Sign Up  /  Login

White-tailed Deer LbNA #17063

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Aug 2, 2005
Location:
City:Newton
County:Middlesex
State:Massachusetts
Boxes:1
Planted by:Along The Charles
Found by: neighborhood scout
Last found:Nov 8, 2020
Status:FOF
Last edited:Aug 2, 2005
From Boston follow Mass Pike to the Newton Wellesley tolls. Stay left after the toll towards the route 30 signs. Turn left at the stop sign heading down Concord St,. Follow Concord St.about 3 miles to the first set of lights turning left onto Rt16. Follow Rt16 to the first set of lights. Take the sharp right at the sign, Wales St. Walnut St. Wellesley. About 100 feet turn right into the parking lot located at 15 Walnut St.Wellesely MA.

Locate the brown sign on your right that reads “Cordingly Dam Fish Passage”. After parking, start out standing in front of the granite bench that reads “Mary Honnewell Fyffe Footbridge M.D.C Reservation”. Walk down the paved path behind you. As you walk you will see a fish ladder on your right. Walk to the bottom of the hill and stand looking down river. To your left you will see some foam. This is naturally produced from the agitation of the waterfalls, also called spume. Under this foam you can often see large Carp swimming in circles staying out of the faster current. Looking to your right you will see a stone island. I have seen raccoons, mink and skunks hunting on this island so keep your eyes open for movement. Turn looking up stream; this is one of my favorite views of the whole river year round so if you get a chance come back different seasons for a look. You will see a black footbridge crossing the river. Follow the path to the middle of the bridge and have a look from there. Once on the bridge you can see a red building. Beside the building you can see a black cast iron fence. That’s where you’re heading next. You could hop the fence but that would be cheating and you might miss a very very important clue along the way. So walk ahead until you locate the granite stone that says “Beneath the footbridge is the Cordingley Dam”. Stand on this stone then walk 4 squares ahead. Go up the stairs. Go down the stairs. Walk 3 squares ahead. Hop to the manhole cover. Walk ahead looking up and to the left until you reach the 3rd star. Walk 7 steps. Turn 45 degrees to your left and walk to the gate. Now wasn’t that more fun then hoping this fence to your left. Ok now, for all you nosy people. Keep your eyes to the river side DO NOT look in all the windows and make yourself stand out. Just walk along the river looking to your left till you are at the end of the red building. I have been told by some of the elderly people that live here that porcupines walk this path but I have had no luck finding one yet. Now that you’re at the end of the building you can tell me, did you look in the windows? I bet you did. Ok, now locate the two tone white and green sign. Read what’s on the sign. That’s some pretty fancy stuff huh? Ok now follow the path then stop where the pavement ends or changes. You should see a small tree to your right. Take 5 steps and turn left. Follow the tree line along the river until you see the steps leading into the water. Sit on the top step. If you sat still on these steps long enough you would see may different types of critters in the water as well as the trees. If you’re done sightseeing, look over your right shoulder to the corner. Walk to the corner and you will see a path to your left. Follow the path, passing under the two redwood trees to the opening on the other side. At the opening you will see 3 tall spruce trees (they look like Christmas trees) walk to the base of the first tree to the left. Now walk ahead to the 3 rd green sign on your left. Walk behind the bush to the end of the wooden stockade fence. You will see a red building to your right. You will have to walk past the front of this building and stop at the center of the bridge. Stop when you see an old light post in the center of the bridge. If you look up, you will see a number. Walk that many steps to ahead. Then look over the bridge. Here you will see Finlay Dam. To your right is another fish ladder used by blue back herring that come from the ocean to spawn in early spring. The center of the river divides Wellesley on your right from Newton on your left. If you turn looking over your left shoulder you will see the Newton sign. If it’s safe to cross the street cross and stand under that sign. Or walk to the crosswalk in front of the red building. Once you’re at this sign you will see a chain link fence in front of you stand facing this fence. You are now standing on Rt.16. To your right at the corner is Concord St. I want you to time the traffic lights so Concord St. has the green light when you reach the gate around the corner in the chain link fence. When the light turns green and the traffic starts moving, pass through the gate heading into the trees. Now walk down towards the river until you step off the little stone wall. Stand so the river is to your left and the wall is to your right. You’re about 50 feet from the water. As you walk ahead stay about the same distance from the river as you walk. Stop when you reach the V shape tree on your left and the white stone on your right. Looking through this V shape tree you will see some small rapids. You could paddle from here to the Moody St. Damn in Waltham seeing so much wildlife along the way. Keep heading down stream until you reach the next very large tree with a long gap. Assuming the gap is the front. I want you to stand on the back side of the tree with the river to your left. Look ahead and up to the right. You will see a stone wall. Walk up to this stone wall. Now walk along the wall until you reach the first large tree along the base of the wall. If you look down to the river you can see the mud along the rivers edge. It’s almost hard to believe how little deer are seen as they walk in and along the river feeding on grapes and other vegetation. If you’re feeling brave or don’t believe me you can go play in the mud and look at all the deer tracks down below. I was in a kayak when I took the photo of the White-tailed deer at night. That was inspiration for this letterbox. Ok, now turn facing the stone wall. Put your left hand on the tree. Lift your right foot and put it on the loose stone in front of. Your knee now points at 2 loose stones. Remove these stones. Here rests the White-tailed Deer letterbox. Enjoy and take some trash home with ya.