On December 3, 2001 Funhog placed the Doyle Owl letterbox at Reed
College in the City of Portland in Multnomah County, Oregon. This
letterbox is a tribute to the elusive Doyle Owl. Sometime early in the
history of Reed College, a group of students temporarily neglected their
studies and absconded with a large piece of architectural cement in the
shape of and owl, source unknown. For the better part of a century,
this icon has been known to make hasty appearances in unexpected places,
sometimes by unconventional means and has been the object of intense
scheming and creative thievery. Once exhibited, it always manages to
disappear, secreted in an unknown hiding place until its next surprise
public appearance. The owl has been transported by helicopter, appeared
in a Tears for Fears video, traveled to San Francisco and been submerged
in various bodies of water. At any given time the owls location and
current guardian is generally unknown.

to the Trailhead:
Park at Reed College in the East Parking Lot located on SE Woodstock
Boulevard, just east of SE 36th.

to the Letterbox:
Walk toward the main part of the campus on the sidewalk at the north
side of the parking lot. You will come to a campus map. Just north of
the bookstore/dining hall find the rising tiers with a lakefront view.

> For the better part of a century, this icon has been known to make
> hasty appearances in unexpected places, sometimes by unconventional
> means and has been the object of intense scheming and creative
> thievery. Once exhibited, it always manages to disappear, secreted
> in an unknown hiding place until its next surprise public
> appearance. The owl has been transported by helicopter, appeared
> in a Tears for Fears video, traveled to San Francisco and been
> submerged in various bodies of water. At any given time the
owl's
> location and current guardian is generally unknown.

Hell with the letterbox. I want to find this owl! =)

-- Ryan

On December 24, 2001 Funhog placed the Rocky Butte letterbox in the
City of Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. This used to be the site of
the city jail but today it is best suited to passing, not doing, time.
This is a great spot to visit on a clear day. The panoramic views of
the city, rivers and volcanic peaks are unrivaled.

To the trailhead:

On January 26, 2002 Funhog placed the "Ace of Fun" letterbox somewhere
in the City of Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.

Unscramble its name and you will learn the home of this mystery box. It
lives between a tempest of tutus and a plethora of pigments.

On February 25, 2002 Funhog placed the Royal Angler Letterbox at Milo
McIver State Park near the town of Estacada, Clackamas County, Oregon.
McIver Park was the site of the region's largest hippie rock Festival,
Bullfrog, back during the Summer of Love. Jousting Knights and their
ladies fair can be spotted on the sweeping lawns of this 952 acre park,
when the Society for Creative Anachronism stages one of their events
here. This park is not far from Portland and makes for an easy day trip
and an enjoyable hike along the Clackamas River, past a Chinook salmon
hatchery and through the surrounding forests. Allow an hour for
letterboxing while you're here.

to the trailhead: from Portland, go south on I-205 to the Estacada exit
#12b. Head east and stay on highway 212 to the small town of Carver.
Don't blink. The road forks in Carver where you will go right across
the Clackamas River and follow the signs about ten miles to the park.
Inside the park (day use fee $3) head for the parking lot for picnic
area F. Walk back along the entry road past the boat ramp to the
trailhead marked by three posts.

to the letterbox: This is an equestrian trail so count on mud if it's
been raining. Stay on the main equestrian trail along the river, up the
bluff and into the forest. Ignore the numerous smaller trails that veer
off. When you come to a major four way intersection, take the trail at
110 degrees magnetic. The next intersection will be a three way and you
take the path at 270 degrees. If you need a rest, your rustic room is
just ahead. After you've taken a dozen steps between bands of white,
continue on the path downhill. At the bottom of the hill the trail will
meet up with a dirt road. Turn towards the cedars and proceed past
steely objects white and green. After you have crossed two bridges,
keep your eyes to the right. Find the nurse with a youngster sprouting
from her top. The letterbox lives behind the nurse sheltered by a mossy
door.

On March 24, 2002 Funhog placed the Bluebird Trail Letterbox at
Champoeg State Heritage Area near Newberg, Yamhill County, Oregon. In
this park is an ambitious bluebird trail, a series of nestboxes placed
in the hope that Western Bluebirds will call them home. Several
generations have been raised here. Every year in mid June members of
The Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project sponsor an event where visitors
can make bluebird boxes, feed adult bluebirds and even see babies in
the nest. Come see these brilliant little birds any time and sign into
the letterbox dedicated to their successful comeback.

To the trailhead: From Portland go South on I-5 to exit 278. Follow the
signs west to the park. A small day use fee is charged.

