It’s a WNYld Ride Box Clues

At long last, the boxes are HERE! Please note: Unlike in years past where we SAID we’d pick up boxes, then never did…many these boxes will HAVE to be removed after a certain point. We’ll have full details on when, but for now, get crackin’! J Note: The Letterbook, which contains one of the Big Name Parks boxes, is located in a store which is only open until 5pm on Friday and Saturday, but NOT on Sunday…plan accordingly! We recommend going to Water Parks & Other Notables, then Big Name Parks on Saturday. Hit The Six Flags of Six Flags and Record Holders on Sunday.

Water Parks & Other Notables

1.      Blackpool Pleasure Beach (Flying J)—Head to the Flying J at the Darien Lake exit (48A) off the NYS Thruway. Pull into the parking lot for cars and RVs and park right next to the light post near the big Flying J sign (on your right as you pull in) Stop and check the warped metal casing at the base of the light post for this LB in a pill bottle, as well as one of the oldest and best loved amusement parks, Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

2.      Lake Compounce (Little Log Cabin in Indian Falls)—Go across the street from the Flying J into the truck parking for Subway. Head all the way to the back of the lot behind Subway itself, staying to the left where all the giant rocks line the lot. Go to the last one, where you’ll see a sign that says “No Dumping”. Underneath the edge of the large rock is a smaller one. Lift it up for Lake Compounce (one of the oldest water parks in existence) and the new location for Little Cabin In Indian Falls.

3.      Sea World—This box is the one with the logbook for the series and only has this one stamp in it. Get back on Route 77 and head north (turn right). Drive until you come to the road where Route 63 (coing from Oakfield)  merges into Route 77. Past this intersection, you’ll see open fields on both sides with a white house on the hill to the right of you with a sign leeting you know that this is New York State lands. Drive toward this house, but turn LEFT onto the gravel road across the street from that house.  Drive around the circle, passing, but not going down to the barn on the right until you see the brown & yellow “Trail” sign near the woods. Park here and start on the trail and walk over to the refugee from Sea World on your left (you think YOU’RE surprised to see it...imagine how WE felt!). Check two pine trees behind this odd woodland addition and look under a large rock for Sea World.

4.      DollywoodGet back on the trail again and follow it down in the woods until it reaches a T. Look to the left at the T for a tree that’s REALLY messed up (as in, termites are chewing holes its trunk almost faster than it can grow), but is still standing. Go around the back side of this tree and remove some of the rotten bark from a hole at about chest level for Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s famous park.

5.      Wet ‘n’ Wild (Woodland Flower Sprite)—These directions are a bit tricky, so stay focused! Head back to your car and leave this park by turning left to continue down Route 63/77. Drive up the road to the flashing light at the Alabama Hotel and the IGA (where Route 77 makes a split to the left and 63 continues north to Medina). Make a right onto Lockport Road, then follow the road all the way until you can turn left on Albion Road. Follow Albion Road around until you see a gravel circular turnoff on the left with a large wood and metal observation tower. In the middle of this circle are vine covered trees and a very low rock wall that’s nearly destroyed. On the left end (if you’re facing the tower) is Wet ‘n’ Wild (which is considered the first major water park in the US, even though only two exist today) and the Woodland Flower Sprite.

6.      Cypress Gardens (Oak Orchard Black Duck)—Now head to the observation tower. Before you climb the stairs, take a few steps back to look up the tower’s outer structure. At the second crisscross of beams above, you should see a small black object stuck to one of the beams. Keep that in mind, since that’s the box you want. Climb up and get it to find Cypress Gardens (the oldest park in Florida) and the Oak Orchard Black Duck.

