Just Playin’ Around WNY Box Clues
Note: As of 9/23/2006, many of the boxes are either missing, returned or no longer active for other reasons. Please check AQ or look for highlighted sections on this page to see which boxes are still available and which are not before going to search. AQ has had some trouble with posting boxes as retired, so if the box has been attempted several times, but not found in a while, search at your own risk!
Thanks to Mama Rose & the Rosettes, Celtic Quinn, Silver Dragon Quinn & Dances With Music for helping us plant all these…we couldn’t have done ANY of it without you!
Lego Series, Set & Kiss My Ace (6 boxes)
Start at the paths that leave Log Cabin Road just
before Maple Pavilion. Take the path that heads uphill (right side of the
road if you’re coming from the pavilion).
1.
As you start up the path, check the 2nd tree on your
right (the one with the bush around it and the letterbox hidden behind it!) J Lift up some bark and leaves to find Lego
#1--Chewie.
2.
Continue up the path to the top and the wide open clearing with
several trees standing alone. A large tree to your right has Lego #
2-Yoda in the crotch of the branches above.
3.
Follow the foliage on the left side of the clearing all the way
to the far left corner of this grassy area. Just in the foliage a few steps is
a 6 trunked tree. Move a chunk of wood in the crotch of the tree to reveal Lego
#3-Darth Vader. (Reported MISSING!)
4.
Now follow the foliage around past the large stone wall and to
the other side of this clearing. A 14 foot stump sits in front of you as you
approach with the wall on your left. Look in the underbrush behind this stump
for the last box in this series, Lego
#4-Darth Maul.
5.
Now follow the foliage to your right until you can see a path
that heads downhill to your left. If you head just few steps down this path,
you’ll spot a log laying along the right side of the path. Check the left end
of this log for Set by
Craftymouse & Dandelion.
6.
Follow the edge of the foliage in a roundabout circle back toward
the original path you came up. Keeping the foliage on your left and the
clearing to your right, look for a tree marked with the Spirit of Mr. Pigeon (a
paw print, for those of you who’ve never met Craftymouse & Dandelion!).
Once you reach that tree, look to your left and down the hill into the
underbrush. A tree with a semi-rotten base stands there with Kiss My Ace
hidden inside.
From here, you can walk back across the clearing
and down the path you came up to start this loop.
Board Game
Series (6 boxes + 3 boxes + 1 box)
The
bulk of this series is part of Celtic Quinn’s Board Game series, with a few of
The Sprite and the Highlander’s games and one donated box from Lock Wench mixed
in. Start at the paths that leave Log Cabin Road just before our pavilion
(Maple). Take the path that heads downhill (left side of the road if you’re
coming from the pavilion).
1.
At the head of this path, stand by the first rock in the line
(the one that would be closest to our pavilion up the hill). In front of you
are two slender tree that are a strange pale green. Go between them and up the
incline to the tree on the hill just in front of you that has a long log laying
behind it. Under that log and beneath a heavy rock is D & D by
The Sprite & the Highlander.
2.
Get on the main path again and follow it downhill until you get
to the place where you can branch off to the right. Take this new trail until
you see a large sawed off and broken tree trunk. Check this trunk’s crevices to
find Backgammon
by Celtic Quinn, Connect
Four by The Sprite & the Highlander and Mancala by
Celtic Quinn.
3.
Continue around the bend in this trail until you can see where
the trail starts to split up into different directions. Just before you reach
that spot. Look to your left for a big magnolia tree/shrub spreading out near
you on the left (has big, flat, thick green leaves. Under a log just up into
the bush is Chess by
Celtic Quinn.
4.
Follow the path that stays close to the lake. As you round the
curve and reach where the paths finally converge into one again, take 20 steps
more to the open spot that looks out onto the lake. To your left behind a tree
sits Chinese
Checkers by Celtic Quinn.
5.
Continue to follow this path around the lake. You’ll pass another
clearing and head uphill slightly. Continue on this path until you see a sizeable dead
log in the water,
followed by another log sticking partially into the water. Past THAT is a log
completely clear of the water. Check the end farthest up the path. You’ll need
to actually move a piece of rotted log jammed into the end to find The
Battleground by Celtic Quinn. Again, rehide this one especially well, since
it’s in a much more visible location.
8.
Continue along the path for about 30 steps until the path starts
to get a little mossy. There should be a path the leads uphill to the left.
Take this path until you see the large stump surrounded by magnolia shrubbery
(this magnolia shrubbery is a frequent neighbor to quite a few of the boxes on
this list!). Check inside the stump for Checkers by
Celtic Quinn.
9.
