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My Drum Corps Summer LbNA #35270

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Sep 18, 2007
Location:
City:Dover
County:Morris
State:New Jersey
Boxes:1
Planted by:radiodog
Found by: the cross-tie walker
Last found:Nov 20, 2011
Status:FFFFFF
Last edited:Sep 18, 2007
My first letterbox plant! This box is to comemorate the end of what has been a terrific summer.

When I was younger, my family was very active in drum and bugle corps in upstate NY. For those who aren't familiar with "drum corps," it's comparable to a marching band (though back then we bristled at the comparison.) The drum corps activity is summer-oriented, with corps of 100+ kids and/or adults marching in intricate manuvers with brass, percussion and color guard. (If you've never heard of such a thing, check it out on the web...YouTube has lots of great vids from over the years.)

Anyway, I fell away from the activity for almost 30 years, until (as good fortune would have it!) there came to Dover a drum corps competition in July 2006. From the site of this box, you can see the site of that show: Hamilton Field. And so I thought it was a good place to comemorate that event, and my return to the activity in the year since.

Start at the center of Dover, Blackwell St. and Morris St. (While you're there, grab an empanata or two...great Colombian food!) Drive south on Morris, over the tracks, and up the hill. Just over the crest of the hill (i.e. just past the little white chapel on your right) you'll come to a 5 point intersection. Take a left onto East Munson Ave. Go all the way to the end of the street, where you'll find 3 large bolders. Park on the street.

Beyond the boulders is a wooded path. Walk a little more than a 100 yards, and you'll come to a white-blazed trail going downhill to the right; a few more steps, and you'll see the same trail going uphill to the left. Take a left onto the white trail, and continue to the very top of the hill (towards the top, it will cross a gravel road.)

At the very top of the hill, you will get a very nice view of Dover. Take in the sounds of NJ Transit trains below. At the summit, there is an interesting concrete "base." (I don't know what this thing is...someone told me that the KKK used to burn crosses up here back in the 30s, but I'm not sure about that.)

From this odd landmark, take approximately 23 steps back the way you came, and notice the flat rock immediately off the trail on your right. Have a seat, and (when the leaves are off the trees) see Hamilton Field down below, and think about the sights and sounds of July 1, 2006. The music! The pageantry! Resolve to see a show next time you hear of one. Enjoy the experience of being on top of it.