagine makes it unnecessary to have all the noise you normally associate with other deadly stuff like dynamite, shotgun blasts, and cannon fire. After all, you're LOOKING at a mushroom cloud by that point, which is the visual symbol of total annihilation, so the "death wrapped in a Kleenex" kind of noise is meant to underscore that, I suppose. The bigger the cloud of death, the more likely you are to get that softer, quieter sound.

Which probably explains why that was the sound I "heard" upon entering the void. In retrospect, I probably heard NOTHING, just like I couldn't actually feel Josh grab my wrist at the last moment and cling to it to make sure he didn't lose me before the point became moot. I didn't "see" darkness, although I recall straining my eyes to the point of actual insanity, desperate to see even a shadow. I didn't "hear" my scream disappear into this blanket of death; I just knew I tried to scream out with all I could. And I sure couldn't have sensed the suffocating darkness pouring into my open mouth and all throughout my body before I felt the Kleenex of death wrap my brain into that softness that I didn't have the presence of mind to be afraid of for more than a second on some universal watch…

Yay Ithaca!

2006-06-18T19:04:00.000-04:00

Another seriously good time for the Sprite and the Highlander! We took Lock Wench's advice this time and hung around the pavillion getting exchanges, PTs and a nice cool breeze...what a day! We hung out with Mark & Sue Pepe, chatted with Green Tortuga, even got to finally meet the infamous Silent Doug & Clueless! The Quinn kids came with us, but stayed at Buttermilk Falls while we lounged in cool comfort at the Super 8 (I TOTALLY have to carve a Super 8 box, no joke!). We also hopped over to the after party at campsite 58 and dug around in the dark for boxes...SERIOUSLY cool!

We tried for more boxes today, but only got two (and planted one) before the heat drove us to Wegmans and then home. Still, a great time was had by all thanks to TurtleMcQ!

Anyway, now I'm getting geared up for the Darien Lakes event. School's got one week left and we're gonna camp out there the last week of June to check out the hiding spots. It looks like I've got a decent amount of folks to have around for the night event, so I'll have a set of night boxes, too (one shot only!).

If YOU haven't decided to go yet, whatcha waitin' for??? It's gonna be one heckuva time with a slew of stamps in one spot (CQ and I are already fighting over who's doing what stamp and I know for a fact he's done like 18 already)! Can I say more aobut how cool this will be? Just BE there, already! :-)

The (too hot to move, but not to plug an event) Sprite & the (camped out in front of the air conditioner) Highlander

Three Ring Circus Update

2006-06-09T21:51:00.000-04:00

So many of you have inquired about our well being and sent us words of encouragement that I thought I should update you all on how we're doing. A few months ago, we were being told that our first pregnancy (after trying for 5+ years) wasn't working out and that we'd have to scrap everything and start over. Needless to say, it was a rough time, complicated by work troubles for both the Highlander and I (him missing work days because of the two herniated discs & stanosis in his neck and me just not enjoying my work the way I used to). Money was tight and our situation looked like a Dickens novel for a while (full of misery, woe and longwinded explanations!).

However, things have improved considerably. We left our fertility specialist Dr. Sperazza (who was a evil sprite-wing plucking brownie/troll), then had a successful and very easy D & C procedure to start all over again. We tried to go to another doctor, only to find out that he was retiring. That would have been enough to sink the ship if his nurse hadn't heard our story and told us we were one of MANY couples that had left Dr. Evil...er, Sperazza. She gave us the number of a wonderful nurse practicioner in our area who's taken us in without any delay. We'll start the process over again within the next few weeks!

Kevin (the Highlander) will FINALLY get to see a neurosurgeon about his neck at the end of this month, but the crippling pain he was having earlier seems to have gotten better after doing some of the physical therapy they recommended...in fact, I seem to have pulled his neck back into at least a tolerable position during one session, so he's been able to take less heavy meds and go to work.

School's almost out and I'll be returning to a regular classroom in the fall, so my world will go back to its normal 4th grade predictability again. But, as Dorothy says "If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with!"

Anyway, thanks again to all of you who sent us kind words, gifts and other support to help us through the rough patch. The sun is peeking out again and we're seeing light at the end of the tunnel because of wonderful folks like you to lean on! We hope to see all of you in Ithaca, but DEFINITELY want to see you at our own event at Darien Lakes!

The (still unbelieveably blessed to have such a wonderful hobby with such kindhearted people) Sprite & Highlander

T-Shirt and Event News

2006-06-01T21:53:00.000-04:00

Some of the newer folks to boxing have asked about the LBNY tshirt some of us have (the one with the hiker logo on the front and the LBNY logo on the back. If there's enough interest, I think we could swing another order, but I need to hear from people first. You CAN buy them individually from the distributor, but they're like $22 or so from them and half that for us because of Kevin's connection to the owners. I have to check on the prices again, but if anyone wants one, now's the time to speak up!

Also, the WNY gathering in August is going to be at Darien Lakes State Park...check here to take a look http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=63). This will be like Fear Faketor...a day event of boxing on Saturday for those who want to come in and out without staying on site and a two night camping event with night boxing for those who want to stay overnight (Friday will be just a check in night, while Saturday will be some night boxing and more hang out time). The theme will be amusement park based, but we will NOT be at Six Flags Darien Lake...anyone interested can certainly go, though!

Anyway, I need to know ASAP how many people are planning on staying overnight (at least on Saturday) so I can reserve some sites and get aset of boxes for the night event. Sign up ASAP at AQ f you're interested (and let me know if you want to donate boxes to the event)! I split the WNY event posting into two so I could keep track of the overnighters and the daytrippers. http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=102 has the overnight event and http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=171 has the Saturday event only. I'd like to try and get us all in the A loop for camping, somewhere in sites 15-32, so if you can make your reservations now, DO so at the website I listed (and don't wait...the sites go fast in summer!).

Note: If you only plan on staying for the day, do NOT sign up for the overnight event. If you were signed up for the original event in Allegheny , you're now signed up for the overnighter (since I just changed the location in the original listing), If that's not what you want now, you'll need to remove yourself and sign up for the day event.

IF you ARE staying overnight, you can sign up for both, but at LEAST sign up for the night one. They actually have separate eventstamps!

The ("You can seem me glow at night!") Sprite & the (always wondered why the underside of his kilt lit up after dark...!) Highlander

Three Ring Medical Circus

2006-03-14T18:36:00.000-05:00

Well, it's more official. We've been told the baby isn't developing and that we should get rid of it using a D & C procedure. We told many of you about this on the New York boxing boards at AQ and Yahoo, but the part we haven't talked about has been the insane doctor we've been dealing with.

The man has been an insensitive lout from the beginning, blowing off my questions when I ask them (as in "what should I be eating?" and he gives me one news article on not eating soft cheeses), minimizing any pain or discomfort I've told him about (I told him I thought I had a hernia, which to this DAY still looks like a Super Ball sitting up under my skin near my pelvic join, and he told me we "can't worry about that right now, hon"), completely downplaying any hope that we get ("oh, those pregnancy tests can read false positives quite a bit...don't read too much into that, honey") and, finally, telling us we needed this D & C ("Yeah, I don't see a heartbeat today, so let's try again on Friday and schedule a D & C for next Tuesday."). Oh, and CALLING ME HONEY! He lives WAY too far above the Mason Dixon line to get away with that!

The first day of all this recent trauma, it took 3 people to find the baby, my ovaries were so swollen and sore, and when they did find it, I was crying openly in pain. He suggested a second ultrasound and the D & C in the same breath. The second day (when we had the ultrasound and could see that the yolk sac had gotten smaller and KNEW we were in trouble) we decided we'd had enough of his treating me like a thing and decided to talk to him about it. At first, we were just going to go to another doctor for the D & C, but the nurses suggested we talk to him about how we felt instead. "He needs to know he can't treat people this way!" one of them said. "And you're not the first to say it about him, either!"

So, when we sat in his office Friday and tried telling him that we really needed him to be a little less blunt and abrupt with us (after all, we've tried for 5 years and he knows how hard this must be), we weren't attacking him. We didn't have it IN us to attack him with all that we knew about the baby. Even still, he jumped to the defensive and said, "Well, I can't change my personality and if you two decide to quit, then shame on you for not continuing this process."

No, really, he actually SAID that! We hadn't decided to quit at ALL, we just wanted him to understand our discomfort and were asking him to be gentle with us.

I flared up and said, "Or maybe GOOD for us that we'd go and find a doctor who'd treat me like a human being with feelings instead of a defective machine!" He basically blew that off, too and acted like our problem was with the D & C, not his ever-so-delightful bedside manner.

Well, after that, we went to our regular OB/Gyn and after the office staff said she wasn't in, they called her at home to tell her about what was going on. She actually met with us on her day off at her office! She did what he should have done...she told us that 40% of the first pregnancies are lost and that most women don't even know it, told us about chromosomes and how things really had to be JUST right to make sure the baby would turn out right, and most importantly, that we did NOTHING wrong. Honestly, you guys, I thought I had killed the baby myself with pizza the weekend before and by lifting heavy bags. Kevin thought he should have been more vigilant about my diet and what I was carrying.

"If it were that easy to get rid of a baby," our OB/GYN smiled, "don't you think there'd be a run on junk food and heavy bags right now and a considerable lack of abortions?" And, just like that, we knew she was right and we actually both smiled. All that confusion with the doctor and what we really needed was a minor therapy session! I cried and she hugged us both and told us to change doctors right away. "He's getting paid enough to at least be nice to you," she growled.

So that led to yesterday (Monday). Kevin called and asked to change doctors in a polite way. The office person said she couldn't do that and directed us to (horror!) the SAME doctor. Kinda like having a rape victim talk to the rapist about their difficulties, really! Anyway, Kevin let him know that it was not a personal matter, we just understood what he said about not being able to change his personality. We couldn't do that, either, and we just wanted to find the least stressful way to handle all this. We thought we'd be doing him a favor by asking to switch to one of the other doctors in the office.

The guy LOST it! "Well, we doctors have rights, too! We don't need to be stressed out, either!" I wasn't on the phone, but my husband said he couldn't believe his ears. I mean, WHO CARES what he was feeling about this? He has pictures of his 4 beautiful children all over his office and we've tried for 5 years to get ONE, only to run into him and his "feelings". Plus, when we first talked to him on Friday, that would have been a GREAT time to fix everyone's hurt feelings, but he wasn't willing to do that...couldn't change his personality (something I KNOW was a lie because I've seen him be nice and personable to other patients, even to me, as long as the intern is in the room). I've never in my life had a professional act in such a way. I, as a teacher, would never act this way. I wouldn't tell a parent "Well, your kid makes me mad, too, so there!" even if the kid really DID drive me crazy. It's...well, childish and whiny and I'm the adult, right?

So, Kevin said what I was thinking, which was "I guess I don't see how our leaving would upset you, since you're saying this causes you stress." The doctor changed the subject and demanded to know wo was doing our D & C. Kevin said that our doctor had suggested someone and before he could say more, the doctor said, "Well, call me back when that's over and we'll talk...I have to go now, goodbye!" and HUNG UP!

So, this has been one of those weird things that's so messed up, it's actually funny. I know we'll get through this and we'll get another doctor, but I figured I blog about it so people in the same situation know you DO have rights. You do NOT have to see the same doctor. You can choose any other in the same office. We're planning on asking one of the other specialists to take our case, but if they feel strongly about it because of the jerk we're dealing with, I won't put them in that position. We'll just go to another office entirely (which is also our choice and right).

No matter what, though...do NOT let some professional make you feel like you don't matter. A fertility specialist SHOULD care about your needs and should be able to counsel you a little we you need it. It's a stressful time and a hard enough situation without you having to fight for fair treatment. Take it from us...you DON'T have to put up with it and there ARE nicer, more caring doctors in this world!

General Gathering Update

2006-02-21T21:11:00.000-05:00

For those of you new to the boxing circles, I thought I'd go ahead and post a list of events in and around New York State that you can definitely make it to. You just missed Desperately Seeking Sun (http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=106) and its evening counterpart, Desperately Seeking Suds (http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=117), but you can still join us the rest of this year for some more serious boxing fun.

An event/gathering is basically a potluck lunch/dinner where peoplemeet other boxers, exchange other stamps and find the boxes set up specially for the gathering. There's always a stamp that you can only get by going to the event, plus other people's personal boxes and travellers from around the country that you'll finally get to see. You can find these events and more at Atlas Quest(http://www.atlasquest.com), so if you plan on travelling, check out the general events page at http://www.atlasquest.com/events/:

Rocks, Docks and Locks Gathering in Kingston, ON: This one is beingheld by our neighbors to the north, Norasta and the Jigss clan. A lotof us are going AND it's on a BOAT for Memorial Day weekend!http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=78

3rd Somewhat Annual Finger Lakes Gathering: Despite the name, these aregetting to be a pretty regular occurence at the beginning of the summerthat we all enjoy! :-) Usually held right in/around the Ithaca area,which is only about 3 hours or sohttp://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=73

OOSA Cookout: This event in Columbus, OH is actually only 6 hours fromMedina, NY, so Buffalonians can shave off an hour and be there, whileRochesterians would need to tack on an hour. Either way, it's withinreach for a summer trip! http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=136

4th Annual Western New York Gathering in the Southern Tier region: Ourown area gathering at summer's end. We're hoping to make this one acamping trip in Allegheny State Park for those interested, so if youcan stay longer, there'll be evening activities the Friday before andthat Saturday night. http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=102

Wonders of the World in Albany, NY: Right in the middle of NYS, Tamsynand friends are planning this themed event in October. More details asthey get fleshed out! http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=119

That's it for now...more bulletins as warranted!

