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MI - three new letterboxes

1 messages in this thread | Started on 2002-08-20

MI - three new letterboxes

From: Stephen Pope (cancun55@famvid.com) | Date: 2002-08-20 10:35:40 UTC-05:00
Cherry Capital
Placed August 13, 2002
Traverse City, Michigan   
Grand Traverse County
Planted by Esperanza
Easy
 
Directions
In Traverse City locate the post office downtown, which is just south of the main street before the Boardman River as you head into what is called "Olde Town".  Park in parking lot K across from the post office.
 
Clues
After parking, walk towards the fenced-in power station at the end of the lot.  Go down the stairway between the station and the trees.  At the bottom take the path to the right (past the bush).  Turn and look back at the stairway.  There are four sections of the straight walkway in front of you.  Look under the last section, and the enormous willow behind you will help hide your search. 
 
 
 
Mighty Mac
Placed August 16, 2002
Straits State Park, St. Ignace
Mackinac County, Michigan
Planted by Esperanza
Easy, 15-20 min. stop, some stair-climbing
 
Directions
Straits State Park is located in St. Ignace Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan just north and east of the Mackinac Bridge.  After crossing the bridge, take a left (or east) into St. Ignace.  The turn-off to the park is on your right before you reach the town.  Enter the park (there is a day-use fee), and follow the signs to the "bridge overlook picnic area"  Park near the overlook.
 
Clues
Enjoy the view of Mighty Mac from the overlook deck.  Take the steps down.  At the bottom is a trail, take the path to the right which follows along the bottom of the cliff.  Keeping the cliff to your right you'll observe many rock slides.  Stay on the path until you see the paved campground road  (not the parking lot side trail).  As you come to the road there is a large rock formation on your right, right next to the path with small cedar trees growing on and around it.  Walk around the back side of the rock and find the box in the rocks.  Stay out of view and replace the rocks.  Tossing some cedar leaves around the replaced rocks when done helps make them look more natural.
 
 
 
Top O' The Pickle
Placed August 16, 2002
Highway U. S. 2, east of Naubinway
Mackinac County, Michigan
Easy, 15-20 minute stop
Planted by Esperanza
 
Directions
The box is planted in a roadside park on the south side of Highway U. S. 2, approx. 41 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge.  There are several rest areas along this stretch of highway, the box is in the last rest area before you reach Naubinway (or the rest area past Little Hog Island).  This section of highway along Lake Michigan is gorgeous, and many people have discovered the joy of keeping the swimming suits and towels packed close to the top of the luggage for a dip along these beautiful beaches!  This rest area marks the northernmost point of Lake Michigan, which resembles a pickle (or squash) with leaves, as described in the classic children's book about the Great Lakes, Paddle to the Sea by Holling Clancy Holling.
 
Clues
Take the trail at the west end of the parking lot.  It isn't marked, but does have a wood path of wood chips.  The trail will follow along the lakeshore heading west with a bank of tree-covered sand on the left.  There are many fallen logs on the right hand side of the trail.  As the trail begins up a rise and opens out to the beach look to your right for a log completely fallen over 4 paces to the right of the path.  One side of the log has a "tent" of brush next to it, look for the box.  Stamp in and enjoy the beach!  If you ascend up the trail to just beach on the left with a grove of pine trees you've gone too far.  Note:  the stamp surface is a bit uneven, you'll have the best result if you rock the stamp side-to-side a bit as you stamp.