7.      Silver Dollar City (Oak Orchard Creek Wood Duck)—Go back the way you came on Albion Road (south or a right turn). Turn right on Lockport Road as if heading back to the Alabama Hotel, but instead of going all the way back, make a right on Knowlesville Road. Follow Knowlesville until you can branch off to the left on Roberts Road. Follow Roberts until you come to a seasonal gravel road called Sour Springs. Slow down, because this has MAJOR potholes, especially on the bridges. Follow the road out to Oak Orchard Creek, which is the first bridge you come to. Check the quadruple trunked tree on the left just across the bridge for Silver Dollar City (a park created around one of the oldest attractions in the Ozarks, Marvel Cave) & the Oak Orchard Wood Duck

8.      HersheyparkContinue down Sour Springs Road until you reach Mallard Overlook on the left. Pull in to the gravel parking area and park to the left of the area. From the left side end of the parking area, count 9 posts and look down in the hole in the top of the post (you’ll have to move some bark pieces to see Hersheypark, a park that’s all about CHOCOLATE…need there BE more to be excited about???)..

9.      The Park at Mall of America (Jukebox Series # 24-One Tin Soldier)—Get back on the road and continue in the same direction (turn left) until you reach the second stop sign (which is Oak Orchard Ridge Road). Turn left and follow this road until it dead ends into Route 63 (Gravel Road). Turn right and drive a short way until you reach the gravel road and a line of trees on the left that you can drive up to a kiosk and overlook some of the federal lands. Before doing so, park at the first tree on the right. Under a reddish stone at the base is One Tin Soldier, along with one of the largest and most successful indoor theme parks in the world.

10. Geauga Lake (Tonawanda Widgeon)—Now go back to the main road and turn right. You’ll drive a straight shot through the wildlife refuge until you once again reach the flashing red light at the junction of Route 77 and 63. Turn right to follow Route 77. You’ll wind around for about 2 or 3 miles through more farm and refuge lands until you reach the Cayuga Overlook on your right. Pull into this lot and find the “saddest” tree you can find. The goose and another famous water park, Geauga Lake, are hiding in the lowest fork of this tree’s branches. You might have to step up a little on the knot on the tree’s side to reach this.

11. Knoebels (Iroquois Goose)—Get back on the main road and continue west (turn right) until you reach where Salt Road turns right and Meadville Road turns left. Turn left down Meadville Road and head down this road for 1.2 miles toward the woods. Stop at the gate with the chain in the middle on your left (has a big maple tree it). There'll be a few smaller gates you'll pass, but ignore those. Park at the mouth of the path, then go under the chain (or around the fence itself) and walk all the way to the next gate, which should be a large yellow pole across the road. Go just off the trail into the underbrush on the left, behind the boulders and the foliage. In the underbrush, you'll see another good sized boulder that hidden from view of the path. The widgeon is nesting right behind that boulder, along with one of America’s best rated family fun parks, Knoebels (so great, in fact, that Cyclonic, one of our letterboxers from Pennsylvania, will be holding his second gathering there in September…check here for details).

Getting back to the park or other box series

To Big Name Parks: Go back to the main road again and turn right to return to the flashing red light at the junction for Route 63/77. Turn left at this light and head into Medina (about 8 minutes drive from here). Follow the stamp clue directions from there.

To The Six Flags of Six Flags: Go back to the main road again and turn right to return to the flashing red light at the junction for Route 63/77. Turn left at this light and head into Medina (about 8 minutes drive from here). At the first stop light (which should be Route 31 A and has a Rite Aid on the corner), turn left and drive about 10 minutes until you reach Middleport (you’ll know you’re there when you see the drive in). Follow the directions for the stamps from there.

To Record Holders: Go back to the main road again and turn left. Follow Route 77 for a few miles until you reach Gasport Road (which should be the only stoplight). Turn right on Gasport Road and follow it for a mile or two until you see the playing fields of Royalton Ravine Park. Follow the stamp clue directions from there.

Back To Darien Lakes State Park: Go back to the main road again and turn right to return to the flashing red light at the junction for Route 63/77. Turn right at this light until you reach the Thruway exit. Follow the directions to get to the park from there.

 

Big Name Parks

The 4 parks here are so big and famous, they need no introduction. To get to these, first drive up Route 63/77 from the Flying J to Medina. At the first stop light (near the Rite Aid and the gas stations) follow these directions:

1.      Disneyland (Choo Choo Ch’Boogie)—Turn left at the stoplight, then make an almost immediate right onto West Avenue, the road just past the Rite Aid. Follow this road past one stop light and just over the railroad tracks, then pull in to the left into the parking lot of the Medina Railroad Museum. On the north side of the main building (the side without the tracks as you turn in), you'll notice a platform. Part of the side of this platform is covered and has No Parking signs on it. Right where the boards stop covering the sides, you'll find a gap where you can grab both Choo Choo Ch’Boogie and Disneyland.

