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Yes, Virginia LbNA #29180 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Mar 13, 2007
Location:
City:Idyllwild
County:Riverside
State:California
Boxes:1
Planted by:punky
Found by: PeterK
Last found:Apr 14, 2007
Status:FFFaar
Last edited:Mar 13, 2007
This box is currently unavailable. Replanting soon!

Claudius and Zelda Emerson, regular summertime visitors to the mountain, in 1917 purchased the Idyllwild Inn and one thousand adjacent acres. Emerson set out to make Idyllwild a year-round destination resort, putting in tennis courts and a nine-hole golf course. Half-acre home sites were sold for $350. As a leading citizen of the community, he felt a civic duty not often seen these days, donating land to groups including the Boy Scouts (Camp Emerson, 1921), the county (Idyllwild County Park, 1921) and Idyllwild Pines Camp in 1923.

I don’t know who Virginia Buckler was, but I am sure she was a lovely woman as well.

Idyllwild Pines has continued in Emerson’s spirit by donating land for both the town skate park and new dog park, as well as providing facilities for various fundraisers and other community events. So enjoy your visit to one of the Hill’s oldest institutions.
ROUTE 1-
From Hwy 243, turn on Riverside County Playground Road (there is no playground- I guess there is probably a story there, too?), go one block and turn left on Pinecrest Avenue. Wave as you drive past my house. Park beside the Peanut Heaven and walk into the camp. Go left at the first opportunity, crossing the bridge through wild roses and blackberries. Walk up the road a bit further and then go right, between the buildings (it doesn't matter where)and down the hill on the other side. Look for the covered bridge crossing Strawberry Creek. At the entrance to the bridge, stop and turn around. Five steps to the right of the direction sign, in the stone retaining wall, is the letterbox. Beware muggles! The box is hidden behind a slightly smaller, peachy-colored stone near the center. Please re-hide carefully, perhaps with a few oak leaves over the box, as it is quite alarmingly bright.

You don't have to take the same route back, wander downstream and find your own way back to the car. Or check out the rhododendron garden in front of the dining hall.

SHORTCUT-
Park at the Idyllwild School. Say hi to Margie, the crossing guard. Walk across the highway into the camp and head for the white chapel. Continue past the church to the bridge and cross the bridge to the box.

Let me know if you find it!