Meteor Crater
Placed by: Autumn's Folly on May 25 2003 (it's an orphan, so if you
find it, I'd love to hear!)
State: Arizona
County: Coconino
Nearest city: Winslow
Number of boxes: 1

Clues
Have you ever taken one of those loooong road trips? The kind where
the road seems to go on forever without much to see? Well -
Interstate 40 through northern Arizona is one of those places. A
rather bleak landscape dotted with advertisements for Indian rugs,
petrified wood, and Dinosaur bones. Only a few roadside attractions
really hold any value for the nickle.

Meteor Crater is one of those. Take a break from your road trip to
visit this extraordinary site. The crater is 700 feet deep and 4000
feet across. It's huge. Lots of good educational information on
meteors, asteroids, and even an astronaut "wall of fame". Oh yeah ...
and there's a letterbox, too! Now that's worth a side trip, eh?

Directions:

About 15 miles west of Winslow and 35 miles east of Flagstaff Arizona
on I-40 at Meteor Crater Road (turn off at the well marked exit)
Signs will guide you to this natural landmark. Six miles down the
road, you'll find the Meteor Crater Visitor's Center, museum, etc.
It's $12 for an adult to visit, less for kids and seniors. It's open
from 6am to 6pm. Check www.meteorcrater.com for more information.

Letterbox:

Find your way along the crater rim to the Moon Mountain Observatory
Telescope. This provides a great view of the entire crater. You're
standing on a raised cement platform surrounded by loose rocks and
scree. With your back to the crater (and the scope) go to the far
left corner of the platform and railings. Look below to find a
standpipe connected to the platform. The box is nestled in some rocks
next to the standpipe.

I don't think I need to tell you to be VERY discreet when removing
and replanting the box!! In fact, I would strongly recommend removing
the box, taking the box elsewhere to stamp in, then discretely
replanting it afterwards.