Hi, all:

Hope you all are sporting your LbNA logos! I have about 6 extra
patches if anyone is interested.

Vic and I planted our first box last month; it is in a beautiful
location in South Jersey. You could walk these gorgeous woods on the
way to Cape May, Wildwood or Atlantic City!



"SWAMP THING" LETTERBOX"


Estell Manor Park in Mays Landing, NJ is about 30 minutes west of
Atlantic City, part of the Atlantic County Park system. There are
numerous points of interest within its boundaries, including the
foundation ruins of an old World War I munitions factory, an old
glassworks site, a playground, boat launch, nature center, and
observation deck. So wander the woods and enjoy the trails as you
seek the box (then perhaps head to the beach or the casino!)

ESTELL MANOR PARK, 109 Rte. 50, Mays Landing NJ

Rating: EASY 2.5 - 3 miles, flat terrain

Placed: February, 2001

Note: A park trail map is recommended, but not necessary. (Available
at the nature center.)


Park at the Nature Center, and begin on the asphalt path to your left
as you face the front of the building. Take the path at 160 degrees
and pass the now-extinct Katsura tree on your right.

Soon you'll pass over a small wooden bridge. At the fork, bear 210.
At the next fork, turn left 115 degrees east onto the LAUREL TRAIL.

Follow the Laurel Trail, passing post #'s 9, 10, 7, and 11 as you
weave through beautiful mountain laurel, longleaf pine, and huge
American Holly. When it intersects at a "T" with the CENTER TRAIL,
turn left here 60 degrees.

This isn't quite Atlantic City's Boardwalk, but it will guide you
safely through this maple swamp. Beware of trolls under the bridge!

As you cross the road, stay straight on the trail. Note the name
changes to "MISTLETOE". Resist the urge to take the large fork on the
right as it comes up. Stay your course and keep a sharp eye out for a
small sign on your left (on a tree): "TO FOOTBRIDGE". Take this trail
on your left at 15 degrees. This bridge will keep you out of mud and
muck!

Have your arrived at the Sandhole Road signboard? At this junction,
choose the trail on your far right; the SWAMP TRAIL at 140 degrees.
There will be other trails too; just keep right (see a "211" sign on
tree as landmark.) You're headed for another boardwalk!

As you amble along the boards, enjoy the cedars and pitch pine,
sweetgum, and maple. What you seek is not far ahead!

The boardwalk soon bends to a 15 degree angle. The Swamp Thing lives
under here, just by your left foot! LOOK AROUND is anyone coming?
If the coast is clear, hop off the boards and reach underneath. The
box rests on a support beam at the edge. Congratulations! Stamp in!

GETTING BACK: You can always retrace the way you came, but why not
make a circuit and enjoy the ruins, the river, the cemetery, and more?

Continue along the boardwalk to the end (do NOT fork off to the left
at the new signboard). Pass marker #234 and come to a "T". Go left
(due west) and explore the old Powerhouse ruins, artesian well and
Smith-Ireland cemetery.

You'll come upon a large clearing and campfire area. Take the trail
at about 230 degrees on left. Follow this to another "T" and turn
left again heading south. You should be on the OAK RIDGE TRAIL.
Continue along Oak Ridge and cross the Eagle footbridge. Soon after,
there will be a cut in the boardwalk on your right. Turn right here
onto FROG POND ROAD. (You'll soon see signs confirming you are on the
right track).

When Frog Pond intersects with another large sand road (NORTH END
ROAD) turn left here and follow this road directly back to your car
and the nature center.



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