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KJ's Best Redux LbNA #51662

Owner:Pine Tree
Plant date:Dec 4, 2009
Location:
City:Storrs
County:Tolland
State:Connecticut
Boxes:3
Planted by:Rubaduc
Found by: Nairon
Last found:Dec 19, 2021
Status:FFFFFFF
Last edited:Dec 4, 2009
The original K.J’s Best letterbox was the first indoor box in CT. When Kathy John’s closed their doors earlier this year, the box was retired. Fortunately for me (Rubaduc) I won this famous box in a raffle (well, maybe Gizz actually won it) and after talking it over with several boxers I’ve decided to set it free in the wilds of Storrs, the town where it has resided since 2003. When the box was picked up at Kathy John’s, it had somehow multiplied into two stamps so the first two boxes contain those stamps and the third box is one carved by Gizz to represent his favorite sweet.

No ink in these boxes. Plan on a two and a half mile round trip. Expect some muddy spots and bridgeless stream crossings.

Find Horsebarn Hill Road on route 195. This is a loop road, returning to route 195 at the other end. Starting at the end closest to I-84, go eight tenths of a mile and turn left into the driveway towards the twin silos. Driving between white fencing, you should see a sign on the right that says Livestock Unit 1. Continue on to park in front of the building that says Beef Cattle Teaching and Research Unit. We were told that it’s o.k. to park here but if anyone should question you, just say that you’re interested in seeing the old ski area and trails.

After parking, head towards the back of the buildings (N.E.) going straight until you see what appears to be a cow path heading downhill with yellow blazes. You might see that this path was once pavement, leading to the ski lodge. The trail is rocky and was muddy after a recent rain but it gets better. Watch to the left and you’ll see signs of it being a ski area (wheels on poles). Then look for a medium size boulder (on a slight rise) on the right with a letterbox on the back side.

In just a few steps you’ll see a tree with an orange double blaze on it, go left on this trail (just before a nice old tree). These blazes might be faint at times. Walk until the trail makes a sharp left turn (with a green trail on the right) at the bottom of this hill, the trail turns right. Cross a brook and go uphill watching for an abandoned sand pit on the right. On the left will be a mossy ledge with the leftish layered ledge less mossy than the rest. At the base of a tree growing out of the top of this part of the ledge is box number two. There’s a large piece of bark under it to keep it from falling into eternity.

Continue on and at the fire pit go right (leaving the orange trail behind) pass two boulders and go downhill (with sand pit over to the right) head straight across the field to a blue arrow in the middle of the field (if the pole is missing, keep looking left for blue blazes). Go left here and you should see blue blazes along the edge of the river. Follow blue, watch carefully for blazes, cross a small steam (or wet area)then cross a stream on a plywood bridge and cross another bridgeless stream until you come to a tree with a blue arrow pointing right. To avoid yet another stream crossing, site 250 degrees and walk 22 steps, passing the root end of a downed tree and a small evergreen until you get to a mother daughter evergreen. Go around to the back and look in a cave next to a broken off relative for the final box. This box is large enough for a H.H.

Retrace your steps back to your car and stop on the way home for ice cream.