The Sprite & the Highlander

Bun packin'!

2006-02-21T21:08:00.000-05:00

Well, it's official. After 5 years of trying, we're finally pregnant (apparently, sleeping with one's mother helps!). My boobs hurt, my abdomen feels like I'm going to start my period every five seconds, but I'm honestly and truly pregnant (plus Celtic Quinn & Sweet Heart made a Little Terror cootie with a baby carving just for us, so now we're having a boxer, too!). I took a blood test back on the 16th of February (2 weeks after my insemination on the 2nd) and it has me very clearly over the HCG levels needed.

Of course, the minute I finally let loose the news at Desperately Seeking Suds (of which I had NONE of, of course!), I start a little spotting and some cramping (sharper than the original stuff I was feeling). Plus the doctor says the HCG levels in my last blood workup didn't have the numbers doubling the way they're supposed to, so now they want me to take another test tomorrow. Apparently being pregnant does not necessarily mean STAYING pregnant.

Worried? Yep.

But, like my mom said, "If it's meant to be, it's meant to be." And Kevin keeps reminding me he loves me, no matter what. So I figure I got THAT goin' fer me (watch, now the kid'll turn out to be Bill Murray!)

Kinda weird finally thinking about having a baby, though. Suddenly NOTHING in the house looked like it was suitable to me and EVERYTHING seemed expensive to Kevin ("you know how much these things cost to RAISE???"). I want to do a good job, I want to make sure the kid is happy, healthy, can read well, doesn't get picked on about the interracial thing, smart, good at...everything, especially the stuff that pays well, loves everything, but only gets attached to the things that treat him/her well...so much to demand and so little time...

Plus, you feel like you should be MUCH less demanding of God when he finally grants your fondest wish, but still...oh, human greed and need is a rough taskmaster!

Wish us luck, 'cause we SURE don't need more misfortune! ;-)

Some other boxing blogs

2006-01-21T18:07:00.000-05:00

Found some boxing blogs! This one belongs to Bulldawg, one of the carvers in our Kevin Smith PLB Ring. http://bulldawgandboxers.blogspot.com/

Dixiekin also has one of her own: http://dixiekin.blogspot.com/

Western New York Travel Log Series

2006-01-15T16:40:00.000-05:00

Okay, we finally took a break from the attempts at babymaking (which has involved too many doctors and nurses to be as enjoyable as it sounds!) to box a little again today. We actually DID head to Studio Arena and found the Man in Black, then went off to find CQ's hostel, which has apparently disappeared! I hope for his sake it's still around, but that hole looked MIGHTY empty at last check... :-(

Anyway, as we drove around town and I started noticing all thehistorical and other such places I really love (Teddy Roosevelt Inaugural site, Shea's, Forest Lawn, St. Louis Church, the Naval Park, etc), I was suddenly struck with a desire to start a new series. I was thinking of calling it Sights and Sounds of Buffalo until I realized that a few of the places are outside Buffalo proper (and even outside Erie County!). Also, I have no sounds of the area except the Highlander's flatulence...so, as soon as I make my Kevin Smith PLB stamp, the WNY Travel Log series kicks off! I'm not sure what stampI'll make first, but it'll be something urban, I'm sure (boxes out in the wild are really nice, but urban boxes give you the REAL cloak and dagger feel!).

Also, the Highlander has FINALLY taken up the carving tool again and is doing his own dragon series. Both of us are sitting fireside and carving tonight...honestly, you can't put a price on finding a commoninterest with your loved ones!Anyway, back to the Speedycut and tracings...!

The (gazing adoringly at the hubby) Sprite & the ("What? What'd I DO?")Highlander

Deep in the Heart of Boxing Country for Thanksgiving!

2005-11-27T11:54:00.000-05:00

Well, our little jaunt down to Texas to see my (Sprite's) familydidn't turn out quite the way I planned as far as boxing, but westill accomplished some things! We went down on Thanksgiving day andcam back on Saturday, so we really had only Friday to box at all.When we got there, I was so glad to see my family again that Icouldn't bring myself to zip out of the house early in the morning toget boxes. My dad made a huge breakfast on Friday morning after he got up around 11, so we didn't even get going until 1pm.Our plan was to hit the Highlander's favorite Mexican joint (UncleJulio's) after visiting one of the kids I practically raised, so weheaded out to McKinney, which strangely enough had NO letterboxes init! The girl I raised has grown in a beautiful, confident young womanwith a terrific husband (whom I also used to take care of) and a newhouse that's she very proud of. So, needless to say, I turned themBOTH into letterboxers (Flutter Puppy and the Stealth Wookie, forthose keeping track of newbie names!) and we decided to go find someboxes.

That was when I realized I had left my trail stamp at my parents's house.

By that point, we were running out of time. We had to meet up with another one of my kids at the restaurant (and replace our box that had gone missing from there), then the Highlander had promised tomake venison chili for my folks, so we had to go to the store andthen get the chili started before dinner, which was about 3 hoursaway...and we were already at least an hour from home.

So, instead of searching for boxes, we planted one of my retired PLBs that I had wanted to place in McKinney (what better place for KC and theSunshine Band than a place with LOTS of sunshine!), went to UncleJulio's and put out the new box before lunch and went home filledwith margarita swirls and good will towards men!So, not quite the boxing tour de force I had hoped for (2 boxesplanted and 0 found), but strangely enough, a very satisfying holiday weekend!

Happy holidays, all!

The (filled with holiday joy) Sprite & the (filled with Mexican cuisine) Highlander

Gathering fun back on the table!

2005-11-19T12:08:00.000-05:00

Just when I thought I could stop looking for events to go to until the snow thawed, we're back in action! There's actually going to be a WINTER event coming up soon, long before the other 3 events for next year. Lock Wench is running Desperately Seeking Sun in Syracuse, which will not only include boxing and carving lessons, but SLEDDING! SERIOUSLY! Yay New York in the wintertime!

The other events really aren't that far away, since next year is really little more than a month from now, so let me make mention of them all. First will be Rocks, Docks and Locks in Kingston, Ontario (which for most Upstate New Yorkers is only about 3 or 4 hours drive). It'll be on Memorial Day weekend in 2006. It's being put on by Norasta and Jiggs, who're frequent border crossers for our US events in New York, so we can't wait to visit them on their home turf. The best part is the meet is being held on a SHIP! It's called the Alexander Henry and is now a bed and breakfast for visitors. We can't wait to check this one out!

Next on the list will be the 3rd Annual Finger Lakes Gathering in Ithaca, New York on June 10, 2006. Turtle McQ has done these in the past and they've been great gatherings. Last year, we even had boxing royalty in the house...Green Tortuga and Amanda From Seattle! Totally cool meeting famous people that are just nice folks after all!

The last one is our personal project, the 4th Annual Western New York Gathering on August 25-27. In honor of poor Dagonell the Pirate (who's driven all over creation for these events up from somewhere deep in Chatauqua region), we've opted to take this event closer to his home turf this year. The plan is to do a 2 day camping trip (Friday night to Sunday morning) at Allegheny State Park for those interested in staying ovenight, which would still be a day event on Saturday for those who just want to come and go. Since we have to wait and actually see what camping and boxing is like down in Alleghany, we have no real details as yet and probably won't until summer starts.

Either way, there's a TON going on next year and we are SO there already! :-)

The (completely over her gathering fatigue) Sprite & the (knows how long THAT'LL last!) Highlander

Fairy Ring PLB (and a little rant!)

2005-11-15T19:35:00.000-05:00

Just started a new postal ring, the Fairy Ring. All you have to do to participate is create a sprite or fairy stamp carving to add. With all the problems that tend to plague these rings, I'm hoping all 20 of my participants will be responsible mailers! :-)

Hey, is it just me, or is anyone ELSE noticing that people keep posting comments to my blog that are totally other there??? I'm noticing people who have NO interest whatsoever in letterboxing are posting stuff that makes no sense in the comments sections like some sort of low budget ad campaign. This one guy told me he found my blog very "inmformative" (???) and posted something about a trading company blog, while someone else had something about Halloween costumes a while ago. Who ARE these people????

Seriously, folks, if you're reading this, feel free to post about letterboxing. Feel free to post about stamping. Feel free to post about ink, carving tools, gatherings or to say hi, I love/hate your site! You can even post to let everyone know about your personal letterboxing/stamping/inking/hiking/related to boxing blog. But DO NOT post stuff here that has NOTHING to do with what I'M posting here...to steal a snooty turn of phrase, it cheapens us both!

Oh, yeah, so BOXING! :-) The Highlander and I are also heading to Desperately Seeking Sun in Syracuse in February, so we haven't entirely hibernated after all. I'm looking forward to boxing indoors, so I might start planting a mall series, if I can get away with it. Might have to be min-boxes, but it's a thought...

Okay, mostly babbling now, but thought I hadn't babbled in a while, so...yeah! Hey, seriously, if you have a boxing blog, post here so I can make mention of you here. I know for sure of a few blogs, but I have forgotten their web addys, so Celtic Quinn and Dixiekin...remind me again!

The (not as bitter as she sounds) Sprite & the (still thinks computers are from the devil) Highlander

Boxing clues now posted under July 2005

2005-10-29T22:27:00.000-04:00

Oh, yeah! I finally started posting our clues to this blog (which will eventually become our new clue posting site once it's complete). Our first real blog was in August 2005, so right now, anything listed in our archives before then will be our clues list. The first ones are under January 2004 and they continue from there (btw, these are more updated than the ones on our original clues site). Any questions or mistakes, let us know!

The (industrious) Sprite & the (still thinks computers and phones are of the devil) Highlander

Boxing Updates & T-shirt shout-out

2005-10-29T20:55:00.000-04:00

Okay, so we officially didn't come up with a night boxing event for this year...but maybe next Halloween! Sorry, folks!

Still, we (okay, I...the Highlander was up duck hunting at 3am!) had a good day boxing today. Tirolbill, the IAP and I picked up the rest of the boxes in North Tonawanda and a bunch of the Kenmore kids' Plumber's Tools series. We also dropped off everyone's gifts to Team Dakota and hooked up with a new boxing group at Cup of Joe, We Who Must Not Be Named! Hopefully we'll get them to show up at a gathering next year!

We still have t-shirts here for those of you that paid for them (or had them paid for) and haven't pick them up yet. If you want us to mail them to you, you can just Paypal us $3.85 and we'll send them out to you in a flat rate envelope. Here's the ones we still have with the sizes we had listed for you...contact us soon if you haven't already done so:

Crafymouse & Dandelion--M & XL
Dusty Strings--M
Dagonell--XL
Norasta & Guitarzan--L & XL
WINK & Tarheel--L & XL
Tirolbill--L
Songchick--M, L & 2XL
Jiggs--S & 2XL
Ninja Rob--XL
Lockwench--L & L
Joystar--L
IAP--2XL

By the way, it turns out the cost for the flat rate envelopes was only $3.85, not $3.95. If you paid the higher price, we owe you a dime! We can Paypal that or mail you the difference. Let us know!

The Sprite & the Highlander

Random Stuff

2005-10-19T22:32:00.000-04:00

So I FINALLY found the chat room for Atlas Quest! You have to download the toolbar first, but once you do, there;s a little unlabeled button next to the "Links" button that takes you to a chat room. Who knew??? While I was there, Scarab told me there's a new Yahoo group for keeping track of your travelling event stamps. The addresss is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LBNA_EventBoxes/ I just added The Four Seasons to the database there and there's already a few listed, so it promises to be a good deal.

Team Dakota HAS returned after all! They're back and it looks like they plan to stay, but boxing is the last thing on their minds right now. Things went a little south down south, so I think they're just going to regroup and start over. Of course, nosy me is already planning to fix that deal VERY soon...people without boxing equipment count as refugees in need of FEMA assistance, as far as I'm concerned (more on that later).

Anyway, my sniffles from the cold wind on Saturday have turned into a full blown cold, darn it! It's like I'm being punished for having fun boxing. Thus, the shirts that need mailing have been sitting on the counter at our house waiting for an evening where I'm NOT under the influence of Sudafed or Actifed to go to the PO. I promise to get this done this week, seriously. On that note, though, if anyone else is interested in a shirt, now's the time to tell me. I have a few folks straggling in, but not enough to make a second order for $11 each yet (and without enough to make a order, shirts are $25 each). Holler if you want one!

Okay, head pounding...typing bad now...I'm off to snuggle into some Highlander for the night!

