After being rained out on my last two attempts to head Point Mugu State Park (Southern California), we finally got a nice day to head out there and get the boxes that are there. I had also prepared my first letterbox and planned to plant it out there.
My son, my brother and I hopped in the car and made the hour plus drive to the trailhead. As we were pulling off the main highway onto the road leading to the trailhead, someone flagged us down. He told us that the whole are was closed because of a small brush fire. Arrrrgggh!!!!
We checked at the ranger station a few miles back down the road and they confirmed what the man had told us. The area would be closed till at least 2:00 PM. We ended up going to another State Park in the area but we hadn't printed out any clues or brought any maps for the area so we had to rely on a park map which was very lacking in detail. The trip wasn't a total loss, however, as I did see some good spots to place a letterbox in the future.
___________________________
Eric Polk
PS: I still have the Ewe Be Gone Hitchhiker. One of these days I will actually be able to get to a letterbox to drop it off!!!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Curses! Foiled again!
7 messages in this thread |
Started on 2003-03-31
Curses! Foiled again!
From: Eric Polk (ericpolk@attbi.com) |
Date: 2003-03-31 06:44:44 UTC-08:00
Re: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
From: Eric Polk (ericpolk@attbi.com) |
Date: 2003-04-01 06:25:55 UTC-08:00
Oh! It just gets better and better! I didn't get any letterboxes but I DID get poison oak!!
Eeek! Itchy! Itchy!
Any relief advice from the veterans?
___________________________
Eric Polk
----- Original Message -----
From: Eric Polk
Subject: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
After being rained out on my last two attempts to head Point Mugu State Park (Southern California), we finally got a nice day to head out there and get the boxes that are there. I had also prepared my first letterbox and planned to plant it out there.
My son, my brother and I hopped in the car and made the hour plus drive to the trailhead. As we were pulling off the main highway onto the road leading to the trailhead, someone flagged us down. He told us that the whole are was closed because of a small brush fire. Arrrrgggh!!!!
We checked at the ranger station a few miles back down the road and they confirmed what the man had told us. The area would be closed till at least 2:00 PM. We ended up going to another State Park in the area but we hadn't printed out any clues or brought any maps for the area so we had to rely on a park map which was very lacking in detail. The trip wasn't a total loss, however, as I did see some good spots to place a letterbox in the future.
___________________________
Eric Polk
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Eeek! Itchy! Itchy!
Any relief advice from the veterans?
___________________________
Eric Polk
----- Original Message -----
From: Eric Polk
Subject: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
After being rained out on my last two attempts to head Point Mugu State Park (Southern California), we finally got a nice day to head out there and get the boxes that are there. I had also prepared my first letterbox and planned to plant it out there.
My son, my brother and I hopped in the car and made the hour plus drive to the trailhead. As we were pulling off the main highway onto the road leading to the trailhead, someone flagged us down. He told us that the whole are was closed because of a small brush fire. Arrrrgggh!!!!
We checked at the ranger station a few miles back down the road and they confirmed what the man had told us. The area would be closed till at least 2:00 PM. We ended up going to another State Park in the area but we hadn't printed out any clues or brought any maps for the area so we had to rely on a park map which was very lacking in detail. The trip wasn't a total loss, however, as I did see some good spots to place a letterbox in the future.
___________________________
Eric Polk
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
From: psycomommy2003 (ktborrelli@hotmail.com) |
Date: 2003-04-01 15:48:31 UTC
--- I don't mean to be a smart*** but stay clear of any thing with 3
leaves. Also if you think you've come in contact with the nasty stuff
wash your shoes. Especially the laces. That's how I've gotten
reinfected.
Psychomommy
In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Polk" wrote:
> Oh! It just gets better and better! I didn't get any letterboxes
but I DID get poison oak!!
>
> Eeek! Itchy! Itchy!
>
> Any relief advice from the veterans?
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Eric Polk
> Subject: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
>
>
> After being rained out on my last two attempts to head Point Mugu
State Park (Southern California), we finally got a nice day to head
out there and get the boxes that are there. I had also prepared my
first letterbox and planned to plant it out there.
