Murphey's 1st Christmas - Hail Mary

 Murphy's 1st Christmas  -  Hail Mary

Our Family has a somewhat unusual tradition involving acceptance or rejections Postcards from the NFL.  (Mostly rejections.)   For well over 20 years, our Son, the Dallas cowboy Fanatic, has had us send requests for the Superbowl Ticket Lottery.  

So every year we all get a postcard telling us if we have won the privilege of buying tickets or not.   We actually have lucked out a few times and have been able to go.  I hope to tell more about that in other LBs.   I gave this box its name because the lottery is our own version of a Hail Mary.  

Clue:
1. Go to Riverwoods Shopping center in Orem and park in the South-east corner parking lot.  


2. You will see two wooden bridges on Provo River Parkway as it crosses over  a rocks strewn draining.  Start at the southern most bridge.  


3. Between the two bridges you will see a cluster of 4 evergreen trees.   Find the northernmost tree.  It should be almost parallel to the signs in the photo. 


4. Look at the rocks in the drainage until you see the on with the x.  X marks the spot.  The box is underneath the X.  




Enjoy.  

Murphey's First Christmas - Gingies for Rob

When our Grand daughter and her Husband were approaching their first Christmas Together, I decided to make Letter-boxes for them and use some of them to tell about Christmas Traditions in our Family. 

I have a recipie for Gingies, (Cookies) which I love. No one else in the family is crazy about them until our Grandson-in-law came along. Now I don't have to feel guilty about pushing Gingies on anyone. 

Clues

In Spanish Fork, go west on 100 south until you get to Spanish Fields Drive (1000 West). Follow Spanish Fields Drive until it ends and you can’t go any further. Turn right and park on the side of the street before you drive over the bridge. Cross over the the walking/bike path on the east side of the road and begin there.

Walk along until you have had the opportunity to learn about Willow Trees and Ground hogs. 

Now look for the clues in the photos. To the left of the rocks is a large fold in the tarp upon which the rocks are set to protect the riverbank. You will find the Box underneath the biggest fold in the tarp. (The fold that goes back toward the river.  Box is on the river-side.) 

Enjoy.

Murphey's 1st Christmas Letterboxes

This is a series of boxes I made for our Granddaughter and her husband for their first Christmas together.  

I first hid them around their home and yard. Now I am planting them for all to enjoy.

They each represent a tradition in our family.  It is a fun way to introduce them to our new family member. 

OH, I was not able to finish all of them, but will continue to make and add to this series anyway.  

The photos is of their First Christmas Tree, which you can see is a hat tree.  They could't afford a real tree so they used their imagination.  Clever.  

Art City Sketchbook - Structures

Art City Sketchbook  -  Structures

The Springville Fish Hatchery is now under the Division of Natural Resources.  This is a huge annoyance to me only because their logo is DNR, which, me being an ex-nurse, to me means Do NOT RESUSITATE! 


I chose this place because the Fish Hatchery structures have been in our town since around 1909.  See the website mentioned on the AtlasQuest clue.  It is also a very tranquil setting of Spring Creek, which flows first through the Mill Pond to the east, then through both sections of the hatchery.  
The pipe that carries the water under the street also has the distinction of being the only place where Desert Grandpa ever caught a fish.  He was 12 at the time.  He, being the 7th son, was not encouraged to go hunting and fishing and he never did develop an interest in such things.  However, he proudly re-tells the story of that first catch.


Clue
1. In the photo on AtlasQuest you will see the grassy area where you need to begin.   Look for the number 2 above a number 1 that is on its side with the top pointing east.  Under that number 1 is a right side-up Number 1.   


2.  Go east from that point until you see this photo.


3. Now look for a wooden telephone pole that appears to be growing right out of a tree.


4. You will find the box slightly below waist level, wedged between the telephone pone and a branch of the tree.  


While you are there take advantage of the other things the Fish Hatchery has to offer if they are open.  




Enjoy this peaceful little spot.






P.S.

Here is a photo of my mother at the East  Fish Hatchery when she was in 8th Grade.  I love it.

Since she would have been 97 on the 25th, just a few days ago, and she's been gone since Memorial day of 79, I think I'll dedicate this box to her memory.
Love you Mom.

Castle in the Pines

A royal setting for a Royal Palace.  

