That Darn Cat LbNA #4370
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Jun 15, 2003 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Jamesville |
| County: | Onondaga |
| State: | New York |
| Boxes: | 7 |
| Planted by: | SpudHund  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | T-N-T (7) |
| Last found: | Nov 27, 2007 |
| Status: | FFFFFFOFFFFFFFFFFFF |
| Last edited: | Jun 15, 2003 |
LOCATION:
Jamesville, NY (Onondaga County)
The "That Darn Cat" letterbox series (7) is hidden at the beautiful New York State glacial park, Clark Reservation, located at 6105 East Seneca Turnpike (Rt. 173) in Onondaga County, NY. Be prepared to pay a $6 entrance fee starting on weekends between April 19-October 26 and everyday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The park is open from daylight to dusk. You can pick up maps at the Guard Station or at the kiosk in the patron parking area.
DIRECTIONS (Clark Reservation State Park):
(1) From Syracuse: Follow Rt. 481 South to the Jamesville Road exit; turn left onto Jamesville Road; turn right at the T in the road onto Rt. 173 West; 1.25 miles to the park entrance on the right; turn right into the patron area and park.
(2) From New York, Albany: Thruway (I-90) west to Exit 34A to I-481 South and follow the directions above.
(3) From Buffalo, Rochester: Thruway (I-90) east to Exit 34A to I-481 South and follow the directions above.
(4) For more information about the facilities available here, go to the link http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/
DIFFICULTY: relatively easy; moderate clues, some requiring a compass (possible to do without); approximately 1 mile to 6 of the letterboxes and a 1.3 mile road trip to the last letterbox; 45 minutes for searching and stamping; mosquito repellant recommended.
IMPORTANT TIPS: (1) It is IMPORTANT to know that the last letterbox in this series is a slight distance from the park and is ONLY available Tues-Sat. [5 pm-10 pm] and Sunday [10 am-9 pm]. Please plan your trip accordingly.; (2) READ the story. Some of the clues are buried within it.; (3) Bring your own pen and stamp pad. (4) Bring bug repellent.
CLUES:
************STORY************
Alice had thought she would never escape her adventures in Wonderland, but now she found Clark Reservation. Her pal, Cheshire Cat, agreed he would meet her here and give her a tour of this grand land carved by ancient glaciers. After an hour of waiting for him, Alice became impatient and journeyed out to look for the darn cat.
-----------------------------
From the parking area, walk toward the hiking trails near the map kiosk. At the intersection of trails just past the "outhouses", choose the 45°N trail. Follow the trail up the natural stone steps and enjoy the gorgeous view 175 feet above the natural glacial cataract lake (carved out by melting waters that contained more volume than the American falls at Niagara). Go down the next set of natural steps and look for the manmade pillars on your left (remnants of an old picnic table). Stand between the pillars, take 5 paces down the path, and search for your first letterbox due north in the rock face.
************STORY************
Alice noticed a smartly dressed white rabbit bandying about an umbrella and impatiently looking at his pocket watch. "Excuse me, good sir." Alice said politely, "but have you seen a wildly grinning cat roaming these parts."
"Cats…" he snarled, "who has time for cats?! Ask my cousin the March Hare (Queen's Herald)."
Somewhat disgruntled at his sharp retort and personally affronted, for personally she liked cats, Alice persisted and asked, "Could you show me where I can find this spring hairpiece of yours?"
After a startled glare, the white rabbit declared, "Follow me...if you can!" and quickly bounded off towards the main trail and turned left. By the time Alice reached the trail, he was long gone.
-----------------------------
Continue following the main cliff trail up and down another set of natural steps where the fence ends. At the bottom and to the right around the rockface is the popular Lover's Roost, a wonderful place to view the beauty of the park in semi-privacy (There is no letterbox here, but if you wish to see it, be very careful of the treacherous terrain). Farther down the trail, the path forks. Beginning to tire at this point, Alice follows the easier path up the blue and white northern slope. Just after the path veers to the right, there is a grouping of three trees to the left, an adolescent and its decaying older parents. Beneath, in its decaying depths, you will find the second letterbox.
