Brown Snake LbNA #16859 (ARCHIVED)

Locate 133 River St. Waltham, Park in the back behind Shaws. Find the small waterfall, then stand at the black cast iron fence a few feet down stream from the waterfall. Facing the river, Start at the end of this fence. Count 6 of the larger black posts as you walk up stream. On the ground is a engraved stone explaining the area. When you’re done, follow the paved path 40 steps up steam. To your left is another engraved stone on the ground. Read it, then count how many letters are in the first to words. Walk that many steps up stream. From here you can see a bench on your right and a bench on your left. Go sit at the end of the bench on the left. Face the granite post. From here you have a choice. Flip a coin. If the coin lands on heads take route #1 if the coin lands on tails take route #2.

(Route #1) Take the path to your left. As you walk over the walkway way you could see three different types of turtles. Painted, Red-eared slider or Snapping turtles. This is a very good place in the winter to see a wide variety of ducks. Mergansers, Bufflehead or Wood Ducks. Now that you got your nature lesson walk to the end of the bridge and turn right walking up stream. Walk under the R.R Bridge then follow the instructions below.
(Route #2) while sitting on the end of the bench look up above the stone post for an old R.R bridge. Walk to the last post under the R.R Bridge. Take 5 steps; go up the hill on the right. If for any reason you’re not able, go take Rt.1. Once at the top walk towards the river. Beware there ARE holes so don’t read this as you walk. Take some time to enjoy the view. Once on the other side take the trail to the right down to the paved path.
Stand with the river on your right. Walk up stream passing by a log bench on your left but keep walking unless you want to feed the ducks. Once at the next viewing point on your right. Walk out and look down stream. You will see a large dead tree across the river in the water. Here is a good place to see a Great blue Heron or cormorants resting on the tree limbs. Go back out to the trail heading up stream. If you like you can take a look off the next 2 viewing points along your way. Following the path you will come to 2 granite posts. Look left, look right, look left then walk to the other 2 post in front of you. I would recommend walking fast holding your nose till you reach the next granite post on your left. If you stand with this single post to your back then look down at the grass in front. This is where I caught the Brown Snake, the inspiration for this letter box. I placed him on the path took a few photos then let him go. Now get back to finding the box. Walk till you find the next 2 granite posts. Once again stand between the 2 posts. You are in the right place it you look up and to your right and see a very tall chimmeny. Looking across the street you will see where a black fence meets a cement wall. Remember the left, right, left rulewhen crossing over. Turn so the fence and wall are on your left. Walk to the center of the bridge. You will see an old R.R. bridge on your left. Looking under and past the R.R Bridge you should see a small bridge way off in the distance, you will soon be standing on that footbridge if all goes well. If you look behind you, you will see an old green plaque with the date of 1949. Now stand with the green plaque on your right then looking ahead walk to the 4th telephone pole. Look to your left for a chain link fence. Walk to the end of this fence. Look to the left, there is an opening in the fence. Stand in the opening. Look up you will see 1880. Move ahead so 1880 is on your left. Look straight ahead in the distance. You will see a large tree. Skip to that tree (or walk). When your at this tree you will see a green fence. Stand at the end of this fence with your back to the post that reads UNITED. Count 28 steps slightly to your right. You will end up at a tree. With the tree on your right and the river in front of you, follow the curbstone around the turn till you see the dirt path. You will see the dirt path slpits. Follow the path to the right and stop when the path becomes stones. First get your camera ready if you have one. Looking past the stone wall into the trees across the river watch carefully for large Great Blue Herons in the branches. Walk slowly to the stone wall and look over for 3 types of Herons. Great Blue Herons, Blackcrowned Night Herons, and the samller Green Herons. The Herons stand still waiting to make a meal out of and fish they can catch. Look along the rocks on the other side for the bobbing tails of Sandpipers and many other critters such as mink or large Carp swimming in the shallow waters. Once you’re done, follow the path down stream till you see footbridge on your right. Give yourself a pat on the back for finding this bridge. Standing at the middle of the bridge looking down stream. You can see a very tall Chimney. If you can’t see it looking up try looking down for it’s reflection in the water. Sometimes you can see many Chimney Swifts flying out of the top. That’s a bird incase you didn’t know. Now that your almost done, how’s it feel knowing you have to walk all the way back ”HA”. Follow the path to the right towards the 2 benches. walk past the first set of benches untill you reach a 2nd set. Stand on the path behind the bench. In front of you there is a dead tree with a hole about 15 feet up. In that hole is the letter box. Shimmy up the tree, just kidding. Woodpeckers love to visit all the dead trees around her so keep your eyes and ears open for them. Now starting couning the row of trees on your left as you walk and stop at the 8th tree. Walk to the end of the fence on your right. Now walk the path as you count 40 steps. To your right is a light post with the #5 on it. Just to the right of the pole there is a tree. At the base of this tree there is a hole. Look around for fisherman or anyone that may be in the area. Make a mental note of how the stones are placed then remove the stones from the base of the tree. Here rests the Brown Snake letter box.