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The Gateway to the Cape Cod Canal Letterbox LbNA #3084

Owner:Mary Manatee
Plant date:Mar 9, 2003
Location:
City:Sandwich
County:Barnstable
State:Massachusetts
Boxes:1
Found by: dreamweavers
Last found:Oct 9, 2011
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFaFaa
Last edited:Mar 9, 2003


The Gateway to the Cape Cod Canal Letterbox

(Sandwich, Massachusetts)

Placed by The Yachtsman and Mary Manatee
Date: March 9, 2003
Difficulty: easy
Terrain: easy

The Gateway to Cape Cod Canal letterbox is placed in an area that we
think is one of the most scenic spots on the Canal. Then again, we
are boat people, and the open expanse of Cape Cod Bay beckons to us.
We wanted to place this box as close as practicable to the red
navigational aid that marks the eastern entrance to the Cape Cod
Canal. Common sense, however, told us that it should not be placed on
the jetty leading to that marker, as storm – driven waves and curious
fishermen might easily have dislodged the box if it were placed among
the rocks on the jetty itself. Please note that this box is in a
vulnerable place where many tourists and dog-walkers stroll, and where
weary bicyclists and rollerbladers stop to rest after exercising on
the mainland arm of the canal access road. Caution should be exercised
in approaching and returning the box so that the general
non-letterboxing public will not be aroused to suspicion. Although we
do not anticipate a lot of problems arising from drawing attention to
the spot during the colder months, this site is heavily visited during
the warmer months, and letterboxers would be prudent to visit early or
late in the day during those times of the year. We have moved the box
to a new site which (we believe)is out of the zone reserved for
nesting birds during part of the spring and early summer. We were
lucky enough on the day that we replaced the box (4/16/06)to arrive at the
mouth of the canal on a rising tide, and to spot several seals fishing
in the middle of the current, along with a loon and many terns. There
is always something interesting to see at this spot.

Directions:

If approaching Cape Cod from the north or the west, follow Route 3 or
Route 6 to the Sagamore rotary. Follow the signs to Scusset Beach.
In the off-season (September to May) there is no charge to enter the
park. In the heart of the winter, the road is only open to cars for
part of its distance. In that case, park near the pavilion/rest rooms
on the canal access road, and either walk the canal path, or the
access road to Scusset beach until you reach the eastern end of the
canal. In the warmer months you can drive down to Scusset beach and
park there if there is room in the lot – after Memorial Day, there is
a fee to enter the park.

To reach the box from the parking lot near the jetty, walk westward down
the canal service road (toward Canal Power Station) until you reach the
2nd electric pole on your right. Just past the pole, at 300 degrees
there is a small juniper tree which is 34 long (Yachtsman) steps off
the path. You will either need to step over the white fence, or
approach from the parking lot side once you have sited the tree. Your
prize lies behind (away from the canal)the juniper under a large rock.
Please replace the box so that it can't be seen by a curious observer.
Enjoy!




Originally posted Thursday, March 13, 2003