Mercer Monarch 2 Letterbox

Monarch Butterfly

Placed By: Silver Eagle
Date: 04/25/09
Nearest Town: Spring, TX
County: Harris
Terrain Difficulty: Easy (flat, .5 mile RT)
Status: alive (05/08/09)

With a wingspan up to 4 3/4 inches, Monarch butterflies are among the largest and most beautiful butterflies in North America and can be found anywhere milkweed plants grow. The Monarch is also one of the longest migrating creatures on Earth. Beginning in August, millions of eastern monarchs (those living from the Rockies to the Atlantic Ocean) migrate from their summer feeding and mating grounds to Mexico, where they spend the winter before returning to the United States in late February and March to begin the cycle of life again. Many monarchs fly through Texas on their way to and from Mexico and a good place to see them is at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. It has over 250 acres of East Texas piney woods showcasing the region's largest collection of native and cultivated plants, along with this letterbox. Mercer is open seven days a week and is free. This stamp and location is different than the first monarch that went missing, so is considered a new find.

Directions:

Mercer is 22 miles north of downtown Houston near Bush Intercontinental Airport. From I45 north, exit FM 1960 and turn east, then at Aldine Westfield Road, turn left (north). At the second traffic light (1.25 miles), turn right and park near the Visitor Center for the Botanical Gardens.

Clues:

Go to the visitor center to get a map and then walk around to enjoy seeing the flowers and butterflies. When you are ready to look for the letterbox, walk to the North Garden trailhead behind the Day lily garden and go to the Lily pond. Walk on the left side of the pond with the bamboo on your left. Near the end of the pond, continue on the main gravel trail as it crosses cement with rocks in it and then bends to the left. When you get to the trail jct with a sign, go right on the Primitive Loop/Little Cypress Trail and walk about 23 steps. Turn right and go 8 steps off trail to a 3 foot stump. The letterbox is within under leaves and a rock. Please re-cover well and be discreet.

NOTE: Always take adequate precautions (such as prodding with a stick and/or wearing gloves) before reaching into dark crevasses and holes in the wild. Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

Return to Silver Eagle's Texas Letterboxes Page

Return to Silver Eagle's Letterboxing Aerie

Last updated on 05/09/2009

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1