>
> My son, my brother and I hopped in the car and made the hour plus
drive to the trailhead. As we were pulling off the main highway onto
the road leading to the trailhead, someone flagged us down. He told
us that the whole are was closed because of a small brush fire.
Arrrrgggh!!!!
>
> We checked at the ranger station a few miles back down the road
and they confirmed what the man had told us. The area would be
closed till at least 2:00 PM. We ended up going to another State
Park in the area but we hadn't printed out any clues or brought any
maps for the area so we had to rely on a park map which was very
lacking in detail. The trip wasn't a total loss, however, as I did
see some good spots to place a letterbox in the future.
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
leaves. Also if you think you've come in contact with the nasty stuff
wash your shoes. Especially the laces. That's how I've gotten
reinfected.
Psychomommy
In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Polk"
> Oh! It just gets better and better! I didn't get any letterboxes
but I DID get poison oak!!
>
> Eeek! Itchy! Itchy!
>
> Any relief advice from the veterans?
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Eric Polk
> Subject: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
>
>
> After being rained out on my last two attempts to head Point Mugu
State Park (Southern California), we finally got a nice day to head
out there and get the boxes that are there. I had also prepared my
first letterbox and planned to plant it out there.
>
> My son, my brother and I hopped in the car and made the hour plus
drive to the trailhead. As we were pulling off the main highway onto
the road leading to the trailhead, someone flagged us down. He told
us that the whole are was closed because of a small brush fire.
Arrrrgggh!!!!
>
> We checked at the ranger station a few miles back down the road
and they confirmed what the man had told us. The area would be
closed till at least 2:00 PM. We ended up going to another State
Park in the area but we hadn't printed out any clues or brought any
maps for the area so we had to rely on a park map which was very
lacking in detail. The trip wasn't a total loss, however, as I did
see some good spots to place a letterbox in the future.
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
From: irishtinker (irishtinker@earthlink.net) |
Date: 2003-04-01 11:16:29 UTC-05:00
Oatmeal bath
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Polk"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 9:25 AM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
> Oh! It just gets better and better! I didn't get any letterboxes but I
DID get poison oak!!
>
> Eeek! Itchy! Itchy!
>
> Any relief advice from the veterans?
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Eric Polk
> Subject: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
>
>
> After being rained out on my last two attempts to head Point Mugu State
Park (Southern California), we finally got a nice day to head out there and
get the boxes that are there. I had also prepared my first letterbox and
planned to plant it out there.
>
> My son, my brother and I hopped in the car and made the hour plus drive
to the trailhead. As we were pulling off the main highway onto the road
leading to the trailhead, someone flagged us down. He told us that the
whole are was closed because of a small brush fire. Arrrrgggh!!!!
>
> We checked at the ranger station a few miles back down the road and they
confirmed what the man had told us. The area would be closed till at least
2:00 PM. We ended up going to another State Park in the area but we hadn't
printed out any clues or brought any maps for the area so we had to rely on
a park map which was very lacking in detail. The trip wasn't a total loss,
however, as I did see some good spots to place a letterbox in the future.
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Polk"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 9:25 AM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
> Oh! It just gets better and better! I didn't get any letterboxes but I
DID get poison oak!!
>
> Eeek! Itchy! Itchy!
>
> Any relief advice from the veterans?
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Eric Polk
> Subject: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
>
>
> After being rained out on my last two attempts to head Point Mugu State
Park (Southern California), we finally got a nice day to head out there and
get the boxes that are there. I had also prepared my first letterbox and
planned to plant it out there.
>
> My son, my brother and I hopped in the car and made the hour plus drive
to the trailhead. As we were pulling off the main highway onto the road
leading to the trailhead, someone flagged us down. He told us that the
whole are was closed because of a small brush fire. Arrrrgggh!!!!
>
> We checked at the ranger station a few miles back down the road and they
confirmed what the man had told us. The area would be closed till at least
2:00 PM. We ended up going to another State Park in the area but we hadn't
printed out any clues or brought any maps for the area so we had to rely on
a park map which was very lacking in detail. The trip wasn't a total loss,
however, as I did see some good spots to place a letterbox in the future.