Warp around behind this big shrub to the path that starts to head
up hill. In the same shrub, but on the other side is a huge tree that has a
final blast-from-the-past board game in a hole created by its own roots Green Ghost
by The Sprite & the Highlander.
Go back
downhill to the main path by the lake and follow this until you reach a tree on
the left side of the path that has an very large hole resembling an animal den
at its base. From
here, you can climb uphill to the clearing above, which empties out at the
large pavilion right next to our own (or back track to the path where Green
Ghost was hidden for a slightly less dramatic incline…or continue around the
lake for the Monopoly series!
This set of boxes was created by The Sprite & the Highlander and will be a permanent series for Durand Eastman. You can start this path by climbing down the steep trail leading into the ravine from Acorn pavilion (the large pavilion right next to our own Maple Pavilion), or follow the path for the Board game series that starts at Log Cabin Road.
1.
Follow the lake path around the muddy water’s edge until you spot
a tree with a white arrow. Go to the 4th tree on the left side of the trail
past this arrow and look in the roots & bushes below for the first box of
the Monopoly series #1-Go.
2.
Continue around the bend until you see a split hollow tree. A
dead log tucked under the end hides #2-The
Indigo Properties.
3.
Follow the path again until deep holes and roots start to mar the
path. 10 steps from this point further take you to a spot where moss and roots
cover the path to the left. Climb about 18 steps up into the woods to a large
tree with a rotted log and stump hiding #3-The
Light Blue Properties. (Reported
MISSING!)
4.
Return to the path and follow it until you find a small twin
trunked tree jutting out over the water that has a one of its trunks completely
broken off. To the left of you is a faint trail leading into the woods. Head to
the second tree on the right of this path and check the base for #4-Jail.
5.
Continue on the path until you come to a tree lying in the water
that has a rusted sign still attached to it. A small path heads uphill from
here again. Check behind the stump in the left with the huge magnolia behind it
for #5-The
Purple Properties.
6.
Continue on the main path until it gets mossy on both sides. Look
about 17 steps up into the woods for a tall tree only a foot or so away from a very
tall tree stump. Check behind the tree itself under a chunk of wood for#6-Electric
Company.
7.
Get back on the main path and continue until the paths start to
split off around a bend in the lake. Just before the paths separate, look on
the ground to the left for a very long log with a strange curvy bend in it.
Look in the bark on this tree at that bend for #7-The
Orange Properties.
8.
Pass the twisted trunk on the path as you go around the bend
following the lake again (I know, we thought of hiding a box in THAT tree
first! J). You’ll
pass a half upturned evergreen tree on the left whose roots are partially hanging
out. On the right, a thick rotting log lays on its side along the path. Step
over it to the other side and look under the slabs of bark for #8-Free
Parking. (Reported
MISSING!)
9.
Follow the path around the bend until you find a downed sawed off
tree that resembles a giant tuning fork (right near Iris’ love letter). Between
the fork and the tree nearest the path is #9-The Red
Properties.
10.Continue on
the path until you find a VERY popular tree next to an even more popular stump.
Look to the left in the woods for a split open hollowed out tree with #10-The
Yellow Properties inside.
11.
Start on the path again, heading further out and passing a white
arrow on one of the trees as you walk. After you pass the white arrow, be on
the lookout for another tree with “NP & NP 04” carved into it (if you pass
the lumpy tree on the right with all the ferns around it, you’ve gone too far).
On the slope a few steps ahead on the RIGHT, look for a rotted stump/log with #11-Water
Works.
12 &13. Follow the
path again until it forks. When it does, head to the right until your see a
gazebo off the path at the edge of the golf course that butts up against the
woods you’re in. Go to the gazebo and look under the edge of it nearest you. A
piece of wood underneath holds #12—Go To
Jail and #13-The
Green Properties in place below the gazebo.
14.Follow the
path past the golf course and another white arrow. When it forks, take the path
that heads left and uphill until you find a tree with a small hole in it to the
left (just before you reach a steep downhill path to your right that looks more
like water has rushed down it than any people). Check that hole in the tree for
#14-The
Blue Properties.
15.Continue
uphill as the path makes an S-curve around the ravine below. Just before the
path curves to the right, look under the crisscross of dead limbs on the right
under some leaves for #15-The
Railroads.
16.Curve around
the path to where the right side of the path starts to raise up until it makes
a small hill alongside you. Check over the edge of this hill and you’ll find
the end of a long dead overturned stump near you with a perfect hole in its
base for hiding #16-Luxury
Tax.
17.Follow the
path even more uphill until you reach the crossroads in the paths. Go across to
the giant tree on your left in front of you and check behind the tree in its
roots for #17—Community
Chest.
