Letterboxing caravan

After some talking about having a place to chat amongst friends, a Letterboxing board was created. Then an Outing was announced and which became a caravan of fun.
The destination was Ann Arbor. What we thought was going to be a lot of quick boxes to be found, ended up taking us on some long hikes. The views however; were amazing. I only wish I had taken my camera.
We started at Nichols Arboretum. The rain had stopped and the sky was clouded over and the temps were in the low 60's. We were there at the perfect time. The peonies were in full bloom and smelled fabulous. If you have never been there I would suggest that you go and mill around. The trails were well marked and maintained. Lunagirl and Papa were there along with SITE Sleuths, Spartan Fans and us.

The first box was to be just inside the gate along a wood-chipped trail and after much searching it was determined to not be there. So... onward we went. and went, and went along this amazing trail. Up some steep hills and Down some even steeper ones! It was crazy. We did see along the way a great place to rest on a bench under a shady tree branch with flowers all around. It was picture perfect. When we reached the box location, there had been some clearing of trees. exactly where the box was supposed to be. well two down and none found. Back to where we started or so we thought. Down some steep steps again and across a field and down a trail which took us out to a river walk. It was so nice to hear the rushing water go by. We went a little ways and without clues, just memories of a previous find some months before, we found a box. Woo Hoo! It was a nice carve.

Some more walking and into the woods on a neat trail with circle areas containing conversation benches. We found another box. This one was in a great location. The stamp however was starting to crumble. We carefully logged in and walked some more. eventually we came back to the peonies.

We went for lunch downtown at "The Brown Jug"

Then it was off to Gallup Park. We must have arrived there at the same time as the rest of Ann Arbor. The place was packed. We decided to save it for another trip.
Driving a little ways down the road we ended up at Matthaei Botanical Garden. This is a place I would like to visit again. There was a path of pavers with a little sign that read "Tiny frog crossing" well we seen the tiny frogs and can I tell ya that they were tiny!!!! I bet they were no longer than 1/4" I was so surprised. Then further down a trail across a bridge or two and we came to a gazebo with Flowers and plants growing on the ROOF!!! There was a display inside telling you how to do it for your own roof. There were no shingles. It did reduce the rainwater run-off and looked so interesting. I wonder if it would really last? The plant of choice on this roof was sedum.

Then along the river in a mess of stinging nettles, slugs galore, picky and poky thorns we found a series of 3, and 2 singles. So all in all we now have found 7 boxes for the day.

The kiddos were troopers and did great. They did not let me forget that they were allowed to get Ice Cream because they went boxing with mom! So hmmmm......where to go?

The Yum-Yum Tree it was. Oh and another box. We already had it but Lunagirl and Papa did not so I directed them to a near-by location and success was had.

We ate and walked the boardwalk and chatted and all in all had a Great day.

I wonder if Lulu had as much fun at Michigan Adventure today?