Yesterday it was crystal clear here in central Vermont, with
nighttime temperatures down to 20 and daytime in the 50's. There are
still two feet of snow on our lawn, but that won't last long!

My son Peter and I set out for a hike around Braintree along the back
roads. People were collecting and boiling sap everywhere. We walked
about 8 miles and ended up at the Braintree Meetinghouse for a picnic
lunch. The panther had emerged from the snow and was warming herself
and her two cubs in the sun. We could see Mt. Moosilauke and Mt.
Lafayette over in New Hampshire.

After lunch I walked across the snow to the site of the Panther
letterbox. The snow level at that point was below the location of the
box, and I pulled it out. It's a little Tupperware-like plastic box,
with a somewhat loose-fitting snap-on lid. Items inside are in
ziplock bags.

I was delighted to find that after four months of hibernation, mostly
covered with snow but with several thaws and rains, the box was
completely dry and its contents unmarked.

Now that the season is turning, I hope that there will be some marks
soon - in the journal! Erik and Susan have been over this way, but
I'm hoping there are some other folks not too far from Braintree -
maybe some who have signed on over the winter. The other Braintree
letterboxes should be emerging from the snow in a week or two, and
I'll post a brief note when that happens.

Meanwhile, I am planning to get over soon to NH to look for
Danielle's, and down to Mass to search out that wonderfully cached
Woods Hole box (as well as the other one of Bonnie's I couldn't find
last fall.) Could you New Englanders let me know if/when your boxes
are ready for spring searchers?

Good Hunting All!

Tom

Tom Cooch
tcooch@sover.net

aka The Orient Express
Braintree, VT

"The game is afoot!"

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