The Sprite's Friends

Medina Water Sprite (record your find)

Placed on 8/30/04 in Medina, NY (Orleans County)

The Village of Medina is one of the beautiful canal towns of upstate New York and the adopted home of the Sprite & the Highlander. With its little main street and its beautiful old homes right in the middle of the surrounding farmland, it's the perfect place for us both! Lately, a massive effort has been made to renovate the canal in order to keep up with the new towpath bike trail park along the length of the canal. That's where you'll find this little sprite hiding!

From the NYS Thruway, take the Medina/Pembroke exit #48A. Head north on Route 63 through Indian Creek, Alabama, the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge and Shelby all the way through Medina's town center. The road wraps and winds, so make sure you stay on Main Street/Route 63! Pass the first bridge and head around the corner to the second bridge, which is a lift bridge. Cross over the canal and turn left to park next to the pilot house.Head west a good 160 paces up the bike path. Across the canal will be a street and some housing. Look for a two story house with a cement chimney. Put this chimney directly at your back (south), which should put a tall tree that hangs a bit over the path at your front (north). Our little sprite is hiding under a rock at the edge of the foliage, where no one will see her.

Culvert Earth Sprite (record your find)

Placed on 8/31/04 near Medina, NY (Orleans County)
The second in our sprite series of letterboxes. Like her sister the water sprite, this little one is near the canal, but since she's quite near a tunnel, we knew she must be an earth sprite! ;-)

From the NYS Thruway, take the Medina/Pembroke exit #48A. Head north on Route 63 through Indian Creek, Alabama, the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge and Shelby into Medina's town center. The road wraps and winds, so make sure you stay on Main Street/Route 63! Make a right onto Center Street (Route 31, NOT 31A) and head east out of Medina for a few miles. Culvert Road is a left turn off this road. Drive a few tenths of a mile and the tunnel will come into view.

To find the sprite: Head toward the tunnel, but do NOT go through. Take the gravel path on the left just before the tunnel and follow that up to park by the canal. Head east on the path, going past 3 telephone poles on your right. Take note of the 2 digit number on the post just over the road below. Subtract 50 from that number and take that many steps past the 3rd telephone pole. Turn and face the canal, then walk to the water's edge. Our little sprite is hiding under a flat rock at the edge of the water, where no one will see her.

Lockport Air Sprite (record your find)

Placed on 9/1/04 in Lockport, NY (Niagara County)
The third of our sprite series (which really ought to be a canal series by now)! This box was stolen and will not be replaced.

Woodland Flower Sprite (record your find)

Placed on 9/19/04 near Oakfield, NY (Genesee County)
Head out toward Oakfield, New York out to the Oak Orchard State Wildlife Management Area using Albion Road. You'll see a large wood and metal open air observation tower on your left (if you're heading north) or right (if you're heading south). Stop and park in the gravel circle.

In the middle of this circle is a vine covered group of trees. Circle around them until you can see the low stone wall within this little green shelter. Hiding under rocks at the southern end of the wall is our little sprite. Um...she's not REALLY next to any woods, but the Highlander swears there's flowers there in the spring, so he's the one to complain to if you don't get the full effect! (Aw, who'm I kidding...it's a THEME I like!)

While you're there, why not try bagging the Oak Orchard Black Duck? If you stop by the sprite first, you can carry her and the duck up to the top of the observation tower and get a WONDERFUL view of the refuge.

The Highlander's Favorite Fowl

Iroquois Goose (record your find)

Placed on 9/4/04 near Alabama, NY (Genesee County)
The first of the Highlander series! The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is part of US Fish & Wildlife Service federal refuge system. Of course, you can go find the goose anytime of the year you wish but we highly recommend early April...especially at sunrise or sunset. This is when the waterfowl migration is at its peak. It's truly breathtaking as the skies are constantly swirling with wave after wave of geese and ducks making their way up north to their nesting grounds. It's important to remember that all areas of the refuge are closed to the public after dark...even the overlook.

To get to the refuge:From the NYS Thruway, take the Medina/Pembroke exit #48A. Head north on Route 63 through Indian Creek & into Alabama (the only stoplight on this road). Turn left onto Route 77 and head west for about 2 or 3 miles. The Cayuga Overlook will show up on your right.

To find the goose:Find the "saddest" tree you can find. The goose is nesting right in the lowest crotch of the tree. Please be sure to be discreet in acquiring and replacing our goose. Especially, if you go in the spring during peak migration as there will be many birdwatchers at this overlook at that time. Also, you will have to step up on the tree a bit to get to the goose...we stood on a large knot that sticks out right at knee level to place it. Watch your step!