************STORY************
Alice hears the sound of scratchy trumpet music emanating from a cluster of trees. Covering her ears, she approaches the tree and finds a miserable little hare hiding within.
"What is the matter, you poor little creature?" Alice tenderly exclaimed.
"The Queen of Hearts has threatened to discontinue my healthcare benefits for allowing an extremely jovial cat into her home... who promptly kidnapped her favorite pet!" wailed the Queen's herald mournfully.
Believing that maybe she had better consider finding better friends, Alice asked where she could find the Queen.
"Continue up this path to its crest and take the left fork." he sniffed. "One word of advice before you go... always do the OPPOSITE of what that crazy monarch says!" he bawled and sadly began a long dirge. Wincing, Alice returned to the trail and continued her search.
-----------------------------
Continue up the blue trail to the top where it connects to Big Buck Trail (white trail). Follow Big Buck Trail to the left. When Big Buck Trail intersects Dry Lake Trail, continue going straight along Big Buck Trail. The trail will ascend up 2 small inclines and then flatten out for a while. When the path begins to dip suddenly, look for a 3-trunk knobby tree at the bottom of the slope and to the right of the trail. Behind her knobby castle you will find the glowering Queen of Hearts.
************STORY************
"Uhh... excuse me?" Alice said timidly.
The Queen instantly rounded on her screaming "Off with his head!!!!" Now Alice knew why the March Hare was so afraid of losing his healthcare benefits.
"Umm... I am looking for a beastly feline with a perpetually-revealed set of canines." Inwardly, Alice hoped the Queen had no idea what she was talking about.
"Cheshire Cat??!" Alice's heart dropped to her knees. "That blasted animal stole my dormouse and ran that way!!" the Queen pointed hysterically.
-----------------------------
Stamp your book with the third letterbox stamp. Return to the trail and face the Queen’s castle. Look at which direction she is pointing in your stamped image, keeping in mind the herald's sage advice. Resume your journey.
At the next “T” intersection, using the trail sign as your “central point”, head down the trail leading off with the “number”. At the next set of trail signs (of which only their backs can be seen), take the trail to the right. Look for the #10 guidepost to the left of the trail. Face 160°N and take 20-22 paces into the woods. Buried toward the back of a stand of trees, within a cluster of stones at their base, you will discover the fourth letterbox.
************STORY************
As Alice wandered deeper into the woods, she noticed a small hovel beneath a stand of trees with a faded sign reading "Servant's Entrance". A little farther back, she spotted a strange doorbell next to a small boulder. Above the bell was a neatly painted sign that read "Mad Hatter domicile... There's always room for tea, and always tea in this room."
As Alice timidly reached for the bell, she heard an off-key caterwauling from the black depths of the cave:
"Twinkle, Twinkle, grinning cat!
How I wonder where you're at!"
Out amongst the rocks you hide,
all my dairy creamer by your side!"
"Oh, what did that darn cat do now?" moaned Alice. "A malicious misappropriation of milk from a madcap cap manufacturer??"
Slightly dizzy from that last mouthful of words and her ears still ringing from the recent scolding, (more so from the horrid noise emanating from the cave), Alice hastily retreated back to the path.
-----------------------------
Return to the backward trail signs and take a right, continuing on this trail toward the Parking Area. You will come upon an open clearing to your left at the #4 guidepost. At the back of this clearing is a large pile of flat rocks. To the right of these rocks are two moss-covered rocks. Buried between these rocks you will discover the fifth letterbox. Please rehide well.
(NOTE: This stamp has been stolen so many times, I considered not replacing it. I found another old stamp I carved years ago, and though appropriate, does not match the style of the others. So be it.)
************STORY*******************
5/29/07 -- NOTE: This LBox has been damaged AGAIN! Someone was nice enough to find the stamp and place it in with Hedgehog Harley. Continue on to the next box, clues beginning at the dashed line below.
