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Triathlon Series LbNA #25454

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Sep 10, 2006
Location:
City:Suffield
County:Hartford
State:Connecticut
Boxes:3
Planted by:White Tornado
Found by: Rock Island (2)
Last found:Oct 25, 2019
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Last edited:Sep 10, 2006
NOTE: As of July 5, 2104, SWIM is in good shape but I will relocate it soon as the log is now falling apart and is more akin to a large piece if bark covering the box
BIKE was pulled today, logbook gone (please email me if you have it safe.)
I will replace BIKE and check on run. Bonus box is gone also

Will update soon!

personal note about the choice of theme for these stamps - before letterboxing (and bearing children), I raced in four sprint-distance triathlons, not that my speed could truly be described as 'sprinting.' In memory of these races, and to inspire me to return to triathlons, we created this series.

These letterboxes are on the Metacomet trail between West Suffield and East Granby. Trailhead is on Mountain Road in West Suffield at the intersection of Phelps Road. Park at the small turnout on Phelps Road, or across the street on Mountain road, and enter at the sign for Spencer Woods on Phelps Road. You will be heading roughly south towards East Granby.

August 23, 2008 update - There has been a lot of growth since these were planted, and Swim is hard to find. So I made an addendum to find it. I have not checked on Run yet, and I know Swim needs a new container

Ascend up the hill along several switchbacks. Just when you think you've reached the top at a level area, there is one more tiny rise. Shortly after you top this rise, on your right locate two large-diameter cut stumps, somewhat green with moss or lichen. One is close to the trail and has several branches sprouting, the other is several yards behind it. Both are no more than than a foot high. Walk about 15 steps into the woods on your right from here at a 90 degree angle to the trail, and look to your left. (Forgot my compass!) You should see a small section of a hollow log to the left at about 26 steps. If you are in the correct area, you may see a house with a red door down the slope to the right. In the log, behind some bark and a rock, find SWIM.
*Addendum: If you miss these short stumps because of the new growth of saplings, keep an eye to the right where there is a large two trunked tree with most of the bark stripped off at the edge of the trail. Walk BACK the way you came about 48 steps (ie, each footfall is a step) and then you'd be at the two stumps. Walk the 15 steps now on your left to a short hollow log lying on the ground.

Stamp in and carry on to BIKE! You will pass a large two-trunk tree on the right with lots of bark peeling off one of the trunks, just after SWIM. Soon you'll be walking through lots of young saplings along the trail for a-ways. At one point you'll see an unmarked but obvious trail to the left. Take that for 18 steps, look to the left - about 14 steps in is a very green and rotting small stump, hiding BIKE. (If you go a few steps further up that trail, there is an old chimney ruin.)

Back to the Metacomet and head south some more. A sign with an arrow pointing right is adjacent to a 'slingshot' tree, as one of the team remarked. Go right as the arrow directs you. You'll come upon several signs after a longer stretch of trail, including one on the right identifying the area as George Harmon Woodlot. Stand behind the sign, take 8-10 steps to the tree at the top. Its roots split to go on either side of a flat rock. Under that little rock ledge is RUN.

At this point, you can double back the way you arrived for about 3 miles round-trip at the most.

If you go further, for fun and exercise, you'll see the sign noting the directions to East granby and Suffield. Continue on to a rocky lookout with a great view. If you go all the way to Route 20, you can find Old New-Gate letterboxes on the way back, for a 7 mile hike in all.
Happy Letterboxing!