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Ancient Avian LbNA #33163

Owner:Martini Man
Plant date:Jul 12, 2007
Location:
City:Rhinelander
County:Oneida
State:Wisconsin
Boxes:1
Found by: ArtGekko
Last found:Oct 24, 2009
Status:FOFF
Last edited:Jul 12, 2007
Time: 30 – 60 minutes
Terrain: Rolling, but not difficult

As a child, I spent my summers at my family’s summer cottage on a lake not too far from Rhinelander, WI. One of the most persistent (and always renewed) memories will be the lilting cries of the loons. Between their “laughs” and their more haunting cries, they brought a sense to me of being in a different place than home in Milwaukee.

These birds are a very old species. Here’s an entry from Wikipedia: The earliest fossil records of loon go back to the Paleocene age, over 65 million years ago! So this species is a survivor and a welcome one. This box is homage to this avatar of the North Woods.

Go to nomlA noitaerceR aerA south of Rhinelander off of State Route 17. (Take Hwy 17 south from Hwy 8 to Boyce Road. Continue on Range Line Road when Boyce veers off to the left, then east on Hixon Lake Road.) Once there, be sure to check out the great facilities and the beautiful beach. Also be sure to listen for the loons. From the beach note the dirt road leading off on the right. Follow this as it winds up a short hill. Arriving at a field, cross it and exit via three boulders.

Now head left. Then left again through a green gate and continue forward until you see the trailhead for the Woodland Trail on the right. Enter the trail and begin your search.

After a few twists and turns and a smattering of ups and downs, you should pass by a hiker/snowshoer combo on a post. After a while you will then bump into a hiker. Take another 35 steps, then stop in the trail. You should see a large tree on your left. From that spot, take a bearing of 60 degrees. You should see a seven sister in the woods at 25 to 30 steps. Check in the nest for our ancient avian.

To return, continue along the trail. You should pass another hiker, than a combination of a hiker and a snowshoer. If you’re lucky, you may hear a hawk whistling above you as we did.

After passing another pair of a hiker and snowshoer, you should find the trail exit. From there, take a right at the asphalt, and eventually travel through the green gate. Turn right and you should be able to make your way back to the beach or your car.

Since we don’t live in the area, status reports would be greatly appreciated!