Alice's now sensitive ears vibrated with the loud purrrrrrrs that emanated near the depths of a rock pile, somewhat savage-looking in the approaching dusk. Too tired to care, Alice flopped down in the mud and peered along the ground near the rock pile. There she spotted the darn cat, cozied up to a pillow with an empty milk cup, a bored-looking dormouse clutched in his grimy paw, and a fresh stack of business cards from Harley Hedgehog, Chimney Sweep Extraordinaire.
Opening her mouth to begin a tirade of her own, she hesitated. Despite all the bother he had caused her, he had indeed shown her this stunning natural wonder. For all his bad qualities, he was still a terrific tour guide and an excellent friend.
Alice left the Cheshire Cat a note to meet her at the local pub when he awakes from his contented slumber. Grabbing a business card, Alice hightailed it back to the park entrance hoping that she would be in time to hitch a ride with Harley Hedgehog.
-----------------------------
Continue on this trail to the Parking Area. Follow the path to the restrooms. Take a left around the Women's side of the building and walk past its entrance. Go to the back, right corner of the building. With your left shoulder facing the building and your back to the restroom entrance, look into the woods towards approximately 2 o'clock.
In the woods is a manmade morter wall. The Hedgehog can be found hidden along the nearside of this wall.
************STORY*******************
Tired, grungy, and thirsty, Alice rode off to the Glen Loch Restaurant with Harley Hedgehog on his gleaming pink Hog, handlebar streamers trailing gaily behind them.
-----------------------------
To find Alice, get into your vehicle, drive to the front of the park, and turn left onto 173 East for 1.25 miles. Just over the railroad tracks, turn left onto Jamesville Road. A little ways down the road on your right, turn into the Glen Loch Restaurant*. Go inside, approach the bartender, and ask for the Alice letterbox behind the bar (or the blue tupperware if they have no idea what you are talking about). The bartender will introduce her to you. Here you will find the final letterbox in this series.
(*PLEASE NOTE that Glen Loch is only open Tuesday-Saturday [5 pm-10 pm] and Sunday [10 am-9 pm], closed Mondays. The Glen Loch is managing this box at my request and I have no affiliation with this establishment. This is only for fun. You are in no way required to purchase anything. If you object to the placement of this letterbox, please refrain from seeking it out. Thank you.)
Jamesville, NY (Onondaga County)
The "That Darn Cat" letterbox series (7) is hidden at the beautiful New York State glacial park, Clark Reservation, located at 6105 East Seneca Turnpike (Rt. 173) in Onondaga County, NY. Be prepared to pay a $6 entrance fee starting on weekends between April 19-October 26 and everyday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The park is open from daylight to dusk. You can pick up maps at the Guard Station or at the kiosk in the patron parking area.
DIRECTIONS (Clark Reservation State Park):
(1) From Syracuse: Follow Rt. 481 South to the Jamesville Road exit; turn left onto Jamesville Road; turn right at the T in the road onto Rt. 173 West; 1.25 miles to the park entrance on the right; turn right into the patron area and park.
(2) From New York, Albany: Thruway (I-90) west to Exit 34A to I-481 South and follow the directions above.
(3) From Buffalo, Rochester: Thruway (I-90) east to Exit 34A to I-481 South and follow the directions above.
(4) For more information about the facilities available here, go to the link http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/
DIFFICULTY: relatively easy; moderate clues, some requiring a compass (possible to do without); approximately 1 mile to 6 of the letterboxes and a 1.3 mile road trip to the last letterbox; 45 minutes for searching and stamping; mosquito repellant recommended.
IMPORTANT TIPS: (1) It is IMPORTANT to know that the last letterbox in this series is a slight distance from the park and is ONLY available Tues-Sat. [5 pm-10 pm] and Sunday [10 am-9 pm]. Please plan your trip accordingly.; (2) READ the story. Some of the clues are buried within it.; (3) Bring your own pen and stamp pad. (4) Bring bug repellent.
CLUES:
************STORY************
Alice had thought she would never escape her adventures in Wonderland, but now she found Clark Reservation. Her pal, Cheshire Cat, agreed he would meet her here and give her a tour of this grand land carved by ancient glaciers. After an hour of waiting for him, Alice became impatient and journeyed out to look for the darn cat.
