Trees at Cockaponset State Forest

Trees at Cockaponset State Forest
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

I went letterboxing at Cockaponset State Forest today. What a day! Trees. Blue sky. Little puffy clouds. This is heaven!

Engraving

Engraving
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

This engraving reads "1924 FMH DEG".

I found it along the white trail at Sleeping Giant, up around the Right Leg. I'd never noticed it before. Is it really from 1924? It does have an authentic look to it...

I finished up "The Table" letterboxing series today. The hardest box was "The Quartz Rock". Reading the description, I was sure that I knew exactly where it should be found, in the vicinity of another letterbox that I've previously discovered. However, the clue mentions a pipe embedded in the rock, and I couldn't find that anywhere... It turned out to be one of those cases where you're so sure, but in fact you're completely wrong. All the more rewarding when you do find it, though!

Purple-flowering raspberry

Purple-flowering raspberry
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

While letterboxing on Sleeping Giant today, I came across this interesting plant. After a bit of hunting, I think I've identified it as a purple-flowering raspberry. It was very attractive to insects. Here, a very small insect is getting drunk on pollen. A larger bee kept hovering around, and would often kick this smaller insect out of the way to start its own frantic pollen harvest.

There are a few of these flowering plants currently blooming along the red circle trail.

View from Giant's shoulder

View from Giant's shoulder
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

This was the view at Sleeping Giant this morning. More letterboxing fun today!

Tulip tree above

Tulip tree above
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

If think you've spotted a tulip tree based on its trunk, look up. Here you can see the distinct four-lobe leaves that cinch the identity of this tulip tree.

Ok, that's all for today's nature lesson.

Tulip tree trunk

Tulip tree trunk
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

This is the trunk of a tulip tree. Now you can see the corrugated pattern as it runs up and down the tree.

A tulip tree may have several trunks growing up from one central root. In letterboxing, if a tree has two trunks, it may be called a "two-sister" tree. A "four-sister" tree has four trunks, and so on.

Tulip tree bark

Tulip tree bark
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

This is the bark of a tulip tree. I put my hand up against it to give a sense of scale. Notice the very distinct ridged pattern, almost corrugated.

The bark alone is not enough to identify the tree for me; I often get it confused with certain oaks. However, you know what you're not looking for - nothing smooth or silvery or partially split.

Tulip tree leaves

Today's letterboxing clue involved seeking out some tulip trees. I found that several people had made comments in the logbooks that they didn't know what a tulip tree was, and therefore had difficulty finding the treasure. Lesson to the wise: read the clues before you set out to make sure that you know what natural features you will be asked to recognize.

So here's a little nature lesson. Tulip trees are particularly recognizable in the summer, because their leaves are so distinctive. These are some tulip tree leaves that have parted with their parent branch. Notice the four pointed lobes to each leaf.

Tulip tree leaf
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

View from spur trail at Spiderweed Preserve

View from spur trail at Spiderweed Preserve
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

I went letterboxing at Spiderweed Preserve today. It was a very rewarding experience! Fantastic weather, moderate temperature.

Spiderweed Preserve is a real playground, a pleasure in which to roam. Lots of interesting geological features, massive stone outcroppings and so on. Also has a few interesting ruins - the usual stone walls, a stone foundation, and a falling-down house.

This view was taken from the pegmatite outcrop mentioned in the trail guide (pdf).

Tank eleven

Total miles: 4019. Trip miles: 395.2. Gallons: 7.301. Price per gallon: $3.139.

Screen mileage: 56.6 mpg. Tank mileage: 54.1 mpg. Maybe 50% local, 50% highway? I'm really not sure. I tanked up at the usual pump, today.

Ruins at a waterfall

Ruins at a waterfall
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

More letterboxing today. I sure am hooked! This hobby has me visiting hiking trails that I'd probably never do without the added incentive - the hikes are too short.

