Happy holidays to our wonderful letterboxing friends! We ventured out
early this morning to replace one of our letterboxes in Mystic CT
that has gone missing: hope you get a chance to re-visit and collect
the new stamp. Enjoy!

The Drew Family
Missing: 39, Replaced: 16, Abandonded: 6

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Captain's Walk
An easy three mile walk through the historic district of Mystic
Connecticut, passing the homes of many 19th Century sea captains.

Directions: from I-95 in Mystic, CT, take exit 89 (Allyn Street).
Turn south toward Mystic and take the first left onto Sandy Hollow
Rd. Follow the boat launch signs to turn left on High St, right on
Bindloss Ave, and then left on River Rd. Follow River Rd northward to
pass under the I-95 bridges and park in the jogger's and stroller's
area along the river.

Taking foot, backtrack southwards downstream on River Road with the
water on your left for about mile to the historic district. Turn
left on Starr St, which will become Pearl St for a block, and then
turn left onto Eldridge St. In a short way, turn left on Gravel St
and follow it almost to the end. Look for a small public park/parking
area on the left, just opposite the Christian Science Reading Room.
There are two large railroad-tie planters there on the southwest side
with zen-shapely cedars. Try the eastern planter closest to the water
and look in the southwest side just under the cedar for the Captain's
Walk Letterbox. There are wonderful shore side benches placed just
for your stamping in ritual.

Now for the return voyage: you could just retrace your steps, but the
following route is the one recommended by the Mystic Historical
Society. Carefully cross busy West Main St in the crosswalk and turn
left (east), enjoying the shops and boutiques. Just as you step onto
the drawbridge, turn right onto the decked wharf along the river.
Follow the wharf downstream and pass through the Steamboat Wharf gate
(public coastal access is protected by law). Follow the wharf a short
way further to turn right toward a parking lot. Now head west, left
when facing away from the water towards the parking lot, passing
behind condos and back to the river. Walk between the river to your
left and the Mystic Art Association to the right, and then turn right
with the path. In the parking lot, with ledge straight ahead, turn
right past the front door of the Art Association and then jog left
out onto the main street at the little gatehouse. (Our eldest enjoys
her first job waiting tables across the street at the Voodoo Grill:
stop in for their white chili if you're hungry!) Turn right,
northeast, here and walk a block down to the intersection with Rte 1.
Go left, west, at the crosswalk, and then right to cross over to the
north side of the road by Mystic Pizza - yes, that Mystic Pizza.

Turn left and walk westerly uphill towards the imposing Union Baptist
Church. Turn right just before it onto High St and walk several
scenic northbound blocks. Turn right on Clift St, then left on Clift
Lane, then right on Starr St and finally left onto River Rd, back to
the start.
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