2.      Busch Gardens (Letterbook)—From the Medina Railroad Museum, turn around and get back on West Avenue, turning left. At the stop sign, make a right and take this road until it dead ends into Main Street. Turn left on Main and find a parking space. You want to stop into The Book Shoppe, which is on Main Street between the light and the turn you just made on the right side (near the New Main Moon Chinese Restaurant). Go inside and look on the History Shelf for a Texas Almanac (very out of place for this shelf, as it is old and a little damaged). Open this book and inside is The Letterbook and Busch Gardens. The owner does know this book is here, but please be a polite guest…this is still a book store!

3.      Disneyworld (Boogie Fever)—Leave the bookstore and pull out onto Main Street heading toward the stoplight at Center Street right near you. Turn left at the light and pass another light at the post office. Continue on until you reach Ohio Street, which should have the blue H for hospital sign near it. Drive to the end of this street a little past the hospital to the Medina Medical Center building. Park at the far end of their lot (the end without the blue mailbox) and walk around the sidewalk to the back of the building. A little slope behind here leads down to the canal, so head down there and enjoy the view for a moment. Just behind you in the line of short trees/bushes behind the building is a stump (in spring, it's obscured a bit by leaves). Reach into that stump and get Boogie Fever and Disneyworld.

4.      Universal Studies (Sprilander Hitchhiker Hostel)—Head back up Ohio Street until you reach Center Street again. Make a right and follow the road until you see Beach Drive (about the 3rd street on your right). Turn right and park at the dead end on the left side. Reach under the bushes in front of your car to find the Sprilander Hitchhiker Hostel and Universal Studios. You may stamp into the hostel itself, but unless you plan to take a hitchhiker, do not stamp into the logbooks of the hitchhikers. Also, you may leave a hitchhiker or take a hitchhiker with you, but make sure at least two are left for others and above all, do NOT take Universal Studios or the hostel stamp)…they need to stay for everyone else!

Getting back to the park or other box series

To Water Parks and Other Notables: Go back to Center Street and turn left to return to the center of town. At the second stoplight, turn right and  drive about 15 miles until you reach the Flying J near the thruway exit.

To The Six Flags of Six Flags: Go back to Center Street and turn right. Turn left on Saltworks Road until you reach the stop sign at Ontario Savings Bank on Route 31. Turn right and drive about 8 minutes until you reach Middleport (you’ll know you’re there when you see the drive in). Follow the directions for the stamps from there.

To Record Holders: Go back to Center Street and turn right. Turn left on Saltworks Road until you reach the stop sign at Ontario Savings Bank on Route 31. Turn right and drive about 12 minute until you reach Gasport Road (you’ll know you’re there when you see the Dollar General and the post office). Make a left onto Gasport Road, then drive about a quarter of a mile until you see Royalton Ravine Park on your right. Follow the directions for the stamps from there. Don’t forget to get the Woody box from Schwab’s Farm Market (see clues under Personal Travelers, Traveling Event Stamps and Other Boxes below).

Back To Darien Lakes State Park: Go back to Center Street and turn left to return to the center of town. At the second stoplight, turn right and  drive about 15 miles until you reach the Flying J near the thruway exit. Follow the directions to get to the park from there.

 

The Six Flags Of Six Flags

Six Flags Over Texas was the first Six Flags park in existence. The actual six flags stand for the six countries who’ve ruled, and therefore, flown their flags over Texas territory. These boxes are all in Middleport, NY. You’ll start at Rotary Park in Middleport, which is behind the Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Route 31 (actual address for the church is 133 Telegraph Road, Middleport, NY.

1.      SpainCross the little bridge to the other side of the creek and (counting the large tree in front of you) walk to the 4th tree on the left, the quadruple trunked one. Move some bark near the roots to uncover the first country that settled in the Southwest.

