Well here are the boxes that we placed last weekend at Nickerson. We
were in such a tizzy that day that we didn't put the "about
letterboxing" info in yet. I will be visiting them as soon as I get
to Brewster tomorrow. I've posted them now so that any of you who are
coming to the Cape Caper can print your own instructions. I will also
have copies of the instructions on the table at the event as well as
directions to many other local boxes and of course the "day only"
boxes. Let's hope the weather people are wrong about possible
showers Saturday afternoon; the Caper is on regardless (rain or
shine). Hope to see you there!
Mary Manatee
Flax Pond Letterbox Series at Nickerson State Park
Placed by: Mary Manatee (contact the placer)
Placement date: Sep 27 2003
State: Massachusetts
County: Barnstable
Nearest city: Brewster
Number of boxes: 3
Clues
Flax Pond Letterbox Series at Nickerson State Park
Number of Boxes: 3
Placed by Mary Manatee and The Yachtsman
Location: Nickerson State Park, Brewster, MA
Clues: easy
Terrain: variable with some hills
Nickerson State Park in Brewster, MA is located off of Route 6A, about
1 mile west of Orleans. From the west, make your way to the Sagamore
Bridge, then take Rte. 6 east to exit 12 in Orleans. Turn left off the
ramp onto Rte. 6A west towards Brewster and follow signs on 6A to the
park entrance about 2 miles on your left. From points east, take Route
6A west from the Orleans rotary. There are many other exits that you
could take from Route 6 which connect to Route 6A if you want to see
more of the fantastic Cape Cod scenery, including Rte 134 to East
Dennis, and Rte 124 or Rte 137 to Brewster. This park is heavily
visited during the summer months, and supports large stands of poison
ivy in spots. We avoided placing the boxes in areas that required
tromping through the ivy!
1. Water Bear Letterbox:
Placed on 9/27/03
Some years ago I (Mary) taught a field course for Bentley College that
visited this part of Nickerson State Park each year to study a typical
freshwater pond. During one of these class trips, we ran a plankton
tow in a small pond in this area and came up with some beautiful
tardigrades, or water bears, for the students to view through a field
microscope. We have placed the Water Bear Letterbox in this area in
honor of that find.
Clues: Pick up a trail map at the entrance booth. From there, continue
straight until you reach the Y intersection, then turn left onto Flax
Pond Rd (signs say toward the picnic area and boat ramp). Just before
you reach Keeler Pond there will be a small pull-out on your left.
Park your car or bike here. A small path heads into the woods (roughly
north). Climb the path to the end, and turn right onto another trail.
Go 20 paces east, and you will see a rock on your right . Water Bear
Letterbox is tucked under some bark and a small log on the east side
of the rock.
2. Nickerson State Park Letterbox:
Placed on 9/27/03
This box is placed near a very distinctive boulder along Flax Pond
Road that seemed to cry out for a letterbox.
Clues: This is a "drive-by", "walk-by" or
"bicycle-by" letterbox with
one caveat. It is located right off Flax Pond Rd, and this road is
very busy with cars coming to and from one of the park boat ramps. If
traveling by car, it would be best to enter the Area 5 campground, and
park near the Restrooms. From the Water Bear Letterbox, continue down
Flax Pond Rd until you see a large glacial erratic on your right.
Approach on foot, and look into the "jaws" of the boulder. The
Nickerson State Park Letterbox is hidden inside next to a small rock,
and covered with leaves and pine needles. Please re-hide carefully, as
this area is heavily used.
3. The Kayaker:
Placed on 9/27/03
Clues: From The Nickerson State Park Letterbox, continue down Flax
Pond Rd to the Parking area at the Flax Pond Beach. In the summer
there are restrooms here, but they are closed between Labor Day and
Memorial Day. From the parking lot, take the Flax Pond Trail. Go right
at the first fork. Climb over several fallen logs before you reach a
spot where you first see Flax Pond. Before you get to the pond, you
will see a standing dead tree split in half on your left. The Kayaker
Letterbox is hidden inside a cleft on the pond side of the tree under
leaves and bark. If you take the box and continue down the trail to
the beach, there is a nice bench above the beach where you can stamp
in. Please rehide the box carefully.
Before you set out, please read the waiver of responsibility and
disclaimer.