Easy as Pi LbNA #18108 (ARCHIVED)

13Jan07: There is some construction on the boardwalks going on, the clues may be difficult to follow.
27Aug06: Corrected a mistake on the clues.
21July06: Mighty Pi is back, and better than ever! Check out the new and improved Pi.


* New Location * (hopefully now without the poison ivy and thorn bushes)
* New Stamp * (but based on the previous version)
* Same Logbook * (if you want to count this as a new find, I won’t tell!)

I know it’s irrational, but my favorite number is “pi” - perfect, like the ratio of a circle’s circumference to radius. I could go on and on, but I don’t want to repeat myself. You will need the help of pi to find this prize.

Location: Near downtown Lexington, MA
Difficulty: Easy; flat, stroller-able (but no bikes)
Length: <30 minutes
Stamp: Self-designed and hand-carved
Parking: Free on street.
BYOInk and BYOPen

Note: The clues below refer to specific decimal digits of pi. For example, the 1st digit of pi is the first number after 3 (ie 3.x).

Your journey will start near the Hayden Recreation Center in Lexington, MA, which is located at the intersection of Worthen Road and Lincoln Street.

With the Hayden Center on your right, head down Worthen Road (pools, track/field will be on the left). You will be passing by a fenced field behind the Hayden Center. Approx. 1/10 of a mile after the fence ends, stop/park on the right (free parking, but can be crowded during school hours. All those lucky students studying pi!).

Here behind the sidewalk you should see a singular post with a yellow diamond in the middle of a paved path perpendicular to the sidewalk. To the right of this is Station 12 – Let’s HipFlex! – part of the Theresa and Roberta Lee Fitness trail.

Now summon the awesome power of pi, and start your journey! Head down this paved path - you will soon pass by Station 13 (Legkick and Toetouch) on your right. Keep going. Before the path curves to the left take a right to the entrance to the Lincoln Park Swamp Nature trail. Let’s talk a walk on the boardwalk.

The boardwalk twists and turns, and has several interpretation signs posted throughout. Keep your pi-ball out for the “Pond” info sign. When you get to this, add up the 3rd, 10th and 15th digits of pi (remember, these are the decimal digits after the 3). From the beginning of the descriptive paragraph, count the words and write down the one at this number.

At the end of the boardwalk keep going straight on the dirt path. Take your first left and continue along the dirt path. When you come to Fitness Station {13th digit}, turn around. The item you are seeking will be on your {5th digit}, where odd = right and even = left. Remember that word you wrote down? You are looking for a:

WETLAND = stone bench
WATER = double-trunk tree
MARSH = memorial rock

Behind this on the left, against the backside of a medium-sized stone and covered with smaller stones, is a pi dessert for you.

Got it? Most excellent. Rehide well please! You can head back by returning to the fitness station and then taking a left on the paved path you first started on.

Bonus: Ok, my alma mater used “pi” as part of our football game cheer. 10 points if you can name that school!