Tonawanda Widgeon (record your find)

Placed on 9/6/04 near Alabama, NY (Genesee County)
The second of the Highlander series! The Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area is state land right next to federal land (Iroquois Nat'l Wildlife Refuge). Of course, you can go find the widgeon anytime of the year you wish but we highly recommend early April...especially at sunrise or sunset. This is when the waterfowl migration is at its peak. It's truly breathtaking as the skies are constantly swirling with wave after wave of geese and ducks making their way up north to their nesting grounds.

NOTE: All areas of the refuge are closed to the public after dark.

To get to the refuge:
From the NYS Thruway, take the Medina/Pembroke exit #48A. Head north on Route 63 through Indian Creek & into Alabama (the only stoplight on this road). Turn left onto Route 77 and head west for about 2 or 3 miles. Head PAST the Cayuga Overlook to where Meadville Road (heads south) and Salt Road (heads north) intersect.

To find the widgeon:
Turn left down Meadville Road. Head down this road for 1.2 miles toward the woods and 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.

The widgeon is pretty secure, but as usual, please be sure to be discreet in acquiring and replacing it. Lots of birdwatchers hang around during peak migration and hunters like to scope out the land as well. Also, you will have to go a little ways into the underbrush for this box...wear some mosquito repellant and long pants!

Oak Orchard Black Duck (record your find)

Placed on 9/19/04 near Oakfield, NY (Genesee County)
Head out toward Oakfield, New York out to the Oak Orchard State Wildlife Management Area using Albion Road. You'll see a large wood and metal open air observation tower on your left (if you're heading north) or right (if you're heading south). Stop and park in the gravel circle. Head for the observation tower. Climb up to the 4th landing and check the metal crossbeams that support the tower right in front of you (by the way, we picked up this particular style of letterbox from the prolific and amazingly crafty Elba Onions!)

Note: We recommend letting the Woodland Flower Sprite welcome you before bagging the duck...if you get her first, you can carry her and the duck up to the top of the observation tower and get a WONDERFUL view of the refuge.

Niagara River Canvasback (record your find)

Note: This box is currently listed as missing! We haven’t been able to search personally, but have had several folks not find it…search at your own risk!

Placed on 1/9/05 near Grand Island, NY (Erie County)
Head out to Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island in New York. Take the park roads and turn right at picnic areas 4 & 5 near the sledding hill. Park once you cross the bridge. To your right are two picnic tables near the water’s edge. The furthest one is hidden by some undergrowth, which you’ll need to go to the left of through a little open area to get to. Even further to the left of this space is the largest tree in the area, also surrounded by some undergrowth. Check the rock at the foot of this tree for our duck.

Note: Don’t leave before stopping for the second tune in our Life Lessons From the Jukebox Series, Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)!

Oak Orchard Creek Wood Duck (record your find)

Placed on 1/9/05 near Alabama, NY (Genesee County)
To find this duck, head out to the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge off Route 63, a good 6 miles north of the NYS Thruway. After passing the flashing light in Alabama, start looking for Roberts Road on your right. Turn right on Roberts and head to Sour Springs Road. Turn left on Sour Springs and follow the road out to Oak Orchard Creek, which flows under the first bridge you come to. Check the quadruple trunked tree on the left just over the bridge for our wood duck, but stay still and look around for the real ones that populate this area in the spring.

Note: Sour Springs is a seasonal road, so it tends to be filled with potholes and not paved very well. In the winter, the road is only open up to the nature trail, but you can park and walk past the “Road Closed” sign to the bridge. Regardless, exercise caution in making your way out here and to the box!

Our Hostel, Travelers, Hitchhikers, & Postal Boxes

Sprilander HH Hostel (record your find)

Placed on 9/19/04 in Medina, NY (Orleans County)
The Sprilander HH Hostel is an equal opportunity hostel and letterbox with its own personal stamp. We accept all types of HHs, including postal, but make sure we know if you want it to STAY postal or to be put in the hostel for mainstream letterboxing. If you TAKE a hitchhiker, please remember to LEAVE on behind so that everyone has a chance to find something!

