The Dove of Peace LbNA #19059 (ARCHIVED)

************MISSING AS OF 08/27/10**********

The "Dove of Peace" letterbox is one of five in a series called "God's Acre", a reference to an old time expression for a small country cemetery. There are several of these God's Acres in western Loudoun County., and it is to these back country roads that this series of letterboxes will lead you.

I have always been fascinated by the carvings and epitaphs on old weathered headstones, all the while holding the utmost respect and dignity for those souls about whom I was reading. It is to these quiet places that this series is dedicated.

CLUES:

From Rt.7 in Purcellville, turn south on Maple Avenue (Rt. 722) and follow it out of town and into the next town named after President Johnson's predecessor. After passing the Goose Creek Friends Meetinghouse on the left, the road bears around a curve to the right. The drive into the cemetery turns right between stone walls. Drive up to the bend in the lane and stop. You can pull off to the left if you don't want to block the lane. Standing near where the lane bends, look for a sour fruit and take a SW heading. There used to be a stump that I used as a clue, but this stump is no longer there. Walk straight down the row of headstones (parallel to Rt. 722) towards the stone wall bordering the cemetery. Some new pines trees have been planted recently. Head for the new pine on the left. At this point look over the stone wall and see the dead Locust tree to your right on the other side of the stone wall. Down at the bottom of the locust tree, between the base of the tree and the stone wall, covered under pieces of bark is the Dove of Peace.

Stamp in and please rehide well.