The posted coordinates are not the cache location. This
is the starting point for your letterbox hunt, which will take you
along a trail and to the new "secret" meeting spot for a Parliament
of Owls.
Once upon a time, we placed a small series of letterbox hybrids,
two of which contained partial coordinates for a third one. One of
those was "A Parliament of Owls," which contained the west
coordinates on the inside lid of the letterbox.
That poor letterbox led a bit of a jinxed life. One time, it was
found well away from its location next to a porta potty, the hand
carved stamp...gone. A new stamp was carved, and this time, not
only was that stamp gone, but the area had been completely
overtaken by mountain bike trails. Where once had been a quiet spot
under the pines, perfect for roosting owls, there was literally a
mountain bike jump going over the cache!
The parliament of owls had had enough. They closed up shop and
have found a new place to gather and roost, away from mountain
bikes and hopefully away from stamp grabbers. To find out where
this new secret hiding place is located, listen in carefully as the
owls discuss this new spot.
"Well," said the Great Horned Owl, "we found the
perfect place for a parliament of owls. You branchlings, that just
means a whole mess of us gathered together, nothing more."
Long-Eared Owl asked, "Where do we begin, then?"
Great Horned Owl laid it all out for him.
"There are some strange numbers to which you must fly. I've
heard they are called 'posted coordinates,' whatever that
means.
"From there, you will fly to the left, following that trail
as it curves around a small mound. We're not crows, but as the
crows fly, we'll be going about .37 miles, heading at first in a
northerly direction, then bending toward the right in an easterly
direction. Just follow the trail, don't get distracted by tasty
mice and you should be fine.
"On your left, watch for a full, lush cedar tree, about 10-12
feet high and right on the trail's edge. If you begin to travel
into the woods to the left past that cedar, you'll see a huge old
tree that's broken and pointing the way to our new meeting spot.
There are many small scrub oaks you'll have to navigate, but just
keep that horizontal tree to your left as you do so.
"With the dead tree always on your left, follow as it points,
taking you about 70 feet off the trail. You'll spot some really
gnarly old tree roots in a cluster. You might even think for a
moment you're in the ocean looking at a squid, not in the woods
looking at trees!
"Make sure no one sees you, especially any mountain bikers,
and look under the roots of that mess. You'll find our secret spot
right there."
All of the owls were grateful to Great Horned Owl for so wisely
selecting the perfect spot where they could gather once more. We
will be very grateful if all who visit in search of our letterbox
enjoy bringing their own logbook and ink to stamp the image with
our stamp, and leave the stamp for the next seeker. Most of all,
enjoy this wonderful place. You may not see owls, but we did hear
Ravens, a drumming Ruffed Grouse, Ovenbirds, Red-Eyed Vireos and a
Pileated Woodpecker while we explored and helped find this new
meeting spot.
If you still have not found all the caches for "A Drumming of
Woodpeckers," take note of the west coordinates taped under the lid
of the letterbox. If you have found them all, well, I guess
you just earned a new smiley!
This is a letterbox hybrid, containing a small stamp. The
stamp is not a trade item, but must be left for those who wish to
stamp their letterbox logs. Feel free to leave your stamp
impression in the log book if you have one, too. Please bring your
own stamp pad.