May Day Derby

At one of Muskegon County’s neighborhood parks you will find the remains of an old soap box derby racing strip back in the woods. This track is no longer used but many of the local children delight in hearing stories from their parents about racing their homemade wooden cars down the asphalt strip in the trees.

This year, five children who live nearby (two girls named Genna and Taylor, and three boys named Austin, Landen and Ben) decided that they would hold a soap box derby race on May 1st. The May Day Derby, as they called it, was to be a little different from a traditional soap box derby in that the children themselves would not be driving their cars, rather after building their cars, each of which were marked with a different number (2, 7, 12, 17, 22), they brought them to the top of Derby Hill, strapped in their dogs (Gus, Cooper, Buddy, Ralphie and Dora), with helmets of course, and sent them whizzing off down the hill while the children stood nearby cheering.

Using the clues below, determine the order (first through fifth) in which each car finished the race, the number and canine driver of each car, as well and the first and last names (Northouse, Eastman, Westveld, Westgate and Southerly) of each car owner. Then use the information from the completed puzzle to help you find the letterbox.

Puzzles Clues…

1. The car belonging to the Southerly boy finished fifth; he doesn’t own car number 22, which belongs to either Austin or Landen.
2. The number on the car owned by the Eastman child is five more than the number on Austin Westgate’s car and five fewer than the number on the car driven by Buddy.
3. The two girls are the Northouse child (whose driver is not Buddy) and the one whose driver is Ralphie (who isn’t driving car number 7 or 17).
4. Gus did not drive car number 7; car number 2 did not win the race.
5. The car driven by Dora finished immediately ahead of the car owned by the Eastman child, who finished immediately ahead of the car owned by Landen.
6. At least two cars owned by boys finished consecutively; Ralphie is not Genna’s dog.

Finding the Letterbox…

Once you have solved the puzzle, use the following clues to make your way to the letterbox:

1. Begin at the top of Derby Hill and follow the track to the end of the blacktop.
2. Follow the trail at [car # of the 4th place finisher] squared + [product of the finishing positions of the cars belonging to the two girls].
3. Proceed [sum of Taylor’s car # and Austin’s car #] paces to an intersection of trails.
4. Follow the trail that heads [direction found in Genna’s last name].
5. Come upon a very large [finishing position of the car owned by the Northouse child]-trunked tree on your right.
6. From this tree, proceed [Landen’s car #] paces and stop between the ends of 2 cut logs.
7. See a naked tree standing at [product of the car #’s driven by Gus and Ralphie] - [# of the car driven by Cooper] degrees.
8. From this tree, proceed [product of the finishing positions of all car numbers ending in 2] paces at [sum of the car #’s belonging to Genna and Ben] multiplied by [product of the finishing positions of the cars driven by Dora and Buddy] degrees.
9. Find the box tucked under the end of a hollow fallen log.

Punkin’ Patch Kids Series

This 9-box series was originally planted for the 2006 MI Fall Gathering. Yankee Springs Recreation Area was once the hunting grounds of the Algonquin Indians and the famous Chieftain, Chief Noonday. The site was established in 1835 and the village was made famous by Yankee Bill Lewis who owned and operated a hotel along the stagecoach run from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids. The rugged terrain, the bogs and marshes, the lakes and streams, and the unique beauty of the park’s 5,200 acres lend itself to many forms of recreation.

Three special points of interest in the park are: Devil’s Soupbowl, a glacially carved kettle formation, Graves Hill Overlook and The Pines, accessible from the extensive 30 mile hiking trail system.

Getting There…

The main entrance to Yankee Springs is located off Chief Noonday Road (M-179), about 7 miles off U.S. 131 between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Exit U.S. 131 at M-179 (exit 61 - Bradley/Hopkins); follow M-179 east for 7 miles to Briggs Road. Entrance is about 3/4 mile south on Briggs Road. A Michigan State Parks vehicle sticker is required. A park map is highly recommended and can be downloaded here.