18.Last one…can
you make it? Continue to follow the path ahead of you (do not turn up to the
left or right on the crosspaths!). About 22 paces from where the paths
intersected, look in the roots of the smaller tree near you next to the VERY
short stump for #18-Chance.
Climb
up the rest of this path and you’ll find yourself in a clearing that you can
follow to the left and return to the road our pavilion is on…or follow the next
series for the last 7 boxes in this loop.
The Card Game series is Celtic Quinn’s other gathering series. Start this one either by finishing the Monopoly series and starting from the end, or head down the street from Maple pavilion until the road does a loop and comes back. Instead of looping back, head past the gate stopping you from going forward and head to the far right in the back corner of this clearing. Once you can see the piles of brush and branches in front of you, look down to your right and you’ll find the path that heads down to the lake. Start at the top of this path and turn back around to begin this series.
1. As you top the hill into the clearing, you’ll step over a wooden railroad tie embedded in the ground. From there, take about 20 steps along the edge of the foliage to your left. Look in this foliage between two trees for a log on its side that’s hiding Spit.
2. Putting Spit behind you, head to the opposite side of the clearing, but to NOT go down the hill to the road. Instead, check for a log on its side in the edge of the foliage just before it curves downhill. Behind this log is Scat.
3. Now head toward the pavilions to your left. A gate cuts off the service road from the loop of Log Cabin Road. Just to the side of this gate is a small path heading back down into the woods. As you head down this path, stop at the first tree on the right that has a hole in it. Check the hole on the other side of it for Hearts.
4. Continue downhill until you pass the first MAJOR path to your right (a fainter path heads of to the right as well, but pass this one for the deeper cut one further down) 7 steps downhill past this path is a dead log to the left. Check under the leaves behind it to find Blackjack.
5. Follow the path further down until you see a tree on the right of the path that’s got a wide split in it (not wide enough to hide a box, unfortunately!). Climb the incline to it and put your back to it. On the same slope about 10 steps from you (and slightly to your left) is a twin trunked tree with logs sticking out of its root holes on the ground. Pull the logs out to find Solitaire.
6. Get back on the path and follow it downhill until the paths forks. At that point, stop and look up the slope to your right for a stump. Climb up to that and pull out War.
7. Now that you’re on this hill, look uphill from the stump and head toward the fallen tree behind it with the S curve in it. Check behind this S Curve for the last box, Go Fish.
To get back to Maple Pavilion, either continue your climb uphill and out of the woods behind Buckthorn Pavilion or go back to the trail and head up it to the gate. Then follow the road back to the pavilion. Alternately, you can continue your climb down and take the long way back around the lake and the other boxes to where you originally started, just below the pavilion on Log Cabin Road.
Pin the Tail
on the Donkey Series (1 box, 2 stamps)
The “Pin the Tail” box is planted along the Durand Lake Trail, off of Log Cabin Road. There used to be two boxes, but they're now both in one, so we're leaving the instructions for both, just in case!
The trailhead is located on the east side of the road, north of the Acorn pavilion, and is marked by a recycle sign. As you enter the trail, head down the hill to your right. No more than 25-30 adult paces take a second trail appears on your left. Take that trail down to the water’s edge to a grand old tree. See the steep path that heads up the hill to the left? Climb up to the log that lays across the path and look at its very left -- ahem -- “tail” end for the full donkey.
Puzzled
Series (4 boxes)
Retired!
Zoo Road
Donated Boxes (6 boxes)
These six boxes are along Zoo Road. They are in order to make it easier to do on the one-way road.
Kayak NH Letterbox--As you drive up Zoo road, watch for the small parking area on the left just after Katsura Glen. Pull in. See the bench? With your back to the bench, look into the woods and notice the large tree straight ahead. Walk to it, then turn about 45 degrees to your left and head into the woods. You’ll see a bare pine branch on the ground. See what it might be hiding. (Box has been removed and sent back to its owner!)
Hoppity Skip Letterbox--Now head away from the bench, towards the lake and the far end of the glen. Walk past the parking lot, and follow the fence along the road, past the penned-in tree and the small bush garden. Hoppity skip right up to that larger tree in front of you and see what’s tucked inside.
Jump Rope Micro Letterbox--Continue up Zoo Road, and watch for the trail map and road to the park office. Park here. Take a moment to study the pamphlet displayed on one side of the park sign showing you the variety of bird species you might find in the park. Then just slip your hand up and under the inside of the sign to see what else you might find. (Reported MISSING!)
Yahtzee!--Now take the short walk up the park office road. You’ll find some gardens, rhododendron bushes and an arbor walk. Stroll through the arbor walk (say hello to the birds if they’re home) to the end, and continue straight toward the fence. Don’t trip over the metal framework on the ground...in fact, check underneath the upper right corner....
