Red's Bunch was "half-staffed" on our trip to Orlando, having dropped
the kids off at their Grandparents for the week. Dang, didn't we have
fun! Silly Ol' Bear had a conference to attend, but there was plenty
of time for letterboxing after the meetings. We picked up 12 new
boxes and a hitchhiker! (We also fed a goodly number of biting
insects.) All of these boxes, logbooks, stamps and hidey-holes are in
great shape, except for Canaveral Marshes. If you're planning an
Orlando vacation this summer, or if you've ever been to these boxes,
please check out these updates.

REPTILE RACE: 5/3/04 It was raining the day we arrived, but that
never bothers us. The woman who charged us for admission to the park
thought we were crazy and she didn't want to leave her booth in the
rain. This was a pretty path and a nicely hidden box. We'd have
stayed longer but the deerflies and skeeters were bad, even with the
rain.
DISNEY#1, CELEBRATION: 5/3/04 This town is so pleasant and clean that
it's creepy. We took the box back to the car to stamp in, and one
resident stood on his porch talking on his cell phone the whole time.
The logbook indicated that a hitchhiker had been left, so when I
replaced the box I looked a little harder, and there it was:
THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN', and they've been doing so since
December of 2001! The placer forgot to stamp "Boots"
into "Celebration", and vicey-versey; we didn't notice until we had
left. This hitcher is my favorite, a really charming stamp.
MOSS PARK/SPLIT OAK FOREST: 5/5/04 It took us awhile to find the
trailhead, but this hike was worth the effort. The trees are
magnificent, the forest path is such a pleasant walk, and the Split
Oak was amazing. Found both boxes without trouble. We had to hoof it
back to the car in a rush, though, because it was close to closing
time and Silly Ol' Bear was afraid they were going to lock the gates
on us. We made it just in time.
CANAVERAL MARSHES: 5/6/04 I went off on my own for this one, while
Silly Ol' Bear was in meetings. Parked the car, got out my backpack,
and noticed that our kit was missing; I had left it back in our hotel
room, a 45 minute drive away. I rummaged around in the trunk and
found a backup, a stamp I haven't placed yet and an inkpad we don't
use anymore. Oh well. This box needs some TLC, just as the clues
indicate. It may need to be retired; everything needs replacing,
including the stamp, which is broken into 5 pieces and is crumbling
away to bits. There's another stamp in the box, made of stone, which
is also broken.
MERRITT ISLAND ARMADILLO: 5/6/04 To paraphrase a southernism, I
couldn't get there from here. The causeway to the island was closed
for construction, and after traveling along the detour route for 12
miles I had run out of time and had to turn around.
SNOWY EGRET: 5/6/04 Loved this stamp! Easily the largest one we ever
logged, and the hike wins the award for the trail that most reminded
us of a jungle safari. Again, we wished we were able to arrive
earlier, because this Disney Preserve looked to be well worth a full
day of trail hiking. They're very serious about closing the trails at
4:30.
DISNEY#2, WILDERNESS LODGE: 5/6/04 This lodge is amazing! Must be
seen, even if you don't rent a room there. While walking back from
the box, we met a puzzled looking man carrying a piece of paper. We
thought at first that he was an employee, but I got a better look at
the paper, it turned out that he was seeking the same letterbox! We
helped him out a little, since the clues confused us at first, too.
Later that night, I realized that we should have had a stamp
exchange! It was the first time we ever encountered another
letterboxer before, so it simply didn't occur to us at the time.
DISNEY#3, CARIBBEAN BEACH: 5/6/04 Very straightforward, great hidey-
hole.
FALLEN LOG CROSSING TRAIL: 5/7/04 Our last Orlando box, we scheduled
this one for the morning on our way out of town. This is by far the
nicest, most well maintained facility we've ever seen. The Nature
Conservatory folks are great. Boardwalks are great. Stamp was really
great (our favorite this trip). I especially enjoyed pretending I was
on Gilligan's Island.
MY OLD STOMPING GROUND SERIES: 5/7/04 (Gainesville) Classes were out
at the U of Florida, so (they say) foot traffic was light. We looked
for the reportedly MIA "Century Tower" and didn't find it, but
weren't surprised considering the location. "Go Gators" and "Gator
Trails" were fine and dandy (despite the erroneous report that "Go
Gators" was MIA). For some reason I can't put my finger on, I really
enjoyed this series. Being on a college campus again, I suppose.
HOWLING PUP: 5/7/04 Although the park's "waterfall" was bone dry, the
trail itself was pleasant and we were impressed with the efforts of
the boy scouts here. You wouldn't think that trees could get this big
in a state that sees so many hurricanes.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and would like to thank all those
who placed these boxes (Deneal, Bill & Craig, Noelle, Alex and Kevin,
Dr. Mings & Jay in CT, Mary Manatee & The Yachtsman, Tweety & Mr.
Coon, Tony & Nikki, and BoxingBuddy). We especially thank you for
sharing some of your favorite places with us. It was also great fun
seeing the stamps that all the visitors to these boxes left behind, a
truly nationwide group.

Y'all come see us in Georgia, y'hear?

Red of "Red's Bunch"