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Broomsticks (and Quidditch) LbNA #39732

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:May 2, 2008
Location:
City:Jefferson City
County:Cole
State:Missouri
Boxes:2
Planted by:Fox-fyr
Found by: bed_beard
Last found:Jul 2, 2020
Status:FFFFFFFFF
Last edited:May 2, 2008
Update: 09/07/15: Both boxes confirmed in place. Logbook for second box may need replacing (it needs to be small. If someone wishes to volunteer, I'd appreciate it...I no longer live in the area).

The following was planted as part of the Mid-MO Letterboxing Society’s 4th Annual Spring Gathering: “Letterboxing on the Hogwarts Express” May 3-4, 2008 in Binder Park in Jefferson City. This box was planted with permission from the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Department. For more information about the park including a map, please visit: http://www.jeffcitymo.org/parks/binderpark.html.

Harry Potter is a young wizard who attends Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He excels at a game known as Quidditch which is played on flying broomsticks. In his first year, he flies a Nimbus 2000 broomstick. In his third year, his broomstick is replaced with a Firebolt model. To find Harry's broomstick and get a chance at playing Quidditch yourself, follow the following directions:

Driving Directions: From the Missouri River Bridge in Jefferson City (along Highways 63 / 54 / 50) take Hwy 50 west (toward Sedalia) about five miles and exit at Apache Flats. Go about one mile and turn right on Binder Lake Road. When the road comes to a “T,” Turn left on Rainbow Dive, pass the Campground Road on your right, cross over the bridge and turn right on Binder Lake Road. Park on Binder Lake Rd just north of Rainbow Drive.

Clue: Please note: one pace = two steps.
Cross over the footbridge to the south and start on the RED TRAIL. At the first intersection go Left. Pass marsh on left. Trail turns right and goes uphill. Go over several small log jumps to a stone outcrop on right. Cross two drainages and come to a stony switchback in the trail. Go 20 paces to a wet season waterfall and 18 more paces to another drainage. Cross drainage and go uphill with large fallen log on right. At the next trail switchback to the left is a tree with a huge gaping hole. Go 13 paces to a rock in the trail. Go 303 degrees 7 paces to a short stump. Be careful not to trample the wildflowers. Look for your prize in the stump. Harry is a natural flier on a broomstick. Are you nimble enough and smart enough to also play Quidditch and catch the Golden Snitch? If you need help, the back of the logbook is always a good place to start. Be forewarned. Quidditch is so well hidden even I had trouble re-locating it months after I planted it. Hint: Start at the Broomstick letterbox and continue heading further down the trail to find Quidditch.

When stamping in be aware that there is another section of trail less than 20 paces uphill from where you are, so please move away from the stump to avoid attracting Muggle attention to the area. This trail is heavily used by bicyclists, hikers and mushroom hunters so please be discreet. Be careful not to block the trail or to let people see what you are doing. Please replace box back in stump, secure it with wood or rocks that an animal can’t drag the box away, and cover it with leaves so that no part of it is visible. Please make it look as natural as possible. Please contact me with a short story about your hunt and to let me know how the box is faring.

If you would like a cipher-lesson plan that explains how to decode many of the ciphers used in mid-Missouri letterboxing, please e-mail me using the "Contact the Placer" link.