Ouija--Keep driving up Zoo Road past the Magnolia Collection. Watch for the parking lot on the right shortly after the low fence begins. Park here and take the short walk to the end of the road to the circle. Go visit the marigolds (if they’re in bloom) at the Rose Valley Frutice tum sign. From here, head in a N/NW direction to the electrical pole with the pine tree at its base. Check behind the pole.
Greyhound Racing--Get back on Zoo Road and follow it as it turns back towards the lake at a One Way sign. Watch for the No Parking sign and a yellow gate on your left. Soon after these is a small pull-off on the left ringed by large stones. Park here and cross over the metal bridge in the valley. You’ll see three large pines in front of you and to your left. Head to the farthest left one, which is actually a grouping of pines. At the right rear of this group is a very sad looking droopy pine. Look what’s hiding underneath it. Then thank the tree. It looks like it needs love.
These two boxes are near Durand Eastman Golf Course.
Golf – Get Out and Play!--Take the royal highway south from the lake (follow the signs for the golf course) and take your first left, which leads into a picnic area adjacent to the Durand Eastman Golf Course. Your way will probably be blocked by a yellow gate, so turn left and park where the wooden fence begins on your right. There you’ll see a tree and a dense bush at the near end of the fence. Go behind the bush and poke around the trunk underneath. You might just score a hole-in-one....
Krazy Klock--Continue down the road adjacent to the picnic area as it heads back toward the lake. Just before it rejoins Lakeshore Blvd., pull off on the wide rocky shoulder. Very near your car you should see a low-hanging tree with a double trunk. With your back to the tree, look down the hill at 12:00. At the base of the hill stands a triple-trunked tree that looks to have the perfect kind of wood for a Krazy Klockmaker.
Other Year
Round Local Boxes (be sure to check Atlas
Quest or LBNA for any boxes we
might have missed!)
Around Rochester
area: Barge Canal Lock
32 Letterbox, Ornery Rhino, Sibley Music
Library, The Woods, Canal Boats to Mighty Oaks,
Holy Cow!,
Old Mill Stream,
Penfield Parks #1,
Penfield Parks #2,
Penfield Parks #3,
Penfield Parks #4,
Penfield Parks Mystery
Heading West to Medina, Albion, Holley & Brockport: Sprilander Hitchhiker Hostel, Choo Choo Ch'Boogie, The Letterbook, Medina Water Sprite, Culvert Earth Sprite, Mt. Albion, Mr. Bojangles, Box of Rain, Towpath, Diaz Chemical (Toxin #3), Fuschia Fish, Golden Eagle, Amanda's Gold
Heading FURTHER
West to Middleport, Royalton, Gasport Lockport, Tonawanda & Niagara Falls: Keeping Up the PACE, Lockport Air Sprite, Squirrel's Treat, Lonesome Train, Drew the Cary Tree, Fishin' Woes, Erie Passage, BOND-ing Time, Goat Island, Love Canal--Toxin #4 Mystery, Food Lion
Heading Southwest
to Alabama, Oakfield, Bergen, Elba & Batavia: Highlander Series (Iroquois Goose &
Tonawanda Widgeon), Lancer, Onion At Home, Woodland Flower Sprite, Oak Orchard Black
Duck, Bergen Swamp Series, Northern Confederate, Little Ruth's LB, Still Standing, Richland Memorial
Heading Northwest
along Lake Ontario: OOOTL, Picnic Place, Jolly Roger, Point Breeze, Braddock Duck, Oak of 1812
Heading Southeast
to Buffalo: Faith, Hope & Patience, Buffalo Wings, Sinking Ponds, Eternal Flame, Every Day Is Earth Day, Blue Devil Pride,
Waterfalls Sixteen,
MoNY #1 - Cemetary Dog
Mystery Boxes: Check Western NY region on the LBNA site for these!
Personal Travelers & Traveling
Event Stamps
Personal Travelers: A PT (personal traveler) is just a personal letterbox that folks bring with them. It’s a great way to meet your fellow boxers and to pick up another stamp on the way. Most people usually have something special you have to say or do to get it, so be sure to check the people listed on the event page at Atlas Quest and see if they have something you need to say or do to get the stamp. For example, to get ours (the Sprite & the Highlander), you need to know what M & M stands for and tell us!
Traveling Event Stamps: These are stamps that go
from gathering to gathering to get stamped into, so tons of people all over the
US have logged into these. The Four Seasons will be in the four corners. Cabin Fever
& the Time
Cover Stamp will be on the table.
