What A Face! – Midwest Reprise

When we were letterboxing in Connecticut in 2006, we decided to do a series called “What a Face.” We were very excited by the idea for the series; each box contained a stamp for a part of the face and, when finished, you ended up with a complete face. Unfortunately, the series had been placed a while ago and many of the landmarks and boxes were missing. We ended up with only half a face! However, we still thought it was a wonderful idea and decided to pay homage to it with a series of our own.

Located in Barton Nature Area, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Park at the southern most entrance on Huron River Drive. For a printable map: http://www.ci.ann-arbor.mi.us/CommunityServices/Parks/Parkdescriptions/Barton/barton.pdf

A few things to note about this series:

1. There are 7 boxes; but a total of 20 stamps. How is this possible? All of the boxes have at least 2 (and sometimes up to 4) stamps in them. This is to allow you to “create your own” face (i.e., Mr. Potato Head). So, you could complete this series with 1 face and 7 stamps, or 2 faces and 14 stamps, or 3 faces and 20 stamps, or… you get the picture. It is completely up to you!

2. Only Box 7 has a logbook for you to stamp in to.

3. There are occasionally long distances between clues. This is due to the nature of the park, which does not have a lot of “letterboxing landmarks.” If you are ever in doubt, chances are if you stay on the trail and keep walking, you will come to the next clue.

Box 1:
Cross the bridge. Notice the steep slopes and heavy undergrowth along the trail? No letterboxes are hidden here! You will see a power pole directly ahead with a dead tree ahead and to your left. After passing the dead tree, there is an opening to your right with some tracks not made by any animal we know of. Travel 8 steps down this trail. On your left you’ll see several small trees. In a teepee of sticks at the base of one, you’ll find your first prize.

Box 2:
Head back to the main trail. Keep walking past more power poles. On your left, there will be a large oak. Just beyond it there is an intersecting trail. Follow the trail on the right. As you head down the path, watch for the sharp remains of an old wire fence laying across the path. Find the dead stump on your right, followed by a split tree. Box 2 is nestled behind the split trees.

Box 3:
Continue on the main trail. Pass the intersection to your left and head into a clearing. Keep walking and walking (and walking!) as the trail snakes back and forth. Pass another trail to your left and walk under an arch of branches. At long last (phew!) take a seat. 40 degrees and 10 paces from the center of your seat, check beneath a pile of logs for Box 3.

Box 4:
Return to the main trail. Ignore the intersections to your left and right. Don’t cross that bridge when you come to it! Instead, follow the trail to your left. Follow this idyllic trail along the Huron River. At one point, it appears to be heading directly into the water, but the trail saves you to the left at the last minute. Pass the snaky roots, leading out to the trees in the water. Pass under the bird house (twice) and through a meadow along the river. Look, there’s an island in the path! Hang a left; 10 paces down the trail several large, gnarled tress are visible to your left. Box 4 awaits behind, near the base.

Box 5:
Continue on the trail, heading away from the river. Head out of the trees and into a clearing – enjoy the view! At the fork, head right. Enjoy the nice, LONG walk through the meadow and bushes. Walk under an arch of branches. Head into the woods. 13 steps past the large, light stone in the trail, there is a dirt trail on the right at 166 degrees. Follow this path to the fallen tree blocking your way. Box 5 lurks under this lazy log.

Box 6:
Head back to the main trail and follow its curving way through the tall bushes. See the large pine on your right? 28 paces beyond this there is a path, also on your right. Follow it to the birdhouse. 140 degrees and 9 paces from the birdhouse, Box 6 is hidden at the base of a tree.

Box 7:
Head back to the main trail and continue to the right. As the trail heads generally northwest, you’ll pass in and out of small stands of trees and bushes. Eventually, you’ll emerge again into a large meadow. Take the fork to the right and proceed past the embracing pine brothers. Follow the twisting trail through the scrubby tall bushes and make a right at the next intersection. Once you are in the trees again, look for a large pine in a clearing to your right. Head 206 degrees and 20 paces from the pine to the log for Box 7. Please note: It is a very tight fit for all of the contents for this box, but they all do fit!

To your car:Follow the path to the right and turn right at the next intersection.

Always: A Mystery

This box was originally planted for the May 2006 Spring Fling gathering in Northville, MI, as part of the “May Day” series. If you would like to double-check to see if you got this stamp before heading out on your search, just contact us and we’ll let you know.

A red ink pad would be the best color for this box.


The crux of this letterbox, which honors of one America’s favorite beverages, is knowing a 1971 Coca Cola slogan.

Snmwkncc unmd, ntt nmhgm

Clues

From the parking lot, take the obvious path. Go until you have a choice… or do you? At the next choice, head 294 degrees. You’ll have a chance to tie up before galloping down the trail. At the next choice, follow the trail at 196 degrees. 17 paces down the trail will put you in the middle of the wood. To the right, you’ll see two where three once stood. The base of the fallen third is where your treasure lies.

You Say It's Your Birthday ...

Clues

... well it's my birthday, too. So said the Beatles. In actual fact, J and B's birthdays are not exactly the same, but are separated by a whole two days. In any case, this box was placed to celebrate both birthdays and to honor all birthdays. This letterbox can be found at Parker Mills County Park, which is located on Geddes Road, east of US-23 and Dixboro Road. This park is home to three trails and at least one other letterbox. Enjoy!

Below you will find a list of well-known (or somewhat-known) people. Knowledge of these people's birthdays will be required to find the letterbox. J & B recommend that this research be done BEFORE going out to avoid frustration. As you will see from the clues that follow, sometimes you need to know more about the person than just their birthday!

