The Five Little Pumpkins LbNA #18283 (ARCHIVED)

Directions: This series is located at Algonkian Regional Park. From Rt. 7, take Cascades Parkway North. The road will eventually dead end at the park entrance. From the park entrance, drive about a 1/2 mile till you see the left turn for the swimming pool. Turn left and drive straight into the pool parking lot. Park at the far end of the lot and look for the sign for the White trail. This is where you will begin.

Background: This hunt is based on a popular children's rhyme/chant,and thus, is child friendly. If you know any young'ins, they may be able to help you figure out what the stamps will be, before you get there. If not, don't worry, I'll drop hints along the way. Oh, and don't worry when you get to pumpkin #1 and find no log book. There is only one book with series and it lies with pumpkin #5.

And so we begin. . . . FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS SITTING ON A GATE. THE FIRST ONE SAID, " . . . .

Once on the path you will see a bench to your right. As you continue on, watch your footing. There are many tree roots that try to trip you up. Soon it will be time to cross a bridge. Hurry up! After crossing the bridge, there will be a 12 foot high dead tree stump to your right with about a 15 foot long fallen tree directly behind it. In the middle of the fallen tree, under a large piece of bark, is a hole with pumpkin #1.

Continue on the path. Did I hear cackling up ahead? Eventually, you will pass a bench on your left. When you get to the next bench, which is on your right, sit down facing the trail and have a rest. Straight ahead and just to the left, about 25 steps into the wooks is a large broken stump. Inside lies pumpkin #2. THE SECOND ONE SAID,". . .

Continue on your way as the trail snakes along. You will pass a well marked tree on your right. Does anyone besides SHAYLA -N- JASON care when they were there? Pretty soon the trail will bend around a very large oak tree with a bend in it's trunk and a large root across the trail. About 33 steps past this point, you till come to a tree on your right with a white trail marker and directly to the left will be a long fallen tree. Walk around and look in the first fork of the fallen tree for pumpkin #3. THE THIRD ONE SAID,". . .

Again continuing on the path, you are about to come to a series of bridges. First a log one and immediately after, a board one, and then a long boardwalk style one. Boy, wouldn't a jogger enjoy these? Anyway, let's get a move on. At the end of the long boardwalk go right. You will need to go over two more for these boarkdwalk style bridges before you stop and count about 40 steps to a large dead vine that goes over the path. On the right side of the trail, right next to the vine, is a white marked tree with a hole at about 5 feet high. Inside the hole will be pumpkin #4. THE FOURTH ONE SAID, ". . .

Once more, continue on the trail. It's party time! You will soon see the water park on your right. Go straight across the pool service road and walk until you see a long pile of cut logs. Here's the fun part. Climb on top of the largest log. Walk to the end and turn around. Look just to your left a the rootball of an 8 ft. fallen stump. There, wraped in camoflauge, is pumpkin #5. THE FIFTH ONE SAID, ". . .

Once stamped in, continue on the path till you come to a parking lot. Surprise! Your car's not there. About 15 steps to your right is a small path that cuts through the trees to the pool parking lot where your car should be. THEN WHOOSH! WENT THE WIND. AND OUT! WENT THE LIGHTS. AND THE FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS ROLLED OUT OF SIGHT.