The Empty Basket Series - Hearts and Flowers

 

1.5 miles up gravel road to the snowmobile trail at Oaks Road and Lycoming Trail.

 

  

Cross the road.

 

Pass a large three trunk tree on the left side of the trail.

 

Pass the second red blaze on the right side.

 

20 steps off trail after the second red blaze, note the two trunk tree.

 

Box is behind the tree, between its toes.

Stained Glass #6

 

From the cemetery driveway, look uphill to the flagpole.  Box is to the right of the pole, tucked beside Sarah.

 

Signs

You can find the clues to my favorite of my planted boxes at:

http://letterboxingmimsersigns.blogspot.com

The Green Triangle

Location: Schuylkill County or is it Lehigh County
Blue Mountain House Road
Distance .2 mile
Altitude 1342 (not hiking elevation - just altitude!)



I was meandering around the hills of Schuylkill County one warm June morning when I spied an interesting little pillar at the side of the road. So, I grabbed my trusty camera and got out to take a picture of it, when I discovered that the opposite side of the pillar bore a different inscription. So, I had to take a picture of that one too. As I was standing there looking at my surroundings, it struck me that there was a curious white blaze on the side of the pillar. Hmmm, why was that, I wondered? I parked in the little parking area about 20 feet north of the pillar. Looking around me, I decided that this was a pretty neat spot to hide that letterbox which had been riding around with me for awhile.

I poked around my car, looking for the box, and as I stood up, I noticed that there was a man with a big backpack standing on the other side of the road observing me. Startled, I asked him if he was a through hiker and he responded that indeed, he was and that he had started in Vermont but he really sounded doubtful that he would make it the whole way to Georgia.

My new companion appeared to be in no hurry to move on. I WAS in a bit of a hurry to be on my way but was determined that I was going to place my box somewhere in this vicinity. But his presence somewhat discouraged my going too far away from my car so I just meandered west on the trail, bypassing a little side trail on the left leading to a big field. This would have been a perfect area for hiding but it also looked as though it were a perfect spot for hikers to rest so I kept moving. But I didn't have to go far before I passed a three trunk tree and shortly after that, I saw a V tree on the right with a downed tree directly behind it about 25 feet off the trail.


After checking it out, I decided that it was a good spot to place my little Green Triangle and that it was time to be on my way to my next adventure. My new friend, the through hiker, also appeared to be relieved that I was leaving so that he could continue on to HIS next adventure.


Bring your own ink - guess what color is recommended!

Last reported find: July 6, 2007

PS: The above story is true!

Yuengling Brewery

In July 2005, we visited the Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville on a very hot summer afternoon. Yuengling is the oldest family owned brewery in the United States and although the Pottsville brewery is not the only plant these days, they do continue to make beer there to maintain their "oldest family" status on the National Historic Register. We walked up and down old staircases in this 175 year old building going from the heat of the manufacturing plant to the cool caves holding the aging beer. After the tour, we were encouraged to sample some of the many fine brews that are produced by Yuengling and although I am not a beer lover, I quickly learned that if I DID want to drink a beer, it would be a Yuengling Lager.


I came home from this tour totally inspired to share my experience with my letterboxing friends in the form of a box in Yuengling's honor. So I carved a stamp and prepared my box and drove to Pottsville to hide it, only to find that there really don't seem to be many good hiding spots IN Pottsville. The box sat in my car for about a year and I made two or three more trips to the area, casually driving around and expanding my circle of search. And now, I decided that today was the day that I had to hide this box, freeing it from its 22 month captivity. So I again drove to Pottsville, drove around Pottsville, drove up and down the hilly streets in Pottsville and in frustration started to head home yet again after finding that the only place that seemed suitable to hide a box was in a beautiful cemetery and it just didn't feel right to put a beer stamp in a cemetery.

I soon noticed a woodsy area to my left as I was heading south on Route 61 and made a turn into the road to find that these woods were owned by the Tumbling Run Water Treatment Facility. Unfortunately, there were no trespassing signs on both sides of the road for miles. But I persisted for 3.6 miles and found a little pull off which was unposted. Six large white stones prevented me from driving up the little road which obviously led to a nice view but they didn't stop me from walking up the road. I came to a little clearing and looked all around me at the mountains which towered over me and soon noticed a little fir tree to my right. This looked like the ideal new home for my little box. I hung it, much like a Christmas ornament, off of a hook, deep in the tree. Please do not remove the hook when you find this box, just lift it off gently.

While you are in the area and if you have the time, please consider taking the tour. You can find the information on it at http://www.yuengling.com/index.htm.

Kaleidoscope #3

Did you ever drive by a road time after time and each time you do it, you say "next time I come this way, I am going to see what is down that road"? Well, there is a road like that a little north of Port Clinton and today was the "next time" that I had promised myself. I drove up this road which is right off of Rt. 61 and is sometimes gated. I found out why the gate is there as I drove up and up and up. There is no way that I would even want to consider driving here in the snow or ice. I found a map which gives the elevation at 1300 feet and I hope to head back there soon to verify that with my GPS.

I drove 2.9 miles enjoying several different vistas on my way up and when I saw a towering fire tower, I knew I had reached the end of the road. The fire tower is fenced off and I can only imagine the views that one would see from it. Not me, though, heights terrify me so I would never have been able to climb it even for a spectacular view.

I parked at the fire tower and walked to the gravel road behind the brown and white striped gate. As I headed downhill, I saw a large evergreen ahead of me on the left side of the road as the trail begins to bear to the right. A little further along, there were a pair of almost matching three foot stones on either side of the trail and I passed through them.

A little further along I saw a trail heading off on the right side of the road and decided to explore that area a little bit. I walked back to the little raised island and headed clockwise around it to the first faint trail on the left and soon saw a three trunked tree which looked like a good spot for my Kaleidoscope #3 box.

I hope you have the time to enjoy the views while you are driving up this mountain, they were beautiful on this lovely sunny day.

Piece-a Pizza

Location: Ashland, PA
Length of Hike: Driveby
Date Planted: July 30, 2005Looking for Black Diamonds near Mother? Hungry? Thirsty? Have a piece-a pizza at Devitos. While you are there, have a Guer’s Iced Tea from the cooler.

Say hello to my brother, Tom!
My brother sold this restaurant in 2009 and it is now in foreclosure from the new owners so I presume this box is history.

Last reported find: July 10, 2008