Clues…

If you look at a map of the Yankee Springs Rec Area, you will find a small lake along the northern edge called MacDonald Lake. At one time Sirus MacDonald, an old Yankee farmer, laid claim to the property across the entire area as a part of his farm. Now, we all know that there are cows and pigs and chickens down on Old MacDonald’s farm, but for years he also maintained a huge pumpkin patch in the area to the north of Long Lake. Much of the land is now overgrown with pine and deciduous forest, but if you search carefully, a few remaining traces of the pumpkin patch can be found. You see, pumpkins reseed themselves and one year as the pumpkins were carved with fancy designs for Halloween, the seeds were thrown back into the field, and the next spring, little sprouts came up. These little sprouts, known as the Punkin’ Patch Kids, have made themselves at home in hollows and crannies in the forest and delight in spooking hikers along the Long Lake Trail.

There are 9 Punkin’ Patch Kids to be found… Begin your quest at the trailhead along Briggs Road just north of the Gun Lake Unit entrance. Clues are given in linear fashion, meaning each one picks up where the last one left off. You will walk the entire length of the Long Lake Trail and small sections of adjoining trails.

To Box #1…

Shortly after setting off on the trail, you will pass the rustic camping area. Explore if you must, but none of the Punkin’ Patch Kids are hiding here. As you continue on the trail, you will come to a place where a long fallen log hangs out partially onto the path. Stop here and take a bearing of 135 degrees to see a tall leaner through the trees. In a hollow between the toes of the leaner, hides KITTY FACE.

To Box #2…

Continuing along the trail, you will see an odd-looking arched tree ahead where the trail turns to head at 130 degrees. Stop for a minute to examine this perfectly arched tree. Standing at the root end, take a bearing of 345 degrees. There you will find BAT EYES hiding behind a piece of bark in the hollow of a decaying stump.

To Box #3…

Continue along now, carefully walking the planks. When you are once again on terra firma, stay your course (you didn’t want to climb that hill anyway, did you?) and Long Lake will soon come into view through the trees to your right. This is as close as you will get to the lake, so if you must see, detour down a side-path if you wish and return to the main trail when you are finished. Eventually you will cross a small wooden footbridge and then head gradually uphill. Upon reaching the wooden trail post, you will do right to remain true to blue. At the next wooden trail post, again remain true to blue, even though it may not be the right choice this time. 40 paces beyond the next colored trail marker, see the butt end of a stump hoisted in the air between two legs which are lying on the ground. Follow the easternmost leg to the place where it meets a cross-over log and slightly lifts off the ground. Here you will find TOOTH hiding beneath some pieces of wood.

To Box #4…

As you proceed onward along the trail, you will come upon a naked monstrous tree with a split belly lying to the right of the trail. At the next colored trail marker, another large fallen tree lies to your right. Take a minute to poke around the debris and find FANG hiding in the shallow hollow of a broken off arm.

To Box #5…

Back on the path, watch to your right for the decaying stone foundation of one of old MacDonald’s farm buildings. Soon the trail enters a meadowy area and the path becomes sandy. At the next colored trail marker, find a large octopus tree on your left. Sidetrack down L, inhaling the spicy pine scent. Eighty paces in, notice the humungous multi-trunk pines on your left. Straight ahead the trail splits at an area of low-growing pines. 240 degrees from the yellow arrow, spot a 4-trunk (or is it 5 trunks?) pine with straight, tall, closely spaced legs. In the belly of this tree, find CRAZED enjoying the calm of the pine forest.

To Box #6…

Head back out to the main trail where the octopus tree stands across from the colored trail marker and continue on your way. Climb a small hill and as the path levels out, enjoy the soft carpet of pine needles underfoot. Check out that big pine with the low serpent-branch on your right. 80 degrees from the trunk of this tree, find CASPER hiding in the hollow of a fallen tree.

