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Beach Chill Out LbNA #43934 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Aug 28, 2008
Location:
City:Panama City Beach
County:Bay
State:Florida
Boxes:1
Planted by:V&A
Found by: Not yet found!
Last found:N/A
Last edited:Aug 28, 2008
CONFIRMED MISSING as of May 30, 2010. The Chill Out letterbox is located in Camp Helen State Park. Note that there is a $4 per car charge to enter the park. The box was in good shape as of 12/29/08.

The park's website is:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/camphelen/default.cfm

Drive to the visitors' center where you can park and get a trail map. From the parking lot in front of the visitors' center, begin walking down the service road to the right of the parking spaces for those with disabilities. Pass the "Maid's House" on your left. Go RIGHT on the service road when you see a sign for the Nature Trail and an arrow pointing to the left. Take the next left (avoid the private property ahead and to the right) toward the Oak Canopy Trail (no sign).

As you approach the marsh with a view of the condos in the far distance, stay to the right. When the trail splits, go to the right. This is checkpoint 1. You will pass a "Nature Trail" sign on your right. After a while you will come to an old tree broken off at about eight feet on the right of the trail. If you see a trail marker (about two feet off the ground) on the right just past the stump, you are in the right place. At the next split in the trail, you will see a trail marker indicating that you can go either left or right. From the trail marker, continue left for approximately 50 steps until you see a tree with three trunks on the right of the trail. Two of the trunks form a canopy over the trail.

Facing the three-trunk-tree, look just to its left and you should see a dead tree about 7 steps from the trail. Behind this tree under some palm fronds in the Chill Out letterbox.

After replacing and concealing the box, continue along the trail. Stay on the trail as you pass a service road to your left. The road looks like it might be a trail, but the trail marker shows otherwise. Once past the service road, you will quickly join the trail at checkpoint 1, where you turned right as you entered the canopy. Continue to the right on the trail you previously entered on. You will soon leave the canopy and the marsh will be on your right. Take the path to the right along the edge of the marsh. The marsh will be immediately to your right. You will be able to see a small footbridge just across the marsh. Be alert for herons and other birds in the marsh. The path along the marsh will come to a gravel trail. This is checkpoint 2

[For a sidetrip, you can go right across the footbridge and onto a sandy trail down to the beach. Walking through the sand can be a bit of a chore. Follow your trail map to return to checkpoint 2.]

From checkpoint 2, cross the gravel path and continue ahead along the trail (also sandy , but not very long). Lake Powell will be on your right. As the trail curves to the left you will be able to see the "Rainbow Cottages" on the dune up and to your left. You will pass a set of stairs leading from the trail up to the left. A short distance ahead, you will see a second set of stairs also leading up from the trail to your left. Duck under the "good luck arch" (the one that is part wood and part concrete), and climb the stairs.

From here, explore the Shelter to your right that formerly overlooked a boat house. Also explore the Main House (the Lodge), just behind the Shelter, and the Water Tower just beyond the Main House. Return to your car, via the path leading from the front of the Main House to the right toward the visitors' center.

Enjoy your visit.