The (too sick to be creative with the parentheses) Sprite & the (making her get off the computer) Highlander

Boxing Ro-Cho-Cho

2005-10-15T21:46:00.000-04:00

Finally, a day of boxing with just the Highlander and I! I get so caught up asking others to box with us that I had forgotten what it was like to just be out together doing what we love...walking and talking in the autumn splendor while searching for boxes. The Highlander's neck problems have abated considerably, so he finally got to enjoy a day of hiking, too.

Rochester is really a nice place (regardless of what the Buffalo snobs may say!). We LOVED the Urban Letterboxer's Eastman School of Music series, one of which was another book hidden like our Letterbook box. Unfortunately, out of the 8 boxes we tried, 3 were missing/couldn't be found, and one just got too dark (thank goodness for the Highlander in dark scary places at night! Still, it was a terrific day...not too hot, not too cold, not too long or short a walk, everything just right! I swear, we're not boxing with ANYone else for at least a month, just so we can hang out with each other all over again! I think we'll also start boxing earlier in the day...I love sleeping in, but on a boxing day, it just seems a shame to sleep away those extra hours.

Now, if I could just get my PLB going, my boxing life would be easy! :-P

The (back in the saddle again) Sprite & the (loving the ride, but glad to be back to the bunkhouse) Highlander

Snurgerblatt!

2005-10-09T12:37:00.000-04:00

Okay, before anyone gets their feelings hurt...yes...YES, we had a mini-meet (turns her head in shame)! I feel like I cheated on someone! :-)

Actually, it wasn't even all that. Basically, the t-shirts are here so a few folks stopped by to pick theirs up. The Elba Onions and the G Team grabbed theirs early on, but the Quinn kids brought a few friends later in the day that hadn't stamped into the HH hostel with the new stamp (and I hadn't the heart to keep another woman's children in the cold with no place to sit). Plus, there were new HH's that I hadn't stamped into yet and I needed to get my book in order after the trip to Florida...

So, they came and talked and stamped in and talked and passed around PLBs they had with us and talked some MORE and the next thing we knew, 3 hours had passed and we'd just had an impromptu mini-meet. I grabbed some leftover Speedy Cut in the shape of a kinda weird looking Rhode Island and we all put a little carved something onto it and voila!...event stamp. Sweet Heart came up with the name as we were all trying to craft something clever ("Just call it something made up like snurgerblatt or something!") and we couldn't stop laughing about how silly the word sounded (and how to correctly spell it!), so that made it official.

All in all, not a bad way to break up a cold rainy weekend. I would never have planned it ('cause that takes work and effort and cleaning and FOOD), but as a spur of the moment thing, I'm all for it! :-)

The (playing like she's 17) Sprite & the (just glad to be back to the land of the living again) Highlander

T-shirts and updates...at long last!

2005-10-06T10:21:00.000-04:00

Well, it's finally happened. After a month of herniated discs, hospital visits and cortisone shots, the Highlander was finally able to struggle into work this week and see about the shirts. They shouldbe ready by tomorrow for us and we'll start mailing out the ones to those of you who paid for it this weekend. I'm pretty sure we AREN'T going to be doing any more travel or gatherings this year, so anyone that wants to come to the hitchhiker hostel is welcome to grab your shirt when you come. I just want to take care of the hubby for awhile and enjoy the recent peace that's come from finally getting him some pain relief.

Hope the world of boxing is still spinning without us! We did get to take a trip to visit my grannies in Florida and took one letterboxing to pick up A Leaf and Wanderings (both planted by Kirbert). We even planted three new boxes in the area which Kirbert has graciously offered to adopt for us! I also took a trip alone to the the LBMA Gathering at Knoebels with my friend and her family, but the Highlander and I shall never gather separately (???) again if I can help it...after all, it's a two person stamp!

I hear Team Dakota snuck back into town under cover of night and might be staying. If anyone knows where they are, let us know...we have a PLB for them!

The S & H

Short Boxing Trip and...well, BOXES!!!

2005-09-05T21:15:00.000-04:00

Just got back from Pennsylvania tonight after visiting our friends the Millers for the Labor Day weekend. We hadn't intended to turn it into a boxing weekend/recruitment trip, but after two pf Lightnin' Bug's boxes (Trexler's Tatanka and The Caboose of the Ironton Rail series), we've got a family of new boxers and 3 more participants for the Knoebel's Gathering at the end of September! Oh, what a demanding mistress letterboxing is, constantly demanding new sacrifices and fresh blood....! :-)

Oh, and as if to prove that the boxing gods are smiling down on us, we went into the Tops Market in Medina right before we left and found they had brought back the display of Lock and Lock boxes we all love to use! I bought a bunch on the spot and almost left the milk and stuff I CAME for behind!

School starts tomorrow, so the last major boxing events we have for this year (at least as far as I KNOW) are all coming up in the next few months. The Knoebel's Event is at the end of September in PA, the "Lake Eerie" Gathering in Ohio is in October as well as the Pink Flamingo Caper in CT and HOPEFULLY a night boxing event. We even plan to visit my grannies in Florida to box with them for a weekend. After that, though, I think the Highlander and I are due for a social calendar rest! We'll check back with everyone soon!

The Sprite & the Highlander

2005 WNY Gathering Wrap Up

2005-08-28T22:25:00.000-04:00

And another good time was had by all! Thanks to everyone that came for making this a wonderful weekend of boxing! The Highlander and I had a ball Saturday and it seemed like everyone left happy with the amount of boxing and socializing available, which is all we ask for! We even had a great time Sunday with Jiggs (sorry we lost you after lunch, man!), Craftmouse and Dandelion. I just posted Mama Rose's pics to the AQ site and the photo folder at the Yahoo group (plus I'll add them to our wrap-up page on our website), but if anyone else has pics to share, please post them as well!

Thanks to all who donated boxes, food, raffle items and, of course, money...we actually broke even for a change on the supplies and pavillion! :-) And SUPER special thanks to my planting partners, without whom we could not have done this...the IAP, Celtic Quinn, Silver Dragon Quinn, Mama Rose, Judomon, Little Tiger and Dances With Music (hope we're not forgetting anyone!).

The majority of these boxes are out here forever, but ALL of them are here for the next month, so feel free to return to the area and box again. Keep in mind (now that you won't have a herd of folks behind you as you box waiting to stamp in!) to take the time to rehide all the boxes as well, if not better than you find them so we've have a series that people can enjoy for years to come.

Finally, we'll be sending the t-shirt money to the makers this week and will contact all of you via AQ and this group when they finally arrive. If you can still get money to us this week, we can still get you a shirt, but e-mail us ahead of time so you'll know if we've placed the order yet.
Well, that's it for now! We're gonna find a spot to night box in October, but until then, how about a camping weekend in Allegeny NEXT August? We'll check it out and hope to see you there for the 4th Annual WNY Gathering!

The (happy, but exhausted) Sprite & the (exhausted, but happy) Highlander

Atlas Quest Ceremonial Candle Affirmation

2005-08-20T15:02:00.000-04:00

(looks up briefly from lighting incense at her Atlas Quest shrine and dusts off her ceremonial AQ acolyte robes) Yeah, some people get really into Atlas Quest, but not me. I just...hang on a second (turns to yell at the Highlander) I said FIVE ceremonial AQ candles to be lit by NOON, not FOUR! Are you TRYING to anger the boxing gods???

Well, after this post on the Premium Boards at Atlas Quest, it was apparent that we needed to put our candles where our mouths were! So, after getting candles and our Springchick from AQ headquarters, we did Ryan one stupider and draped ourselves in the ceremonial robes to proceed with our Affirmation Ceremony.
We lit the appropriate number of candles (5), knelt at the AQ shrine (okay, sat at the picnic table with it) and spoke aloud the affirmation, thereby invoking the true spirit of letterboxing. We also read from the Book of Speedball, verses 2004-2005 and sacrificed a huge horsefly that landed on Moonlightgamer's back while we were stamping. At the end, most of us signed into the event book with the official AQ pencils, too. There was even a little bloodshed as both Celtic Quinn and Moonlightgamer were both stung by yellowjackets trying to get the "What A Boy Wants" LB out of the tree (which they successfully did, I might add!)...oh, and when I reached into my backpa...er, ceremonial bag of holding for the pencils and stabbed myself with 5 of them. I think we must have done it wrong, though, since we STILL don't have a clue! (we did kinda wait until AFTER noon to light the candles...darn it!) :-)

Even though this was a sacred gathering, it WAS an official event with its own event stamp and flash photography was allowed. Celtic Quinn should be posting the pics from this once they get home from boxing and upload them to the photo album on AQ and LBNY. We posted the Book of Speedball as well for folks to laugh at (in reverance, of course!). All in all, a hilarious day at Rotary Park, but a very weird one for the folks that lived nearby and saw us in our ceremonial robes and hats (which were NOT just sheets from the closet, the hat from an old Halloween costume and a pillow on my head, no matter WHAT the investigating officer says!).

The (sitll peeling wax off the green satin sheets) Sprite and the (reluctant to put away the ceremonial purple pimp hat from last Halloween) Highlander

LBCNY & LBWNY merge into LBNY!

2005-08-20T02:07:00.000-04:00

Well, after asking whether or not folks wanted to change our Letterboxing Western New York shirt to say Letterboxing New York, the two New York State Yahoo groups have merged into one (and the shirt is changed, too!). The new site is at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LbNY/ and we definitely encourage everyone to join. The LBWNY group will be closing down after the gathering to promote unity within the state. The t-shirt has already been changed to say LBNY, too, so all is well in NYS boxing!

In other changes, this has become our official site from now on. Having a place to post all these updates without having to update a webpage is a much nicer prospect, so expect more info to be posted on a more regular basis.

On that note, Trogdor (one of our boxes inspired by the Millenium is now selling Trogdor t-shirts and happens to also be right near where the box is currently located...fate works in mysterious ways!

Gathering proceedings continue! Currently, the Quinn clan and friends are joining us for a little irrevent fun at the expense of Atlas Quest...check out the link for the Atlas Quest Cermonial Candle Affirmation. The shrine has been made, the PZCut has been fattened, the ink has been huffed on and I'm still looking for decent robes to wear...they just don't make graduation gowns as sturdy as they used to!

Anyway, that's all that's new with us this week...check back in a few days for last minute updates. I'm going to attempt to get my sleep patterns back in order before school starts up again (good luck with THAT, seeing how it's already 2:17am and the Highlander has been out cold since10:30!)

The S & H

Ceremonial AQ Robes and Gathering Update

2005-08-14T12:11:00.000-04:00

Well, after SERIOUS hiking yesterday with Silver Dragon, Celtic Quinn and our new boxing buddies, Dances With Music and Mama Rose and the Rosettes, all the boxes for the gathering have at LAST been planted (plus we found the last two Penefield parks boxes without a hitch!). We were able to get every single box (yes, EVERY box!) into Durand Eastman Park, so this promises to be a day of boxing euphoria beyond compare! In addition, most of these boxes are permanent plants, so anything you miss in the 60+ boxes should still be available for at least a month, if not longer.

We're still trying to come up with ways to work this t-shirt thing by August, too, but we don't see it happening unless we A) do iron on transfers or B) find another person willing to silk screen the shirts for us with our logo. If anyone knows someone who can silk screen shirts that we order for FREE, let us know! :-) Again, we'll still get shirts, just not as fast as we'd hoped.

Also, as part of a joke that was posted on the Premium Boards at Atlas Quest, Ryan (Green Tortuga) has, in fact, sent over the ceremonial AQ candles and Springchick! :-) We plan to send him a nice photo album of our AQ ceremony invoking the spirit of letterboxing this weekend. It's going to be campy and stupid (needless to say, the Quinn Clan is automatically involved), but we'll post the pics when we're done!

The (scrubbing her acolyte/graduation robes to a spotless...er, black) Sprite & the (sharpening the sacrificial Speedball cutter and fattening the PZCut) Highlander

Tips For Attending a Gathering

2005-08-08T22:37:00.000-04:00

As promised, here's some info we've compiled on what to do if you're attending a gathering. Rather than post a big log here, we've stored it as a printable document here: http://www.geocities.com/dasprite222/gtips.doc Ryan also has it posted on Atlas Quest, so if you can't bring up our file, just go right to this link and print this instead: http://www.atlasquest.com/events/tips2.html

New/Old pics & Box Updates

2005-08-08T21:00:00.001-04:00

Hey, we just added pics to the Atlas Quest event page for the November 2004 WNY gathering! Just click here to see them http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=37

I also went ahead and added all the boxes that were donated to Atlas Quest. The owners will be able to add the clues to LBNA after I post them, but since LBNA doesn't have a way to show an adoption, I decided to let them choose whether or not they want to list the boxes there.

Still time for those of you who haven't to sign up to come in August. Just click on the link to the right to go straight to the event page and sign up. It's going to be big...5 more boxes showed up this weekend that we have to add!

T-Shirt Update

2005-08-08T21:00:00.000-04:00

Good news and bad news...

