Event Hitch Hikers

We have a number of Hitch Hikers that are planning on stowing away at The Great Book Adventure (GBA). These are literary characters, or images related to books or reading.

For the event, these boxes are to be moved from GBA box to GBA box only. You don't have to worry about stamping into the HHs log, but please stamp the HH into the host box.

It will be interesting to see how many get found and by whom.

Report from Burroughs Park

Took a little cruise around Burroughs Park today. Wanted to make sure no construction or issues with the trails or such. If you have never been to this park before, a few notes:

-the park itself is 'off the beaten path' so to speak. There are signs to get back to it from Tomball, but it can be a little tricky if you've never been before. Make sure you have a good map or instructions before you set off.

-the pavilion we will be using is at the very end of the park. Drive all the way to the back and you will deadend into it. Next to the pavilion is a small lake. If you/spouse/kids enjoy fishing, or feeding the ducks and geese, come prepared.

-there is a large playground area next to the lake, as well as volleyball. Lots of area for kids to play and run around. Bring balls, outdoor games, bikes, etc. if you think you'll have some non-boxing family with you.

-Part of your time will be finding boxes, and part of your time will be meeting people and doing exchanges. Make sure to bring all your regular letterboxing gear.

-No food is available in the park or nearby. We will do a potluck, so please bring a food item and your own drinks and we will all share.

-There are a fair amount of geocaches in this park as well as some existing letterboxes. If you enjoy both, bring your gps and lists. Otherwise, know that you may run into cachers out there.

-Squirrels are out in large quantities. They always seems to go crashing through the brush just as you're quietly walking by! I did smell one skunk, so they're out there too.

-Finally, for those coming from out of state or out of the area. . .this is not to scare you, but just want you to be aware. . .in other parts of Houston, there have been some rabid bats found and/or encounters. Nothing reported from this area where you will be, but be aware.

Kolaches, Koffee & Klues!

I am considering hosting a morning-after low-key event Sunday Morning at Memorial Park in Houston.

I love Memorial Park and consider it to be one of Houston's great treasures. I walk somewhere in the park 4 times a week, and have seen such an amazing variety of wildlife and plants. Just last week, on an early morning walk, I was lucky enough to see two coyotes crossing the path.

There are already about 25 boxes in the park, including TeamKing's great Trivial Pursuit series and some of my mystery boxes.

I plan on planting a handful more specifically for the Kolache, Coffee and Clues event. This will be very low-key, come when you want, no specific timetable, etc. However, I'd like to gauge interest. Because if there isn't any, I'm not getting out of bed!

Click here to signup for
Koffee, Kolaches & Klues

A spooky side trip

Your devious hostesses spent part of today replanting and adding some boxes to the Terrors of Telge series at Telge Park in Cypress, Texas. This was the site of last year's mini gathering, which was supposedly a lot of fun, but I, Dewberry, missed it because I was at home having a horror-of-a-stomach virus myself. However, I did find all the stamps later and can attest to what fun boxes are planted there.

Some boxes are being retooled and recarved (Mr. Bones' hiding place was submerged in a swamp), and I still have one more to carve. But, all the boxes should be in place by the first week of the gathering.

Telge Park is about 15 miles from Tomball. It's a great child-friendly destination. And with more than 10 Halloween-themed boxes, it's certainly a fun side trip if you're coming to the Great Book Adventure.

Now, to hide the book boxes!

Great Book Club

If you're an avid reader, we've come across a neat online book club that might just work for you. Check out www.paperbackswap.com. It doesn't cost anything. But its a great way to pass on all those books you have piling up - paperback and hard cover. Meanwhile, you can get books you're interested in. Read up about at on their website, and if you decide to join, let them know I sent you: madlongdogs@gmail.com.

Have fun and good reading!

TeamKing

Bookswap Box

As part of the fun, we'll have a paperback swap letterbox at the event.

To participate, just bring a paperback you've read and are ready to pass on to another person. The bookswap box will be in the pavilion. If you participate, you'll get clues to a special bonus box. We'll hide the box, and it will be clued like a regular box. To receive it though, you have to bring a book to swap! Mysteries, fiction, non-fiction, etc. -- any book that you want to share with others is fair game.

Idea based on bookcrossing! To find out more about sharing books that you've read, visit bookcrossing!

Less than 2 months to go. . .

And the excitement continues to build. I got a stamp from LILY the other day, and it was another great one, one that my boys in particular will just adore.

When the weather starts to cool off, even just a tiny bit, TeamKing and I plan to start the process of hiding the boxes.

Remember, some will be not-so-straightforward. So, keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you. I probably won't use the license plate technique I pulled at the last Texas gathering (a magnetized box attached to Mother of Five's car, with the only clue as the license plate number), but if I have my way, there will be some very tricky hides.

Dewberry

Event Structure - Give input!

So, we'd like to hear from you. . .the attendees.

Post a comment to the blog or shoot us an email to let us know these things:

1. Would you come to a Friday night social event? There are lots of out of towners coming and lots of new faces. A casual Friday dinner would give people the opportunity to socialize and then be able to donate more of Saturday to actually boxing. Or, alternately, we can set up a Saturday night after party where everyone can chill out and tell war stories from the day.

2. Is there a short class you'd like to have at the gathering? Improving your stamp carving, making logbooks, writing mystery clues?

3. Anything else? Don't be shy!

Amazing Stamps

Yesterday, the Charlotte's Web stamp from Sandibox arrived. Like the others I've received for the gathering, it is amazing--full of detail and a great capture of the flavor of the book!

Everytime I receive a donated stamp (or carve one myself, although that frenzy has sloooooooowed down), I am giddy with anticipation. This is going to be a great gathering! I may do a special log book just for this event to show off all the great stamps!