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Autumn on Appleton Ridge LbNA #18619

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Oct 11, 2005
Location:
City:Appleton
County:Knox
State:Maine
Boxes:1
Planted by:Hoosier Honey Bee
Found by: phynstar
Last found:Oct 16, 2019
Status:FFFFFFFFFFOaFFFFF
Last edited:Nov 6, 2015
TERRAIN: Blueberry Barrens

STATUS: REACTIVATED NOV 2015.

HHBee is back in the game after a long hiatus from letterboxing. I am living in Maine now and will gradually bring my boxes in Knox County out of retirement.

DIRECTIONS:

I doubt that you will find Appleton Ridge listed in any tourist guidebook. But a drive here during autumn will rival any fall foliage tour in New England. If your not familiar with the area, be sure to bring with you the Maine Atlas and Gazetteer by Delorme. There are several ways to get here, but I am going to route you out of Camden. Take Washington Street (Route 105) west from Route 1 across the street from the Village Green. Take a leisurely 10 mile drive through the country until you reach the intersection of Route 131. Turn left and go about a mile to the small village of Appleton. There is a cluster of buildings at an intersection and a church to the left across a bridge over the St. George River. Turn right on Town House Hill Road. You will immediately start to climb the ridge. It’s about 0.7 miles to the top. A dirt road runs the length of Appleton Ridge. Make sure you explore it in both directions. The view of Sennebec Pond and the coastal mountains is beautiful. Wild Maine blueberries are grown here. In the fall, the low shrubs turn a brilliant crimson. The turn of the century Oakes Mansion is on the ridge in the opposite direction. It's been gradually restored over the years and it looks quite grand.

CLUES:

To find the letterbox, turn right from the top of Town House Hill Rd onto Appleton Ridge Rd. Drive about 0.6 miles. There’s a pull off on the west side of the road by utility pole #020. You’ll see a weathered cedar-shingled farmhouse to the northwest. Standing in front of the utility pole, on a heading of 232 degrees, walk 30 paces to a stone wall on the opposite side of the road. One of the stones in the wall is a large boulder that’s been sheered off on one side and angles skyward above the others. You will find the letterbox under a pile of rocks about 3 feet to the left of that rock. Bring ink pads or art markers in fall colors. This is a two part stamp. Great fun for kids (of all ages).

(1 pace = 2 steps)