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Published: August 31st 2006
My nephews and I started off with a backpack filled with water, snacks, sunscreen, an ink pad, stamps, and the clues to begin out first letterbox adventure. I really hoped we would be successful considering our hike would be four miles return. Our trail led us through Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore, California. add history
My youngest nephew, Joey, was pretty much ready to end the hike after the first half mile. Domenic thought we went the wrong way and although I didn't tell him, I was wondering if he was right. Then we saw the first marked listed in the clue, a grove a trees with two park benches underneath. The next clue was a compass bearing to identify the tree where the letterbox was hidden. Since our compass (a kid's one from a spy kit) didn't actually point north, we were lucky the bearing was simple and pointed to the only oak tree in that direction. We walked througth some brush to the base of the tree and found a pile of stones.
Under the pile of stones, we found a pink disposable tupperware container. Inside the container was a plastic bag containing a logbook and a
The treasure
The contents of the letterbox and my logbook.stamp. First, we flipped through the logbook, which was about half full. Stamps and thumbprints from at least 15 different hikers were in it, usually with dates visited, first names or nicknames, hometowns, and a bit about the weather or the hike. The kids and I added our own stamps and thumprints to the book plus the date and a note saying this was our first letterbox find. We also each started a logbook with the stamp we found in the tupperware container.
One of the draws of letterboxing is the homemade stamps you find once you get to the letterbox to stamp into your logbook to record your find. They are usually carved to reflect the theme of the hike. This hike was based on a story about the longest burning lightbulb in the world (since 1901) in a Livemore firehouse and the stamp looked like a lightbulb. The hikers also have original stamps or are supposed to. From what I've read, unique stamps are highly valued in the letterbox community and most would prefer to see thumprints (which are unique) rather than a store bought stamp. Supposedly they are easy to make and can be as simple
A clue
Looking back at the grove of trees with two benches beneath it from the oak tree. as carving a design on a eraser.
As we hid the container back under the stones, I asked the kids if they wanted to find the next letterbox listed in the clue that required another mile walk. The two were rearing to go and the next mile definetly moved quicker. Besides the absolute allure of a "treasure hunt" for both kids and adults, letterboxing appearls to my dorky interest in orienteering. We also saw hawks, blue jays, wild turkeys, tons of squirrels, and lizarads. We found a tree stump that looked like a stegasauras and gotstared down by a brazen squirrel at the location of the second letterbox site. I got to enjoy the rolling hills and vineyards that make up Livermore's landscape and had great conversations with the kids.
Note: About two weeks later I went back to the same park (for another letterbox walk) and ended up seeing a mountain lion. Check out the picture, look for his/her eyes.
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Well, it's probably just as well that you were too far away from the mountain lion for a decent picture as they are higher on the food chain than you. Still a great photo! Wild turkys are yummy! (and lower on the food chain) Have you tried geocaching?