Start up Cedar Canyon from East Center Street in Cedar City, Utah until you come to the bridge in the photo.  Stop there and cross over the bridge.  As you do, you should see a waterfall  on the upper canyon side of the bridge.  You will also see a great viewpoint with a park bench on it.  A great place to rest and take advantage of the view.  We did.

Now go back down the path and follow it toward the town and then back it makes a U turn and heads back up the canyon.

You will come to a place where a dirt road leads off the pass.  Walk up that dirt road to a crossroad. There will be a rock at in the center between the two.  Now look across the dirt road where ti goes back up the canyon and you should see some large pine trees.   (As in the photo Below. )

Rock between path and dirt road

View from Crossroad across canyon 

You will find the Castle in The branches of the nearest Pint tree hidden in a black pouch.    (See Photo)

When you find it, if you do not feel that it is safe  . . . . .feel free to secure it in a better place if you like, but be sure to notify me so that I can change the clues.

Hope you like the castle.  It was sent to me by.




Enjoy!

You Can Quote Me

Ann J. Gardner Canyon Park East Side 500 East Center Street, Cedar City, Utah

The East Canyon Park is located off Center Street (Scenic Byway 14) close to the mouth of Cedar Canyon. From this sign. . . . .walk the cement path staying to your right until you see the view below. Continue on path and go under a drain pipe passed three wire-covered lights. After you come into the light again ---- look for a cememt barrier that has 4 levels. The black pouch containing the box is hidden behind the metal pole and behind the edge of the 2nd level of cement. Besure to re close and replace carefully.

Enjoy!

Murphey's 1st Christmas Letterboxes --M is for Murphey

Since this was our Grand-daughter'sfirst Christmas as a Murphey, and since she needed a new Christmas Stocking (Making Christmas stockings has been atradition in our family) Not only have our children made stockings fortheir pets, I have made stockings for the Baby's-to-be. At one time I even made a Dallas Cowboy Football cleat for my Dallas Cowboy, Fanatic Fan son. unfortunately it disappeared after that first year. ?????????? This stamp is to commemorate all the time and effort that has gone into the making of Christmas Stockings over the years. And what better place than in a Children's forest?

This Box is plantedin theChildren's Forest at the Kiln In Leeds Canyon just west of Silver Reef, Utah. Exit #23on I-15 in Southern Utah at Leed's and go westto Silver Reef. See Map above.

Take Oak Grove Road to The Children's Forest at the Kiln.
Walk the Children's forest Trail until you come to the sign about "Shrub Live Oak.

You should be at or near a fork in the path. Take the right path and follow it until you pass a bench and come to a sigh about "Mormon Tea". Note the rock near the pine tree in back of the sign. Go there. Turn to the left and take 6 steps. You should see a pile of kichen covered boulders and smaller rocks underneath a bush. The black Pouch containing the letter-box is underneath two of the smaller rocks. Good luck and enjoy!

Rush in the Rushes

Yesterday we had to make a trip to Nephi, so I looked to see if there were any boxes in that area that we could find. Therewere not at all.

So, I found a fairly suitable stamp I had carved for something else, quickly put a box together and we planted it on our way.

Clues.

1.- Turn Off I-15 at Mona and follow map to Burraston Ponds. (Gold Star)

2.- After entering the Ponds stay to the right until you pass the monument that is surrounded by 8 large red boulders.

3.- Just beyond the monumen

t turn to the left and park in the rounded ares near the ponds. The View to the north west should look like photo two.

4.- Now find the tree that has at least 7 branches off the main trunk.

5/- Turn to the South and take 28 steps. (Not paces - just steps)

6.- Now turn right and take 6 steps.

7.- You will find the box planted in the center of a large bush. You should be able to see some tall poplar trees across the pond from where it is planted. If you look to the east you should see the afore mentioned monument.

Good luck and Happy Trails. Enjoy!

I love Letter-Boxing

This box was originally planted as a bonus box with clues in another box. Both boxes came up missing.

Clue.

Place. W350 North Geneva Road, Provo, Utah. Park in trail parking lot on west side

of road and walk west on the Provo River Trail.

Look for the place in photos.Desert Grandpa says a beast is guarding our box. He manages to see all kinds of things in nature, many of which no one else in the family can make out. This beast, however, really does look like a beast -- even to me, so I believe you will be able to recognize it when you see it.

If not ---the tree trunk is about as gnarly as any I've seen,

particularly on this trail.

The box, made for Boxing Day 2009, is plated in the root system at the base of the gnarly trunk on the north side.