The good news is you guys still have time to place an order for the LBWNY t-shirt (the one with the hiker on the front and our "If You Plant It, They Will Come" slogan cicled around the image of NYS with "LBWNY" on the back) for the $11 price (see the LBWNY Yahoo group or the event page's photo album for pics).

The bad news is only a few of the shirts will be ready for the gathering. The folks at Planet Love are swamped with orders and craft shows and our little shirt is really the last in line. They didn't realize we needed them so soon (and we were kind of leisurely taking orders and collecting money with the assumption that time is an infinite thing), so they haven't even had a chance to order the extra shirts for us yet, let alone put logos on them.

So, what WILL be available at the gathering is the chance to SEE these shirts and place an order, since they were able to crank out one or two for us to display. The rest will come after Labor Day and you can pick them up or contact us for mailing instructions. Needless to say, we would be MORE than happy to let you pick them up if you live nearby (we hadn't figured in the cost of mailing out all these individually until this moment...ouch!). If you've placed an order for a shirt already, you will HAVE to pay by August 27th to get it (except Dagonell, who gets his free). Bringing your money to the gathering is okay, but it must be given to us by day's end to get in this order. A

nyone NOT ordering and paying by August 27th has two options:1) Purchase your shirt from Planet Love at the individual shirt price without the discount at $252) Wait for us to get another order of at least 24 shirts at $11, which will take longer, but would get you a shirt cheaper

Anyway, sorry for all the promises of a t-shirt paradise! We'll still have a great shirt, but (as is the custom with reality checks) not exactly when we want it!

New Travelling Event Stamp

2005-08-04T15:31:00.000-04:00

I know, I know, I told everyone we'd be in Canada all weekend, but after driving to and from Fear Faketor, we decided to just excommunicate ourselves from the outside world (well, the HIGHLANDER did...I just made a BLOG, f'r cryin' out loud...and I LIKE talking!)

Anyway, we have a new travelling event stamp to unveil at the gathering in August! It's called The Four Seasons and it's got one of the 4 major sports associations interlocking on 4 puzzle pieces (MLB, NFL, NHL, & NBA). It works well with the "Just Playin' Around WNY" theme, but it also works nice for events in general as an around-the-pavilion sort of set of boxes.

I also finished a Dungeons & Dragons stamp last night that turned out even better than I had hoped, so much so that I'm thinking of retrying our personal stamp once more, once I get more carving material. So now I'm in carving mode...trying to decide what ELSE I can make with my little erasers today while playing with my new colorwheel and markers...

I have NO idea how I'll survive until the 27th.... :-O

WNY Gathering and General Summer Update

2005-08-03T14:16:00.000-04:00

We’re P85 F405 X188 H52 V44 as of 8/3/2005, but will hit over 100 plants VERY soon! Here’s what else is new with the Winged and the Kilted One!

Our summer of gatherings continues! We attended the Fear Faketor Gathering in Standfordville, NY from July29-30 and hung out overnight with the Quinn kids (Celtic Quinn, Green Star and Silver Dragon) along with our hostesses, Talking Turtle & Kreepy Kelli! We also had a terrific time visiting with Team Dakota, and those who came to say hi to them at the Spriland Fling Mini-Meet on July 24th. The 3rd Annual WNY Gathering (which has an updated webpage as of 8/3/2005 linked to the Atlas Quest site) is coming at the end of August, so now all our energy is devoted to making this last party a success! Click the links for details and to sign up!
The LBWNY (Letterboxing Western New York) Yahoo group continues and one of its most recent tasks was to create our new slogan “If You Plant It, They Will Come”, which we’ve placed on the back of our new t-shirt, Pics of the front hiker design and the back logo/slogan are posted in the photo section of the group. The shirts will be on sale for $11 at the WNY gathering, but you can contact us to preorder a shirt so that we’ll have your size when we get there. Mark & Sue Pepe have also been cool enough to send us some of their “Just Get Out There and Box” wristbands, which will also be on sale at the gathering for $5 each. One shirt and a few wristbands will also be raffled off at the gathering.

We’re still making the Life Lessons from The Jukebox series and now have our boxes in about 10 different states. We’re going for all 50, so if you’d like to offer your adoption services, contact us and let us know! If you find it ANY of our boxes, please be sure to register your find on Atlas Quest for us. We love seeing who’s who!

That's it for now...hope to see you all at the gathering!

The S & H

What IS Letterboxing?

2005-08-03T14:04:00.000-04:00

Our new favorite hobby is letterboxing (which, we can do in tandem with our national park passport cancellation search). The premise is pretty simple. People all over the world leave little boxes to be found by others who use clues from various internet websites (like www.letterboxing.org or www.atlasquest.com) to locate them. You go in search of these with your own little stamp and inkpad (something you like that you can get from any craft store), a writing utensil of some sort and your own little notebook for logging where you've been.

Once you've found a box, you'll always find a note explaining what you've found, a little stamp pertaining to the box and a logbook to leave your mark in. You use the stamp and inkpad you've brought to mark your presence in the letterbox's logbook, then use THEIR stamp to mark your own notebook as proof you've been there (essentially, exchanging stamp images). You can also write little notes to say more if you'd like. (ex--"Found it! From the Sprite & the Highlander"). Once you're done, put everything back and you're all set!

Sometimes you'll find a little box or pack inside a letterbox that comes complete with its own stamp and logbook. These are called hitchhikers and they're meant to travel. When you find one, take it with you and place it in the next letterbox you find. When you get there, pretend like the hitchhiker (or HH) is another person. Both you and the HH stamp into the box’s logbook (so people will know you were both there) and stamp both your log book and the HH’s with the box’s own stamp (so everyone will know where it’s been). Alternately, you can mail them to another letterboxing friend for them to place, which really helps move a hitchhiker around! No matter what, make sure you stamp in just like you would on a normal box.

The key in all this is making sure people DON'T see you. If you attract a lot of attention to a box, vandals might bother with it for fun, and then the box is gone for the next finders (as it stands, we're told that some people think it's funny to check for these boxes just to destroy them). We actually enjoy the cloak and dagger kind of stuff...one person plays look out while the other acquires the package, sliding along walls to make sure you don't get caught, doing the dive roll as the enemy opens FIRE...well, you get the idea, here!You also want to make sure you put things back the way you found them. We’ve been to lots of boxes now and really try to do what we can to rehide the box as well as possible. Nothing is worse than finding out your box was stolen or vandalized because someone was in a rush to take off to the next box and left it out to be found by passerbys.

Next time...gatherings!

Our First Blog!

2005-08-03T13:20:00.000-04:00

Well, it was bound to happen sometime! We got sick of posting and erasing all the stuff we had added to show you guys new info that we finally decide to blog it all (sounds so sordid!).

From now on, we'll be posting our updates and travel stuff on here, but we'll also keep our clues at our same address (www.geocities.com/dasprite222/boxclues.htm) and keep the main page available for a little while longer (just to redirect folks to this one). If this works the way I want, all the stuff on our main page will be here and we'll just use this space for our clues. Enjoy!

General Boxes

2004-08-01T23:05:00.000-04:00

These boxes are listed alphabetically.

Choo Choo Ch’Boogie (record your find)

Placed on 10/23/04 in Medina, NY (Orleans County)
This box is located at the Medina Railroad Museum in Medina, NY (can be found with a simple internet search). The clues are very simple. On the north side of the main building, you'll notice a platform. Part of the side of this platform is covered and has No Parking signs on it. Right where the boards stop covering the sides, you'll find a gap where you can reach-ch-ch in and boogie on back to your car to stamp!

The museum is pretty cool, too...you can take holiday rides as well as visit the miniature trains inside...it's MUCH bigger than it looks!

Coming Home (record your find)

Placed on 11/26/04 in Carrollton, TX (Denton County)
BEING REPLACED AS OF 8/21/05…WILL REPOST WHEN IT RETURNS!

Carrollton was the Sprite's home in the 90's and we return here each Thanksgiving, so we decided to leave a little part of us behind this holiday. In Carrollton, take Frankford Road to where Dickerson and Rosemeade meet. Take Rosemeade past E.L. Kent Elementary School (on left) and cross over the culvert to the park on the right. Turn right on Greenglen around the edge of the park and park your car down by the metal bridge that crosses the creek. Take a look around and enjoy the view, but before you even cross, make sure to check under the left side of the bridge behind the oddly circular piece of cement for what you seek.
Make sure the parkgoers are looking the other way when you acquire and rehide this one...happy hunting!

Faith, Hope & Patience (record your find)

Placed on 10/17/04 in Snyder, NY (Erie County)
This box is the first and the inspiration for our series "Something I'm Thankful For", to be placed out for the Western NY Gathering on November 13th. It's also the only box that will be posted before the 2nd week of November. We've been trying to bring a little letterboxing sprite or Highlander into this world for quite a while now, so we decided to place this box outside our doctor's office. When you find it, say a little prayer and keep us in mind!Snyder is a tiny suburban city just off I-290 in Buffalo. Take the Harlem Rd. exit and turn left to get on Harlem. Go a few miles up to JUST BEFORE Route 5. On your left are the buildings for Snyder Park North. Turn in and go to the back of the parking lot. On the right is a brick building. Park here and look under the large tree to your left.This is an urban area, so be as careful with this box...well, as you would our own child! ;-) Once you get the box, you can actually sit in your car and stamp without looking too suspicious.

Flying J (record your find)

Placed on 1/4/05 in Pembroke, New York (Genesee County)
This box is right near a place near and dear to our heart, the Flying J. The Flying J is a a nice clean truck stop that has saved our lives many a time. From rushed birthday cards to last minute birthday gifts, showers and dinners, even mini tvs and DVDS...the Flying J has it ALL! We just love going it to see if they have whatever bizarre items we want...and they've only NOT had the item once!

Take the New York Thruway to the Medina/Pembroke exit #48 (the Six Flags Darien Lake exit), or for local folks, take Route 77 to where it meets the Thruway. Pull into the parking lot for cars and RVs and go to the parking along the right hand side. Stop and check the warped metal casing on the 3rd light post for this LB (whose container was ALSO purchased at the Flying J!). Stop inside and take a look around!

If Only For A Moment… (record your find)

Placed on 11/12/04 in Lockport, NY (Niagara County)
This box is hidden at a touching little park dedicated to children called the Children's Memorial Park (at the "Y" in the road between Lincoln Avenue and Transit Road (Route 78). The walkway stones are all dedicated to children who never had the chance to become adults. Refreshingly, however, this park is not just used to remember those who've passed on. Prom pictures and bridal shots are done regularly at the little gazebo, making what we consider a meaningful connection between endings and new beginnings. We think it also helps to remember the life of those same children, which was certainly filled with love and happiness as long as they were with us (even if only for a moment...)The box is quite close to the gazebo. Check the pinecone shaped bush to the right of the walkway as you head up to the gazebo and treasure the little things in life...tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

The Letterbook (record your find)

Placed on 9/23/04 in Medina, NY (Orleans County)

Letterboxes you've seen

But take a look

At our new letterbox

The Letterbook.

First go to Medina

To the middle of town

Near Main and Center

Have a look around.

See all the sights,

But the place you'll stop

Is a lovely little store

That's called The Book Shoppe.

Inside will be books

But the ones you should see

Are on the second shelf

Of "History"

On that shelf

In that bookcase

Is a Southwestern book

That seems out of place

Once you open it

Inside you'll find

A logbook and stamp

But no ink, so bring thine (poetic license)

As always, be sure

To be nice and neat

Even thought the owner knows

You should still be discreet.

Once you're done,

Don't rush off to go

Stay and look around

And have a cup of joe!

Little Cabin In Indian Falls (record your find)

Placed on 1/9/05 in Indian Falls, New York (Genesee County)
This box isn’t far from the Flying J, but we chose this location more for its view than its products. The Log Cabin Restaurant is just as nice and clean as the Flying J, but just not quite as appetizing, in our opinion (stop in for a bite and prove we’re wrong, please!) It is, however, an actual log cabin, which we love, and it DOES have a little hidden waterfall just behind it, which is even nicer.

From the Flying J, head north on Route 77 to Indian Falls. You’ll eventually drive down a hill that crosses over a small bridge. DO NOT cross over, but turn left and pull into the parking lot of the Log Cabin. Our box is right by the guardrail that prevents you from going into the waters below. Park on the far right end of the guardrail. Look between the 3rd post of the guard and the rail itself for a metal microbox.

Note: Snow gets shoved against this rail in the winter, so check the snow bank closely…the other side of it is entirely clear, so you can get to the box.

Lock City (record your find)

Replaced on 7/15/2004 in Lockport, NY (Niagara County)
This box was moved from Outwater Park after vandals destroyed the container. Luckily, we were able to recover the stamp and have moved it to a more appropriate location:

To get to Lockport: From the NYS Thruway, take the Airport exit (Route 78/Transit Road) all the way into Lockport. If you're already in the Western New York area and know the back roads, you can take take the 990 to Millersport, which dead ends into Transit, too.

