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My Favorite Poems Series LbNA #34900

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Aug 30, 2007
Location:
City:Trescott Twp.
County:Washington
State:Maine
Boxes:3
Planted by:Keltic Kara
Found by: Teacup (2)
Last found:Sep 7, 2009
Status:FFFa
Last edited:Aug 30, 2007
“My Favorite Poems” Series

~I love poems that weave words to create images and feelings that reflect our human connections to the natural world. The three poems highlighted in this series are three of my favorites.~

These boxes are hidden along the East Stream Trail (1.5 mile loop) which begins at the Cobscook Community Learning Center in Trescott Township. Visit www.thecclc.org for directions to the Center. You can also find a general map of the trail on that website. A more detailed map of this trail and other fantastic trails in eastern Washington County is also available for purchase as part of the “Cobscook Trails” guide, produced by the Quoddy Regional Land Trust (www.qrlt.org). You can purchase “Cobscook Trails” at the Learning Center, from QRLT, and at other locations in the area.

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Box #1 – We Alone (Alice Walker)

Begin at the Cobscook Community Learning Center parking lot. The East Stream Trailhead is currently accessed behind the caretaker’s home (the smallest building at the Learning Center campus). You can stop in to ask for directions to the trail head, or walk beyond the pond (in the middle of the campus), up the small hill to the caretaker’s house, and around the far side of the house to the trail head.

This first part of the trail is an old logging access trail. In August it is full of blackberries in full bloom. Birches abound. Keep your eyes out for an opening of low-growing blueberry shrubs on your right, with a small trail that leads to a rocky outcropping. A little further on look off to your left to spot a “Walking Apple” tree. Not far beyond you’ll come top a fork in the trail. To the right is the East Stream Trail. To the left is the East Stream landing. Head to the left and look for the large stump on your left with a hole in it. 130 degrees from the stump with hole in it look for a distinctive maple tree with a large rock to the left of the tree. The shell is hidden on the east side of the rock.

Box #2 – The Peace of Wild Things (Wendell Berry)

Head back to the fork in the trail and this time take the right fork to continue along the East Stream Trail. Keep in mind that the trail is marked with blue blazes, in case you lose your way. Eventually the trail will lead you up a hill. At the top of the birch-dominated hill, a small side trail leads to a rocky outcropping and lookout on your left. The trail itself continues to the right. Visit the top of the rocky outcropping along the small side trail, and look for a blue spruce at 310 degrees. A trail of sorts will take you around to the right of the spruce. You’ll find the heron under a rock, about a meter to the north of the base of the spruce.

Box # 3 – Wild Geese (Mary Oliver)

Make your way back to the trail and continue onward, following the blazes as you go. This part of the trail is dominated by cedar, spruce and fir, and the blazes don’t stand out as well here as they did on the white birch bark. You’ll cross one bridge and then another. Beyond the second bridge, walk a short way uphill, keeping your eyes out for the prominent snag on your left. About another 10 paces from the snag, look off in the woods to your right for the “Y” shaped cedar, about 20 paces in. Here the goose hides.

The Journey Home
Continue along the trail. You will come to a “T” intersection where the East Stream Trail joins the Dennison Point Trail (a nice, wide grassy two-track). If you are up for a longer hike go left on the trail to Dennison Point, lovely old apple trees, and a view of Whiting. If you are ready to head back to your car, turn right on the Dennison Point Trail. When you come to the gravel road (just beyond the gate), turn right. The Learning Center parking lot is just a few hundred yards ahead.

Reminders
Please hike and letterbox with contentiousness of the natural world around you. Pack out all that you pack in. Hike quietly and let your surroundings speak to you. Approach boxes in a way that does not create a noticeable side trail, and rehide the boxes with care. If you encounter any trash along the trail, pack it out with you. Future visitors, and the animals that live here year-round, thank you. Please email me if any of the boxes need maintenance, or if you would like to share any stories of your journey. This boxer happens to work at the Learning Center. If you are traveling from away and are interested in meeting for an exchange or for a cup of coffee, please email. It would be great to meet you.