Paper Mill Anniversary Birdhouse Series In Madison, CT

A non-letterboxer gave me these stamps for Christmas, so I
decided to put them right to use to establish a series in honor of
my one-year anniversary of letterboxing! Please excuse the
store-boughtness. Planted 1/1/03 by Bluebird.

Begin the walk in the same location as the Hammonasset River
box (listed under Killingworth, but it is in Madison). Park at the
trail opening at the intersection of Green Hill Road and Fawn
Brook Circle just before the bridge and Killingworth border.

The Paper Mill site is included in the National Register of
Historic Places. It was built around 1865 to produce straw board.
You will see remains of a stone dam on the Killingworth side
and remains of the mill on the Madison side.

This moderate 5-box series will take 1-1 1/2 hours for about a
2-mile+ counterclockwise loop.

Generally, you will follow the Madison Land Conservation Trust's
blue trail counterclockwise. Avoid spurs and side trails such as
the ones to Hammonasset Meadows and Wickford. The trail you
want is #10, Main Trail (says "Loop" along second half where
you stay on right leg of it) and has the freshest blue markings,
when in doubt.

#1
This is a geocache/letterbox hybrid. If you are not familiar with
geocaching, check out www.geocaching.com. Basically, you can
take an object/leave an object. The letterbox is inside and should
be returned there. Please don't take any travelbugs (geocachers'
hitchhikers) unless you will be visiting more caches so you can
let them continue on their way.
Start down the blue and almost immediately see a large tree on
your left. Go 100 degrees for 13 steps. The box will be just below
your feet. Please re-hide it carefully, as people fish nearby!

Say "hello" to the Hammonasset River Letterbox as you pass by
the rock wall on your left (or visit if you haven't).

#2
Find the 6-armed tree on your left. Walk uphill 200 degrees for 30
steps to a tree hole.

#3
Look for a 7-armed one this time. Take 40 steps at 100 degrees
to 5 arms (1/2 way there cross a spur but don't take it).

#4
Look for triple-arms on your left. Go 30 steps 200 degrees to a
hollow fallen log.

#5
When you hear a hum ahead, look for a split rock 6 steps left of
the trail.

Blue takes you to a road by the hum; continue on blue back to
Green Hill Road, with a short trip left back to your car.

Happy New Year!