News from my sister Betsey....

The Praying Woman of the Charles Letterbox, which was reported missing some
time ago, has definitely disappeared. It is no more. However, a brand-new
Massachusetts box, The Lakes of the Charles, is ready for visitors. The
clue follows. It is also available at
http://users.crocker.com/~bsennott/womancharles.html.

The Lakes of the Charles Letterbox
Newton, Massachusetts (Middlesex County)

DIRECTIONS: From Route 128: Take the exit for Route 30. Turn onto Route 30
East. Pass the brown boathouse (Newton Canoe and Kayak Community Boat
Center) on the left, then make a U-turn, pass the boathouse now on your
right, go
over the river and turn right, following the boat rental parking and duck
feeding
signs. Park in the lot by the river. (An alternative route: from Route 16,
take Route 30 west.)

CLUE DIFFICULTY: Easy/Moderate
TERRAIN: Easy
ESTABLISHED: July 2002

Caution: Some parts of the trail are right next to the river, which may
present
problems for small children and/or during the winter/spring months.

CLUE: From the parking lot, carefully walk along the side of the road. In
a couple
of minutes, at the Tow Zone sign, there will be stone steps heading down to
a trail
along the water. Follow this trail as it hugs the waters edge. When you
arrive at an intersection where you can go straight or right, go right
heading back towards the water. Continue along. At the next intersection,
you could go straight uphill, left or right. Again go right. Now when you
arrive at an Y, bear right. Finally at the next intersection, you can go
straight-ahead, left or right. Yet again, go right. Count about 65-70
steps, you will see fallen white (birch) branches on both sides of the
trail and the remaining 3 ft. of the birch tree standing on the left. There
is also a low, large rock to the left of the trail. Take a couple steps and
turn left at the minor trail and head to the fallen tree. Under rocks
along the trunk, you will find the letterbox. After you have stamped in and
enjoyed your view of the lakes of the Charles, you can walk another minute
to find the Norumbega Tower on the left. Check out its inscription to find
out what Norumbega means and learn about the Norse history of the area.
Head back the way you came or very carefully along the road. Visit with
the ducks by the parking area or rent a canoe or kayak, if its the season.
The walk will take you 20-35 minutes to arrive at the letterbox.