The towns of Randolph and Braintree are situated in the center of Vermont.
Randolph has roughly 5,000 habitants, about half of whom live in Randolph
village. Braintree has about 1,000 inhabitants, with no real population
center.
The major access route is I-89. Take Exit 4 and turn downhill (west)
on VT Route 66. It is two miles from the exit to the village.
BRAINTREE PANTHER LETTERBOX, BRAINTREE, VT, USA "What immortal hand or eye
Hider: Tom
Cooch
The Braintree Hill Meetinghouse was once a Congregational Church for the hillfolk. It is currently used used for school presentations, weddings, and for Braintree's annual "Old Home Day." The Braintree Historical Society maintains a museum in the basement of the Meetinghouse. The Braintree Panther had not been seen for many a year until 1991, when local sculptor Jim Sardonis graced Braintree Hill with its image. Since that time, sightings of tracks, and of the beast itself, have become more and more frequent, though tinged with controversy. Be observant, and be wary. DIRECTIONS From the village of Randolph, drive north on Route 12A. After 0.9 miles, turn right onto the Braintree Hill Road. Continue on to the Meetinghouse (2.8 miles from 12A). CLUES To stalk the wild panther, start at the statue and follow its tracks due north to the post of pride. From there its scat will lead you 70 degrees to the seat of ease. Thence the spoor leads 190 degrees to the bed of repose. NOTES Jim Sardonis is also the creator of the Whales Tails sculpture in South Burlington. All bearings are magnetic. Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer. This letterbox is #3 placed by The Orient Express. ROLLING ROCK LETTERBOX, BRAINTREE, VT, USA "Their name, their years, spelt by th'
unletter'd muse
Hider: Tom Cooch
Rolling Rock is listed as the first of Braintree's "curiosities" in the town history published in 1883. It has a circumference of 49 feet and weighs upwards of 50 tons. At one time it was so perfectly poised that it could be rocked by hand. The surrounding land was purchased in the 1950's by the Randolph Fish and Game Club. Rolling Rock now commemorates the little-known Battles of Braintree. DIRECTIONS From the village of Randolph, drive north on Route 12A. After 0.9 miles, turn right onto the Braintree Hill Road. At the top of Braintree Hill there are many fine views of the Green and White Mountains. Turn left at the Meetinghouse (2.8 miles from 12A) and proceed another 0.7 miles to Rolling Rock Road. From there it is 0.4 miles to the site entrance on your left. The last hundred yards of driving are quite rough, and drivers of low-slung cars may choose to park and walk. CLUES Get two bearings at the plot:
NOTES All bearings are magnetic. Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer. This letterbox is #1 placed by The Orient Express. MUD POND LETTERBOX, BRAINTREE, VT, USA "The lark's on the wing; the snail's on
the thorn;
Hider: Tom
Cooch
Mud Pond encompasses 5 to 6 acres and is the only natural pond in Braintree. Its isolation makes it a favorite locale of both trekkers and wildlife. Moose, beaver, ducks, and great blue herons may often be seen by those who approach quietly. A portion of the pond was purchased by the Vermont Nature Conservancy in 1994. DIRECTIONS From the village of Randolph, drive north on Route 12A. After 0.9 miles, turn right onto the Braintree Hill Road. At the top of Braintree Hill there are many fine views of the Green and White Mountains. Turn left at the Meetinghouse (2.8 miles from 12A) and proceed another 0.7 miles to Rolling Rock Road. From there it is 0.4 miles to the site of Rolling Rock Park (wherein another letterbox reposes.) The driving from this point on is quite rough, and those who do not have backcountry vehicles should park and walk. The pond is approximately ten minutes by foot from the entrance to the park. Continue eastwards down Rolling Rock Road to a small bridge, which passes over the outflow from Mud Pond and the beginning of Spear Brook. A few hundred feet beyond the bridge is a small cove, frequently a gathering point for picnickers. CLUES Take a bearing from the cove of 285 degrees, as the wood duck flies. Home in on this target. Thence take a bearing of 72 degrees, as the beaver paddles. Back on the eastern shore, lodge yourself by the dead stump and view both sites through the split spruce. Turn south and take a bearing of 185 degrees. Proceed 15 paces, as the moose plods. Five feet to the left, where the chipmunk burrows, you may retrieve the stash. NOTES Letterboxers should be prepared for some bushwacking and muddy trails. All bearings are magnetic. Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer. This letterbox is #2 placed by The Orient Express. SPEARS DAM LETTERBOX, BRAINTREE, VT, USA Hider: Jake Jacobs
Spears Dam was built by Nathaniel Spear sometime around 1793. It was originally built to run a saw mill. Nathaniel Spear was quite a businessman; he also had a cider mill on this same brook. DIRECTIONS From the village of Randolph, drive north on Route 12. After 0.9 miles, turn left onto the Peth Road. Continue on 1.8 miles, bearing left at the fork with the Brainstorm Road. Park in the pull-off between the two green houses. If you are coming from the top of Braintree Hill, where the Braintree Panther Letterbox is hidden, you should bear right at the Meetinghouse down a steep hill. Turn right onto the Peth Road at the bottom of the hill and continue on 0.3 miles to the pull-off on your right. CLUES Head south down the embankment over the barbed-wire fence.
NOTES All bearings are magnetic. Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.
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