What a whirlwind boxious weekend!

Many, many thanks to Mother of Crickets and her encourager Mary for
persevering and getting us together. You may think you didn't do
that much but there we all were! I have it on good authority from
our New England visitors that Riverbend rivaled or exceeded any New
England gathering.

When I arrived at 10:30am I couldn't believe how many people were
already there. I guess most like me thought to get ahead of the
projected rain.

I really enjoyed the great migration from the pavillion. Since it
didn't rain it was nicer down under the trees. And who would have
wanted to miss Happy Homeschooler's story facing the flock of deer
stares?

It seemed like someone managed to bring a little of everything. Just
when you thought something forgotten you found great food everywhere
with plates, flatware, drinks, cups and ice. How did we do that?

I never had so many different colors of ink on my hands at once. I
heard Psychomommy say happily she thought she might end up with more
exchanges than finds at that rate. I am only sorry I think I saw
more stamps than faces. I am glad we had to seek out everyone for
stamps so at least I had to talk a little to everyone.

Missed Apple Dumpling Gang, sorry they couldn't make it. I know
there are a lot of stamps in the logs in my placed boxes, of people
in the area who didn't make it either. Hope to see everyone on the
trail or in the logs.

It was great to have new people arrive later to start the excitement
all over again.

Really enjoyed Rich's elvish map, curried chicken, samosas,
butterfinger cookies, and 3 glorious event stamps.

Wasn't it great to see Sadie and Russ from CT and Wanda from RI?
They stayed for a day or two more and letterboxed with Scarab and
Night Owl. Next time less time on big breakfasts and more boxing.
We spent a fine day in Leesburg Sunday, and Vienna and Hemlock on
Monday. How many of you really wanted to take Monday off? I took
the afternoon off anyway. Did I say how really great Rich's "Day in
Leesburg" website and tour is?

Sadie figured out my "not so mystery" box without any research or
knowledge at all and found a stamp in a place never experienced
before. Russ offered his cool Kokopelli stamp to help me reach 100
and because of it I got a great 100th stamp the next day. Wanda the
linguist chattered happily away in many different languages as she
read the Universal Language clues and we followed clueless.

Wanda made her 2500th find. It was way cool for her to do that the
same trip I made my 100th.

Sadie taught me that gore tex boots are the way to go and Russ that
being out there enjoying it is why we're there. Wanda taught me to
set that goal, plan, and go for it. All three were full of great
letterboxing stories. I hope Sadie and Russ return for a DC box tour
and Wanda and Pete too. (If only I could have shown them more.)

Did you know that all the original boxing in New England was with
store bought stamps and hand made stamps only developed later? I
have a new appreciation for letterboxing with what ever works for you.

Happy hunting,
Scarab of the Doubtful Guests
F102 P14 X46 E4