PLEA to finder -- I believe I also put a hitchhiker there, but cannot for the life of me recall which one. (Oh, the fun of senility!) Let me know, will you?

ENJOY!

Good luck and Enjoy.

30 Oaks Ranch Box #4 The Cornfield

Yes we even picked corn for my Uncle Ivor when he had the ranch. One wonderful thing about picking corn is that it waa cooler time of year and at least there was always shade. Theodd thing that stands outin my mind is the fact that we would always eat a raw ear of corn with our lunch. If you have never tasted raw corn then you have no idea how sweet, tasty and satisfying it can be.

Clues

1. Drive up Hobble Creek Canyon and stop near this sign at the catch Basin. Go through the gate in photo and follow the road on the right to theeast (Not the road that goes over the catch basin dam)

2. Begin looking to your left when you reach the clump of trees and shrubs that are between the two roads. as seen in photo to the left.

3. Look for a sign that tells about "Wildlife in Hobble Creek Canyon". You will see a dirt path through through brush that leads to the main road.

4. Take 9 steps on that path then look back over your right shoulder.

5. The box is underneath the lone rock.

30 Oaks Ranch Box #3 The Barn

While you cannot actually visit the barn, and quite frankly, it is in such disrepair and is so dangerous that you wouldn't even want to, still I can tell you about how much fun is to have access to a place like that as a child. Lying in the straw and day-dreaming is a great way to wile away a hot summer afternoon, particularly after a hard day's work in the fields. It is also a fun place to play even though it is dangerous, and forbidden and you spend most of your time playing look-out fin case adults come around.

Next time you see an old barn, just imagine all the memories and secrets its history could reveal.

Clue.

1. Go to 30 Oaks & Canyon Road in Springville, Utah

2. Follow the sidewalk up the hill to where the sidewalk ends.

From there you can look down and see the two green fields where the cornfield was on the right and the bean field on the left. (A reference for future boxes).

2. On the south side of the 9th big rock to the west, you should find the box under a cairn of smaller stones. If you get to the rock shown below, you have gone too far.

Warning: There has been an arsonist in the area who has started at least 4 brushfires. I hope the box is okay. Be on the lookout for anyone who may look suspicious. (other than yourself)

Happy Boxing.

30 Oaks Ranch Box # 2 Contest at the Canal

So often the canal was our salvation on those hot summer noons when we were able to take a break from our work in the bean patch, or cornfield or just helping out with other varied chores. The water was always cold and clear and it was refreshing to wade, doggie-paddle or splash in. Yes, there were many water fights. We went back to work with wet clothes drying on our bodies and it was so cooling and relaxing.

(Later, as a Nursing student, I let our

Psychiatric Nursing Instructor wrap me in wet sheets and then put a blanket over me and let the sheets dry. That procedure was at one time used to tranquilize agitated patients and she wanted to demonstrate how effective it was. I already knew. It really does work!)

One lunchtime in particular stands out in my mind, the day my cousin, Margaret, along with my sister and I had a contest at the canal. To find out more, find this box. It is not a contest that would immediately come to mind.

Clue

1. Start at the junction of Canyon Road & 2900 East . There is room enough to park near the sign. Once again, look all around you. This land was once all part of 30 Oaks Ranch. Time changes all, nothing remains the same.

Walk down the bike path to the beginning of the fence. To your south-east you should be able to see a pretty hammered Mountain Bell sign next to a barbed-wire fence. Go there. From near that vantage point you will be able to see where the old bean field was, and perhaps you can hear the canal, but at present there are just too many trees and greenery to actually see it. Just a little to the north along the edge of the drop-off, you may be able to get a glimpse of But Pond.

Stand facing the sign and look down and to your right. You will see a rock under which is the box.

Enjoy the box and the contest. Too bad there are not enough such things around anymore for anot

her contest like that.

Happy Boxing.

Strawberry Fields Forever

Picking Strawberries Letter Box

(Memories of my sister & I)

We would get up at 4AM and be in the patch before sunrise. Sometimes the patch would be muddy from rain or irrigation and mornings were always very cold that time of year. We would start our day all bundled up, shivering and determined to out-pick one another only earn a few cents a basket, maybe 5 cents,like 20 cents a crate, it wasn't very much. It was very hard work for what you got. I can see why they have to hire migrant labor to do such work now days.