To the Letterbox: Park at the Visitor's Center where you can get a map
of the park. Take the trail that heads downhill to the left of the
Visitor's Center. Across the road and behind the information kiosk go
left on the paved bike path. Watch for bluebirds along the fenceline.
When you reach Montcalm, salute Napoleon and then go due North until
you reach a riverside trail. Head downstream until you are invited to
rest in front of a huge V-shaped tree. From this point, go eighteen
steps at 260 degrees magnetic. The letterbox rests at your feet beneath
a wooden roof, a shard in a fork as its neighbor. If you continue east
on the trail, through the oak grove, it will form a loop back to the
parking lot.

On March 24, 2002 Funhog placed the Bluebird Trail Letterbox at Champoeg
State Heritage Area near Newberg, Yamhill County, Oregon. In this park is
an ambitious bluebird trail, a series of nestboxes placed in the hope that
Western Bluebirds will call them home. Several generations have been raised
here. Every year in mid June members of The Prescott Bluebird Recovery
Project sponsor an event where visitors can make bluebird boxes, feed adult
bluebirds and even see babies in the nest. Come see these brilliant little
birds any time and sign into the letterbox dedicated to their successful
comeback.

To the trailhead: From Portland go South on I-5 to exit 278. Follow the
signs west to the park. A small day use fee is charged.

To the Letterbox: Park at the Visitor's Center where you can get a map of
the park. Take the trail that heads downhill to the left of the Visitor's
Center. Across the road and behind the information kiosk go left on the
paved bike path. Watch for bluebirds along the fenceline. When you reach
Montcalm, salute Napoleon and then go due North until you reach a riverside
trail. Head downstream until you are invited to rest in front of a huge
V-shaped tree. From this point, go eighteen steps at 260 degrees magnetic.
The letterbox rests at your feet beneath a wooden roof, a shard in a fork
as its neighbor. If you continue east on the trail, through the oak grove,
it will form a loop back to the parking lot.

On March 28, 2002 Funhog placed the Hidden Dragon Letterbox at Howell
Territorial Park on Sauvie Island, Multnomah County, Oregon. In this
park you will see the island's only remaining home built by Oregon
Trail homesteaders. There is also and agricultural museum, a wetland
great for wildlife viewing, an orchard of heritage fruit trees, and a
touch of sorcery.

to the Trailhead: from Portland head west on Highway 30 to the Sauvie
Island Bridge. Once across the bridge drive north about a mile to
Howell Park Road. Turn right and park in one of the turnouts by the
Bybee-Howell house.

to the Letterbox: Stroll through the wizened orchard, counting the
trees. Don't bite into an apple. Find the geese under Medusa's spell.
In the distance you will see a golden square marked with a magic
number. Add this to the tally of trees and set your compass. Seventy-
five steps away, the enchanted ring sits in wait upon a metal platter.
Slip the ring upon your finger and the Hidden Dragon will appear before
your eyes. The Dragon prefers to hide in the deepest, darkest recesses
when not receiving visitors. A magic wand can send it there.

On April 25, 2002 Funhog placed the Sturgeon Lake Letterbox on Sauvie
Island in Multnomah County, Oregon. When Lewis and Clark came to Sauvie
Island in 1805 there was a large Native American population living
here, awesome numbers of migratory birds passed through each year and
the lakes held sturgeon. The levees and dikes built in the 1940s
prevented flooding but also cause the lakes to silt up and they could
no longer support these fish which can live as long as a hundred years.
Today much of this island is managed as a wildlife refuge. As a result,
some of the area (including Oak Island Nature Trail) is closed to
visitors from October to mid April. There is also a small use fee
charged. Buy your day pass at the market by the bridge.

to the Trailhead: from Portland head west on Highway 30 to the Sauvie
Island Bridge. Once across the bridge drive north to Reeder Road. Turn
right and go about a mile and a half to Oak Island Road. Go left here
for about three miles where Oak Island Road turns to gravel and then
leads to the Nature Trail parking area. The trail is about 2 1/2 miles
long.

to the Letterbox: The loop portion of this trail is approximately
rectangular. Near one of the corners of the rectangle you will find two
posts fifteen steps apart, one steel, one wood. Standing at the most
southerly of the two the letterbox lives at 230 degrees magnetic. It
has penthouse property with a lakeside view, timber construction and a
rooftop fern garden. If you are less than five and a half feet tall,
bring a sky hook or anti-gravity boots.

