Hi Ginn-

Sorry I can't give you an updates as to if the Acadia
boxes are still there or not (haven't been to find
those yet), but maybe I can help with your other 2
questions.

The beehive. If I remember correctly, the climb is
not bad, but could be a bit hairy in a few places if
you have a fear of heights. They have done a great
job at placing steel bars as steps and handles along
the way, though. As I recall the hike is actually
pretty short and didn't take us to long to do.

As to the black flies, well, there are probably as
many suggestions on how to avoid them as there are
members of this list! Here are some I know of that
work pretty well - but everyone seems to be different.

*Wear light colored clothing
*Eat garlic
*Get the B12 vitamin into your system
*The ever popular Avon Skin-So-Soft (though I never
found this to work to well).
*Pin a Bounce fabric sheet to yourself, or inside your
hat.

Have a great trip...Acadia is a spectacular place to
visit!!!

Tig

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> *Pin a Bounce fabric sheet to yourself, or inside your
> hat.

Bad advice! I tried this twice, & my nipple is still sore.
Another option to consider is the LL Bean Bug Suit. I have one (used
once), which I can sell you for cheap. It will keep anything with
wings from attacking you, but it also is very hard to see out of. As
you walk along the trail, you may find yourself running into trees,
falling off cliffs, kissing a moose instead of your girlfriend, etc.
This can be problematic. But you can have it for cheap if you want
it.
The Avon Skin-so-Soft definitely works. But who is the marketing
genious who came up with that name for bug repellant? Also, be
advised that it will make you smell like a woman (which is fine if
you happen to be of that persuasion). Also, you open up a whole
pandorra's box when you try to buy this stuff, as it involves calling
the Avon Lady. Every few months, this annoying woman will barge into
your house & spray you with all kinds of horrible substances. You
will be unable to go out in public for several days after this (at
least if you are a guy).
Sometimes it is less hassle just to let the bugs have their way with
you. Plus, a well-placed mosquito bite on the knee cap can be quite
pleasurable to scratch.
This is my advice, based on trial & error. Others will have
differing opinions, I'm sure.
Ron

Ahhh- the Beehive. I am pretty freaked out by heights but have done this
climb, twice. The only saving grace to this sucker is that it is a short
hike! Perhaps the second saving grace is that you do not have to go down the
way you went up- I find climbing down ladders is worse than going up!
Good luck!
And as for the black flies- walk fast- that's all you can really do. : )
Stephani

Hi! As someone who climbed the beehive last August, I
can tell you it was as fun climb! There are some spots
that seem a little bit freaky but you have plenty of
man made handholds, ladders, bars and ledges to climb
on to make it up safely! Many people do it and it is
rewarding at the top! I on the other-hand got up there
and hadn't checked out the Acadia clues so I didn't
know there was even a letterbox up there till i got
home! Oh well... it is a destination for me this
summer. Hope to see your stamp!

~The Ram~
--- danceofthepen wrote:
> Hi. We're planning a trip up the coast of Maine. I
> see there are
> four letterboxes in the Acadia National Park.
>
> I did a search of the archives. One message said
> that Thunder Hole
> is missing? Can anyone update me on the status of
> the four boxes
> before we go:
>
> Thunder Hole
> Cadillac Mountain
> Sand Beach
> The Beehive
>
> Also, how bad is the beehive climb? Hubby has a
> fear of heights at
> times, but it depends on the drop, where it drops
> to, etc. ;).
>
> I've never experienced blackflies...supposedly there
> are lots in that
> area. Can anyone fill me in too?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Ginn
>
>


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Hi Ginn!

I haven't been to Acadia since the early 90's (before LBNA was founded).
It's a great park!!! So beautiful there. I can't tell you about the
letterboxes, but I can say that while I was in Maine I saw plenty of the
state bird -- not black flies, but rather mosquitoes! TONS & BIG.

The regular Avon skin so soft may not work, but I can attest that the
Avon Skin So Soft all-in-one sunscreen, insect repellent lotion DOES
keep the bugs off. Slather generously over exposed skin and they will
stay off you. They will zero in on any section you miss, though!
(Exposed butt in the bathroom is fair game for these blood thirsty
creatures!) I used to go fishing up in the North Woods of Wisconsin
where there are no shortage of mosquitoes or ticks and that stuff did
the trick for me!

Keep on carving and letterboxing, Girlfriend! YOU HAVE TALENT!!!

Best regards,

Amanda Briles
The Paisley Orca

Boy, you guys are the best!

Thank you for all your responses and tips. I will go and search for
them, armed with the appropriate bug spray and applied everywhere
(thanks Amanda!).

Thank you also to twomainecats for telling me about the Ellsworth
box. I'll be searching for those too.

A bunch of you replied offline as well...I'm keeping all of your
responses. I need all the help I can get.

Will report back after the trip!

Ginn