Once in Lockport, follow the signs to the two canal locks right in the middle of town. Park nearby and take the stairs down to the locks on the SOUTH side (NOT the side the towpath is on!). Head EAST down more stairs and along the canal, keeping the cement wall on your right. The wall eventually curves away from the sidewalk and heads uphill, becoming a old stone wall. A hole in the wall that looks like someone has tried to partially refill it with cement is here. Just below this hole to the bottom left is a microbox (Altoids tin) containing a smaller version of the old Flight of Five that made Lockport famous. You’ll have to move two flat rocks about half your palm size to see it.

Please be sure to be EXTRA discreet in acquiring and replacing this box. This is right in town and LOTS of people hang around, so watch for tourists on the bridge and on the opposite side of the canal…you are visible from quite a few locations!

The Mystery of A’Tuin (record your find)

Placed on 12/22/04 in New York
Location: The word "Onguiaahra" appears on documents as early as 1641, and a little later "Ongiara" . Both are Indian words thought as meaning "The Straight". A more romantic meaning "Thunder of Waters" is also given.

Clue: Find the Native American A'Tuin overlooking this place (perhaps not THE A'Tuin, but large enough). Look under the middle tree near its southern side for a smaller version of its likeness. Note: This is a VERY small circular shaped Lock N Lock box, so look carefully!

Once A Year (Uncle Julie) (record your find)

Placed on 11/28/2004 in Addison, TX (Dallas County)
When we visit Texas for Thanksgiving, the one thing the Highlander INSISTS on is a trip to his favorite restaurant, Uncle Julio's (affectionately termed Uncle Julie!). So, it seemed only fitting this year that as we sat knocking back salsa, chips and margarita swirls, we created our second Texas stamp.You'll need to head to the Uncle Julio's at Keller Springs Road and the Dallas Tollway. Once you pull in by the sign, try to get the first parking space on your left facing the restaurant. If you can't, park close by and go the shrubbery in front of that space. It's basically at the southeast corner of the building. Check around under this shrubbed in area for our loving tribute (if it doesn't QUITE look like him, remember this is what he looks like to us AFTER a few margarita swirls!)

To Your Health, Too! (record your find)

Placed on 5/21/2005 in Clarence Hollow, NY (Erie County)
This box was originally part of the huge Royalton Ravine series and was called To Your Health. The stamp is still the same, but the location is new and quite worth the re-find! Incidentally, the reason we chose the location is because the historic museum here is actually the old home of Wilson Greatbatch, the inventor of the first implantable pacemaker! If you’d like to make a nice weekend of it, the Asa Ransom House is a stone’s throw past this box and it’s the best bed & breakfast in town, not to mention an award-winning restaurant.

Head down Route 5 from Williamsville and take it all the way until you get to the Clarence Historical Museum at 10465 Main Street (the entrance is on the right, just past the soccer fields and before the Asa Ransom House). Pull into the parking lot and park at the far end near the picnic tables and lake. Head down to the lake and go around to the side with the bridge. Before you cross the bridge, look to your left and you’ll see a faint path heading along the creek into the woods. At the start of this path, head 10 steps in and look down to the left. A fallen tree leans up against a tree near your path. You’ll have to leave the path and climb down a little to lift some deadwood for this box.

Homestar Runner Box Series

2004-07-01T22:58:00.000-04:00

These boxes are based on the hilarious characters from the Homestar Runner website (www.homestarrunner.com)

Trogdor (record your find)

Placed on 12/12/04 in Middeport, New York (Niagara County)
THIS BOX HAS BEEN OFFICIAL RETIRED.

Trogdor II (record your find)

Placed on 8/19/05 in West Henrietta, New York (Monroe County)
This box is located in between two of our favorite places, the China Buffet on Jefferson Road and Millenium Games on West Henrietta Road (which happens to SELL Trogdor t-shirts now!). First, locate these two stores. The China Buffet's strip mall makes an L shape with the buffet itself anda Subway being the bottom of the L. Go to the TOP of this L and you'll find a little grassy and wooded stretch between you an the back part of Millenium's Strip mall. Sitting right at the VERY edge of this little grassy lot is a tree that has a partially rotted out bottom (if you're looking at the right tree, the strip mall for the buffet is at your back and the wooded area between you and the game store is in front of you. Move a piece of bark to find out who did this terrible damage to the tree.

Homestar Runner (record your find)

Replanted on 6/9/05 in Middeport, New York (Niagara County)

This location is another one of the little canal surprises for me…I always assumed that the water from drainage pipes ran right into the canal, but this spot proves me wrong!

To find Homestar, find the Basket Factory Restaurant in Middleport (which, by the way, can be gotten to via the Erie Canal as well, since they have a dock for boaters). Park in the park lot on the right of the building and head toward the canal. Follow the canal to the right until you reach the cement bridge that crosses over a raging little drainage pipe below. As you approach the culvert, sit down on the edge in front of you and look down at the water. It’s a great way to pretend that you’re NOT reaching for the box wrapped in a plastic Subway sandwich bag tucked into the cracks in the rock right by your left foot!

As before, please BE CAREFUL NOT TO PUSH THE BOX INTO THE WATER!!! :-O

Pom Pom (record your find)

Placed on 7/10/05 in Williamsville, NY (Erie County)
Pom Pom is Homestar’s large blimplike buddy and was drawn for us by one of the Sprite’s students, Madman. The location we chose was discovered while searching Glen Falls Park in Williamsville for the Falling Willamsville LB (which, if you’ve done this one, is on the other side of Glen Avenue). To get to the park, from Route 5 (Main Street), turn onto Mill Street, then turn onto Glen Street. Park in the available parking area to the right as far over as you can.

Once parked, head toward the far end of the parking lot toward the short wood fence that blocks you off from the Port-a-Pottie (don’t know if that’s a permanent one or not, but it’s the left corner of the lot). Follow the dirt path down toward the woods, passing 3 rocks and further down, a bench on your right and eventually 2 red painted stumps on your left. From this spot, you should see a way into the woods ahead of you. Go to this path, but do not go in just yet. Stand at the top of this path and look in the direction the main path goes (to the right). Along this path, look for the first double trunked tree on the left. Down under some deadwood is Pom Pom, wedged in pretty tightly! To your right is a fallen log where you can sit and stamp in. This is a well traveled path and park, so be discreet and rehide this box WELL!

Strong Sad (record your find)

Placed on 8/21/05 in Middleport, NY (Niagara County)
Strong Sad is Strong Bad’s elephant-shaped baby brother and was drawn for us by one of the Sprite’s students, Madman. It has been placed with the Thankful for Donations series out at Rotary Park in Middleport, NY, which is just behind the Lutheran church on Route 31.

The Cheat (record your find)

Placed on 8/6/05 in North Tonawanda, NY (Niagara County)
The Cheat is Strong Bad’s sidekick and was drawn for us by one of the Sprite’s students, Luigi Loser. Start by finding the entrance to Niawanda Park, just near the end of Two Mile Creek Road. follow the parking lot until you reach the dead end, where a line of rocks stops you from going any further. Park and continue on foot to the east past these rocks staying close to the shrub and underbrush line on the right (this should put the Niagara River on your left). Ahead of you, before you reach any other trees on this grassy area, is a strange looking shrub. It's actually an old stump that keeps growing shorter branches and weeds.

Sit down in front of this shrub and watch the bikers and walkers in front of you enjoying the Niagara River scenery. When no one's looking (which will be a tough call at such a busy park), look back into the shrub/tree and move the chunk of rock that blocks a hidey hole with our buddy, The Cheat! Again, be VERY careful...this is a very popular place to hang out! If you can, prop your bag (or your Highlander!) up in front of the hole so you can reach behind it to get the box.

Life Lessons From the Jukebox Series

2004-06-30T21:51:00.000-04:00

While driving the No Doz induced 24+ hours from Dallas to Buffalo, we found ourselves listening to the Sprite’s Time Life Sounds of the 70's CD collection. By the end of the trip, a long list of life lessons had been gleaned from the hours of sappy ballads, disco anthems, and country crossovers (click here to read the entire list). Contact us if you’d be willing to adopt a box to plant in your state!

#1 Wildfire (record your find)

Placed on 1/9/05 near Shelby, NY (Genesee County)
“Never go chasing after a horse in a blizzard...and if a hoot owl starts howling for more than 5 nights in a row outside your window, either make out a will or shoot that bird!”--Michael Martin Murphy

To find this song, head out to the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge off Route 63, a good 10 miles north of the NYS Thruway. A wooden sign to your right lets you know you've entered the refuge. After driving through the large expanse of flooded timber that flanks both sides of Route 63, you'll come upon a dirt road in an open space to the left where you can drive to a kiosk that overlooks some of the federal lands. Turn in and park, but make note of the first tree on the right. Under a rock near its roots is a stampable reminder of the song Mr. Murphy gave his sage advice in.

Note: There are at least 3 or 4 other boxes near this refuge, not all of which belong to us...check Atlas Quest for the closest ones!

#2 Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl) (record your find)

Placed on 1/9/05 in Grand Island, NY (Erie County)
Never fall for a man whose life, love and lady is the sea (even if he gives you Spanish jewelry)!--Looking Glass

To find this song, head out to Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island in New York. Take the park roads all the way to the back of the park. Head past picnic areas 4 & 5 (might want to stop at the Niagara River Canvasback first!) and go back to picnic shelter 3B. The road curves sharply here near the waterfront. On the same side of the road as the river, look for a lone gnarled tree standing with a thick umbrella of branches, even in the winter (should still be missing one of its larger limbs). In the crotch of this tree is another musical reminder of Looking Glass’s one hit wisdom.

Note: Check below for info on how to find the Niagara River Canvasback, also in Beaver Island!

#3 Ode To Billie Joe (record your find)

Definitely MISSING--will be replaced!

Placed on 2/12/05 in Buffalo, NY (Erie County)
“The Tallahatchee Bridge is one depressing place to hang out.”—Bobbie Gentry

To find this song, you’ll need to find the Left Bank in Buffalo. Once there, park in the lot to the right and check the base of the one scraggly tree against the building, right where the wall ends.

Note: This place is our favorite Valentine’s Day haunt…plan to stay for a meal if you can!

#4 Angie Baby (record your find)

Placed on 3/9/05 in Williamsville, NY (Erie County)
“Radios or music players of ANY kind are not advisable birthday gifts for girls named Angie.”—Helen Reddy

To find this song, head south on Wehrle Drive off Transit Road in Williamsville. Turn left into the industrial parks off Earhart Road and pull into the first entrance on your right. Head between the two office buildings to the back parking lot and look of a light post whose bottom is a little bent out of place (first one you see between the rows of parking spaces). Lift the metal housing upward to find this microbox and its stamp.

#5 Timothy (record your find)

Placed on 5/1/2005 in Holland, MI (Ottawa County)
“Mining is a poor career choice if your name happens to be Timothy.”—The Buoys

Overview: This box is in Kirk Park - and Ottawa County Park. $4.00 daily...blah, blah, blah. There are a few parking spots before the pay booth. The treck is no more than 1 mile with only one small incline. Getting there: Entrance to the park is on Lakeshore Drive between Pierce Rd. and Stanton Rd. Park anywhere you like - this quest begins at the Trail Head.

Clues: Right is not right. It fells like we've been this way before... The first choice requires no barriers. Stay the course when things get vague. Pines on right...power above...going up. M.T.R. liked it here. in this case the conjoined twin has passed. From the one yet living 110. A different kind of beach.

Planted & adopted by Doglvrs

#6 Oh, What a Night (December 1963)

Placed on ??/??/???? in ???
“Apparently, there was one heck of a party back in December of 1963…”--Three Dog Night
Sent to Talking Turtle in NY for planting

#7 Joy to the World (record your find)

Placed on 3/18/05 in North Kingstown, RI (Washington County)
“Bullfrogs possess an unusually fine stock of wine.”—Three Dog Night

On Route 1A in North Kingstown, just south of the intersection of Route 1a and Gilbert Stuart Road, park your car at the GREEN gate entrance to Rome Point. Follow the main trail all the way to the end. You will be looking out over Narragansett Bay, with both the Jamestown and Newport Bridges visible to your right.

Head down the beach south, with the ocean to your left and the woodlands to your right. At 160 paces, look for a cluster of arborvitaes. Take a bearing of 230'. Walk 25 paces at 230' to a twisted old tree trunk. Look for Jeremiah at the base of its roots.

Planted and adopted for us by Warrior Woman

#8 The Devil Went Down to Georgia

Placed on 4/16/05 in Syracuse, NY
“You can bet your soul that hillbilly music beats demonic fiddle playing any day.”—The Charlie Daniels Band

Difficulty rating: Moderate, not suitable for families with very small children. There are some difficult rocky, rooty areas where the trail is not well defined - but trees are marked.
Round trip about 8/10 mile.

