“Salt Spring” was my first official non-hybrid letterbox. And of course, since it’s done almost nothing else but rain this October, this one was found in the rain.
The morning began with a trip to Woodbourne Forest, where I ran into Rich, located the Woodbourne Forest Cache, got wet, caught my hand on a thorn and bled all over the place, and just generally had an awesome time.
After that cache I went alone to the Liberty Park Cache, which I found without incident, and from there to Salt Springs. The letterbox wasn’t too tough to find, though I had to retrace my steps on two of the legs to get to the right place. The box was somewhat visible when I arrived at the area, but it was a good distance off the trail. In order to look through the logbook and to stamp it myself, I had to set up my little umbrella on the hillside and hold the book underneath it. (By this time the rain was a mere drizzle, but there was still plenty dripping from the trees.) The hider had included stamped, addressed postcards that you could send her to comment on the letterbox. I only wish she’d included an e-mail address, too.
After locating the letterbox, I checked on my own nearby Penny Rock Cache, which someone had moved to a new spot. Good thing I located it! (I moved it back.)
Note: As of 18 January 2004, this letterbox listing seems to have disappeared from letterboxing.org. Does anyone know if it’s still in place?
Grammar ‘R’ Us Letterboxes
Salt Spring Letterbox Salt Spring State Park, Franklin Forks Susquehanna County Hidden Nov. 11, 2001, by Grammar ‘R’ Us
Salt Spring State Park is located in Franklin Forks, Pa. It offers visitors a gorge with three waterfalls surrounded by a virgin hemlock forest, with walking/hiking trails winding through its 405-acre preserve. Near the base of the gorge is the salt spring, from which the park gets its name.
From Montrose, Pa., go north on Route 29 for six miles. Turn left at Franklin Forks (near Snake Creek Marine) and travel 1 mile west.
After parking, walk over the wooden bridge near the flagpole and acquaint yourself with the map of the park.
- Facing the stone marker, set your sights at 110 degrees. What you want you can’t see beyond the trees. Walk 73 paces, and you should be able to taste success.
- From this significant site, walk 77 paces at 100 degrees.
- You now have a choice of paths; take the trail at 130 degrees for 118 paces. WARNING, the path soon drops off for just a few feet. Walk carefully.
- Look for an immovable landmark at 180 degrees, about 90 paces away.
- Standing on the south side of said landmark, set a course for 80 degrees and take 84 steps. In the summer there will be stinging nettles, so wear long pants or walk carefully to keep plants from brushing bare legs.
- Set a course for 150 degrees, and walk 48 paces toward two trees that appear to form a V.
- Set your sights at 240 degrees and start “dipping” into the leaves.
After you’ve found the letterbox, please remember to hide it where you found it. Return to the trail and head off at 80 degrees, where you will intersect with a trail that will lead you down hill to the base of the park.
Be sure to check out the water falls (which can be easily climbed) and put a penny in penny rock (on the Fall Brook Trail).
From https://web.archive.org/web/20021105085220/http://www.letterboxing.org/pa/grammar.htm
The last activity of the day was a search for the Lost Falls Cache. This one didn’t turn out so well! I may come back and try again, but honestly, it was such a miserable place that I’m not in a hurry to return there.
Today's Geocaches
Woodbourne Forest Cache
- Owner: Johnsons06
- Location: N 41° 45.805' W 075° 53.569'
- Log Type: Found it
- Date: 18 October 2002
- Original Geocaching.com listing
Hi, Johnsons06!
Yet another dreary day, but I decided to go caching anyway. Like Rich, I thought I was going to get out before the rain hit. The drive up through Hop Bottom and Dimock was dry, but as soon as I got to the parking area, the skies opened up and it was pouring before I got into the woods. I thought I might see Rich (hard to miss that cache-mobile in the parking area!) and I did run into him just a few hundred feet from the cache site. (Yes, it was a very pleasant surprise. 🙂) He waited for me while I searched for the cache. It didn’t take me too long to locate it, and Rich came back to take the photo of me as I signed the logbook (and to administer some first aid for my bleeding finger – thorns attacked me). I took nothing and left nothing this time, though this cache was very well stocked. This is a really beautiful area! I wish we could’ve seen it under brighter, drier conditions. I had a great time; thanks!
