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Speedwell's Niche LbNA #24066

Owner:Pink Panther
Plant date:Jun 19, 2004
Location:
City:Lititz
County:Lancaster
State:Pennsylvania
Boxes:1
Found by: di & her guy
Last found:Jun 1, 2009
Status:FFFaFFFFFFFaFFFFFFFa
Last edited:Jun 19, 2004
****This is doing fine as of 8/17/08. Covered in thorns, but doing well. New log book in place (Thanks Otis for the TLC until we could get there.) Pink Panther & Black Swan watching until Thumbs Up returns to the states, which might not ever happen....****

Location: Speedwell Forge County Park, in northern Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Planted By: Thumbs Up
Date Planted: June 19, 2004
Terrain: lightly sloping, grassy, sometimes muddy, well-marked trail
Estimated Time: 45 minutes
Last Reported Found: August 22, 2004 (Send a report)

Speedwell Forge County Park is located between Brickerville (Route 322) and Lititz. From Lititz go north on 501 approximately 4 miles then turn left (west) on Brubaker Valley Rd. Cross over the bridge and lake. Turn right on Lake View Dr. Follow this until it T's into Speedwell Forge Rd. and bear right. Just before you cross over a bridge you will see a small parking lot on your left. Park here. Your trail is a 1 mile loop that begins at the stairs on the east side of the parking lot.

Clues:
Follow the trail until you see, clearly visible from the main path, a niche within a tree. The base of the niche is shrouded with a spray of multiflora roses. In this base, behind the roses, and under a piece of wood you will find the sacred urn.

Hints:
1. An Italian niche is a recessed arch, set into a wall, that often holds a vase of flowers, or the statue of a saint.
2. Don't let a little mud distract your attention from your main goal.
3. A large tree which once blocked your path, now forms a gateway from which you will have the best view of the niche.
4. If you see the house for birds that fly upside down, you have gone too far.
5. Continue to follow the trail to return to your car.
6. With the wet summer we have had, this trail is very muddy. Boots or old shoes might make your trek more comfortable.


Notes:
1. For families with children: This is a great hike for river stomping. Hammer Creek is shallow and forms a necklace around the trail. There are many places to jump in and wade.

2. For flora and fauna enthusiasts: In the spring, the sides of the trail are painted with many wildflowers and the scent of honeysuckle. Click Here for a list of some of the plants you can expect to locate and identify in the park. The entire trail is also sprinkled with wineberries and blackberries.

3. For the roadrunner: The trail itself makes a nice short run, but tends to be muddy in a few isolated spots. If you want to extend the run or add one, here's a suggestion:
From the parking lot, turn left on Speedwell Forge Rd.
Turn right on Long Lane.
After about a mile turn right on Blantz Rd.
Puff up the hill and then glide the rest of the way down to Brubaker Valley Rd.
Turn right on Brubaker Valley Rd. Cross over the bridge and lake.
Turn right on Lake View Dr. and right on Speedwell Forge Rd which brings you back to the parking lot. This loop adds 4.1 miles.