Find your way into the heart of city of Medina, where Main (Route 63) crosses over Center Street. Once there, turn left (west) onto Center Street. Keep going past several streets on Center until you find a street name that suggests sand, waves and sunshine. Turn right and park at the dead end as far left and down as you can without getting on the grass. Right in front of your bumper in the underbrush hides the Sprilander. (NOTE: Since the underbrush loses its leaves during the late fall and winter months, try parking to the RIGHT and looking under the evergreen right next to your car on the right if there isn’t enough foliage to hide the box on your left)

This is a pretty quiet little area and definitely residential, so try not to look TOO shifty while stamping and do NOT freely wander the grassy areas around you. No matter how much they look like park lands, they're actually people's lawns! The park bench is available for your use, however…enjoy!

While you're in town, why not check for the Medina Water Sprite, Choo Choo Ch’Boogie, or the Letterbook?

Personal Travelers

The "Boo" Box (record your find)

This box is a personal traveler that follows the Sprite around. It was originally created on 9/22/04 for her students from a stamp the I.A.P. made for fun one day. It was retired in Summer of 2005, but you can still log your finds from before then at Atlas Quest.

M and M (record your find)

M & M doesn't stand for the candy, it stands for Might & Magic (which works pretty well for a guy in a kilt and his little winged sidekick!). Tell us what M & M stands for and we'll share this personal traveler with you!

I Like the Sprite In You! (record your find)

This one ws a gift from the Sprite's friend Flutter Bye. To get it, just tell the Sprite "You know what Sprite is MADE of, don't you?" She won't be happy about it, but you'll get the stamp! ;-)

Hitchhikers

Fire Sprite--Last saw her on 9/6/04 burning up the trail with the Tonawanda Widgeon. Pass her on and let us know when you find her...she's a hot little thing! (wow, was THAT ever a lame joke!)

Highland Fling--Flung him out on 9/4/04 with one of the Highlander's favorite fowl, the Iroquois Goose. We found him again on 9/18/04 at BOND-ing Time and flung him back out (if they don't pay the rent, out they GO!). Let us know where he lands!

Sprite for President—Made on 9/27/04 for the Sprite’s 35th birthday, this HH launched her campaign with Ms. Dragonfli at the Mansfield Monster Mash in CT. It was last seen with Jordan and Hiking Moon, so get on the bandwagon and Vote YES for Sprite!

PACE Yourself—Is currently keeping pace with Ramdelt in a PLB in Colorado...no idea where it'll land next!

Three-Eyed Cat—Found this kooky store near our home whose name suggested it was something far more interesting than it really turned out to be. So, we decided to make it have at least SOME claim to fame. It’s currently bouncing around boxes in Ohio

LCSD Mascot Hitchhiker Series

We placed a bunch of these mascots for my district at the WNY Gathering on Nov. 13th. They are Lockport City School District (LCSD), Anna Merritt Eagles, Dewitt Clinton Eagles, Charles Upson Bulldogs, Roy B. Kelley Cougars, George Southard Lions, Washington Hunt Huskies and the John Pound Puppies (seriously!). They started floating about in the Thankful boxes, so contact both us and Pete & Wanda if you’ve seen them!


Anna Merritt Eagles—Picked up by Clan Jiggs at Hot Baths ( a Something I’m Thankful For box from the WNY Gathering)…is probably making the rounds in the Canadian hinterlands by now!

Charles Upson Bulldogs—Picked up by the DeMoss Family in If Only For a Moment on April 26, 2005...might still by in Western NY area

Dewitt Clinton Eagles—Making the rounds in the Treasure Chest PLB as of February 2005

George Southard Lions—Took a trip south and ended up with Orlando Knit Wit somewhere in the Disney resort area...

John Pound Puppies— Has not been seen since the WNY Gathering on November 13th of 2005

Washington Hunt Huskies—Last seen in Fairfield, CT in Art Around the Lake #1

Roy B. Kelley Cougars— Has not been seen since the WNY Gathering on November 13th of 2005

Lockport City School District (LCSD)—Reacquired from God’s Creation Chasers on 2/4/2005 and retired as an HH…reincarnated as a traditional box (see clues here)

Postal Letterboxes

KCSB…the PLB! (record your find)

We created a KC and the Sunshine Band Postal Letterbox to join the Disco Fever PLB ring. Not sure if you can still join it, but once the stamp returns, we might try letting it boogie on down your way!

101 Things to Do/Not Do at a Gathering PLB Ring

This ring (our first) began in October 2005 and was only for those with great gathering proverbs/stories that deserve a stamp, like "Never try to get your husband to stop the truck by showing a little leg when an older couple is coming up the other way!" Our personal addition was Always Read the Clues. Although you can no longer join the original ring, if you'd like to add box/story, contact us and we'll get you started!

Note: In a PLB ring, everyone makes their own stamp and sends it to others in the ring.