The following is a REVISED and RESUBMITTED clue sheet for the
recently placed Swamp Thing letterbox in South Jersey. (To my
knowledge, the original clues, submitted on 4/19/01 have not been
posted on the LbNA website).

Enjoy this one!

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"SWAMP THING" LETTERBOX

Location: ESTELL MANOR PARK, 109 Rte. 50, Mays Landing NJ (Atlantic
County)

Rating: Easy 2.5 - 3 miles, flat terrain

Placed: February, 2001 by "V+V"

We chose this lovely park in South Jersey to plant our first
letterbox. It's 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 (and try not to think about what
you lost at the casino!)

Note: A park trail map is recommended, but not necessary. (Available
at the nature center.) Some trail sections can bee very muddy in
spring!!!


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 center trail to your right; it is the SWAMP TRAIL at 140
degrees. Look for 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!

Way down the boardwalk, it 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 dirt
road to the left (ARTESIAN WELL RD.) leading away from the boat ramp.
Shortly, another trail (OAK RIDGE TRAIL) will come in on your left.
Turn here heading south. Continue along Oak Ridge and cross the Eagle
footbridge. Soon after, there will be a cutout 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.



WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
Letterboxing, like any outdoor sport, carries the risk of unforeseen
hazards. "Letterboxing North America" supports a policy of not
knowingly placing letterboxes in areas that will create undue risk to
the letterbox hunter. However, as conditions may vary, it is the
responsibility of the letterbox searcher to become thoroughly
familiar with the conditions in the area to be searched, to
adequately prepare for those conditions, and to conduct oneself
safely and responsibly with respect to those conditions and with
respect to his or her personal abilities and
limitations. "Letterboxing North America" and the individual
letterbox sponsors assume no liability for events which may occur
related directly or indirectly to one's searching for a letterbox. Do
not let children hunt for letterboxes unsupervised.

By reading and utilizing the letterbox clues, you acknowledge the
above conditions, and accept responsibility for your own actions, and
agree to hold non-liable the clue writers and letterboxing
organizations and further, agree to provide this disclaimer to any
person with whom you share these letterbox clues.