2.      France (LBWNY At The Movies)Cross back over and follow the creek upstream (southeast) to where the grassy path makes a sharp left turn around the nearby houses. Keep following the path up to the sign marking the Middleport Nature Trail (nope, we didn't realize it was there, either!). Walk into the woods on the path (little pale green diamonds on the trees mark the trail) and follow it up a slight incline to a multitrunked cherry tree on your left. It's marked by a stone that used to have the word "cherry" painted on it, but it's mostly worn off. In the distance, you can see Screen 2 of the Sunset Triple Drive In. Head toward the largest tree in that general direction and look under a few rocks for LBNY at the Movies and the second country to attempt to colonize Texas (albeit unsuccessfully!).

3.      Mexico (Ugly Bald Guy)— Return to the trail and follow the pale green diamonds on the trees to the first bench. Take a minute to rest on the side closest to the tree behind the bench (facing the creek), then take about 8 steps toward the creek to the tangle of undergrowth and leaves, marked by the tall stump of a sapling. Underneath some rocks you'll find an Ugly Bald Guy and the country that Texas became part of after the revolution, Mexico.

4.      Texas (Dances With Fire)—Follow the path further into the woods until you reach a spot where Gail overlooks the trail. Specifically, she's checking out the boomerang shaped piece of wood that makes another great resting spot. Don't sit here too long, or you'll get toasted by Dances With Fire (Norasta) just underneath (move the rock and extra bit of wood to get at this a little easier). And yes, after its own revolution, the Republic of Texas was its own country for about 10 years before becoming part of the US! Its current state flag was actually its country flag as well.

5.      Confederacy & United States (Homestar Runner)—There USED to be a stamp at the end of this trail called Strong Sad. It’s below the two entwined trees in the rocks below. I had trouble finding it, but no one else does, so at least head back here for that last stamp of the original series. Once you’re done, backtrack to leave the park. Make a left to head west on Route 31 (Telegraph Road) and drive until you see Kelly Road (past the flashing light). Make a right and follow this road until you see the Basket Factory in front of you. Park in the park lot on the right of the building and head toward the canal. Follow the canal to the right until you reach the cement bridge that crosses over a raging little drainage pipe below. As you approach the culvert, sit down on the edge in front of you and look down at the water. It’s a great way to pretend that you’re NOT reaching for the box wrapped tucked into the cracks in the rock right by your left foot (which contains Homestar Runner, as well as the last two countries to fly their flags over Texas)!  As before, please BE CAREFUL NOT TO PUSH THE BOX INTO THE WATER!!! :-O Note: There are now green railings to keep you from going off the bridge into the culvert, but just come up along side them instead of walking across and having to crawl under.

Getting back to the park or other box series

To Water Parks and Other Notables: Go back up Kelly Road to Route 31 (Telegraph Road) and head east (turn left). Take it all the way back into Medina and turn right onto Route 63 (near the Rite Aid). Follow this road all the way back to the Flying J at the thruway exit. Follow the stamp clues from there.

To Big Name Parks: Go back up Kelly Road to Route 31 (Telegraph Road) and head east (turn left). Take it all the way back into Medina and to Route 63 (near the Rite Aid). Follow the directions for the stamps from there.

To Record Holders: Go back up Kelly Road to Route 31 (Telegraph Road) and head west(turn right). Drive about 8 minutes until you reach Gasport Road (you’ll know you’re there when you see the Dollar General and the post office). Make a left onto Gasport Road, then drive about a quarter of a mile until you see Royalton Ravine Park on your right. Follow the directions for the stamps from there. Don’t forget to get the Woody box from Schwab’s Farm Market (see clues under Personal Travelers, Traveling Event Stamps and Other Boxes below)

Back To Darien Lakes State Park: Go back to Route 31 (Telegraph Road) and head east (turn left). Take it all the way back into Medina and to Route 63 (near the Rite Aid). Turn right and  drive about 15 miles until you reach the Flying J near the thruway exit. Follow the directions to get to the park from there.

