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“HANNAH MAE O’HANNIGAN’S WILD WEST SHOW” LbNA #10180 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Apr 11, 2004
Location:
City:Cameron
County:Clinton
State:Missouri
Boxes:3
Found by: Patience4 (2)
Last found:Sep 16, 2006
Status:FFF
Last edited:Apr 11, 2004
“HANNAH MAE O’HANNIGAN’S WILD WEST SHOW”
PLACED APRIL 11, 2004 BY TRAIL TALE TELLERS
3 BOXES TOTAL

Old Quarry trail
Wallace state park
Cameron, Missouri

10621 NE Hwy. 121, Cameron, MO 64429
(816) 632-3745
6 miles south of Cameron, off I-35 in Clinton County
http://www.mostateparks.com/wallace.htm

Wallace State Park is off of I-35 at exit 48. Make a right turn off the exit ramp onto Hwy. 69. Turn left at Hwy. 121 and continue into the state park. The park is about two miles from I-35. Once you enter the park, follow the road until you come to the “Scout Area” on your left. Turn into the Scout Area and park.

“Howdy!” This letterbox series is based on the story Hannah Mae O’Hannigan’s Wild West Show by Missourian Lisa Campbell Ernst. Hope you have as much fun with it as we did!

From the day she was born, Hannah Mae O’Hannigan knew she was meant to be a cowpoke, even though she lived in the city. How about you? Would you like to be a cowpoke? Hows about ya mosey along this trail and find out…

Wander around the gate and up the gravel road into cowboy territory. Walk past the raging river and up the hill. At the top of the hill on your right you’ll see the General Store with a front porch. This is your last chance to get some vitals before headin’ out on the trail, unless they’ve been bought out by the other cowpokes.

Up on the left you can sing around the campfire. “Yipee cayeah, get along little doggies…”

Bear to the left and go over the crick. At the top of the hill you’ll see cowpoke campsites. Pass the “Jay Camp Site.” The start of the Old Quarry Trail is on your right, past the first set of outhouses - if you mosey passed a second set of outhouses, you've gone to far. Follow the sign for the Old Quarry Trail.

Box 1: “Yeeha! Cowpoke Duds!”

When Hannah Mae was little, her mom tried to dress her in fancy, frilly clothes but Hannah Mae would have none of that. She preferred the hat, boots, britches and bandannas her Uncle Coot sent her from his ranch out West. If you’re gonna be a cowpoke like Hannah Mae, we’ve got to git you some cowpoke duds…

As you set off along the trail, you’ll soon see a tree on your left, off the trail a bit, that looks like a “Y” and has a hole in it. Nearby, right next to the trail is a tree that looks like a “V”. Stand facing the V-shaped tree (with your back to the trail) to look at the Y-shaped tree. Then turn yourself around 180 degrees. Take 5 paces straight ahead toward a tree on the other side of the trail. Your duds are behind that tree…

Now you’re startin’ to look like a mighty fine cowpoke.

But there’s work to be done. You’ve got to get ready to ride the range and rustle up them critters. So, continue along the trail. Cross yonder bridge up ahead.

Now, betch yur thinkin’, “What’s a cowpoke supposed to do all day?” or sumthin’ along those lines…. Well, according to Hannah Mae’s Uncle Coot, there are three essential cowpoke skills: 1) Horse Ridin’, 2) Ropin’, and 3) Cow Herdin’ and General Cattle Care.


Box 2: “We’re a Team, Come Rain or Shine”
***Sassafras has gone a wonderin' agin. Her box and a note pad are hidden, so please stamp in. We will round her up and corral the rascally cow pony herself as soon as we can!***

As you’re walkin’ along you’re gonna come up on the trail’s namesake—the old quarry. Look real hard ‘cause its real old and kinda overgrown. Once ya see it, yur gonna come to the top of a small hill. Before ya'll cross the next bridge, take a look-see on yur left, and find a tree that’s got another tree snakin’ ‘round it like a rope. Looks like someone’s been practicing their ropin’ skills there.

Behind that tree - under some leaves and rocks - you should find your furry, four-legged friend who’ll stick with you through thick and thin.

Hannah Mae’s trusty cow pony is named Sassafras. What is your new partner’s name? Continue along the trail with your new trusty companion. (Please be sure to tuck Sassafras in safe and sound again under a good cover of leaves, sticks and rocks. She has a tendency to wonder off otherwise!)

If you know Hannah Mae’s story, you know that she learned her cowpoke techniques in the city. Since cows were not allowed in Hannah Mae’s neighborhood, she practiced her cow herdin’ and general cattle care skills on hamsters. She built tiny corrals and practiced with Sassafras herding the hamsters throughout her apartment. She even sang to them at night and kept tender watch over her herd.

Beware as you enter the hay field. Your herd is wild and restless. Walk along the path of the field keepin’ the barbed wire on your right. Do you hear that? The varmints are getting restless.


Box 3: “Best Cowpoke in the World”

Follow the trail back into the woods. When you get to the “Old Quarry Trail” sign stop and take a bearing of 326 degrees. Walk 20 to 25 paces (depending on how long yer legs are!) directly ahead and you’ll find a stump in a circle of small trees. Rope those crafty varmints and bring ‘em on home.

After you round up the hamsters turn around and drive ‘em on back to the ranch following the “Old Quarry Trail” sign. Follow the path back to the outhouse and cowpoke campsites and back to yur bunkhouse.

We’d be much obliged if you let us know how you liked the letterbox and if there were any problems with them. Us cowpokes can be reached at trailtaletellers@yahoo.com.

Take care, partners.

If you want to read more about Hannah Mae, you can find her book at your local bookstores, or check out Reading Reptile at 63rd and Wornall in Brookside, Kansas City, Missouri: http://www.readingreptile.com/main/

Lisa Campbell Ernst, Hannah Mae O’Hannigan’s Wild West Show: Featuring Her Trusty Cow Pony “Sassafras” (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003)