The Nature of Words LbNA #58436

We are Walkin' and Talkin'. Welcome to our first letterbox. Being outside, moving together and sharing our thoughts have always been important to us. Whether strolling on well-groomed trails in mild temperatures or braving rain and cold on neighborhood sidewalks, we decided long ago that we would never stop walkin' and talkin'. As time rolls on, it is all too easy to decide to stay inside, too tired, too cold, too hot…too many excuses! Good for you for planning to be outside!
Follow our clues for a gentle walk, and get to know a few other fans of the outdoors! There are four boxes to find along the trail. Each has a surprise, but the reward of a stamp will be yours in the last box. Please bring your own stamp pad!
The walk is about 30 minutes each way, leisurely paced. The trail is well established and quite flat. Over the years we have been walking here, we see more and more people enjoying the trail.
Have fun!

1. Find the trail:
Rt. 3N/Rt. 28N just past Green's Marine. About a mile south of BuyWise. About 4 miles north of Shaw's Plaza, 1328 Hooksett Road, Hooksett.



Clue 1:

From the parking lot, find the Heads Pond Trail sign and enter the trail by walking around the gate. At the bottom of the hill, walk away from the road.
After you pass the first bench on your right, see the big boulder on your right. Now turn to the left. Spy the solid triplets, just off the path. Look on the backside of the natural triplet for your first find! ( It takes maybe 5 minutes to here.)

Clue 2:

Continue on the trail (about 7 more minutes) and enjoy Heads Pond on your left. At a clearing take a moment to view a rocky promontory stretching into the water. As you stroll, take 12 steps past a gift from the Ouelette Family. Take the trail on your left, smaller than what you have been on.
After a few moments, about 20 paces, you'll see a boulder straight ahead. Aim for it! Sneak close around the left side of the boulder, around the big tree hugging the rock. Do you see the cave under the boulder? Find your second treasure!

Clue 3:

Retrace your steps to the main trail. Walk about 8 minutes. Just a bit more, after you emerge from the canopy, you can take a rest on Old Home Day or you can lie down on the bedrock! After you are refreshed, go to the next bed on your right. From the head of the bed, look straight ahead and see 7 birch buddies, with 2 babies on closer inspection. Right behind the birch buddies, find your treasure.

Clue 4:

Back on the trail, walk further, walk and walk, 10 or so more minutes, until you see a body of water on your right. Walk through a row of small boulders. Keep walking and when you look right you'll see a huge painted rock, all alone, in the sand. Enjoy the artwork!
After you have enjoyed the visual delights of the rock, return to the main trail, which is as wide as a road now! March along with the chorus line of rocks. The pond on your right is still your audience. Find the boulder with the large, flat top. Make that #1 and count to #10 going left. See a clump of birches. Count 2 more rocks. Find the cantilevered rock. Look under there to get your stamp of approval.

Return:
As you walk past the painted rock, you will be tempted to go straight ahead on the trail. While that is a lovely trail, it won't take you back to the trail you came in on and the parking lot. You want to bear left toward the water to return to the row of boulders you came through!