Sign Up  /  Login

Family Legacy LbNA #53885

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jun 5, 2010
Location:
City:???
County:St. Clair
State:Illinois
Boxes:1
Planted by:LadyEilonwy
Found by: ???
Last found:Nov 7, 2014
Status:FFFU
Last edited:Jun 5, 2016
"Hackberry" and "Sword Fern" are no longer there. Most of the fallen logs that were across the trail have been removed. The "You Are Here
stations are still in place, but they have been vandalized. I was here after a rain and found that parts of the trail has been eroded and a little tricky. Some other markers mentioned in the clues are gone. I live out of state and can not check on the box regularly - only once a year - so I think I will have to mark this box as unavailable until I am able to come back next year. I really hate the thought of moving it because it really only fits with this area.

Clues:
BE AWARE THAT the trails in this area are dirt. There are lots of little hills. Some are fairly steep. Some of the paths will be muddy, possibly slick, after a heavy rain. The "steps" are dirt held back with wooden retainers. There are very few trail markers and the "You Are Here" signs are vague. It is in no way an extreme hike, although it can be a little strenuous. I am of an age to be considered a senior citizen and I am definitely not an athlete, but I enjoy walking here. There is a lot to experience. Some of the trails that I first walked about 20 years ago have been eroded by the the weather, but new ones seem to spring up from time to time. It's easy to get turned around it you're not paying attention. I have tried to write the clues to keep you on the right track. Take usual precautions for playing in wild areas. I did not see any poison ivy in the location where I placed the box, but it is near the trail in some areas. One other consideration - bush honeysuckle is quickly taking over the understory which cuts down on air movement. On a hot humid day it can be very uncomfortable in the woods. And yes, there will probably be mosquitoes.

HOWEVER, I really like this place and hope you will enjoy it as much as I do. Take time to discover what it has to offer.

This is not a substitution cipher. You might call it a semi transposition. You just have to play leapfrog with the letters.

FRIKNIDNPFLAEIARSVAINETWRHIEDIGGEHPTAS

Park at playground and walk west across the grass clearing to spot where the trees dip back to form a half oval. Look for white trail sign. Enter woods. Pass "Hackberry" on left. Continue across bridge with creek on your right. Pass "Sword Fern" and "A". Curve. Step over a big log. Downhill to "You Are Here". Cross bridge. Up. Cross another bridge. Proceed on the trail as it winds up, down and around for a ways. Trail narrows a bit as it goes between two small trees. Step over log. Pass small tree on your right that starts straight, curves over path and straightens again. Pass narrow trail on right. Notice fallen log with interesting bumps on right. Down steps. Cross bridge. Cross another bridge. Pass narrow uphill trail on right. Go around several trees, each in the middle of the path. Uphill on trail to wander down and around. At some point you may see houses on a hill beyond the trees on left of trail. Go steeply downhill to cross another bridge and wander some more. Step over log. Cross narrow planks over a drainage. Go downhill. Stop to admire the gnarled dragon claw clutching the bank across the creek. Cross creek. Go under large fallen trunk, straight and up the steps. Step over one log and then a very long log that lies on the ground across the path and stretches out over the creek. Begin listening for the waterfall. Cross waterfall. Go left. Up steps. Wander some more with the creek on your left. Cross two bridges. Go left again - not uphill. Ignore small trail on left. Around curve. Down steps. These steps can be tricky, Uphill again. Pass "You Are Here" on left and a bench on right. Curve uphill and down steps. Up steps with stump at angle about halfway up. At intersection of three paths near multi-trunked tree turn right. Pass between large sawn logs. Pass steps on right and continue down across makeshift bridge. Down steps. Up. Down more steps. Step over drainage and roots. Cross plank bridge. At "You Are Here" go right. At next intersection go left downhill. Cross bridge and go up steps. Ignore small trail to right. STOP. From top retainer continue about 11 paces to a tree on the right side of the path with a vine angling across the front. on the left side of the path, about 4 steps is a broken fallen log. In the right end, shoved back and covered with bark you will find the family legacy. You can take the box back to the bridge to sit and log in. After returning box to its hiding place, continue forward on the trail. Pass small trail on left and exit woods into a clearing. From here you can easily walk back west to your vehicle.

I welcome comments on your excursion. PLEASE let me know if the box is in need of maintenance. Thanks.