04-15-2003 (NEW)
Click here! >>>>>Geoffrey's Bench Dedication Pictures!! <<<<<

A "A Place Of Repose And Relaxation"
To Honor Geoffrey And Promote Land Preservation

The directions to Spur Cross:
--- From Phoenix, drive north (e.g., on Cave Creek Road, on I-17) to
Cave Creek Rd. and Carefree Hwy. From that intersection (stoplight)
drive northeast on Cave Creek Rd., away from Phx. and toward Cave Creek 2+ miles. On the outskirts of Cave Creek, where residential ends and business begins, turn left** on Spur Cross, and follow Spur Cross signs some three miles until the end of the Spur Cross Rd. pavement, then continue another mile on a good dirt road to a large corral gateway structure, the upright poles are on either side of the road, with the crosspiece extending over the road. Turn left and park immediately before the gateway. The quarter-mile walking trail, flat, parallel to the road you came in on,  in the direction you just drove from, begins at a fence, goes through low thick desert vegetation to a clearing and location of the bench.

**Look for the road sign “Spur Cross.” At this turn, the two-lane Cave
Creek Rd. has a third, left-turn lane. Here there is NO turn, no street
to the right. You can only turn left or continue on Cave Creek Rd. into
downtown Cave Creek. At this turn, on the left, Spur Cross side is
Tobias Auto. On the right is a Cracked Crab eatery.

We hope that the bench will serve as a pledge to promote what was particularly dear to Geoffrey, permanent preservation of wilderness through land purchase.

Donations are welcomed.

Please send in suggestions for the wording of the plaque by 4 March.

See below for details.

Dear Friends,

The Friends of Geoffrey (FOG) are planning to place a bench on a lovely piece of land known as "Jewel of the Creek," to honor the memory of Geoffrey Platts.

The bench will be on a 25-acre parcel acquired by the Desert Foothills Land Trust last year and located north of Cave Creek, Arizona, a few miles from where Geoffrey had his cabin. The bench is made of "Trex," a very durable material composed partially from old plastic bottles. Now wouldn't Geoffrey have approved of that.

Since the "Jewel of the Creek" is in such a pristine area, with scenery and silence up to Geoffrey-esque standards, we're in hopes that people who visit will take time to linger awhile on his bench and remember his dedicated work on behalf of the desert.

We will dedicate the bench in the mid-morning of Sunday, April 13. 2003 (the day before his birthday), and you are all invited to the event. We will give you directions to get to the site along with other particulars in March. At the moment we are contemplating a dedication ceremony with a reading and potluck.

The bench will cost around $600, with delivery, plaque, installation and engraving fees.

We are anticipating the willingness of those who knew him to contribute to this effort ($10 or $20 will be great) so that this special place will be a gift from his many friends.

We will be putting a plaque on the bench, of course, and would welcome your thoughts as to a suitable short quote to inscribe on it, something reflecting Geoffrey's thinking. We need your suggestion sent to
<desertlaureate@yahoo.com> by 4 March.

If you would like to help us with the cost of the bench, please make out a check to:

"Friends of Geoffrey," and mail it to:

Mark Floor, Treasurer
1631 E. Gardenia Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85020

Please send your check in time to reach so we can have the bench installed by the April 13 date. (This is not a tax-deductible donation.)

Many thanks,

The FOG Committee