Marisa, at this time of year I would say that none of the boxes I have
hidden in western Mass. would be "easy and quick." There's a certain
amount of hiking involved for each and I have no idea what the trails might
be like. However, that said, the two I have hidden at the Quabbin
Reservoir are not very complicated. I have friends who found them on New
Year's Day, but that was before we had had any snow.

The Mount Sugarloaf and Wendell State Forest boxes involve trails that I
would not recommend at this time of year unless you have the equipment
necessary for winter hiking. The boxes hidden by the Drew clan on the
Holyoke range are close to Springfield, but they involve rather steep, long
climbs. Definitely not quick and easy, even in summer! In fact, I think
in their clues they discourage hunting for those boxes in winter.

My sister Betsey has hidden two in Belmont which I think might be good
candidates for you, except that they are rather far east!
Good luck!

Bonnie



At 06:31 PM 02/23/2000 -0500, you wrote:
>
>I'm heading up that way (actually will be in Wilbraham) this weekend and
>would love to add to my stamp collection of one! :) Is there anything
>easy and quick, since I won't be visiting letterboxers, and won't have a
>lot of time? I know you New Englanders are letterbox crazy... :)
>
>Thanks.
>
>Marisa
>
>Also, my 2 cents on the stamp pad issue, the Drew clan box that I found had
>a little pigment pad in it. (about 1 inch big?) Even though I had my own
>with me, it was neat to have one there, so I will have different colors in
>my book.
>
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Welcome, Marisa!!! Wilbraham, that's near Ludlow (home of New Engalnd's
best Portugese bakery), sort of the intersection of the MassPike (I-90)
and I-91, right? We've got just the boxes for you: I suggest either of
two series just north of town, or one just south. Both are really easy
to get to from 91. To the north are "North Mount Sugarloaf" and
"Quabbin Resivoir" (which is really two boxes on one path). They're at:

http://www.sover.net/~tcooch/amherst.htm

Or, just to the south, try "Tobacco River" at:

http://members.aol.com/drewclan/north.htm#tobacco

And have a really terrific time! Jay


marisa sifontes wrote:
original article:http://www.egroups.com/group/letterbox-usa/?start=2752
>
> I'm heading up that way (actually will be in Wilbraham) this weekend
and
> would love to add to my stamp collection of one! :) Is there
anything
> easy and quick, since I won't be visiting letterboxers, and won't
have a
> lot of time? I know you New Englanders are letterbox crazy... :)
>
> Thanks.
>
> Marisa
>
> Also, my 2 cents on the stamp pad issue, the Drew clan box that I
found had
> a little pigment pad in it. (about 1 inch big?) Even though I had
my own
> with me, it was neat to have one there, so I will have different
colors in
> my book.

bonita wrote:
> Marisa, at this time of year I would say that none of the boxes I have
> hidden in western Mass. would be "easy and quick." There's a certain
> amount of hiking involved for each and I have no idea what the trails
might
> be like. However, that said, the two I have hidden at the Quabbin
> Reservoir are not very complicated. I have friends who found them on
New
> Year's Day, but that was before we had had any snow.
>


Sorry I didn't read your note first, Bonnie! Didn't mean to contradict
you by recommending Mt Sugarloaf. If this spring-like weather holds
out, though, both Quabbin and Tobacco River should be gorgeous and
close for you, Marisa, and no biting bugs.

Jay

I am pretty sure the trails at Mount Sugarloaf will be icy and slippery
right now, dont you think Jay? Even in summer there are portions that are
wet. But maybe I am more cautious than others!

Bonnie

At 04:08 AM 02/24/2000 -0800, you wrote:
>bonita wrote:
>> Marisa, at this time of year I would say that none of the boxes I have
>> hidden in western Mass. would be "easy and quick." There's a certain
>> amount of hiking involved for each and I have no idea what the trails
>might
>> be like. However, that said, the two I have hidden at the Quabbin
>> Reservoir are not very complicated. I have friends who found them on
>New
>> Year's Day, but that was before we had had any snow.
>>
>
>
>Sorry I didn't read your note first, Bonnie! Didn't mean to contradict
>you by recommending Mt Sugarloaf. If this spring-like weather holds
>out, though, both Quabbin and Tobacco River should be gorgeous and
>close for you, Marisa, and no biting bugs.
>
>Jay
>
>
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>Intro or 9.9% Fixed APR and no hidden fees. Apply NOW!
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>
>
>