To Box #7…

Continuing on, follow the trail down and out of the pines. Be careful of the rocks underfoot as you head uphill and to the right. At the next wooden trail marker, it appears your trail has ended… proceed just ahead to another wooden marker to see if you can find it there. Hmmm, not there either. Follow LE ahead and up root steps. Oh look, it is still your trail! As you proceed ahead toward the orange, beware of poison ivy along both sides of the path. Pass through both oranges and continue straight ahead on the path. At the top of a hill, two large rocks lie in your path. From here 35 paces brings you to an incredibly huge tree that starts as a 4-trunker and multiplies on the way up. Again pass through orange and straight ahead on the path. Here your trail ends. Turn to the right, where the trail follows the road for a little while, then turns away. Soon you will come across a 3-ft. round wooden post on your left and just up ahead a trail marker identifies your new trail. At the next colored trail marker, which stands near an intersection, take a bearing of 320 degrees and proceed 40 paces to find REX hiding at the “X”.

To Box #8…

Back at the trail, turn around and head back the way you came. Pass the “T” with your original trail and proceed straight ahead. Just past the 2nd wooden trail marker, the path turns sharply to the right as it enters an area of many fallen trees. As you leave this area of debris, the path takes a hairpin turn to the left and heads uphill. When you reach the next colored trail marker, turn around and come back 100 paces. Find a rock with a flat top off the trail to your left. Hiding under the back edge of this rock, find FRAIDY.

To Box #9…

Continue retracing your steps back to the “T” with your original trail and follow it across the road and through the orange. Enjoy the walk back, knowing there is only one more Punkin’ Patch Kid waiting for you; he is hiding right along the path you came on! After passing through the meadow area, begin counting the colored trail markers, starting with the one by the large fallen tree where you found Fang. After the third colored marker, watch for the next wooden marker. Due north from here, “X” marks the spot (no pun in tended) where you will find FRECKLES hiding under the logs.

Continue retracing your steps back to the trailhead at Briggs Road.

Helios Series

This 7-box series at Muskegon State Park was originally planted for the Lazy Days of Summer Mini-Gathering held in July 2005. I had originally intended to move the boxes to other locations after the event, but never found a better place so have decided to leave them where they are. The clues have been until now available only WOM and they have been found by several area letterboxers, but since the boxes are not being moved, I’ve decided to list them so they can be enjoyed by all.

The section of trail that you will need to hike to collect these boxes is approximately 2 miles one way. Although the trail is well-marked, it is rough in places – a narrow, rutted, rooted footpath with several hills, a couple of them quite steep. Once you have finished the series, you will need to backtrack, or find an alternate trail, to get back to your vehicle. It is highly recommended that you obtain a park map to aid you in this series.

Getting There…

Follow Memorial Drive west toward Muskegon State Park. About a mile before Memorial Drive ends at Lake Michigan, you will come to a large Muskegon State Park sign on the right side of the road. The entrance to Snug Harbor is across from this. Enter the park and go to your right toward the picnic shelter.

Clues…

The boxes have been placed in a linear fashion as you make your way from Snug Harbor to the Blockhouse. After crossing Memorial Drive, your strategy will be to follow the letters found on the trail markers up the alphabet, unless instructed to do otherwise.

Ancient Sun…

As you leave Snug Harbor and cross Memorial Drive, be a hearty hiker and head up the hill through an area of woodland debris. Watch your step as the trail levels off – don’t trip on that stump-knot! A short distance after you step across, stop at the tree with the blown-out belly. At 25 degrees find the Ancient Sun within the sinewy shreds of a broken tree.

Spiral Sun…

As you continue along the trail, watch for a tall straight pole which looks unmistakably like a utility pole. What it is doing out here is anybody’s guess. Alas, it is not a lone phenomenon; there are others. When you reach the second utility pole on your right, stop for a closer look. Then sight 35 degrees and find the Spiral Sun hiding in a broken tree.

Native Sun…

Your assigned strategy becomes doubly important when you reach the place of choosing and soon you are on your way again along a very pretty section of trail – one of my favorites. I know, you are looking around and seeing all kinds of hollow stumps and logs (this place is a letterboxer’s dream), wondering why I didn’t just use these places instead of pushing you further up the trail. But stay with me here… we are going somewhere. Heed the warning at the next signpost and stay your course. When you reach the lettered post by heading up and left, again recall your assigned strategy. Eventually you will come to a large sandy area. In the sand sits a stump resembling a clenched fist, with a lone finger pointing upward. 150 degrees from the finger, find a holey tree. The Native Sun hides down low.

