Bleu Tooth LbNA #19904

Difficulty rating: 1.5
No advance preparation needed.
Compass helpful. Allow 1/2 hour.
Clues recently re-written (1/2007) for clarity.
Introduction written in the style of P.G. Wodehouse.

Terrain rating: 3.0
Wetlands - best attempted when ground is frozen.
Terrain is all off-trail with standing water thruout.
Not suitable for small children.


Jeeves--my man, you know--is really a most extraordinary chap. So capable. Honestly, I shouldn't know what to do without him. On broader lines he's like those chappies who sit peering sadly over the marble battlements at the Pennsylvania Station in the place marked "Inquiries." You know the Johnnies I mean. You go up to them and say: "When's the next train for Melonsquashville, Tennessee?" and they reply, without stopping to think, "Two-forty-three, track ten, change at San Francisco." And they're right every time. Well, Jeeves gives you just the same impression of omniscience.

As an instance of what I mean, I remember when Jeeves accompanied me on one particular sylvan drive.

"Jeeves," I said that morning, "Here's a particularly interesting sounding letterbox location. However, I've never seen nor heard of koorbhsA Reservation. Do you suppose Indians live there?"

"Why, no sir, not in Scotch Plains. I dare say this is an entirely different type of reservation."

"Ah, yes, right you are, Jeeves. It says here, in fact, it is a 300 acre wetland preserved in a primitive state to protect wildlife habitat. But it says primitive, so maybe one would see Indians after all."

"Highly unlikely, sir. However, sir, I do respect one's sense of adventure."

"Thank you Jeeves. You're always good to recognize a man's true spirit. Now, a wetlands would be muddy, I fear. How shall we start then?"

"Yes, sir, the environment could give one a bit of a misstart."

"Well, Jeeves”, I said, “if it weren't for the occasional auspicious start, one would never have heard the expression, 'auspicious start', would one?"

"Indeed, sir. Shall I prepare your boots for the adventure, then?"

"Yes, Jeeves. Again, one step ahead of me. And I also see here that this reservation has no facilities, is not developed. Where shall we park?"

"We shall need to consult a map, sir."

"How about at the corner of Raritan Road at Martine Avenue?"

"Ah, just where Lake turns into Martine, sir. Very good."

"Lake Avenue is quite sylvan, but I never knew that this was a preserve. Ok, let's park right here at the Center for Hope Hospice, in the back." (There is a new building project on this corner, so you should just go around it on the East side and start in the SouthEast corner of the lot, which is just at the NorthEast corner of the reservation).

"Very good sir. A most excellent start."

Directions:

Take the trail in a SouthWest direction, and stop at the steep ridge. Look down below to see a large spool, such as one would use for steel cable. If you don't see it yet, walk along the ridgeline South until it comes into view, and then scramble down to where it sits. Follow the path SouthWest to the double rutted path (an old road).

The road loops in a circle. Follow the road West and South, stopping at the SouthWest most point. You will see a small unmarked spur trail to the SouthWest, marked by an orange flair at about knee-level on a small tree along the path.

Take the path heading off to the SouthWest. Soon it will gain white trail blazes. Cross the stream and follow the white blazes. The water is ankle-deep in spots. Keep eyes open for deer to the East and observe the white blazes.

Stop before you reach two left-turn white blazes, one immediately after the other.

Walk ten paces to the right (toward the high school) for the tree with five trunks where a camo bag is hidden in the crotch under leaves.


"Sir, I believe you have found it. Very good sir. Most delightful."

"Thank you Jeeves. Couldn't have done it without you. You are a true friend. Always looking out for me."

"We do try, sir. Shall I lead the way back, sir?"

"No Jeeves, I feel invigorated with this find. I shall lead us back."

"Very good, sir."

"Good find, though, right?"

"A true treasure, sir."