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
Re: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
From: rscarpen (RiskyNil@pocketmail.com) |
Date: 2003-04-01 16:18:01 UTC
> --- I don't mean to be a smart*** but stay clear of any thing with
> 3 leaves. Also if you think you've come in contact with the nasty
> stuff wash your shoes. Especially the laces. That's how I've gotten
> reinfected.
Well, even better than just staying away from any plant that has
three leaves, learn to identify it. Not ALL plants with leaves of
three is poison oak! Growing up in California where there is poison
oak EVERYWHERE, it never ceases to amaze me at how few people on the
trail are actually able to identify it and instead go running from
any plant that has three leaves, whether it's poison oak or not.
But even then, avoiding any plant with three leaves isn't good
enough, since at certain times of the year (i.e. winter!) the leaves
could have withered up and fallen off. But you can still get poison
oak from the oils left behind. At which point it becomes important
to learn to recognize the types of area that's likely to have poison
oak regardless of whether it's actually visible or not.
In California, it's most prevelent near water sources such as on the
shores of streams and lakes and protected by shade. And at lower
altitudes--say, below 3000 feet. If you're hiking around in the
Sierra Nevadas, you're free from worry!
Strangely, in the Pacific Northwest, I've noticed that it's almost
the complete opposite and poison oak is usually found in open areas
basking in the sunlight away from streams and lakes. Up in the
higher elevations like on Mount Hood I've never been able to find it,
but along exposed ridgecrests of lower elevations it's prominent.
Of course, it's a little late for Eric, and he has my sympathies.
Washing the shoes is a good idea--I hadn't thought of that before.
And if you have touched poison oak inadvertantly, or think you have,
I heard of a "temporary" quick fix that might help reduce the chances
of actually getting it. Generally, the oil from poison oak needs to
be in contact with your skin for at least a small period of time
before you'll "get" poison oak, and the quicker you can wash it off,
the less likely it'll get you, or at least the lesser the severity.
I don't know if this really works or not, but I figured it can't
hurt, and there's a certain amount of logic to it.
What you do, wet down the area with water (you do have plenty of
water on your hikes, right?) you suspect may have been in contact
with poison oak. Then rub dirt into it. Poison oak excreets an oil,
and water alone isn't going to get it off. You know the saying about
trying to mix water and oil. But the oil is supposed to cling to the
dirt pretty well, and when you rinse the dirt off with more water,
it'll take the oils with it. Kind of an improvised soap, I suppose.
But like I said, I don't really know the validity of whether this
would work or not, but as long as you don't rub your skin raw with
the dirt, I figure it can't hurt to try it in a pinch! But then,
I've never gotten poison oak before, and I know I've touched it
plenty of times.
Of course, I've never tried that gimmick either. I may be allergic
to poison oak, but I've never gotten a dose big enough to cause
problems yet!
Happy trails!
-- Ryan
> 3 leaves. Also if you think you've come in contact with the nasty
> stuff wash your shoes. Especially the laces. That's how I've gotten
> reinfected.
Well, even better than just staying away from any plant that has
three leaves, learn to identify it. Not ALL plants with leaves of
three is poison oak! Growing up in California where there is poison
oak EVERYWHERE, it never ceases to amaze me at how few people on the
trail are actually able to identify it and instead go running from
any plant that has three leaves, whether it's poison oak or not.
But even then, avoiding any plant with three leaves isn't good
enough, since at certain times of the year (i.e. winter!) the leaves
could have withered up and fallen off. But you can still get poison
oak from the oils left behind. At which point it becomes important
to learn to recognize the types of area that's likely to have poison
oak regardless of whether it's actually visible or not.
In California, it's most prevelent near water sources such as on the
shores of streams and lakes and protected by shade. And at lower
altitudes--say, below 3000 feet. If you're hiking around in the
Sierra Nevadas, you're free from worry!
Strangely, in the Pacific Northwest, I've noticed that it's almost
the complete opposite and poison oak is usually found in open areas
basking in the sunlight away from streams and lakes. Up in the
higher elevations like on Mount Hood I've never been able to find it,
but along exposed ridgecrests of lower elevations it's prominent.
Of course, it's a little late for Eric, and he has my sympathies.
Washing the shoes is a good idea--I hadn't thought of that before.
