OK, everybody, I'm on a roll here in Massachusetts. Does it have something
to do with the heat wave finally breaking?

I hid two boxes on a trail at the Quabbin Reservoir in Pelham today. The
Quabbin is a huge place, thousands of acres, so I hope others will start
hiding boxes there too. There's no reason it can't be the Dartmoor of New
England! (Hmmm, New Dartmoor has a nice ring to it...)

The clues follow. Can someone scan the stamp images for me and pass them
along to Tom Cooch? I'd be grateful.

Thanks,
Bonnie
P6F2

Clues for Quabbin Reservoir Moon and Stars Letterbox and Salamander
Letterbox
Pelham, Massachusetts
Hidden August 4, 1999

The Quabbin Reservoir was created in 1939 in the evacuated Swift River
Valley, in order to provide a supply of water for the city of Boston. The
construction of the Quabbin required the building of two dams and the
destruction of the towns of Prescott, Dana, Enfield, and Greenwich. By
1946, the reservoir was filled, creating one of the largest bodies of
untreated drinking water in the world. The reservation also serves as a
wildlife sanctuary and offers numerous hiking trails on the nearly 40,000
acres that are open to the public.

Take Route 202 to the intersection in Pelham where 202 meets Main Street
(which comes from the west, from downtown Amherst, and ends at US 202).
There's a flashing yellow light at this intersection. Cross 202 onto a
gravel road that leads to a small parking area at Quabbin Gate #11. Note:
Depending on how long you rest by the water, this circular hike will take
about 3 hours.

Park here, then walk back to 202, turn right, and walk about a half mile to
Quabbin Gate #12, which is on your right. Please use caution when walking
along the highway. Walk around Gate #12 and enter the woods on a gravel
road. After about a half mile, you'll cross a stream and then the road
forks. Go right.

Walk on this path for a good 20 minutes (less if you're long-legged); the
Purgee Brook will be on your right, sometimes near and sometimes far. Keep
going until, on your right, you see "Quabbinhenge." (If you saw the movie
Spinal Tap, this little area should make you laugh.) You can sit on of
these stone constructions and take a little break, or you can continue
onward for about 8 paces. To your left you'll see a break in an old stone
wall. Peek around on the east side of that wall to locate the Quabbin
Reservoir Moon and Stars Letterbox.

Terrain: Easy
Clue Level: Easy

Now, forward march to your next letterbox. Keep going on this trail. For a
brief stretch it is paved, then it bends to the right and after that it
crosses Purgee Brook. Soon, on your left, you'll be able to see the
reservoir through the trees. Then you'll come to a large stand of tall
pines on your right, at which point the trail curves to the right, away from
the water. Stop here, and look around on your left for a large birch tree
that leans in the direction of the trail. Walk off the path and go to that
tree. Stand behind it, facing the water, and walk 28 paces to a fallen
birch log. You will pass over the scattered remains of a stone wall. Rest
for a moment on this fallen birch and listen to the water gently lapping in
the cove. Your prize lies buried beneath your throne, hidden by two stones.