Clark Reservation, Jamesville, NY
605 E. Seneca Turnpike
Jamesville, NY 13078-9516
#315-492-1590
Onondaga County

This is a 300-acre state park that includes a Meromictic lake. There is a $7 - 8.00 fee to enter or use your Empire Pass. Dogs on a 6' leash are allowed. Clark reservation features 5 million year old exposed bedrock, beautiful views, picnic area's, fishing, hiking, and open all year. **

Syracuse is centrally located in New York State, at the crossroads of New York Thruway 90 (east & west) and Interstate 81 (north & south). From this intersection go south on I-81 and take exit 16A: here begins the 481 Bypass and you can only go one way. Take the first exit, which will be Rock Cut Rd., at the end of the off ramp go to the right and up the hill. The road ends at Brighton Ave. and a traffic light. Make a left. At the next traffic light go straight on Seneca Tpk./Rte. 173, this intersection has a Mobil gas station. Stay on Seneca Tpk./Rte. 173 and about 5 minutes after exiting the expressway, Clark Reservation State Park will be on your
left. You know you've gone too far if you enter the village of Jamesville.

Enter the Park and go straight, on to the ticket booth and parking lot.

**Info from the "I*NY, NEW YORK STATE, Travel Guide & Vacation Map" 2003

NOTES:
- Pick up a map at the Ticket Booth if unfamiliar with the park.
- Be warned that the rocks can be very slippery when wet, take care.
- This hunt leads you on a trail that will at times be table rock, whenever possible, please step on the rock and not the delicate mosses or other flora.
- Each step is one footfall and c. 28" long.

CLUES:

1) From the parking lot take the Mildred Faust Trail (green blaze) that leads past the comfort station. Once into the woods Mildred Faust Trail soon leads to the left, but you want to continue straight.
2) Very quickly you will be at the fence that runs along the cliff's edge, and down below will be Glacier Lake. Turn left, this is Cliff Trail (blue blaze).
3) When the fence ends, stay on the Cliff Trail and go down the rock "steps". When it goes back up, the left path (blue ribbon) is easier but both will get you to the top.
4) Once at the top of the hill (this will be Big Buck Trail) turn right, then a quick jog to the left and you're back on the rim and Cliff Trail.
5) Stay on this, keeping the edge of the cliff to your right, and it will lead you past Long Trail.
6) Before long the path will wander out beyond the trees to the rock edge of the cliff, and then lead back into the trees.
7) This area always reminds me of the Sierra Nevada's and is one of my favorite spots of the park. You will immediately notice a tree in the middle of the trail. On the left you'll see an opening of rocky ground leading away from the trail into the woods.
8) Enter and take 11 steps straight in, you should be able to step on the rock and not the moss or flora. Stop.
9) To the right at about 2:00 and roughly 4' away is a scrawny, shaggy bark deciduous tree (c. 3" dia.). About 6' straight ahead are two little deciduous trees growing close together. To your left is a very young cedar, it's trunk curving from the earth towards you and over a rock. Keep this rock in mind.
10) Walk another step or two then then turn around 180º and face the path you came from.
11) Go to the rock. This rock is squarish in shape with one corner pointing your way. On the right side of this corner, snuggled up to the rock and well hidden under a covering of leaf debris and smaller rocks you'll find your prey.
12) A nice stamping-in spot and beautiful view awaits you if you return to the Cliff Trail, turn left and go just a little way up to the big sitting rocks on the right.
13) Please secure all 4 latches on the lid, and return the box to the same hidey-hole and cover well with the rocks, and a good layer of forest debris and leaves (an extra sprinkling of leaves and forest debris under the rocks is even sneakier). ;-)
Planted & adopted by Catbead & Fly Doc

#9 Nothing From Nothing

Placed on ??/??/???? in ???
“Nothing from nothing DOES, in fact, leave nothing!”—Billy Preston from “Nothing From Nothing”

Sent to Rosie River Cat for planting in NJ

#10 YMCA/In The Navy

Placed on 3/19/05 in Allentown, PA
“The YMCA and the Navy are ALSO looking for a few good men!”—The Village People

Begin in the SE Corner of the South Parking lot of the Allentown YMCA (15th St. and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd). From the large pine tree, sight a sign with odd distances and dimensions SE of here. Follow this sign towards the boulevard named after the great civil rights leader and begin heading SW. Head under the bridge, as the boulevard heads west. If on foot, you may want to cross to the south side of the boulevard, where the sidewalk is black asphalt. This sidewalk will become a thin trail used by runners. You will come to a stone bridge with green railings, so turn left and cross it. You will pass a parking area on your left (you can start here is really lazy) and an iron gate on your right before the road goes uphill to a large grass triangle. From the center, go to the corner at 210° then enter the Little Lehigh Parkway trail at 165°. Time to be a Macho, Macho Man (or lady). Pass three of these Macho exercise signs, being sure to pump it up! After the 3rd Macho sign, you will come to a manhole with green spray paint on it. Just before this, spot an indistinct trail at 105° going gently uphill. A 4 ft tall stump is the trail guardian. At the top of an old cement kiln, double back, going 348° more steeply uphill. When the trail levels off, 4 more paces and sight a boomerang rock at 20°. Look under suspicious rock (and maybe a remnant pine branch that Kirby Rider put in front) to find the Village People.
First Finder gets the Zymurgy Hitchhiker, the last hitchhiker known to mankind!

Hidden near the Allentown, PA YMCA by Team Night Flyer (Kirby Rider and Lightnin’ Bug)

#11 Harper Valley PTA

Placed on 2/29/05 in Richardson, TX
“The Harper Valley PTA has no right to censor ANYbody!”—Jeannie C. Riley from “Harper Valley PTA”

We thought it only appropriate to place this box right in the middle of some very strong and active PTA country! Mimosa Park is on Mimosa in Richardson, TX at the intersection of Apache, near Mohawk Elementary, Arapaho Elementary, West Junior High School and between Richardson and Pearce High Schools.

Take the entrance into the park that leads you to the tennis courts in back. Pull that short skirt down as far as it will go to reach your knees, and face the tennis courts. On your left will be a covered picnic table area with a barbeque grill at the corner. Stand at the grill and face roughly east towards the creek and houses beyond. Take approximately 23 steps towards the creek and look for a multi-trunked (roughly 6 trunks) tree in the non-mown area. Life Lesson #11 is hidden down in the crotch of the trunks – please re-cover very well with sticks and leaves, because this dry material will blow off in a storm.

Planted and adopted for us by Celtic Lions

#12 Space Oddity

Placed on 8/15/2005 in Gales Ferry, CT
“Never go into space with ANYONE named Major Tom…on that note, planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing ANY of us can do…”—David Bowie

VERY pet friendly! Bring you dog for a swim -- or bring a tennis ball to fetch in the large field. PLEASE pick up after your pet! First, find Erickson Park. Its on Military Highway between Long Cove Road and Mullberry Drive. Park in the large gravel lot and begin a clockwise walk on the cinder walk way. Take time to stop and read the signs, the whole project was funded with LIS and Brownfield monies -- this beautiful spot is your tax dollars at work! Continue clockwise from the signboard, following the Thames River. Veer off the path to the VERY large hickory tree directly in front of you. Spy a break in the wall at 330 and a small makeshift cairn 2 steps right of the pass-through. Low in the wall awaits David Bowie!

#13 Convoy

Placed on ??/??/???? in ???
“Rubber Ducks CAN drive trucks!”—C.W. McCall
Sent to Rosie River Cat for planting in LA

#14 The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald

Placed on 4/9/05 in Ithaca, NY
“Do not go on pleasure cruises on Lake Superior when the gales of November come early.”—Gordon Lightfoot

From the upper entrance to (Five plus One) Mile Creek, just south of the intersection of Rt. 79 (East State St.) and Giles, walk past the gate labeled Wildflower Preserve. Follow the wide main path until it narrows considerably and you reach a rather non-traditional bridge (you'll know it when you see it). Just before the bridge you'll see quite a few rocks, some larger than the others, among the trees on your left.One of these larger rocks, flattish and grayish with some green moss growing on it, rests on a slope, with a square corner pointing up the slope. To the left of the corner is a smaller rectangular rock. Look behind the left side of this smaller slab. No rocks need to be moved to get what you're looking for, other than the much smaller rocks actually concealing it.Be sure to cover the box completely with these rocks as well as leaf debris when you leave, and watch for passersby. Don't forget to admire the tall waterfall in front of you while you're stamping in, either!NOTE: You may need to drive farther down Giles and park in the actual parking lot, then walk back up the road. Please be incredibly cautious if walking this road, especially with children, as drivers race through this twisty stretch with little consideration of either pedestrians or the posted speed limit.

Planted and adopted for us by TurtleMcQ

#15 Please Mister Please

Placed on 4/9/05 in Delaware, OH
“B17 is the most depressing song on the jukebox.”—Olivia Newton-John from “Please Mister Please”

The Delaware State Park is located on Highway 23 north of Delaware, Ohio. Allow 30 minutes for a round trip to find the letterbox. Follow the signs for the Marina as you drive through the park. Arriving at the Marina parking lot, pull off to the right and park in the spaces closest to the road. Find the Mink Run Trail across the road you drove in on. The trailhead is between a sign board and a cluster of picnic tables.

Continue following the trail as it wends around the lake. After an uphill rise and a slight turn to the left, look for a triangle formed by two parallel trees and a low stump in the middle of the trail. From this stump walk 25 paces forward. You should be at a small tree growing in the middle of the trail. Standing at this tree, look at 240 degrees for a fallen tree about 5 paces off the trail. The jukebox wisdom you seek so desperately can be found at the intersection of that fallen tree and a standing tree.

Planted and adopted for us by Rosmarnius

#16 Hair

“There’s all KINDS of hair.”—from “Hair”
Placed on 8/11/05 in Spokane, WA

Find Liberty Park.Go to the top of the UFO.Look through the trees and find the cave.Once there follow the tree line and go up the path.At the triangle go up nine steps.Right in front of you is your hair.Please rehide better than found.Do not do this box alone and watch children closely. NOT a night box!Please read disclaimers and such.

Planted and adopted for us by homeschoolmommy

#17 What’s Your Name?

Placed on 4/26/2005 in West Mansfield, MA (Bristol County)
“Rock stars don't even remember your name, so why the !@#$ would you sleep with them???”—Lynard Skynard from “What’s Your Name?”

You can obtain a trail mail map here: http://www.mansfieldma.com/conservation/images/Trail_map_2001.pdf

There couldn't be a more fitting location for this Jukebox Life Lesson letterbox. The Great Woods Conservation Area abuts the Tweeter Performing Arts Center, an outdoor concert venue for major musical performing acts. (Mandatory blaze orange during hunting season)
Take 495 to Exit 12 - Route 140N Mansfield, MA. Follow Route 140N, take a left onto School Street. Continue on School Street as it turns into Elm Street. Continue on Elm Street. Take a left onto Oak Street. Just as Oak Street takes a sharp right hand turn, you will see the entrance to the Great Woods Conservation Area on your left. The parking lot is open from dawn to dusk, but there is a little parking area at the trail head if the parking lot gates are closed.
You will be following the Red Trail all the way to the end. Some creative bushwhacking and log balancing will get you easily through some of the swampier areas. The Red Trail ends at an open field overlooking The Tweeter Performing Arts Center. You can gaze off into the distance for a glimpse of a rock star.At the end of the trail, facing the open field, turn around and walk 55 paces back down the trail from which you just came. At 55 paces you will notice a side trail off to the right at 330'. Walk 25 paces at 330' to an abandoned washing machine. From the washing machine, walk 10 paces at 350' to a small multitrunked tree holding a basket of - what else? - ROCKS! - at the base of the tree. Carefully move aside the rocks to find the real rock star - "What's Your Name?" - nestled in the basket formed by the multitrunks.

Planted and adopted for us by Warrior Woman

#18 My Eyes Adored You & Wichita Lineman

Placed on ??/??/???? in ???
“They aren’t STALKERS, they’re men whose eyes adored you…on that note, the Wichita Lineman is STILL on the line….”—Glenn Campbell and Frankie Valli

Sent to Ron in MO for planting

#19 Little Willie

Placed on 9/10/2005 in Deering, NH
“Regardless of the amount of coercion, Little Willie WON’T…go home.”—Sweet from “Little Willie”

What do Sweet and Tom Rush have in common? They are both singers of the 70’s that have left their mark on their music world. So, what better place for Sweet to hang out than in the Tom Rush Forest. The Forest is newly acquired by the state and has no maps or signs yet. You will find a sign down near the road, kinda hidden but no trailhead there. To find this forest you must find your way to Deering, New Hampshire. Once there, find the town hall, library, and the church. Right along the church is Gregg Lake Road. Goes up a big hill and ends at the top. No-one, not even the police in Deering, seem to know if the house on top is private or part of the state land. I have parked many times up there with no problems. If you are uncomfortable, then park somewhere at the bottom and walk up.Now for the directions to the box.On the right is a small uphillish type of parking area facing a large fieldly path. Take this path. When you reach the T go left. You will soon be at a field, follow the path to the left. At the end of the field you will pass through a small strip of trees into another field. Continue to follow the path on the left and enter the woods.At the T take a right. you will now be following alongside a stone wall. Continue down this road until you reach yet another T.There is a cellar hole in front of you. Find the steps. Go down them and 3 more steps to the floor rock by the twisted tree. Look to your right.