 

Record Holders

Along with their many other accolades, every one of these parks currently holds a record with one or more of their coasters (tallest, fastest, longest, etc.) or ranks in the top 50 of favorite coasters in the world (according to the 2005 Golden Ticket Awards and the Roller Coaster Database). We don’t really have them in any particular order, but we do have some favorites! To start, begin by heading to Royalton Ravine Park for this whole series (off Gasport Road about a mile south of Route 31). Once you get there, park and walk west into the park itself on the gravel road toward the pond.

1.         Kennywood (Migration)—Once you get near the pond, enter the woods near the memorial to young Renee. From the first tree on the right, take about 20 steps. Look under the roots of the large tree on your right for Migration and America’s Favorite Traditional Theme Park (and one of two listed on the National Register of Historic Places), Kennywood.

2.        Dorney Park (Petra)—Leave the woods the way you came in and head west straight back until you reach the bench and treeline at the back of the park, (almost directly west of where you parked). Two paths enter the woods...take the one to the right of the bench. Only a few paces in will get you to twin sister trees with a red mark. Head north to the mass of upturned tree roots. Look between the pair of trees just in front of it under the bark with the rock on top for our favorite little winged one, Petra and another popular Pennsylvania amusement park, Dorney Park (famous for the coaster Steel Force).

3.        Holiday World (Family Tree)—Get back on the path (marked with red trees) and keep heading the same direction you were going until you reach a T in the path. Two fallen logs lay in front of you. Check where they meet for our Family Tree and another park claiming to be the first theme park ever, Holiday World. It also holds title as one of the cleanest and friendliest parks in the world.

4.        Valleyfair! (Seasons)—Continue to the right on the path (still marked with mostly red paint on trees) until you find the arboreal monument to SH & NN '98 a little off the path to the right. Check the roots under a large rock for some of our favorite Seasons and Valleyfair!, home of the 10th longest coaster in North America (Wild Thing).

5.        Tivoli Gardens (Mare Bear)—Continue in the direction you were heading originally on the path. At the "T", head left and curve down into the ravine using what we're liberally terming "steps"...take extra care if it's muddy! Head down into the S-curve of exposed roots and wood ties that serve as the path, keeping the ravine on your right. until you get to the bridge. Go past the bridge about 20 paces to the fallen log on the right. Check its roots to find Mare Bear and one of the oldest European amusement parks still in existence.

6.        Worlds of Fun (Good Books)—Cross the bridge and turn left. You'll cross over the fallen tree and pass a tangle of thick vines before you reach another fallen log whose roots stick out on the right side of you. Follow this log back to the tree standing upright near it. Look in the curve of the large root of this tree for Good Books and Worlds of Fun, keeper of one of the top ten longest coasters in North America (the Mamba).

7.        Knott’s Berry Farm (Meg)—Our oldest niece Meghan loves reading, so it made sense to keep her close to Good Books. Unfortunately, this is where you need to have those boots and pants you don't care about. This area is low lying, so it has some puddles and some mud (but let's face it, you're a letterboxer and you LIVE for this stuff!). The path is a little obscured here because of the leaves and puddles, but try to follow the faint tire ruts on the ground to the west, keeping the water to your left. We've also marked a few trees with the letters "LB" so you'll know you're going the right way. At some point, you'll see these tire ruts heading uphill and you should follow. You'll know you're in the right place when you start to see pale blue marks on the trees to your left. Head uphill to the 3rd blue tree (larger than the first blue trees), which has a twin just behind it about the same size. Look between these two for Meg and one of the first theme parks in the United States, Knott’s Berry Farm (which really DID start off as a berry farm!). Its Xcelerator also ties with Kennywood’s Phantom’s Revenge for the 6th fastest coaster in North America.

8.        Kings Island (Beeler)—Climb to the top of the hill to find a tree with a base wider than its trunk on the left. Put your back to it, then head 300 degrees for 16 paces to the fallen log. Check under it closer to the roots for our middle niece (and synchronized swimming champ), the Beeler, as well as Kings Island, the park that has the longest wooden rollercoaster in the world (Son of Beast, which also has the only steel loop in a wooden coaster).

