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Valentine - RETIRED LbNA #7008 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Warrior Woman
Plant date:Feb 1, 2004
Location:
City:Ashland
County:Middlesex
State:Massachusetts
Boxes:3
Found by: Wildcats
Last found:Nov 27, 2006
Status:FFFr
Last edited:Feb 1, 2004
The first two boxes of this series (Hold Me, Kiss Me) were vandalized, and I will not be replanting. The third microbox, Thrill Me, will be turned into a hitchhiker, because aren't you "thrilled" when you find a hitchhiker!

Valentine Series
Placed by Warrior Woman and Berek Halfhand
Easy clues, moderate terrain

From the painted starting line for the Boston Marathon, head east. You will pass a nice place for growing things on your left. As you pass this place, look for a blue sign on your right for those who toil. This is the first of three blue signs. A former president will direct you to take that right. Follow along this road. You will come upon the second blue sign for those who toil. Continue through this intersection. When you reach the third blue sign for those who toil, go East on East. Wave to the Village People as you pass by the place they like to dance on your left. Continue along this road all the way to the end. Where earth meets water, stop and park in the parking lot of the "Clocktown" reservoir.

As you face the "Clocktown" reservoir, head to the path on your left. Continue along this path as it goes up onto the asphalt and across a bridge. At the end of the bridge, take a right and follow the path as it rises up on one steep climb upward, with the water on your right. Continue along this path until it comes to a T. Head onto the right blue blazed trail that follows the perimeter of the reservoir. The trail will veer to the left, away from the water. Be sure to say hello to Robbie the Robot on your left. Just after Robbie the Robot, the trail forks. Take the right hand fork and follow the blue blazes. At the next T in the trail, head to the right, continuing to follow the blue blazed trail. At the next blue blaze, you will notice a woodpecker tree nearby. Put your back against the blue blazed tree, with the water at your back. At 330 degrees, you will see the V-shaped "Valentine" tree which heralds the beginning of the Valentine Series.

At 10 degrees, a little farther inland, you will see a tree with a hobbit hole entrance at its base. The "Hold Me" letterbox can be found inside the snug little hobbit hole. Stamp in and return to the path, heading to your left, along the same blue blazed trail.

Go past the place where you would be sitting on the dock of the bay. When you reach the end of the trail, you will be faced with the water, and with a tree with a blue blaze pointing to the left. You want to take the path to the right, with the water now on your left. Walk to the end of the point, which is a perfect place to kiss! You will see another "V" for Valentine tree at the end of this point. Turn around and place your back against the Valentine tree. You will notice a three trunked tree on your left. The "Kiss Me" letterbox can be found under the base of this tree. Stamp in and return to the trail.

Retrace your steps back to the blue blazed tree. This time you want to continue along in the direction in which the blaze points by following the arrow straight ahead. Follow this trail and this time the water will be on your right. Walk to the end of the point and view an island in the center of the water, look at all the trees, enjoy the panoramic view of the reservoir, and experience the thrill of nature.

After being thrilled by the vistas before you, take the trail to your left. The water will now be on your right. The original "Thrill Me" letterbox would have been found in the roots of the tree that has been burned by the flames of passion. As it were, this location actually turned out to be quite the hot spot for local lovers, and the letterbox went missing shortly after summer began. Then, to boot, the tree itself succumbed to the flames and decay. Step around this flames of passion tree and keep going on the trail.

At the next blue blaze, you will see a number of boulders of stone strung out in a line near the water's edge. Walk off the trail and straight to these boulders. When you reach the water's edge, you will notice a solitary boulder in the water. Turn around so that the boulder is directly behind you. At 210 degrees, you will see the top end of a blown down branch, surrounded by mountain laurel.

The "Thrill Me" microbox is tucked into the end of that branch. Bring your inkpad and pen, because the microbox only contains a carved stamp and a rolled logbook! Stamp in and return to the blue blaze tree on the trail.

Follow the blue blazed trail back along the way you came, and retrace your steps back to your car.

Gaze once again at the "Clocktown" Reservoir, and enjoy "Hold Me, Kiss Me, and Thrill Me" - the Valentine Series.