Terra Cotta Sun…

Continue on toward the next letter. As the trail skirts the edge of another large sandy area, you will be treated to a glimpse of Lake Michigan through the trees in the west. Oh, an intersection – “G” which way? No cheating! At the next trail post, sight 305 degrees to a hollow log and find the Terra-Cotta Sun (good thing you followed your strategy and didn’t try to take a short-cut or you would have missed this beauty!).

Carefree Sun…

Upon reaching the next letter (Finally), divert from your strategy and head to “X” to view the lake. Follow the trail a short distance to your right to the place where sticks and logs and other forest debris lay on both sides of you. On your right lies a large fallen tree… follow this tree back up to the trail you came down on. Go there. Now follow this log down a few steps to the place where 2 trees stand beside it. Find the Carefree Sun tucked under the log between these two trees.

Aztec Sun…

Head back up to the main trail and resume your strategy. As you make your way toward the next letter, come to a clearing where a dead tree stump stands besides its fallen limbs. 130 degrees from here, the Aztec Sun hides in the eye of the needle.

Mosaic Sun…

Continuing on your way, you will come to a large sandy area with several trails heading in various directions. There, across the sandy area is your final letter. Look straight ahead to find the continuation of your trail heading west and don’t be tempted by imposter pathways. 100 paces past the sandy area, roots snake across the path as a trail breaks off to your right. Follow this pathway down into a leaf-filled gulley. Where the trail splits and heads up to the Blockhouse parking area, jog left and find a small cut log laying off to your left. It may not appear hollow from the trail, but check again to find the Mosaic Sun.

Flyin’ Down the Highway

 
This letterbox was placed as a part of the I-94 Traffic Crawl letterbox series. This series was started to populate the I-94 corridor between Billings, MT and Port Huron, MI with letterboxes suitable for travelers. For more information and a complete listing of the boxes in this series or if you are interested in planting a box, join us at the Freewayletterboxing Yahoo! Group.

My Letterboxes in this Series…

• Welcome to Michigan!
• Miles From Our Home
• Flyin’ Down the Highway

Getting There…

This box is planted at Grand Mere State Park, which is reached via I-94 exit 22. It is approximately 1 mile from the exit to the park entrance.

Clues…

50 degrees from the quintessential quercus alba, follow the sandy path, opting for the straight-way when forced to decide. 15 paces. 315 degrees. Hollow stump.

Miles From Our Home

 
This letterbox was placed as a part of the I-94 Traffic Crawl letterbox series. This series was started to populate the I-94 corridor between Billings, MT and Port Huron, MI with letterboxes suitable for travelers. For more information and a complete listing of the boxes in this series or if you are interested in planting a box, join us at the Freewayletterboxing Yahoo! Group.

My Letterboxes in this Series…

• Welcome to Michigan!
• Miles From Our Home
• Flyin’ Down the Highway

Background…

This box was planted on our way home from a trip we took to Chicago to see one of our favorite bands, the Cowboy Junkies. The box name is a song title by the Junkies, which we found fitting as we were traveling “miles from our home” when we planted this letterbox.

No one in sight for fifty miles,
Sleeping fields sigh as I glide across their spines.
If I can just reach the crest of that hill,
This whole day will tumble, out the night will spill.

The moon hangs like a question mark,
Pale as milk, bold as a promise.
When will you share these sights with us?
When will we hold you in our arms?

Getting There…

This box is planted at Warren Woods State Park, which is reached via I-94 exit 6. It is approximately 2.5 miles from the exit to the park entrance.

Clues…

From the back of the loop, walk the dirt road at 20 degrees, keeping an eye for a shaggy-barked tree standing at the right edge of the road. Red Pollard says it is a duo, but from where he stands, the Stilt insists it is a triple… guess it just depends on your perspective. Fifty paces further along, change course and follow the small footpath to your right. At the “T”, brave the unknown and continue toward the ravine, but only until you are about to stumble across the fallen Wilt. Find Red laying sidekick over the hiding crevice.