Unless I'm missing something, the two boxes I placed in Indiana this weekend
are the first for that state. Mitch, if you're still handling those chores,
would you please post the following clues to the Web site and light up the
Hoosier state?

The stamps are hand carved. I learned a lot from carving the Corbeau stamp,
so the Raptor is the better of the two, in the artist's humble opinion.

Thanks!

-Mark

================
The Corbeau Letterbox
Indiana
Placed Friday, March 17, 2000 by Mark Sheehan
Access: Moderate Clues: Easy-Moderate

Find the first preserve established in Indiana by The Nature Conservancy.
Park under the power transmission lines. The trail into the preserve forks:
the left fork goes up the hill under the power lines; the right fork
parallels Clear Creek. Easiest access to the letterbox is via the right
fork. Follow the path along the base of the bluff to the first tributary
stream. Make your way across the tributary and find the southbound path that
begins a few yards up the tributary. Follow the path up onto the ridge to
the south. (I think this second ridge is part of the preserve, but am not
sure; the property is not posted against trespassing, however, and I know it
is frequently visited.) Follow the ridgetop south and find the flat
limestone exposures that overlook the creek. From one of them you will see a
microwave tower on the horizon at a bearing of 258 degrees (set your compass
declination to seven degrees east). From the same overlook you will see a
power transmission pylon at a bearing of 317 degrees. From this spot follow
a bearing of 58 degrees uphill to an area of broken, scattered limestone
rocks. Toward the east edge of this cluster of rocks is a flat one that has
two holes in it. One hole is a near-perfect cylinder; the other is a figure
eight. Both holes go completely through the rock. Swing the rock aside to
the right. Inspect the exposed area closely for snakes. This is copperhead
country; their venom is poisonous. You will see the letterbox here.


The Raptor Letterbox
Indiana
Placed Sunday, March 19, 2000 by Mark Sheehan
Access: Easy Clues: Easy-Moderate

Locate the impoundment that provided water to the city of Bloomington prior
to the construction of Lake Lemon. The southeast end of the lake is
accessible by road. Find the bridge and causeway area and the parking lot
north of it. From the extreme east end of the parking lot, proceed east and
immediately cross two short boardwalks over small streams. From the east end
of the second boardwalk follow the trail that parallels the lake edge 140
paces. (My stride is 35 inches.) Stop. About 100 feet head of you, you will
see junctions of the green, blue, and red hiking trails near another
boardwalk. (This information just confirms that you are in the right place;
don't go to the junction.) On your left is the trunk of a large tree that
fell many years ago. It has come to rest against a smaller, living tree
whose diameter at breast height is seven inches (in the year 2000). In the
leaf litter at the base of the smaller tree, sheltered by the fallen trunk,
is the letterbox. Please reconceal the box carefully as this is a much-used
trail.