Soaking in Sunbeam Springs
The View From the Road
Hiding Spot on the Hill
Note the Critter Nibbles on the Rim of the Lid - Yummy!
The Springs on the Hill Across the Road
Our adventure led us to Stanley, Idaho and our first stop was at “Sunbeam Springs”. In 2003 Cadenza planted a great box at this geological/historical site. By this juncture we had drive in and out of rain and it was a tad gloomy and breezy. Leave it to the Jr. Letterboxers to brave the cold to take a dip in the hot natural spring that was blending with the river. That left me to find the box which was a little nibbled by critters but otherwise none the worse for the wear.
The boys boiled and soaked until they were like little lobsters. This may have been their favorite stop on our Stanley adventure.
The View of the Outhouse from the Stairs
Don't Fall In the River
We did head down the highway to attempt to locate “The Dam Letterbox also by Cadenza. But after a long search of all the trees and rocks in and around the abandoned outhouse we determined it must be missing in action. I could not resist snapping a few pictures of the funny little outhouse sitting on the ledge above the river. I guess it is a perfect place to do your business with a great view. Those old time miners sure knew how to live.
Mr. Dally (self-confessed non boxer) Finds the Box
An Old Homestead
Winter is Winning the Battle
Our final destination was to track down the “Land of the Yankee Fork Series” in Sunbeam, Bonanza and Custer also planted by Cadenza in 2003. These empty towns are now old ghost towns up in the mountains outside of Stanley. I never knew these x-boomtowns existed but was thrilled at all the history and exploring that awaited us. The only drawback to our arrival was how late in the day we finally made it to the first box “Hittin’ Paydirt” located in the near empty town site of Bonanza behind one of the collapsed cabins. We did find the box just sitting out in the open but it was in great shape and we made sure to hide it well before pushing on to the next box.
http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gBoxId=587
http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gBoxId=587
MaMa and PaPa at Rest
Mother Nature Takes Back Her Plot
The second box was located at the Bonanza Cemetery. We believe that supernatural forces may have been up to naughty mischief as the box has vanished into thin air. We can’t confirm the activities of the cemetery residents but it is possible that they liked the box so much that they have hidden it from all living visitors.
We had to skip box number three “Dredging It Up” as we did not see the outhouse on our journey to Custer. We think it may be near the Dredging Museum. But the museum was closed and we didn't have time to stop.
Lizman Finds "Custers Letterbox"
Blackvelvetrav Stamping In
The Pei's of Adventure
A Home Site in Custer
Box number four “Custer Letterbox” was a fast find and a great carve (just like all of Cadenza’s boxes). The old prospector of the Custer Museum had just closed shop when we pulled up and insisted on opening the museum and gift shop for us to snag us a map of the area. It was such a sweetheart to do that. Lizman and I were forced to pretend that we were reading about one of the site markers until he finally drove away. As it was already 6:00 p.m. by this juncture we were forced to hop into the Bronco to start our journey back to Boise. Had I realized that the “Land of the Yankee Fork” box was also in Custer I would have insisted we find JUST ONE MORE BOX. I think the next time we are in Stanley I will take a trip to this historic area and make sure I have time to spare. Of course the boxes will be at the top of my to-do list I would love to roam around the old home sites, towns and museums. What would a road trip be without planting along the way??? More to Come…
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