Sometimes You Gotta Leave the Trail...KWIM? LbNA #30485
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Add Location| Owner: | Freelance Mystic  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Apr 29, 2007 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Hoffman Estates |
| County: | Cook |
| State: | Illinois |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Found by: | getn froggy |
|---|---|
| Last found: | May 3, 2010 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFaFFFFFF |
| Last edited: | Apr 29, 2007 |
As long as I have lived in Hoffman Estates, I have been intrigued by two giant boulders sitting in a Forest Preserve off of Barrington Road. What did they mark? Why were they there? Who put them there? And HOW did they do it?? It's a mystery...KWIM?
If you drive north or south on Barrington Road, between Golf and Bode Roads, you will see them, standing sentinel to the West. What they guard or why is still a mystery. But in looking for this letterbox, you will have a reason to check them out very close up yourself.
Start by driving a bit west on Bode Road until you see the parking lot on the right. The sign says: "Bode East." Park in the lot and walk over to the sign. You will see a bike trail heading east, back towards Barrington Road. Follow the bike path. Stay over to the right and don't block the trail -- in nice weather bike riders zoom past.
When you get to the corner of Barrington and Bode, you will see another Forest Preserve sign: Arthur L. Janura Preserve. The bike trail goes to the crosswalk, but YOU need to turn north, towards the boulders. You may see a small pond or wetland on the left. See a trail of blue markers leading you north.
Step off the trail and make your way to the first marker. Then the second. Continue on, following the blue markers. The wetland will be to the west. Be very careful as you make your way north. Cars will be zooming by you at 55 mph on your right. Bogging areas or holes are waiting to trip the unwary. Keep a tight leash on your dog. Consider carefully before taking young children on this hike. Safety is important...KWIM?
Eventually you will see the first boulder come into view, and in the distance, the second. Since I've only seen them while speedng along Barrington Road, I have never been able to look at them closely. I thought they were almost identical... but that was wrong. One is a great deal bigger than the other. Which one? One is relatively thin...more like a wall than a boulder. Which one? Be careful not to touch them as you look -- the Barrington Road sides of each are coated with a nasty, smelly substance that draws flies.
Make sure you are at the BIGGER boulder. On the rear side (away from Barrington Rd) is a part of the boulder that juts out to the west. On an adult, this may be at head height, or even shoulder height if you are really tall.
Stand with your back to this point and look west. You will see 3 small shrubs in a line going west. Do you see them? Don't stand on a line with them, for they will lead you astray! They should be to your left.
Look straight ahead and start walking west. There are many smallish trees in this area but right in front of you is a strange tree. It looks like 3 around 1, with another one hugging it. But again... that is deceptive. For if you get closer, you will see it is actually 4 around 1 instead!
Walk around to the hidden 4th. Stand with your back to it. Again, look in front of you. Again, see many smallish trees and shrubs, but directly in front see another large tree in a tangle of branches. Look behind you. The boulder will still be directly to the east. Make your way to the tree. Look inside.
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I hid this box myself, but the stamp was carved by another letterboxer, who also made the book (which I decorated/stamped). It was all sent to me months ago and I can't remember who made this! If it was you, please contact me and I will put your credit on the clue page.
Please bring your own ink/pens. A dark ink color may work best.
If you drive north or south on Barrington Road, between Golf and Bode Roads, you will see them, standing sentinel to the West. What they guard or why is still a mystery. But in looking for this letterbox, you will have a reason to check them out very close up yourself.
Start by driving a bit west on Bode Road until you see the parking lot on the right. The sign says: "Bode East." Park in the lot and walk over to the sign. You will see a bike trail heading east, back towards Barrington Road. Follow the bike path. Stay over to the right and don't block the trail -- in nice weather bike riders zoom past.
When you get to the corner of Barrington and Bode, you will see another Forest Preserve sign: Arthur L. Janura Preserve. The bike trail goes to the crosswalk, but YOU need to turn north, towards the boulders. You may see a small pond or wetland on the left. See a trail of blue markers leading you north.
Step off the trail and make your way to the first marker. Then the second. Continue on, following the blue markers. The wetland will be to the west. Be very careful as you make your way north. Cars will be zooming by you at 55 mph on your right. Bogging areas or holes are waiting to trip the unwary. Keep a tight leash on your dog. Consider carefully before taking young children on this hike. Safety is important...KWIM?
Eventually you will see the first boulder come into view, and in the distance, the second. Since I've only seen them while speedng along Barrington Road, I have never been able to look at them closely. I thought they were almost identical... but that was wrong. One is a great deal bigger than the other. Which one? One is relatively thin...more like a wall than a boulder. Which one? Be careful not to touch them as you look -- the Barrington Road sides of each are coated with a nasty, smelly substance that draws flies.
Make sure you are at the BIGGER boulder. On the rear side (away from Barrington Rd) is a part of the boulder that juts out to the west. On an adult, this may be at head height, or even shoulder height if you are really tall.
Stand with your back to this point and look west. You will see 3 small shrubs in a line going west. Do you see them? Don't stand on a line with them, for they will lead you astray! They should be to your left.
Look straight ahead and start walking west. There are many smallish trees in this area but right in front of you is a strange tree. It looks like 3 around 1, with another one hugging it. But again... that is deceptive. For if you get closer, you will see it is actually 4 around 1 instead!
Walk around to the hidden 4th. Stand with your back to it. Again, look in front of you. Again, see many smallish trees and shrubs, but directly in front see another large tree in a tangle of branches. Look behind you. The boulder will still be directly to the east. Make your way to the tree. Look inside.
-------
I hid this box myself, but the stamp was carved by another letterboxer, who also made the book (which I decorated/stamped). It was all sent to me months ago and I can't remember who made this! If it was you, please contact me and I will put your credit on the clue page.
Please bring your own ink/pens. A dark ink color may work best.