Kumbaya

Planted By Doodle & Deedle Bug
State:  Ohio
County:  Cuyahoga
Nearest City:  Strongsville
Number of Boxes:  1
Planted on 9/6/2004; Replanted on 9/2/2006
Status:  Active - Last Confirmed 7/1/2007

While growing up, Doodle spent several summers, along with her mother and brother, volunteering at an area day camp.  Two camps were held each summer, each a week long.  During their last few years of volunteering, the second camp was held at Bonnie Park in Strongsville.  A campfire was held in the evening on the last night of camp.  Families came to the park to picnic with their campers, the volunteer staff would have a potluck dinner of their own, and then everyone convened for the campfire, where the campers performed skits and songs.  Linda, the head of the day camp program, had a tradition that was carried out at the end of every campfire.  After all the skits were performed and songs sung, everyone would stand, hold hands in a circle, and sing Kumbaya before parting ways.

Alas, all good things come to an end, and the last year that Doodle's family would volunteer at the day camps had arrived.  On the last day of camp at Bonnie Park that year, it rained.  It rained so much that a flood warning for the Rocky River, which flows through Bonnie Park, was issued, and the Rangers came to evacuate the park.  Since this happened during the afternoon, the volunteer staff stayed at the park until all the campers had been picked up by their parents.  Once all the campers were gone and the staff was readying to leave, Doodle made the comment, "Are we going to sing Kumbaya before we go?"  Linda replied, "Yes we are," and all the staff that was still there stood in a circle outside the pavilion, holding hands and singing Kumbaya one last time.

This letterbox is placed in memory of those day camp days, but also to remind letterboxers throughout the land to enjoy our hobby, not to fight and flame but to sing together and hold hands (or at least play nice).

Clues:

To get to Bonnie Park, take I-71 to the Pearl Road (Route 42) exit.  Head south on Pearl until you reach the Mill Stream Run Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks.  Turn left onto Valley Parkway and follow the signs to get to Bonnie Park. 

Park and walk towards the pavilion.  The area on the south side of the pavilion is where the campfires took place and we'd sing Kumbaya.  Head towards the river to learn about Sugar Maple Trees, and then south to learn about the Black Locust.

Continue walking upstream until you find the 12" fish.  From the fish, walk towards the leaning tree at 180°.  To the east you'll see a pond.  Walk around the north side of the pond towards the sign that describes ponds (watch out for the geese!).  From this sign, walk at 180° to the edge of the woods, where you'll see a narrow path.

Take 30 paces down this path.  On the right you'll see the table where the squirrels play poker.  Hidden in its legs is the jackpot.  *** Warning:  We've been told the "table" is now in a bed of poison ivy, but haven't yet confirmed this.  Please tread carefully. ***

Our Fine Print:  Please be kind, be sure to re-hide (well) in the same location you found the box, with everything in tact!  If this letterbox requires maintenance or needs our attention, or if you want to get together to exchange stamps and sing Kumbaya with us, we can be reached at doodle_n_deedle @ yahoo.com.

IMPORTANT!  Before you begin any letterboxing regiment you must first read and accept the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer located at the Letterboxing North America website!
 

Take me back!