Yesterday we planted a series of 5 boxes on Interstate 80 between Auburn and
Truckee, Calif. We're listing them separately. The series takes you 70 miles
one way on interstate 80 and only about 6 miles total off the freeway for the
boxes. Enjoy!

You've heard of Route 66? Well, U.S. 40 was a highway stretching from
Harrison Street in Downtown San Francisco all the way 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 ad 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 went next to 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: one mile drive off the freeway, and you can see the boxes hiding
place from your parked car.

To the box: Exit Maple Street off I-80 in Auburn, Ca. Bear left and up the
hill. You are now on the Lincoln Hwy. Follow the signs for the Lincoln Highway,
aka Old U.S. 40, through downtown Auburn until you spy a "bell and flag". Stop
and park. Go greet the "Chinese Coolie". From behind his right foot, take a
bearing of 300 degrees and proceed 14 paces. On your left, you should spy a
large quartz rock half covered by landscaping. The box is on the north side of
this rock hidden by a flat rock at ground level, just under the bush.

Note: There is a Southern Pacific railroad caboose to look at here and the
Chamber of Commerce is a stone's throw away so you can get tons of information
on this very historic city. The old courthouse and museum is a treasure trove
of California history too!


~~Doublesaj & Old Blue~~
P18 F57 X2 V5 A13 HH1


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