This is a view along the trail at the Wallingford Land Trust, Orchard and Spruce Glen area. This shot was taken from the trail, standing on an old stone and concrete bridge that crosses over the stream. I'd love to know the history of this place - why was the bridge built, was there a road here? It's quite close to the Wilbur Cross Parkway. You get a lot of highway noise along the trail, especially in this area.

View from Peter's Rock

View from Peter's Rock
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

I went back to Peter's Rock Park to attempt the last two letterboxes - "Rabbit Rock" and "Sachem Montowese" - in the High Point Series, today. Success!

Lovely day today, too. This was the view from Peter's Rock this morning - clear, cool, perfect.

View from Peter's Rock

View from Peter's Rock
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

It was a rainy morning, but I visited Peter's Rock to attempt some letterboxes anyway. I was able to find the "NO ATV-in' please" letterbox, but not the box up near the summit.

Tower at Sleeping Giant

Tower at Sleeping Giant
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

I went up to the Tower on Sleeping Giant to collect the "Sleeping Giant/Tower" letterbox today.

It's getting more hot and humid today. But around the intersection of the Tower trail and the white trail there is a blissfully breezy and chilly spot. It's almost like passing through an air-conditioned blast. It was there yesterday, and again today. I'm guessing it has something to do with the large cliff wall to the west, but who knows. Whatever the cause, it's welcome relief on a day like this.

Geodetic survey marker

Geodetic survey marker
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

This geodetic survey marker is set into the concrete at the very highest point of the Tower at Sleeping Giant.

It reads:

FOR INFORMATION OR TO REPORT DAMAGE WRITE
THE DIRECTOR
NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY
WASHINGTON, D.C.
REFERENCE MARK
MT CARMEL 2
1940
NO. 3
19[83?]

The Tower is at an elevation of 739 feet above sea level.

Quinnipiac view

Quinnipiac view
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

This is a view from the chin of Sleeping Giant, looking at Quinnipiac University, with New Haven on the horizon.

I scored four more letterboxes this morning, all up on Sleeping Giant.

Bears at the park

Bears at the park
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

These are the bears that greet you upon entering Huntington State Park, in Redding, CT. It was a bit of a steamer today, but I had fun letterboxing!

Tank ten

I forgot to record my tenth fill up on Tuesday of this week. Total miles: 3623. Trip miles: 409.8. Gallons: 7.059. Price per gallon: $3.199.

Screen mileage: 56.2 mpg. Tank mileage: 58.1 mpg. Wow! I filled it up at the usual Getty this time. Last time I filled it on the highway at an Exxon. I guess I was doing about 60% highway miles and 40% local.

View from Mica Ledges

View from Mica Ledges
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

I took a little hike today, along the Mattabesett. Here is the view from Mica Ledges - a bit hazy, but the breeze kept it cool.

I discovered two letterboxes - "Messenger Vulture" and "Coyote Song". But I couldn't find "Nurses Letterbox", and I only found an empty container where "Oma's Outlook" was supposed to be. That's the first time that I've found one vandalized.

Tower at Sleeping Giant

Tower at Sleeping Giant
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

This is a view of the Tower at Sleeping Giant, as you approach it on the blue trail, from the southwest. Today while hiking I found the letterbox up here. I found my first hitchhiker in the letterbox, as well!

Right Hip view

Right Hip view
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

This is a view from the Right Hip of Sleeping Giant. Rain threatened, but never arrived. Those are Quinnipiac University buildings in the center, and off in the distance to the SW can be seen the tall buildings of the city of New Haven.

I hiked for about one hour in Sleeping Giant today, and spent another hour hunting for letterboxes. And what a bonanza! I found three: the one at Right Hip, the one at Ned's Cabin, and, finally, the one at Right Leg (third try's the charm). Yes, the letterbox at Right Leg really does exist, although it sure is a stumper.

Water had seeped into the box at Right Hip, and I did my best to dry everything out. There was no ink pad there either, so I used my own.

