Ct. New Letter boxes
Niantic / East Lyme Ct.
Rated Easy
December 13, 2002
Eight Stamps carved by the Gang : Bluebird, Butterfly, Camel, and Lobsta.

Marshland ~ Woodland ~ Water
The story
The Swans have been hanging in since the Kids Day Gather and were
beginning to feel lonely. Much to their surprise and delight some
friends began to
arrive. First the Damsel darted by and then the loud chattering of
Kingfisher broke the
silence in the marshes. Up in the high meadows Fritillary found a nest,
and the gobble
of turkeys seemed to be everywhere. Now and then even the splash of a
fish was noticed
in the waters.
The Clues:
Like the directions to Winter Camping Is For The Birds, this hunt begins
at Rocky Neck
State Park. Proceed all the way to the main parking lot . This is a loop
hike and
begins with the Rocky Neck Letterbox found by walking to the eastern end
of the parking
lot and find the fire hydrant by the edge of the park road . Walk due
south to the park
wooden fence , face east and walk along the fence . From the last post,
count back six
posts and in the north ,see a Cedar Tree. Find the beginning , Rocky
Neck Letterbox
there. Stamp in and rehide the box well.
Our Damsel has fled from the dragon and she has found a most wonderful
hiding spot.
To rescue this Damsel, walk south to the paved path and proceed between
the two low
buildings. Stand at the last two tall spruce trees and at a heading of
60 degrees , spot
two birch trees and a small Cedar tree. Look rightly for a storm split
oak-- good luck.
Damsels are tricky. Stamp in and hide well.
As you continue south easterly on the paved path and pass the large map
board you come to an interesting bridge over the river and under the
railroad tracks. walk
the bridge and head west along the beach . Go up the hill to the large
stone pavilion.
Here is where you meet the fishermans challenge to catch the fish. Walk
past the high
stone wall and down around the corner now heading north. A high rocky
ledge is west,
the stone wall of the Pavilion is east, and as soon as you walk past the
back corner of the
wall , spot a window that is four over four low in the back
foundation. Stop here..
Now look west and notice a large tree growing almost out of the rock
ledge and the trunk
splits into two parts. Remember both the window and the tree. Make your
way up to the
top of the rocky ridge and find that tree, Stand where you can spot that
four over four
window through the V in the tree . Go fishing from this point by facing
250 degrees and
scrambling up over some rock ledges a way to a strange tree seemingly
growing right out
of a split rock. Go Fish!! Stamp in and release the catch back.into its
hiding hole. this is a
busy place so be careful .
Now go back up to the pavilion and walk along the front and onto the bridge
crossing over the railroad tracks. At the end of the bridge walk due
north up onto the
gravel path. On this unmarked gravel trail, pass a post #3 and into a
Laurel Forest .Pass
the large field on your left continue north and enter a laurel tunnel.
Soon notice a jumble
of rocks on the right side [south east ] of the trail guarded by a tall
Oak tree with green
feet. Stop here. Look 320 degrees to a small rock ledge, here is the
Fritillary tucked
under and resting in her nest. Stamp in and tuck her back .Continue on
the trail to
the next open field [ about 30 more steps ] This field is split by a
line of good size stones.
Turn and walk west to the park road and watch for dragons over head. Walk
left up the road a short way coming to a sign that says do not enter
The road curves
around and you will soon pass a Yellow Trail on your left . Make a
Resolution to take
the next trail which is the blue trail . Follow up and when the trail
splits, both trails are
blue and either one is right. Some call the right trail, the Mauve Trail ?
Turkeys live all around so listen as the trail begins to descend and
notice when the yellow
trail joins from the left. Soon after the trail levels off and heads
onto a long straight away.
Look to the end of the straight away at a knee high rock with a back split .
Stop here and at 120 degrees find a jumble of rocks at about 27 paces.
The largest rock looks like a sandwich -a Big Mac-if you are hungry- or
a Pac Man if you
are young. !! From this rock, the Turkey is hiding at 130 degrees under
an overhanging
ledge of rock Stamp in and then hide him good.
Continue on the Blue and soon come to the Red trail, turn right on red.
Aye Aye !! Hike
the Red Trail to the Park Road and turn left. Walk the park road down
and at the edge of
the woods on the left, find the white trail.. Sharp left onto the trail
and walk until you find
a large flat stone guarding the trail on your right. A seasonal brook is
now in sight. From
here at 150 degrees is the noisy Kingfisher in his nest at about 12
steps. Return back to
the Park Road and now follow the edge of the marshlands to the Bride
Brook Salt Marsh
Observation Platform. Stand with your back to the identification chart.
Go 220 degrees to
the corner of the platform. You will find the Friends Forever letterbox
tucked beneath the
platform. Be sure to be discreet . Rehide the box carefully.
From the Salt Marsh Observation Platform head east on the dirt trail
along the wood rail
fence to the corner of the fence. At the corner , take 20 steps straight
ahead on the path to
a small lone oak tree. Turn left and bushwack 40 degrees to a giant
pine. The Black Swan
lives here. Please rehide the box carefully when you are finished
stamping in.
Have a wonderful day .