-----------------------------
From the parking area, walk toward the hiking trails near the map kiosk. At the intersection of trails just past the "outhouses", choose the 45°N trail. Follow the trail up the natural stone steps and enjoy the gorgeous view 175 feet above the natural glacial cataract lake (carved out by melting waters that contained more volume than the American falls at Niagara). Go down the next set of natural steps and look for the manmade pillars on your left (remnants of an old picnic table). Stand between the pillars, take 5 paces down the path, and search for your first letterbox due north in the rock face.
************STORY************
Alice noticed a smartly dressed white rabbit bandying about an umbrella and impatiently looking at his pocket watch. "Excuse me, good sir." Alice said politely, "but have you seen a wildly grinning cat roaming these parts."
"Cats…" he snarled, "who has time for cats?! Ask my cousin the March Hare (Queen's Herald)."
Somewhat disgruntled at his sharp retort and personally affronted, for personally she liked cats, Alice persisted and asked, "Could you show me where I can find this spring hairpiece of yours?"
After a startled glare, the white rabbit declared, "Follow me...if you can!" and quickly bounded off towards the main trail and turned left. By the time Alice reached the trail, he was long gone.
-----------------------------
Continue following the main cliff trail up and down another set of natural steps where the fence ends. At the bottom and to the right around the rockface is the popular Lover's Roost, a wonderful place to view the beauty of the park in semi-privacy (There is no letterbox here, but if you wish to see it, be very careful of the treacherous terrain). Farther down the trail, the path forks. Beginning to tire at this point, Alice follows the easier path up the blue and white northern slope. Just after the path veers to the right, there is a grouping of three trees to the left, an adolescent and its decaying older parents. Beneath, in its decaying depths, you will find the second letterbox.
************STORY************
Alice hears the sound of scratchy trumpet music emanating from a cluster of trees. Covering her ears, she approaches the tree and finds a miserable little hare hiding within.
"What is the matter, you poor little creature?" Alice tenderly exclaimed.
"The Queen of Hearts has threatened to discontinue my healthcare benefits for allowing an extremely jovial cat into her home... who promptly kidnapped her favorite pet!" wailed the Queen's herald mournfully.
Believing that maybe she had better consider finding better friends, Alice asked where she could find the Queen.
"Continue up this path to its crest and take the left fork." he sniffed. "One word of advice before you go... always do the OPPOSITE of what that crazy monarch says!" he bawled and sadly began a long dirge. Wincing, Alice returned to the trail and continued her search.
-----------------------------
Continue up the blue trail to the top where it connects to Big Buck Trail (white trail). Follow Big Buck Trail to the left. When Big Buck Trail intersects Dry Lake Trail, continue going straight along Big Buck Trail. The trail will ascend up 2 small inclines and then flatten out for a while. When the path begins to dip suddenly, look for a 3-trunk knobby tree at the bottom of the slope and to the right of the trail. Behind her knobby castle you will find the glowering Queen of Hearts.
************STORY************
"Uhh... excuse me?" Alice said timidly.
The Queen instantly rounded on her screaming "Off with his head!!!!" Now Alice knew why the March Hare was so afraid of losing his healthcare benefits.
"Umm... I am looking for a beastly feline with a perpetually-revealed set of canines." Inwardly, Alice hoped the Queen had no idea what she was talking about.
"Cheshire Cat??!" Alice's heart dropped to her knees. "That blasted animal stole my dormouse and ran that way!!" the Queen pointed hysterically.
-----------------------------
Stamp your book with the third letterbox stamp. Return to the trail and face the Queen’s castle. Look at which direction she is pointing in your stamped image, keeping in mind the herald's sage advice. Resume your journey.
At the next “T” intersection, using the trail sign as your “central point”, head down the trail leading off with the “number”. At the next set of trail signs (of which only their backs can be seen), take the trail to the right. Look for the #10 guidepost to the left of the trail. Face 160°N and take 20-22 paces into the woods. Buried toward the back of a stand of trees, within a cluster of stones at their base, you will discover the fourth letterbox.
