The Mad Chef Letterbox

Placed 9/7/2002 by Adelcoll Cavy-Lovers

The Mad Chef is terribly upset because recently all his
culinary concoctions are continually combusting. To help him cool
down, we've tucked him into a restful spot in a shady park where he
can study for a less incendiary career in horticulture. Please pay
him a visit at this "zoo for trees" in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.

A map and visiting hours for the Mad Chef's home can be found
at
http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu/visitors/visitors.html
Please respect the plant life. Finding the Mad Chef can be done
without disturbing or stressing any living thing.

Here is our recommended path to the Mad Chef, but you take
your own tour of the park by examining the map. Note: No cars are
permitted along the "roads" shown on the map. Below I have referred
to street and path names as they appear on the map. However, there
are no signposts in the park. "Streets" are paved. "Paths" are not.

We recommend parking along Route 203, the Arborway, near the
Main Gate to the park (125 Arborway St.). Immediately to your right
when you go through the gate is a visitor center at which you can
purchase a map for $1.00. Also there are public restrooms and a
drinking fountain.

After you leave the visitor center, continue on the road a
short distance and you will come to a trail on the right. Take this
trail up the hill and see the tulip trees, among other varieties.
Soon you will see some formal gardens to your right. They are not
fully planted yet, but follow the path through them up the hill where
you will find a delightful bonsai exhibit (opposite the Dana
Greenhouses). After examining these tiny trees, continue along the
paved road in front of the bonsai house (with your back to the bonsai
house, go left down the road). This will bring you to Bussey Hill
Road. Go right. Soon there will be a fork in the road. Take the right
branch. Soon, the road ends; go left. (To the right you can see/hear
a gate to well-trafficked Centre Street).

Continue about 500 feet until you come to Conifer Path on the right --
sand and gravel path leading up a gentle hill. Not sure it's the
right path? Look to the left and see some large but low rocks. On the
right, find the Pignut Hickory Tree.

Travel up the path about 83 adult steps. On the left side, look for
an unusual pine tree with reddish-orange bark. A tag hanging from a
left side branch indicates it is a "Japanese Red Pine".

Standing on the path with your back to this pine you will see a
hillside clearing. Walk about 15 steps from the center of the path up
the hill into the clearing. To you left will be a large oak and
straight ahead of you will be towards a large "Christmas Tree"
(Arbovitae?). Look between these two trees. About 30 adult steps
away you will see another large oak visible amongst some small pine
trees. Walk straight to the oak.

When standing at the oak, facing it, turn right about 90 degrees and
see some rock outcroppings. Walk to the (adult) knee high rock and
step up on it. Keep your back to the oak. In front of you is another
rock outcropping. Look in front of you for the cleft in the rocks. Go
to the cleft. The Mad Chef is awaiting your visit at the bottom of
the cleft, tucked under the right side. It has been disguised with a
small rock and some leaves.

To complete your tour of the park and return to your car: Return to
the Conifer Path and follow it to the end. Turn left onto Hemlock
Road. Hemlock Road will come to an end at an intersection, but you
can continue in the same general direction by picking up the Beech
Path. At a fork along the path, stay left. Soon after you will be
returned to Bussey Hill Road. Bear Right onto the road, and then turn
Left at the rose garden and lily pond. Continue about 3/8 to the
visitor center and the Main Gate.