Zhanna
Howdy, Johnsons06! Tried to beat the wet weather by getting a fairly early start this morning but I didn’t succeed … at least not for long. Once on the trail I was immediately taken by the sight of this pretty little forest with its secluded swamp. And as I neared the water a flock of wood ducks took off in flurry of beating wings and startled squawks. Arrived at the site around 9:00am and found the cache without any difficulty. My GPSr got me close enough that I didn’t need to decrypt the hint. The container was well hidden and there were quite a few nice things inside. I didn’t take anything, but I signed the logbook and left two of my Geocaching magnets and a “Mystery Treasure.” As I was departing the area I was greeted by another pleasant surprise. Zhanna was making her way along the trail and to the stream. (Hope the rest of your Geocaching day was drier, Zh!) Thanks for a pleasant Fall morning trek. I had a lot of fun despite the deteriorating conditions. ~Rich in NEPA~
Liberty Park Cache
- Owner: Johnsons06
- Location: N 41° 57.254' W 075° 49.438'
- Log Type: Found it
- Date: 18 October 2002
- Original Geocaching.com listing
Hi (again)!
This was the second cache of yours I found today (and the second one to draw my blood! 😉). The park gate was closed when I arrived, but I parked in front of it and walked in. I guess I was lucky because I found the cache easily (it was not visible, don’t worry), but retrieving it was quite another matter! I eventually got it, and I took the cache to a covered location to look through the contents. There have been several finders who haven’t yet logged their finds on the site, and the travel bug is gone. I took nothing and left one of Rich in NEPA’s geocaching magnets. As I was writing in the logbook, the rain stopped and the sun actually came out for a few seconds! It was glorious. Thanks for a unique challenge!
Zhanna
(Logged on 20 October 2002)
Howdy, Johnsons06! There was still plenty of time on this beautiful Fall Sunday to skip over to the other side of I-81 and try for another one of your caches. Third of three for today. Arrived on the scene at 1:00pm. It was mostly sunny, breezy, and the day was feeling much warmer. This park was totally deserted, which was fine with me ‘cuz it made extricating the container an easy matter and without the worry of being seen. The posted coordinates got me to the precise spot, and it was obvious where I’d have to search, without needing to decrypt the clue. Cache was very effectively hidden. I signed the logbook while relaxing lazily on a park bench. Took nothing from this cache, but I did leave a yellow vinyl Geo-Logo decal, one on my Geocaching magnets, a “Mystery Treasure,” and an assortment of State park maps. The Travel Bug was already taken. Thanks for a pleasant Geocaching experience in a part of northeast PA that I seldom get to visit. ~Rich in NEPA~
Penny Rock Cache
- Owner: Zhanna
- Location: N 41° 54.558' W 075° 51.932'
- Log Type: Note
- Date: 18 October 2002
- Original Geocaching.com listing
Cache maintenance: I was in the park today to search for a nearby letterbox, and after locating that I decided to check on my own cache. I was surprised when I (finally) found it in a spot that was about ten feet away from the original location. It was hidden well—obviously it had been moved by people, not animals—and nothing inside was disturbed, but I’d appreciate it if finders would not change the location of the cache. (If there is a problem, feel free to e-mail me and I will check on the cache, and move it if necessary.) I took out the trash, and I replaced the cache in its original hiding spot, covering it well. The falls are wild after all that rain!
Zhanna
Lost Falls Cache
- Owner: Johnsons06
- Location: N 41° 56.642' W 076° 04.885'
- Log Type: Didn't find it
- Date: 18 October 2002
- Original Geocaching.com listing
Hi!
Well, I tried to go three for three with the Johnsons06 Susquehanna County caches, but I came up short (actually, I came up wet, filthy, and a little sore—yes, this area is a real treat after it rains!). I had a great deal of trouble with satellite reception; I did manage to get to the coordinates, according to my GPSr, five times—but in five very different locations. It was very dark and that made it extra difficult to search. I don’t think I looked for more than half an hour before getting frustrated and deciding to come back another day. I’m glad I got to see the falls, though. They are beautiful, especially after the rain we’ve had. On my way back to the car, I surprised a doe and a noisy grouse. I’ll be back…
Zhanna