Feb 28, 2004--This box has been replaced after being reported
missing. Since it is in an entirely new location with a new stamp,
you can count another "F" if you've gotten this one before!

You've heard of Route 66? Well, U.S. 40 was a highway stretching from
Harrison Street in Downtown San Francisco all the way to Atlantic
City, NJ way back when. It is one of the most important and historic
highways in the U.S. It was the first federally funded road and
comprised the western half of the Lincoln Highway. From 1926 to 1964,
U.S. 40 was a transcontinental highway and its route covered a lot of
American history. It followed the Oregon Trail and the ruts from the
covered wagons could be seen from cars going down the road at high
speeds. The highway followed in many places the route of the ill-
fated Donner party and went through the pass that bears their name.
It also went right next to Sutter's Mill in Sacramento where the
discovery of gold changed the course of US history.

Before Interstate 80 was built in the late 60s, you had to take this
highway to get to Lake Tahoe. Old Blue made this day-long trip from
the S.F. Bay area many times in his youth and this I-80 series
commemorates these trips. So, if you're traveling to (or from) Lake
Tahoe, we hope this series will entertain you. For the 5 boxes in
this series, you'll only log about 6 miles off the freeway!

Box #1 Old U.S. 40
Rating
Clues: Easy
Terrain: paved, easy
Distance: less than one mile drive off the freeway, and you can see
the box's hiding place from your parked car.

To the box: Eastbound--Exit Maple St. off I-80 in Auburn, Ca. (West
bound--exit Ophir Rd., make a left turn and reenter the freeway
eastbound then exit at Maple St.) Bear right on to Lincoln Way, aka
Old US 40, through a bit of old town. At the stop, make a left,
continue 100 paces (which is quite difficult to do in a car) and turn
right into a public parking lot and park. Behind you is the old
Placer County Seat (now a museum). In front of you "Jury Parking".