Let The Games Begin! LbNA #9923

Directions
Take the Buckland St. exit off 84E. Turn right at end of exit onto Buckland St. Turn left onto Tolland Turnpike. Straight as it turns into North Main St. Turn left onto North School Street. Just past Union Pond Park on the left, pull into the parking area marked Hockanum Trail Parking.


Let The Games Begin! (2 boxes)

The Olympic Creed
"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well."

Box #1 - Athens 2004
According to historic records, the first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to 776 BC. For the first time in modern history, during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games a sporting event is going to be held in the Ancient Olympia Stadium. From the 13th through the 29th of August 2004, 11,000 athletes will participate in 29 sports in 296 events.

Although it is a nice stroll to your left over the footbridge and around the path by Union Pond, instead you will want to pass through the large red boulders at the back of the parking area and take the red blazed trail straight ahead. You will now see Union Pond on your left through the trees. Pass the bench on your left and keep right at the fork (the "lower trail"). Stay to your right following the trail and look for a three-sister tree just to the left of the trail. Right beyond this three-sister tree is a large, lichen covered fallen tree that is pointing directly left towards a large two-sister tree with fallen limbs caught in it's "V". Look under these limbs for Box #1 - Athens 2004!

Box #2 - Paralympics
The first Games for athletes with a disability were held in 1948 in Stoke Mandeville, England. Four years later, athletes from the Netherlands joined the Games; thus the international movement, now known as the Paralympic movement, was born. Olympic style Games for athletes with a disability were organized for the first time in Rome in 1960, immediately after the Olympic Games. They are considered the first Paralympic Games. The Paralympic Games have always been held in the same year as the Olympic Games. The Paralympic Games have evolved into a major sports event, second only to the Olympic Games. Two weeks after the Olympic Games, the best Paralympic athletes will come to Athens to compete in the Paralympic Games. From the 17th to the 28th of September 2004 Athens will welcome 4,000 Paralympic athletes from about 130 countries. It is the hosting of this event which will not only raise the awareness and compassion of the people of Athens about the disabled , but it should change the city and make it one of the most handicapped-accessible cities in the world.


Back on the trail, head back in the direction you came until the pond comes into view up ahead. At that point, you should see a less traveled trail on your right. Take this trail up the hill. At the top of the hill turn right onto the "upper trail". As you pass over many roots in the trail, look for a 3-sister white birch to your right (off trail about 25 ft). When this 3-sister birch is directly to your right, count 10 steps to a red blazed tree on the right side of the trail. Face the red blazed tree and proceed 5 steps to a lone tree under which Box #2 awaits you - Paralympics!

Return to the trail and backtrack to the parking area keeping Union Pond on your right. OR, if you are feeling a little like an Olympian and want to hike a bit more, continue on the trail (2.4 mile loop form parking area) as it takes you around Union Pond, across the Deming Street Bridge, through mill property, out Union Place, along Union Street, Kerry Street, North Street and back to parking area.

As always, please be discreet and rehide boxes better than you found them! Thank You.

A special thanks to my husband who helped me place these boxes, and made me laugh the whole way! I'll get you Letterboxing yet!!