In the grey light before dawn, it was hard to see if the berries were red or not. It was easy to pick unripe berries then; had to be real careful or you'd get a chewing out from the grown-up "Patch Bosses" one of whom was Mama. I can still see the dark damp earth between the rows of plants; see the earthworms wriggling in the early morning light; see the dew heavy on the strawberries leaves, leaves that hid clusters of berries of varying size and ripeness; see the shadowy figures of kids working their way up the rows. Everyone started together, but like runners in a race, soon the faster pickers took the lead and the slow pickers straggled behind.

I can still feel the chill in the air; feel the mooshy earthy wetness on my knees as I knelt; feel the weight of dried mud on my Levis as the day progressed; feel the dampness in my clothes; I can feel the cold that slowly gave way to comfort and then to sweaty, stifling heat as the sun moved higher in the sky. Sunrise over the mountains was always spectacular and very welcome. Being close to the mountains meant the sun would wash across the valley first. I'd often stand to see where the shadows ended, watching anxiously as the light and warmth crept slowly upon the strawberry patch. The sun never felt better to me than when it finally bathed me with its rays on those mornings, a wonderful feeling!

I can still smell the musty odors of the patch in early morning and the almost rancid fruity odors brought out by noontime sun. I can smell the mold, the sweat, the manure and other odors from the farm. I can still smell the stinkbugs. I can feel the bugs and grasshoppers, all the little creatures both real and imagined, crawling on me, making me shudder. I can feel the dirt clods and the strawberries that were thrown at me. I can feel the thrust of my arm as I threw them back. I can also feel the cringe in my spine when I got caught and was scolded for that same mischief. I can still feel all the body aches from stooping, bending and squatting. Ouch.! I can feel how good it was to stand to stretch. Awe!!

I can still taste the strawberries, ripe and cool and juicy, with a flavor that cannot be duplicated today. Is it just my imagination? Maybe. Perhaps they tasted so very good to me because they were eaten in a setting that made them , as Emerson Essay's, a part of the"Perfect Whole".

I never could pick as fast as my younger sister could. When Mama was a girl, she'd had a reputation for being a fast picker and my sister worked at doing the same. Even when I was keeping up with her which, by the way, took a maximum of effort on my part, I still never managed to beat her. One reason was that she would go back out into the patch and glean if necessary, in order to get at least a half-cup more than me. She just couldn't stand to let me win, not even once. I can't say that I blame her, but I sure didn't like it. Mom was constantly on my back about how "Good a worker" sister was and would ask me"What is wrong with you, ? You are just too darned slow and lazy!".

Lunch time was welcome too, sitting by the creek eating sack lunches with a dessert of strawberries if we hadn't already had our fill; splashing water to cool off and then ending up in free-for-all water fights, teasing and being teased, wading in the creek, " Crik", and catching water snakes; climbing trees; running around and playing games. Lunchtime was by far the best part of the day.

We rarely worked much past 2pm because of the heat and the fact that we were bored, tired, and more than anxious to quit. Work slowed and horsing around escalated in the afternoons. I think the adults just gave up by then. They were probably tired too and had many other things they had to do.

Coming here today, July, 2010 to plant this box, brings back a flood of memories, and what an appropriate day, too. After all, we usually managed to spend at least $2 of our hard earned money on the 4th of July. Wow!

Looking back now, I'm grateful for the entire experience and I do cherish all of it; the sleepy awakenings; the cold and chilly-damp; the stink bugs, flies and assorted beetles; the moldy or water-soaked or just plain juicy and delicious berries; Mama working along side us and pushing us on with her jabs and grating voice; the race, the chase, the determination and the futility: all of the aching muscles and sunburn; the scrapes, cuts and bruises, all of it. It is a package that cannot be put together in today's world. Too bad! I do know quite a few who could benefit from a package like that. I know I did.

The creek is still here along with a few out buildings and the old house is too, but all has changed so much. The strawberry patch which took up acres, was on the north of the old house and is now broken up into homes and yards. I stand and look out over the scene and I know that ---no matter the changes ----I will always see Strawberry Fields FOREVER!

CLUES

Go to The Springville High school. (Map shown on Atlas Quest)You can park at the High school and walk the short distance to the box. Turn south on 12oo East and walk to the bridge over Hobble Creek. 1.Find the placeinthe photo and cross the street east. 2. Find the place in the 2nd photo. You will see a large tree to your left if you are facing photo #2. The box is hidden under the rock on the south side of the base of the 2nd post to the east of that tree. (Photo #3) ENJOY!