View from Right Leg

View from Right Leg
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

This is a view from the Right Leg of Sleeping Giant, along the white trail. It was humid this morning, but the breezes helped.

Despite 30 minutes of hunting, I was unable to find the letterbox that's supposed to be here. Strike two! I also can't find the letterbox at Hezekiah's Knob.

View from Right Knee

View from Right Knee
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

I did about an hour on the white trail at Sleeping Giant today. Humid and buggy. I went hunting for three letterboxes, but only found the one at Right Knee.

View at Sleeping Giant, near Left Hand

View at Sleeping Giant, near Left Hand
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

I went for a short hike at Sleeping Giant again, hunting for the "Left Hand" letterbox. It was a bit tough, but I found it! As usual, I was astounded that it was actually still there.

This is a view to the north, from the violet trail, in the vicinity of the Left Hand. The weather was rather humid and hazy.

Paugussett Trail

Paugussett
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

Today's hike: 2 h 45 min | 6 mi | 2.2 mph

I had to be in Shelton today, and decided I should take the opportunity to do some letterboxing and hiking in the area. I'm hardly ever over that way.

I picked the Calvin and Hobbes letterboxing set, perfect since it's along the Paugussett. Note: You do not have to park in the Indian Well State Park parking lot, which costs $6, in order to get to the Paugussett trailhead in the vicinity. There is free parking well before you get to that lot, along Indian Well Rd.

When I arrived, I realized I had forgotten my compass. Doh! Despite that, I had very little trouble finding the three letterboxes, aside from an initial red herring. The stamps were adorable!

After collecting my stamps, I kept going north on the Paugussett, all the way to Okenuck Way. At that point, with only a mile to go till the end, I reluctantly turned back, at the command of my stomach. Doh! again, I had neglected to bring sufficient food for a lengthy hike.

The weather was perfect for hiking: crisp, cool, clear. This section of the blue trail is very pleasant. There are a few steep stretches to do but the trail is well maintained. There are a couple of lively brook crossings and several lengthy rock walls along the trail. Most of the trail is shady so you don't have to worry about getting sunburned.

I saw lots of squirrels, chipmunks, and even a couple of deer.

View from Left Knee

Left Knee
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

This is a view from the blue trail on the Left Knee at Sleeping Giant. Great weather, a bit cool, blue skies.

I created my very first rubber stamp today, using a Speedball linoleum cutter set and a Speedball Speedy-Cut carving block (which is like a very large vinyl eraser). It was a crude first effort, but I was very eager to get out and do some letterboxing, so I didn't make any refinements.

I went up to the Left Knee, carrying my custom-made stamp, an ink pad, some pens, and a fresh booklet for stamping on. Since the pen in the current letterbox had dried up, I left a new pen there. I got my first stamp and left my own in the letterbox! Very exciting!

Tank nine

Ninth fill-up yesterday. Total miles: 3214. Trip miles: 410.8. Gallons: 7.428. Price per gallon: $3.109.

Screen mileage: 56.1 mpg. Tank mileage: 55.3 mpg.

Most of the driving was done on the highway at 65 mph. Temperatures were generally high, in the seventies.

Friendly deer

Friendly deer
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

Today, I met the friendly deer, hanging out in her usual place. I tried to get a good photo, but she was in constant motion, eating and shaking off flies.

And I met a friendly woman with her friendly, well-behaved dog. The woman asked me: "Are you happy?". I replied: "yes!".

Letterbox at left knee

Letterbox at left knee
Originally uploaded by wereldmuis.

I went letterboxing today. I was afraid all the letterboxes would be gone because the spec I was using was a few years old, but at the 3rd site where I looked (the "left hand" of the Giant), I found this letterbox. I'm afraid I'm hooked.

The letterbox text says: "You've found a letterbox! Please don't destroy or move it. Instead, leave us a note. Then rehide it all back in the same place for the next person. Thanks! More info at: www.letterboxing.org"