9.        Six Flags (Good Friends)—Keep heading up the path and maneuver around the first of a few large puddles. Just past this puddle on the left is a tree with the letters "FORME" spray painted on the trunk. With this tree at your back, look west (270 degrees) for triplets of the same variety of tree. They almost form a little chair and right in the seat is where you'll find Friends and the amusement park company that trades off with Cedar Point for the most and best coaster rides, the infamous Six Flags.

10.    Cedar Point (Hot Baths)—Continue on the path, which should get a little rocky after a while. Once it does, the path splits very slightly to curve to the left. As you go around, step off the path about 3 paces from the middle of the curve to see the ravine below. For a cold bath, jump down into the ravine, but for Hot Baths, look under the mossy flat rock by 3 saplings bunched together. You’ll also find the park that is constantly ranked first or second in the world in coaster height, speed, length and even number of coasters in the park (oh, and the Sprite’s FAVORITE roller coaster capital!), Cedar Point.

 Getting back to the park or other box series

To Water Parks and Other Notables: Get back on Gasport Road and head south (turn right from the park). Take it all the way up to Route 77, which is the first and only stoplight in this direction. Turn left and follow this road until you reach the flashing stoplight at the Alabama Hotel and IGA. Turn right and follow this road all the way back to the Flying J at the thruway exit. Follow the stamp clues from there. If you’ve got a good sense of direction, you could actually begin with the clues for boxes #10-11 once you get onto Route 77, then move on to #5-9 by continuing down Route 77 past the flashing red light near the Alabama Hotel & the IGA. At the end, rather than going to boxes 9 # 10, you could hit #1-4 in reverse. If you’re no good at that sort of thing, stick with the long way!

To Big Name Parks: Get back onto Gasport Road and head north (turn left). At the stoplight, head east on Route 31 (Telegraph Road) (turn right). Take it all the way back into Middleport (the second flashing light you come to) Follow the directions for the stamps from there. Don’t forget to get the Woody box from Schwab’s Farm Market (see clues under Personal Travelers, Traveling Event Stamps and Other Boxes below)

To The Six Flags Of Six Flags: Get back onto Gasport Road and head north (turn left). At the stoplight, head east on Route 31 (Telegraph Road) (turn right). Take it all the way back into Medina and to Route 63 (near the Rite Aid). Follow the directions for the stamps from there. Don’t forget to get the Woody box from Schwab’s Farm Market (see clues under Personal Travelers, Traveling Event Stamps and Other Boxes below)

Back To Darien Lakes State Park: Get back on Gasport Road and head south (turn right from the park). Take it all the way up to Route 77, which is the first and only stoplight in this direction. Turn left and follow this road until you reach the flashing stoplight at the Alabama Hotel and IGA. Turn right and follow this road all the way back to the Flying J at the thruway exit. Follow the directions to get to the park from there.

 

Personal Travelers, Traveling Event Stamps & Other Boxes

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 one of ours (the Sprite & the Highlander), you only have to find one of us and say “You DO know what Sprite is made of, don’t you?”!

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 and more will be announced as they arrive!

Year Round Local Boxes:  Since many of the boxes you’ll be finding this year are just stamps placed in our local permanent boxes, I’ve decided not to list them all over again, except one that’s been placed permanently as part of the gathering. However, be sure to check Atlas Quest or LBNA for any boxes we AREN’T planting in!

Woody: Between the Six Flags boxes and the Record Holders is Schwab’s Farm Market. To find this one, locate the Schwab's Farm Market on Route 31, also knowns as Rochester Road. It's between Royalton Center Road and the bend in the road where Telegraph Road joins in. Head inside the store and enjoy the heady aroma of bread and pastries baking before staggering blindly to the left corner of the store where all the crafts are. Check inside the wooden crate with the Beanie Bears and look underneath one for Woody! The owners of this store have graciously allowed us to leave this box here as long as we like, so please be kind. You can stamp in while inside, but don't camp out in the corner. And, heck, grab a bite to eat while you're there...who could pass on brownie filled chocolate chip cookies!!!!

Mystery Boxes: Check Western NY region on the LBNA site or New York Mystery boxes at AQ for these! Remember, this is only a list of the New York mystery boxes, not where they are IN New York.

 

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