Piers Anthony, author
Fiona Apple, musician
Jane Austen, author
Dicky Barrett, musician
Marlon Brando, actor
Marie Curie, scientist
John Cusack, actor
Clint Eastwood, actor
Thomas Edison, inventor
Peggy Fleming, athlete
Joseph Glidden, inventor
George Harrison, musician
Paris Hilton, model
Andrew Jackson, president
Mick Jagger, musician
John Lennon, musician
Sugar Ray Leonard, athlete
Rudy Lewis (of the Drifters), musician
Paul McCartney, musician
Oliver North, soldier
Keith Richards, musician
Wayne Rollins, athlete
Ringo Starr, musician
Twiggy, model
George Washington, president
Jerry West, athlete
John Wooden, coach
Roger Zelazny, author

For the purposes of below, all months and days are single or double digited, as appropriate (e.g. January = 1, not 01, October = 10), and all digits should be used. Therefore, “October and January” gives the number 101 (10,1), not 11 (10+1). Only the last two numbers of any given year should be used, e.g. 1973 = 73, 1846 = 46.

After parking (or walking, if you so choose) to the parking lot for Parker Mills, go to the end of the parking lot remeniscent of the above person born on 5/31/30. There you will find a paved path, and will immediately face a choice. You want the path at _____ degrees (Marlon Brando’s birth day and Thomas Edison’s birth year).

On this path, you will soon be confronted with another choice. Take the path closest to the sign bearing the name of the person born on 7/27/48. At the bottom of the hill, you are forced to make another choice. The path you desire is at _____ degrees (Andrew Jackson’s birth day and Dicky Barrett’s birth month). Avoid the path in common with the person born on 5/17/56.

You will pretty quickly travel between those born on 7/26/43 and 12/18/43. They are just sitting still here, though. At your next choice of path, you will want to avoid this band’s first hit after the death of their man born on 8/23/36.

Not too long after this, you will pass between two old friends. The trail will then make a wide curve that finishes pointing you straight at _____ degrees (George Harrison’s birth day and John Cusack’s birth month). On the left you will pass a fine example of one of the 1/18/13 birthday boy’s inventions. Soon after this the pathway will turn to the person born on 10/14/10.

Stop after ____ paces (Paris Hilton’s birth day) from the concluding end of the above described pathway change. At ____ degrees (George Washington’s birth month), you will see a slight clearing through the trees to an _______ (9/13/77 birthdate) _____ (nickname of 6/16/55 birthdate). Your present is wedged in at the base. Please replace and cover well with ________ (9/19/49 birthdate) when done.

A Rose By Any Other Name

A Rose By Any Other Name...
Location: Gallup Park is a 69-acre park and is Ann Arbor’s most popular recreation area. It is located along the Huron River and Geddes Pond with scenic walkways that traverse small islands with bucolic pedestrian bridges. The park contains two playgrounds, a canoe livery, picnic areas and grills scattered throughout the park, two picnic shelters, open field for play, and over three miles of asphalt trails that are popular for biking, rollerblading, walking and running. Two drinking fountains and many benches allow the park user to take respite from their recreational activities. There are four parking areas: one at the main entrance off Fuller Road, two within the park along the park drive, and one further southeast on Geddes Road.
See: this link for a map of the park. Located at 3000 Fuller Rd, Ann Arbor, 48105 - (734) 662-9319.
Story:
Rose always knew she was different than everyone else. She just never quite fit in. It wasn’t her appearance that caused the problem -- she was very pretty. It wasn’t her personality. She was fun and smart and nice and loved to laugh. She didn’t have a bad attitude or socially unacceptable habits or come from the “wrong side of the tracks.” No, the problem was... well... Rose didn’t smell right. Her friends and family would be chatting away to her, the wind would shift, and suddenly their noses would wrinkle and they would begin backing away from her. They would suddenly remember that they had an urgent appointment that they had completely forgotten until that very second. Rose’s kinder friends advised her to see a doctor; those who were less kind suggested maybe a bath would be the solution.

Finally, after years of being an outcast for her odor, Rose decided to leave. “I will go somewhere where they don’t run in terror when they catch a whiff of me!” So she packed her suitcase, grabbed her passport, and left. Rose spent a long time wandering from place to place, trying to fit in. And while most people didn’t think she smelled bad, she still did have a distinct scent. “I can’t be happy until I find a place to live where everybody smells just like me,” she thought.

And finally, one day she stopped in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Tired, she rested by the Huron River until she noticed something behind her. Something, in fact, that smelled very like she did....

Where did Rose end up? Here is how to find her... and why she didn’t “smell right” to her family!

Clues:
Enter the park at the Fuller Road entrance. Park in the second lot beyond the one lane bridge.

Beginning at the lot, walk through the play area. Find footprints to your right. Continue walking in the same direction, past the prints. Either path at the fork. At the “x” head towards Hikone, Shiga, Japan and continue on by. Continue on over and across three sets of wood and land. During the third cycle, stop and drink in the silence. Cross one final wood to return to the black. Follow the arrow to stay on the correct path. Head towards the third bench. Rest with Christine, you’re almost there! Continue on as before. Stop with the birds and bugs. Pass under the arbor. Find the gap at a heading of 116 from the four stages sign. Head in. Rose lives near a log, under some twigs.

BE CAREFUL! This is a busy area and Rose is quite shy. And, of course, be sure to stop and enjoy the area that made Rose feel like she finally fit in.

To get back to your car, continue in the direction you were orginally headed. You will have to walk over the one lane bridge to loop around.

Coming soon -- our first lb plant!

The "A Rose By Any Other Name" letterbox will be placed in Ann Arbor, Michigan soon!