Planted and adopted by Uneksia

Virtual Stamps & PACE/School Stamps

2004-05-01T22:42:00.000-04:00

These boxes are designed to be kid friendly as well as adult friendly. All were created for the Lockport CSD elementary gifted program, so they might be the perfect challenge for the young boxers in your family!

Virtual Stamps

Once we have time, we'll make a nice page of info to go with the actual stamp images, but for now, answer these questions, then use the letters from your answer to find the secret word. Plug the word into the blank in this web address to get a direct link to the stamp image: http://www.geocities.com/dasprite222/________.bmp

PACE Virtual Stamp #1 Children's Mysteries (record your find)

1. The four main characters of Gertrude Chandler Warner's books were famous for originally living in a what? (use the first letter of this answer)

2. The Jigsaw Jones mysteries are written by whom? (use the 3rd and 4th letters of the last name)

3. Who was Donald J. Sobol's famous boy detective? (10th letter of the first word)

4. The Mystery of the Stolen Corn Popper is one about which young detective? (5th and 6th letters of the last name)

PACE Virtual Stamp #2: Little House Books—Laura (record your find)

1. In Little House on the Prairie, what is Laura's last name? (use the third letter of this answer)

2. What is the third book in Laura's Little House series? (use the 3rd and 5th letters of the first word)

3. What instrument does Pa play? (last letter of the word)

4. In the first book, Laura's family lives in what U.S. territory, which later becomes a state? (6th letter of the territory's name)

5. In which book does 15 year old Laura end up teaching in a claim shanty to earn money to send Mary to school? (1st letter of the third word and 4th letter of the fourth word)

6. Name the friend whose new buggy Laura helps drive from the book in question 5. (hint: Laura and this person eventually become more than just friends!) (last letter of the first name)

7. After the birth of Carrie, how many people were in Laura's immediate family? (spell out the number, use the third letter)

8. What was the name of Laura's cat? (last letter of second word)

9. The illustrator for the Laura books was whom? (last letter of the last name)

PACE Virtual Stamp #3: Little House Books—Rose (record your find)

1. What is Rose Wilder's grandfather's name? (use the last letter of the first or second word...they're they same!)

2. What is the third book in the Rose series? (3rd letter of the 8th word)

3. What town in Louisiana does Rose go to for high school? (3rd letter)

4. What region or area of Missouri did Rose and her family live in? (1st and 5th letters)

5. Name the boy who is caught trying to steal eggs from the Wilders in Little Farm in the Ozarks. (switch around the 4th and 5th letters of this name)

6. What is the name of Rose's family farm? (3rd letter of second word)

7. In New Dawn on Rocky Ridge, the New Year signals the turn of the what?. (last letter of word)

8. In what city does Rose learn to become a telegrapher? (first letter of first word)

9. Who is Rose's childhood sweetheart, according to the books in the Rose series? (5th letter of second word)

School Stamps

Lockport CSD: The Letterbox! (record your find)

Placed on 3/18/05 in Lockport, New York (Niagara County)
This box is on school property, but is in a fairly public use area, so do not attempt until weekends (or at least after 5pm on weekdays). You'll first need to locate the Lockport Board of Education building, which is off Beattie Avenue. Park in the parking lot and head north to the track/football field that people use in the evenings for walking (as well as the games and events for the middle school). Head to the stands closest to you and look under the right hand corner of the first step.

Science Olympics Series (record your find)

Are you one of the Sprite’s students? Click here to log in your Science Olympics stamps you earned. Not one of the Sprite’s students? Contact her if you want the code that her students had to decipher to get those stamps. Break the code and she’ll mail you the stamps you earn!

Keeping Up The PACE (record your find)

Placed on 10/9/04 in Lockport, NY (Niagara County)
This box had been retired, since it cannot be replaced in the same location!

Things We're Thankful For Series (Boxes from the 2nd WNY Gathering)

2004-04-01T21:39:00.000-05:00

These are the boxes that the Sprite & the Highlander placed for the gathering, but not all of them belong to us (creators are in parentheses). All those boxes that were meant to disappear in a month are now gone…this is the PERMANENT list!

Thankful at Royalton Ravine Series (19 boxes)

Begin by heading to Royalton Ravine Park for this whole series. Once you get there, park and walk west into the park itself on the gravel road toward the pond.

1. Once you get near the pond, enter the woods near the memorial to young Renee. From the first tree on the right, take about 20 steps. Look under the roots of the large tree on your right for Migration (The Sprite & The Highlander).

2. Leave the woods the way you came in and head west straight back until you reach the bench and treeline at the back of the park, (almost directly west of where you parked). Two paths enter the woods...take the one to the right of the bench. Only a few paces in will get you to twin sister trees with a red mark. Head north to the mass of upturned tree roots. Look between the pair of trees just in front of it under the bark with the rock on top for our favorite little winged one, Petra (The Sprite & The Highlander).

3. Get back on the path (marked with red trees) and keep heading the same direction you were going until you reach a T in the path. Two fallen logs lay in front of you. Check where they meet for our Family Tree (The I.A.P.)

4 & 5. Continue to the right on the path (still marked with mostly red paint on trees) until you find the arboreal monument to SH & NN '98 a little off the path to the right. Check the roots under a large rock for some of our favorite Seasons (The Sprite & The Highlander). Before you leave, step to the left into the little dip in the ground where Seasons is hidden and look back south. Take 13 steps to the larger tree in front of you and check its roots, too for what Bear was thankful for this year...Halloween (Bear).

6. Continue in the direction you were heading originally on the path. At the "T", head left and curve down into the ravine using what we're liberally terming "steps"...take extra care if it's muddy! 25 paces past the tree with the blue arrow pointing down and up the trial, you'll see two logs on the ground. Look in the hole of the one closest to the ravine for what the Sprite is most thankful for, Love O' The Irish (The Sprite and the Highlander).

7. Continue down into the S-curve of exposed roots and wood ties that serve as the path, keeping the ravine on your right. until you get to the bridge. Go past the bridge about 20 paces to the fallen log on the right. Check its roots to find Mare Bear (Mare Bear with Auntie Sprite!), the creator of Halloween. This was her second personal stamp creating attempt, so we decided to make it a Thankful box (other nieces are further on!)

8. Cross the bridge and turn left. You'll cross over the fallen tree and pass a tangle of thick vines before you reach another fallen log whose roots stick out on the right side of you. Follow this log back to the tree standing upright near it. Look in the curve of the large root of this tree for Good Books (The Sprite & The Highlander).

Note: All boxes from this point will take you in a loop back to this general area, which will require you to essentially mudslide down the hill to your right or backtrack the way you came, so keep your bearings!

9. Our oldest niece Meghan loves reading, so it made sense to keep her close to Good Books. Unfortunately, this is where you need to have those boots and pants you don't care about. This area is low lying, so it has some puddles and some mud (but let's face it, you're a letterboxer and you LIVE for this stuff!). The path is a little obscured here because of the leaves and puddles, but try to follow the faint tire ruts on the ground to the west, keeping the water to your left. We've also marked a few trees with the letters "LB" so you'll know you're going the right way. At some point, you'll see these tire ruts heading uphill and you should follow. You'll know you're in the right place when you start to see pale blue marks on the trees to your left. Head uphill to the 3rd blue tree (larger than the first blue trees), which has a twin just behind it about the same size. Look between these two for Meg (The Sprite & The Highlander), who is NOT about silly trailnames!

10. Climb to the top of the hill to find a tree with a base wider than its trunk on the left. Put your back to it, then head 300 degrees for 16 paces to the fallen log. Check under it closer to the roots for our middle niece (and synchronized swimming champ), the Beeler (The Sprite and the Highlander).

11. Keep heading up the path and maneuver around the first of a few large puddles. Just past this puddle on the left is a tree with the letters "FORME" spray painted on the trunk. With this tree at your back, look west (270 degrees) for triplets of the same variety of tree. They almost form a little chair and right in the seat is where you'll find Friends (The Sprite & the Highlander).

12. Continue on the path, which should get a little rocky after a while. Once it does, the path splits very slightly to curve to the left. As you go around, step off the path about 3 paces from the middle of the curve to see the ravine below. For a cold bath, jump down into the ravine, but for Hot Baths (The Sprite & the Highlander), look under the mossy flat rock by 3 saplings bunched together.

13. Follow the path back to the main path (barely 4 steps away) until it splits off again, this time in a much more obvious way. Take the one that bears left (heading a bit more straight than the one to the right). You'll come across the foundation for an old house. Right inside the corner closest to you, look under the leaves and wood for Anime Babes (to make him think the wrong thing!) (The Sprite & the Highlander).

14. Just across the path toward the ravine from Anime Babes is a mossy rock wall. Check under a large flat rock near the top for the Sprite's hairdresser and new best friend, Ivy (The Sprite & the Highlander).

15. Take the path that crosses in front of the stone house. Bear left away and head down, then up a little incline. On your left off the path is a HUGE tree. Check the flat rock at its base for National Public Radio (The Sprite & the Highlander).

Unfortunately, there WERE 4 other boxes out here that have been stolen. Only two were recovered and should soon be back out on the trail, but in other locations. So from here, you'll need head straight to the white bucket on the ground (or if it's gone, just head toward the bottom of the little incline near you. At this point, you can shortcut to the beginning. You can head toward the LB on the tree on the slight incline near you and head across the woods. You'll follow the painted marks on the trees until you get to the hill overlooking the ravine again (bridge is below and to the left). However, taking this path means basically sitting on the steep incline and crab walking/sliding down (not a great plan with VERY little ones, but we adults and big kids kinda had fun!). Slide at your OWN RISK...we don't want anyone to misunderstand the potential danger, so check the hill out first...you will NOT be able to stand up and walk down it unless you walk down sideways and cut diagonally down the hillside, NOT straight down.

The other option is to back track the way you came by turning back toward the NPR tree, heading back to the stone house and going left back down the hill the way you came up. Either way, you want to make it back to the bridge, back up the ravine on the opposite side, turn right at the top and head straight out of the woods following the red trees.

Thankful For Donations Series (6 boxes) (last update on 8/21/05)

These boxes are at Rotary Park in Middleport, NY. It's behind the Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Route 31 (actual address for the church is 133 Telegraph Road, Middleport, NY

Cross the little bridge to the other side of the creek and check around the roots of the huge tree to your left for What a Boy Wants (The Sprite & the Highlander). This was created in honor of a dream the Highlander has had since he was a little kilt wearer! Make sure to be stealthy and rehide this one VERY well, as it’s easy to see from the other side.
Cross back over and follow the creek upstream (southeast) to where the grassy path makes a sharp left turn around the nearby houses. A huge rock with an arrow painted on it marks the way. Not far from this rock at the bend in the underbrush under the evergreen is a replacement Canadian gift for Norasta's Pssst! that began as a doodle in the restaurant after the gathering...the Deranged Daisy (Erica of Jiggs).
Follow the path up to the sign marking the Middleport Nature Trail (nope, we didn't realize it was there, either!). Walk into the woods on the path (little pale green diamonds on the trees mark the trail) and follow it up a slight incline to a multitrunked cherry tree on your left. It's marked by a stone that used to have the word "cherry" painted on it, but it's mostly worn off. In the distance, you can see Screen 2 of the Sunset Triple Drive In. Head toward the largest tree in that general direction and look under a few rocks for LBNY at the Movies (The Sprite & The Highlander).
NEW BOX!!! Return to the trail and follow the pale green diamonds on the trees to the first bench. Take a minute to rest on the side closest to the tree behind the bench (facing the creek), then take about 8 steps toward the creek to the tangle of undergrowth and leaves, marked by the tall stump of a sapling. Underneath you'll find an Ugly Bald Guy (Missmoon) that doesn't seem to be going anywhere for a while.
Follow the path further into the woods until you reach a spot where Gail overlooks the trail. Specifically, she's checking out the boomerang shaped piece of wood that makes another great resting spot. Don't sit here too long, or you'll get toasted by Dances With Fire (Norasta) just underneath (move the rock and extra bit of wood to get at this a little easier).
NEW BOX!!! Continue to path's end. Beyond the resting place stand a pair of large trees with entwined branches. Seek beneath the stones at the feet of the farthest for Strong Sad (The Sprite and the Highlander).

The Sprite's Friends

2004-03-01T23:50:00.000-05:00

Medina Water Sprite (record your find)

Placed on 8/30/04 in Medina, NY (Orleans County)

The Village of Medina is one of the beautiful canal towns of upstate New York and the adopted home of the Sprite & the Highlander. With its little main street and its beautiful old homes right in the middle of the surrounding farmland, it's the perfect place for us both! Lately, a massive effort has been made to renovate the canal in order to keep up with the new towpath bike trail park along the length of the canal. That's where you'll find this little sprite hiding!

