Fool's Errand #0 - The Fool LbNA #7211

This box was originally planted by Acorn. She isn't very active anymore, so she gave me a few of her letterboxes. I replanted these on 22-MAY-16 using her original clues, with some minor updates regarding landmarks.

Once upon a time a poor widow, her two sons, and her stepson—young Jack—lived on the banks of Rush Creek at the Milk Center of the world. To make ends meet, the widow gradually sold off her dairy cows one by one until there was only one Holstein left. On the first weekend in June the town held its traditional Milk Days Festival, and the widow instructed Jack to take Harmilda the Holstein to town and sell her.

Harmilda was the finest Holstein there ever was, so when Jack brought her to town, Mayor Ralph and the town council proclaimed her Milk Day Queen and put her up on a pedestal where the town folk pay her homage to this day. The mayor and the council rewarded Jack by letting him march in the parade; they treated him to plenty of milk and cheese, cotton candy, ice cream, fried churros, and rides on the Tilt-a-Whirl and Zipper. Jack thought that was payment enough.

When Jack got home late that night and told his stepmother and stepbrothers about how Harmilda had been honored, how he had marched in the parade, and how sick he was from all the food and the carnival rides, his stepmother was furious; she kicked his behind and she threw him out. She screamed, " You fool! Don't come back until you've wised up."

Your task, gentle letterboxer, is to find the conservation area on the banks of Rush Creek where Jack landed when his stepmother kicked him out and where he began his quest for wisdom. When you find the second letterbox, you’ll discover that Jack did not have to travel alone.

Clues

Box One

From the second parking lot, across from the pond, follow the trail southeast. Walk the trail as it wends its way east, and continue past marker #14. Ignore the two southward intersections and continue on the main path. Cross the footbridge and continue to red Zone 7. Take a bearing of 240° to spot a large tree. You will find Jack a few steps past the tree, nestled between the fallen limbs of a smaller tree.

Box 2

Go back to the main path and continue east. Soon, the path will turn south. Follow the path south; when you reach the pump, the path will turn west. Eventually, you’ll see the meadow again on your right. You will cross two bridges with railings. When you reach an intersection, take the path west (left) on the interpretive trail, back toward the parking lot. At marker #3, count 20 steps along the path.

If you approach quietly in the spring and early summer, the peepers and chorus frogs will continue to sing. A downed tree points 300° to a vernal pond. Jack’s companion likes to chase frogs here; you’ll find him playing hide and seek behind the root end of the downed tree. This box is near the trail, so be discreet. There's a convenient bench a few feet further down the path. After stamping up, replace the bark for extra protection, and continue on this path to the parking lot where you began.

Trail conditions: easy 2.75 mile hike on wide paths, but not good for strollers or wheelchairs. May be muddy in the spring and after rainfall. These are the first boxes Acorn planted.

Site reports and other feedback will be very welcome.