And if you have touched poison oak inadvertantly, or think you have,
I heard of a "temporary" quick fix that might help reduce the chances
of actually getting it. Generally, the oil from poison oak needs to
be in contact with your skin for at least a small period of time
before you'll "get" poison oak, and the quicker you can wash it off,
the less likely it'll get you, or at least the lesser the severity.
I don't know if this really works or not, but I figured it can't
hurt, and there's a certain amount of logic to it.
What you do, wet down the area with water (you do have plenty of
water on your hikes, right?) you suspect may have been in contact
with poison oak. Then rub dirt into it. Poison oak excreets an oil,
and water alone isn't going to get it off. You know the saying about
trying to mix water and oil. But the oil is supposed to cling to the
dirt pretty well, and when you rinse the dirt off with more water,
it'll take the oils with it. Kind of an improvised soap, I suppose.
But like I said, I don't really know the validity of whether this
would work or not, but as long as you don't rub your skin raw with
the dirt, I figure it can't hurt to try it in a pinch! But then,
I've never gotten poison oak before, and I know I've touched it
plenty of times.
Of course, I've never tried that gimmick either. I may be allergic
to poison oak, but I've never gotten a dose big enough to cause
problems yet!
Happy trails!
-- Ryan
Re: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
From: TrekerJo (trekerjo@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2003-04-01 11:19:04 UTC-08:00
I can't go by "leaves of 3,let them be"- I usually get caught before any leaves come out. I think all of those itchy plants have it out for me. It is a good suggestion to wash anything that comes in contact with the plant. Better safe than sorry.
Happy trails-TrekerJo
psycomommy2003
leaves. Also if you think you've come in contact with the nasty stuff
wash your shoes. Especially the laces. That's how I've gotten
reinfected.
Psychomommy
In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Polk"
> Oh! It just gets better and better! I didn't get any letterboxes
but I DID get poison oak!!
>
> Eeek! Itchy! Itchy!
>
> Any relief advice from the veterans?
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Eric Polk
> Subject: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
>
>
> After being rained out on my last two attempts to head Point Mugu
State Park (Southern California), we finally got a nice day to head
out there and get the boxes that are there. I had also prepared my
first letterbox and planned to plant it out there.
>
> My son, my brother and I hopped in the car and made the hour plus
drive to the trailhead. As we were pulling off the main highway onto
the road leading to the trailhead, someone flagged us down. He told
us that the whole are was closed because of a small brush fire.
Arrrrgggh!!!!
>
> We checked at the ranger station a few miles back down the road
and they confirmed what the man had told us. The area would be
closed till at least 2:00 PM. We ended up going to another State
Park in the area but we hadn't printed out any clues or brought any
maps for the area so we had to rely on a park map which was very
lacking in detail. The trip wasn't a total loss, however, as I did
see some good spots to place a letterbox in the future.
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Tax Center - File online, calculators, forms, and more
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
From: Eric Polk (ericpolk@attbi.com) |
Date: 2003-04-02 06:18:39 UTC-08:00
"Leaves of three, leave it be" is my motto. I was even pointing it out to my son on this trip so he would know what to avoid. We were on some really narrow single track trails (some of which were little more than spot where the plants on the trail were shorter than the ones off the trails) and there must have been some hanging into the trail. The weird thing is that most of the spots are on the back of my legs. I can't figure out how I got them there unless I backed into it.
Our shoes and clothes are sitting in isolation in the garage due to a tick sighting. I will make sure that I wash them.
Thanks!
___________________________
Eric Polk
----- Original Message -----
From: psycomommy2003
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 7:48 AM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
--- I don't mean to be a smart*** but stay clear of any thing with 3
leaves. Also if you think you've come in contact with the nasty stuff
wash your shoes. Especially the laces. That's how I've gotten
reinfected.
Psychomommy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Our shoes and clothes are sitting in isolation in the garage due to a tick sighting. I will make sure that I wash them.
Thanks!
___________________________
Eric Polk
----- Original Message -----
From: psycomommy2003
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 7:48 AM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Curses! Foiled again!
--- I don't mean to be a smart*** but stay clear of any thing with 3
leaves. Also if you think you've come in contact with the nasty stuff
wash your shoes. Especially the laces. That's how I've gotten
reinfected.
Psychomommy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]