************STORY************
As Alice wandered deeper into the woods, she noticed a small hovel beneath a stand of trees with a faded sign reading "Servant's Entrance". A little farther back, she spotted a strange doorbell next to a small boulder. Above the bell was a neatly painted sign that read "Mad Hatter domicile... There's always room for tea, and always tea in this room."
As Alice timidly reached for the bell, she heard an off-key caterwauling from the black depths of the cave:
"Twinkle, Twinkle, grinning cat!
How I wonder where you're at!"
Out amongst the rocks you hide,
all my dairy creamer by your side!"
"Oh, what did that darn cat do now?" moaned Alice. "A malicious misappropriation of milk from a madcap cap manufacturer??"
Slightly dizzy from that last mouthful of words and her ears still ringing from the recent scolding, (more so from the horrid noise emanating from the cave), Alice hastily retreated back to the path.
-----------------------------
Return to the backward trail signs and take a right, continuing on this trail toward the Parking Area. You will come upon an open clearing to your left at the #4 guidepost. At the back of this clearing is a large pile of flat rocks. To the right of these rocks are two moss-covered rocks. Buried between these rocks you will discover the fifth letterbox. Please rehide well.
(NOTE: This stamp has been stolen so many times, I considered not replacing it. I found another old stamp I carved years ago, and though appropriate, does not match the style of the others. So be it.)
************STORY*******************
5/29/07 -- NOTE: This LBox has been damaged AGAIN! Someone was nice enough to find the stamp and place it in with Hedgehog Harley. Continue on to the next box, clues beginning at the dashed line below.
Alice's now sensitive ears vibrated with the loud purrrrrrrs that emanated near the depths of a rock pile, somewhat savage-looking in the approaching dusk. Too tired to care, Alice flopped down in the mud and peered along the ground near the rock pile. There she spotted the darn cat, cozied up to a pillow with an empty milk cup, a bored-looking dormouse clutched in his grimy paw, and a fresh stack of business cards from Harley Hedgehog, Chimney Sweep Extraordinaire.
Opening her mouth to begin a tirade of her own, she hesitated. Despite all the bother he had caused her, he had indeed shown her this stunning natural wonder. For all his bad qualities, he was still a terrific tour guide and an excellent friend.
Alice left the Cheshire Cat a note to meet her at the local pub when he awakes from his contented slumber. Grabbing a business card, Alice hightailed it back to the park entrance hoping that she would be in time to hitch a ride with Harley Hedgehog.
-----------------------------
Continue on this trail to the Parking Area. Follow the path to the restrooms. Take a left around the Women's side of the building and walk past its entrance. Go to the back, right corner of the building. With your left shoulder facing the building and your back to the restroom entrance, look into the woods towards approximately 2 o'clock.
In the woods is a manmade morter wall. The Hedgehog can be found hidden along the nearside of this wall.
************STORY*******************
Tired, grungy, and thirsty, Alice rode off to the Glen Loch Restaurant with Harley Hedgehog on his gleaming pink Hog, handlebar streamers trailing gaily behind them.
-----------------------------
To find Alice, get into your vehicle, drive to the front of the park, and turn left onto 173 East for 1.25 miles. Just over the railroad tracks, turn left onto Jamesville Road. A little ways down the road on your right, turn into the Glen Loch Restaurant*. Go inside, approach the bartender, and ask for the Alice letterbox behind the bar (or the blue tupperware if they have no idea what you are talking about). The bartender will introduce her to you. Here you will find the final letterbox in this series.
(*PLEASE NOTE that Glen Loch is only open Tuesday-Saturday [5 pm-10 pm] and Sunday [10 am-9 pm], closed Mondays. The Glen Loch is managing this box at my request and I have no affiliation with this establishment. This is only for fun. You are in no way required to purchase anything. If you object to the placement of this letterbox, please refrain from seeking it out. Thank you.)