On April 29, 2002 Funhog placed the Bald Peak Letterbox near Newberg,
Yamhill County, Oregon. There are spectacular views of both the coast
range and the Cascades on the drive to this box. Bald Peak State Park
has quite a few trees so the mountains aren't as visible there as they
are along the road but is a nice spot for a picnic and a short stroll
to this letterbox. Go on a clear day.

To the Trailhead: Highway 219 runs north-south between Hillsboro and
Newberg. Bald Peak Road forms a loop with this road. Go west on Bald
Peak to the parking lot marked with a State Park sign on the top of the
mountain. Coming from Hillsboro this will entail keeping right at a Y
and going left at a stop sign.

To the Letterbox: From your car walk southeast along an avenue of firs.
Look left until you spot a couple of good places to catch a wave. Don't
bother to bring your surfboard. With Mount Hood centered between these
two points, take a compass reading of 235 degrees magnetic and head
this direction to a dirt trail. At the first Y go right 20 steps. You
will see a likely home for a letterbox at 310 degrees. The letterbox
waits down low behind bark.

On June 9, 2002 Funhog placed a new letterbox in Portland, Multnomah
County, Oregon


Seek this box in Portland's hills
la mansion old and grand
enjoy a brief stroll...
if you find the Lodge nearby
go West to an uphill track
head for a hairpin turn
then straight across a log 9 paces

On July 7, 2002 Funhog placed the Forest Frog Letterbox near Troutdale, Multnomah County, Oregon. To
find this letterbox you must first find an abode of celestial beings, the home to one of Ryan Carpenter's
wonderful letterboxes. The clue to my box can be found inside Ryan's box. Look for his clues at:
http://www.geocities.com/rscarpen/Letterboxing/index.html

On July 25, 2002 Funhog placed the Eagle Creek II Letterbox along the Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia
River Gorge near the town of Cascade Locks, Hood River County, Oregon. This portion of the trail has an
elevation gain of less than 500 feet which makes it a relatively easy hike. However, sections are narrow,
with a breathtaking drop to the river below. This is not the best place to bring small children or people
queasy about heights. That said, the forest has some spectacular old growth trees and the plethora of
waterfalls is hard to beat. Allow three hours for the roundtrip. In addition to this letterbox, search for
Ryan Carpenter's letterbox on the same trail near High Bridge:
http://www.geocities.com/rscarpen/Letterboxing/index.html

To the Trailhead: From Portland go east on I-84 to exit 41. Turn right to the Eagle Creek entrance. There
are a few spaces right by the trailhead but the majority of parking is by the restrooms as you enter the
park.

To the letterbox: Head for the waterfall named for a Native American salmon goddess. At the point
where the main trail intersects with a side path to the fall's viewpoint you will find three logs conveniently
bolted together. Walk sixteen steps downhill where you will be facing a pair of twins. The letterbox is to
your right, beneath loose bark.

On July 31, 2002 Funhog placed the Beneath the Blue #1 Letterbox at Drift Creek Falls near the town of
Lincoln City, Lincoln County, Oregon. This is an easy, well-maintained, three mile round trip hike in the
coast range. The forest here is amazing, not for the standing trees but for the remains of the forest
that once was. There are stumps, snags and downed logs that are absolutely HUGE. The area was logged
in 1957 and this will give you an idea of how long it takes for trees to grow to any size. The falls are
lovely but what is truly wonderful is the vantage point from which you view them. There is a suspension
bridge over the gorge with a canopy view of the cascade!

To the Trailhead: Once off the main highways most of the road to the trail is narrow with short sections
of gravel.

On November 14, 2002 Funhog placed the Waterfowl Highway letterbox at
the Pelton Dam Wildlife Overlook near the town of Warm Springs in
Jefferson County, Oregon. This is a great place to view migratory
waterfowl as well as their nemesis, the bald eagle. This is a quick
stop along the highway. The Warm Springs Museum is always a worthwhile
excursion while you're in the area. Bring binoculars!

To the trailhead: Going toward Madras on Highway 26, about a mile east
of the Deschutes River Bridge, take the first road to the right. There
is a brown directional sign here for the Overlook and Lake Simtustus.
Go to the next road and turn right again to the parking area for the
Wildlife Overlook.

To the letterbox: Your footsteps will crunch as you sneak to the left.
Even though the blind bartender is nowhere in sight, belly up to the
bar, resisting all temptation to take a seat. There is something fishy
going on right under your nose. At 104 degrees a shady character
awaits with a stone-faced partner by his side. This partner works as a
bodyguard for members of the Plastic Box Gang.