From the NYS Thruway, take the Medina/Pembroke exit #48A. Head north on Route 63 through Indian Creek, Alabama, the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge and Shelby all the way through Medina's town center. The road wraps and winds, so make sure you stay on Main Street/Route 63! Pass the first bridge and head around the corner to the second bridge, which is a lift bridge. Cross over the canal and turn left to park next to the pilot house.Head west a good 160 paces up the bike path. Across the canal will be a street and some housing. Look for a two story house with a cement chimney. Put this chimney directly at your back (south), which should put a tall tree that hangs a bit over the path at your front (north). Our little sprite is hiding under a rock at the edge of the foliage, where no one will see her.

Culvert Earth Sprite (record your find)

Placed on 8/31/04 near Medina, NY (Orleans County)
The second in our sprite series of letterboxes. Like her sister the water sprite, this little one is near the canal, but since she's quite near a tunnel, we knew she must be an earth sprite! ;-)

From the NYS Thruway, take the Medina/Pembroke exit #48A. Head north on Route 63 through Indian Creek, Alabama, the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge and Shelby into Medina's town center. The road wraps and winds, so make sure you stay on Main Street/Route 63! Make a right onto Center Street (Route 31, NOT 31A) and head east out of Medina for a few miles. Culvert Road is a left turn off this road. Drive a few tenths of a mile and the tunnel will come into view.

To find the sprite: Head toward the tunnel, but do NOT go through. Take the gravel path on the left just before the tunnel and follow that up to park by the canal. Head east on the path, going past 3 telephone poles on your right. Take note of the 2 digit number on the post just over the road below. Subtract 50 from that number and take that many steps past the 3rd telephone pole. Turn and face the canal, then walk to the water's edge. Our little sprite is hiding under a flat rock at the edge of the water, where no one will see her.

Lockport Air Sprite (record your find)

Placed on 9/1/04 in Lockport, NY (Niagara County)
The third of our sprite series (which really ought to be a canal series by now)! This box was stolen and will not be replaced.

Woodland Flower Sprite (record your find)

Placed on 9/19/04 near Oakfield, NY (Genesee County)
Head out toward Oakfield, New York out to the Oak Orchard State Wildlife Management Area using Albion Road. You'll see a large wood and metal open air observation tower on your left (if you're heading north) or right (if you're heading south). Stop and park in the gravel circle.

In the middle of this circle is a vine covered group of trees. Circle around them until you can see the low stone wall within this little green shelter. Hiding under rocks at the southern end of the wall is our little sprite. Um...she's not REALLY next to any woods, but the Highlander swears there's flowers there in the spring, so he's the one to complain to if you don't get the full effect! (Aw, who'm I kidding...it's a THEME I like!)

While you're there, why not try bagging the Oak Orchard Black Duck? If you stop by the sprite first, you can carry her and the duck up to the top of the observation tower and get a WONDERFUL view of the refuge.

The Highlander's Favorite Fowl

2004-02-01T23:57:00.000-05:00

Iroquois Goose (record your find)

Placed on 9/4/04 near Alabama, NY (Genesee County)
The first of the Highlander series! The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is part of US Fish & Wildlife Service federal refuge system. Of course, you can go find the goose anytime of the year you wish but we highly recommend early April...especially at sunrise or sunset. This is when the waterfowl migration is at its peak. It's truly breathtaking as the skies are constantly swirling with wave after wave of geese and ducks making their way up north to their nesting grounds. It's important to remember that all areas of the refuge are closed to the public after dark...even the overlook.

To get to the refuge:From the NYS Thruway, take the Medina/Pembroke exit #48A. Head north on Route 63 through Indian Creek & into Alabama (the only stoplight on this road). Turn left onto Route 77 and head west for about 2 or 3 miles. The Cayuga Overlook will show up on your right.

To find the goose:Find the "saddest" tree you can find. The goose is nesting right in the lowest crotch of the tree. Please be sure to be discreet in acquiring and replacing our goose. Especially, if you go in the spring during peak migration as there will be many birdwatchers at this overlook at that time. Also, you will have to step up on the tree a bit to get to the goose...we stood on a large knot that sticks out right at knee level to place it. Watch your step!

Tonawanda Widgeon (record your find)

Placed on 9/6/04 near Alabama, NY (Genesee County)
The second of the Highlander series! The Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area is state land right next to federal land (Iroquois Nat'l Wildlife Refuge). Of course, you can go find the widgeon anytime of the year you wish but we highly recommend early April...especially at sunrise or sunset. This is when the waterfowl migration is at its peak. It's truly breathtaking as the skies are constantly swirling with wave after wave of geese and ducks making their way up north to their nesting grounds.

NOTE: All areas of the refuge are closed to the public after dark.

To get to the refuge:
From the NYS Thruway, take the Medina/Pembroke exit #48A. Head north on Route 63 through Indian Creek & into Alabama (the only stoplight on this road). Turn left onto Route 77 and head west for about 2 or 3 miles. Head PAST the Cayuga Overlook to where Meadville Road (heads south) and Salt Road (heads north) intersect.

To find the widgeon:
Turn left down Meadville Road. Head down this road for 1.2 miles toward the woods and stop at the gate with the chain in the middle on your left (has a big maple tree it). There'll be a few smaller gates you'll pass, but ignore those. Park at the mouth of the path, then go under the chain (or around the fence itself) and walk all the way to the next gate, which should be a large yellow pole across the road. Go just off the trail into the underbrush on the left, behind the boulders and the foliage. In the underbrush, you'll see another good sized boulder that hidden from view of the path. The widgeon is nesting right behind that boulder.

The widgeon is pretty secure, but as usual, please be sure to be discreet in acquiring and replacing it. Lots of birdwatchers hang around during peak migration and hunters like to scope out the land as well. Also, you will have to go a little ways into the underbrush for this box...wear some mosquito repellant and long pants!

Oak Orchard Black Duck (record your find)

Placed on 9/19/04 near Oakfield, NY (Genesee County)
Head out toward Oakfield, New York out to the Oak Orchard State Wildlife Management Area using Albion Road. You'll see a large wood and metal open air observation tower on your left (if you're heading north) or right (if you're heading south). Stop and park in the gravel circle. Head for the observation tower. Climb up to the 4th landing and check the metal crossbeams that support the tower right in front of you (by the way, we picked up this particular style of letterbox from the prolific and amazingly crafty Elba Onions!)

Note: We recommend letting the Woodland Flower Sprite welcome you before bagging the duck...if you get her first, you can carry her and the duck up to the top of the observation tower and get a WONDERFUL view of the refuge.

Niagara River Canvasback (record your find)

Note: This box is currently listed as missing! We haven’t been able to search personally, but have had several folks not find it…search at your own risk!

Placed on 1/9/05 near Grand Island, NY (Erie County)
Head out to Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island in New York. Take the park roads and turn right at picnic areas 4 & 5 near the sledding hill. Park once you cross the bridge. To your right are two picnic tables near the water’s edge. The furthest one is hidden by some undergrowth, which you’ll need to go to the left of through a little open area to get to. Even further to the left of this space is the largest tree in the area, also surrounded by some undergrowth. Check the rock at the foot of this tree for our duck.

Note: Don’t leave before stopping for the second tune in our Life Lessons From the Jukebox Series, Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)!

Oak Orchard Creek Wood Duck (record your find)

Placed on 1/9/05 near Alabama, NY (Genesee County)
To find this duck, head out to the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge off Route 63, a good 6 miles north of the NYS Thruway. After passing the flashing light in Alabama, start looking for Roberts Road on your right. Turn right on Roberts and head to Sour Springs Road. Turn left on Sour Springs and follow the road out to Oak Orchard Creek, which flows under the first bridge you come to. Check the quadruple trunked tree on the left just over the bridge for our wood duck, but stay still and look around for the real ones that populate this area in the spring.

Note: Sour Springs is a seasonal road, so it tends to be filled with potholes and not paved very well. In the winter, the road is only open up to the nature trail, but you can park and walk past the “Road Closed” sign to the bridge. Regardless, exercise caution in making your way out here and to the box!

Our Hostel, Travelers, Hitchhikers, & Postal Boxes

2004-01-02T00:12:00.000-05:00

Sprilander HH Hostel (record your find)

Placed on 9/19/04 in Medina, NY (Orleans County)
The Sprilander HH Hostel is an equal opportunity hostel and letterbox with its own personal stamp. We accept all types of HHs, including postal, but make sure we know if you want it to STAY postal or to be put in the hostel for mainstream letterboxing. If you TAKE a hitchhiker, please remember to LEAVE on behind so that everyone has a chance to find something!

Find your way into the heart of city of Medina, where Main (Route 63) crosses over Center Street. Once there, turn left (west) onto Center Street. Keep going past several streets on Center until you find a street name that suggests sand, waves and sunshine. Turn right and park at the dead end as far left and down as you can without getting on the grass. Right in front of your bumper in the underbrush hides the Sprilander. (NOTE: Since the underbrush loses its leaves during the late fall and winter months, try parking to the RIGHT and looking under the evergreen right next to your car on the right if there isn’t enough foliage to hide the box on your left)

This is a pretty quiet little area and definitely residential, so try not to look TOO shifty while stamping and do NOT freely wander the grassy areas around you. No matter how much they look like park lands, they're actually people's lawns! The park bench is available for your use, however…enjoy!

While you're in town, why not check for the Medina Water Sprite, Choo Choo Ch’Boogie, or the Letterbook?

Personal Travelers

The "Boo" Box (record your find)

This box is a personal traveler that follows the Sprite around. It was originally created on 9/22/04 for her students from a stamp the I.A.P. made for fun one day. It was retired in Summer of 2005, but you can still log your finds from before then at Atlas Quest.

M and M (record your find)

M & M doesn't stand for the candy, it stands for Might & Magic (which works pretty well for a guy in a kilt and his little winged sidekick!). Tell us what M & M stands for and we'll share this personal traveler with you!

I Like the Sprite In You! (record your find)

This one ws a gift from the Sprite's friend Flutter Bye. To get it, just tell the Sprite "You know what Sprite is MADE of, don't you?" She won't be happy about it, but you'll get the stamp! ;-)

Hitchhikers

Fire Sprite--Last saw her on 9/6/04 burning up the trail with the Tonawanda Widgeon. Pass her on and let us know when you find her...she's a hot little thing! (wow, was THAT ever a lame joke!)

Highland Fling--Flung him out on 9/4/04 with one of the Highlander's favorite fowl, the Iroquois Goose. We found him again on 9/18/04 at BOND-ing Time and flung him back out (if they don't pay the rent, out they GO!). Let us know where he lands!

Sprite for President—Made on 9/27/04 for the Sprite’s 35th birthday, this HH launched her campaign with Ms. Dragonfli at the Mansfield Monster Mash in CT. It was last seen with Jordan and Hiking Moon, so get on the bandwagon and Vote YES for Sprite!

PACE Yourself—Is currently keeping pace with Ramdelt in a PLB in Colorado...no idea where it'll land next!

Three-Eyed Cat—Found this kooky store near our home whose name suggested it was something far more interesting than it really turned out to be. So, we decided to make it have at least SOME claim to fame. It’s currently bouncing around boxes in Ohio

LCSD Mascot Hitchhiker Series

We placed a bunch of these mascots for my district at the WNY Gathering on Nov. 13th. They are Lockport City School District (LCSD), Anna Merritt Eagles, Dewitt Clinton Eagles, Charles Upson Bulldogs, Roy B. Kelley Cougars, George Southard Lions, Washington Hunt Huskies and the John Pound Puppies (seriously!). They started floating about in the Thankful boxes, so contact both us and Pete & Wanda if you’ve seen them!

Anna Merritt Eagles—Picked up by Clan Jiggs at Hot Baths ( a Something I’m Thankful For box from the WNY Gathering)…is probably making the rounds in the Canadian hinterlands by now!

Charles Upson Bulldogs—Picked up by the DeMoss Family in If Only For a Moment on April 26, 2005...might still by in Western NY area

Dewitt Clinton Eagles—Making the rounds in the Treasure Chest PLB as of February 2005

George Southard Lions—Took a trip south and ended up with Orlando Knit Wit somewhere in the Disney resort area...

John Pound Puppies— Has not been seen since the WNY Gathering on November 13th of 2005

Washington Hunt Huskies—Last seen in Fairfield, CT in Art Around the Lake #1

Roy B. Kelley Cougars— Has not been seen since the WNY Gathering on November 13th of 2005

Lockport City School District (LCSD)—Reacquired from God’s Creation Chasers on 2/4/2005 and retired as an HH…reincarnated as a traditional box (see clues here)

Postal Letterboxes

KCSB…the PLB! (record your find)

We created a KC and the Sunshine Band Postal Letterbox to join the Disco Fever PLB ring. Not sure if you can still join it, but once the stamp returns, we might try letting it boogie on down your way!

101 Things to Do/Not Do at a Gathering PLB Ring

This ring (our first) began in October 2005 and was only for those with great gathering proverbs/stories that deserve a stamp, like "Never try to get your husband to stop the truck by showing a little leg when an older couple is coming up the other way!" Our personal addition was Always Read the Clues. Although you can no longer join the original ring, if you'd like to add box/story, contact us and we'll get you started!

Note: In a PLB ring, everyone makes their own stamp and sends it to others in the ring.