Sunday Drive
Northwestern, CT
Planted in March, 2003

THIS LETTERBOX HAS BEEN RETIRED

This is a four part series that spans 34 miles. 
It will take you on scenic country roads, many which are narrow, curvy, and steep.
PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY! 
Along the way you will bypass several historical places, scenic views (bring your camera), trophy fishing holes, and great picnic spots. All the boxes have clear parking areas off the road.  The first three boxes are very short walks. The final box is longer and steep.

All four stamps make up one image measuring 2 1/2" X 3 1/2". Place the first stamp at the top of your page horizontally. Each subsequent stamp goes beneath the one before it. There are line up marks on each stamp and the log book is located in the last box.

0       At junction of Rt.44 and Rt.219 go NE. Reset your odometer here!
1.1    Continue over green bridge
2.6    Cross the town line
3.8    Take left at fork
3.9    Go straight at stop sign

Enjoy a great view of Connecticut's largest water supply reservoir - a truly spectacular site when autumn's leaves are at their peak (usually in mid-October). Completed in 1940 and named for the chief engineer, Caleb Mills Saville, this dam flooded the entire village of Barkhamsted Hollow. This area is also home to one pair of Connecticut's nesting eagles.

4.7   Take your next right and go up the hill 3/10 of a mile.
5.0    Park in the small parking area on your left. 

Go down the steps from the lot, turn right, cross the road, and go up the steps on your left. Follow the trail to the summit. After you enjoy the view follow the rocky path back down watching for a dead tree on the right side of the path. Stand on the north side of the dead tree. Facing 50 degrees take 3 steps past tree. Look under the eastern side of a large rectangular rock, directly under a notch shape in the rock. Go back to car.

5.0    Turn left out of parking lot.

On your left is the Barkhamsted Center Cemetery. The Soldiers Monument, erected in 1897 in Barkhamsted Hollow, and the bell that hung in the Universalist Church in Barkhamsted Hollow are now located here.

5.4    Go right at yield sign.

Center Schoolhouse is located on the right. This was also moved to make way for the dam.

5.7    Take your first left.
6.0    Turn right at stop sign.
10.9  Turn right at stop sign.
11.5  Take first left.
12.3  Take first left.
13.5  Take first right through gates.
13.8  Park in parking area on right.

Look for a "No swimming in reservoir" sign on the right side of a path that leads down to the access ramp. Sit on the eastern side (facing the water) of the large rock behind the sign. Discretely poke around the pile of rocks at your feet, about a foot and half away from the large rock you are sitting on,  and next to the edge of the grass. Go back to your car.

13.8  Turn right out of the parking lot.
14.7  Turn right past the gates 

Colebrook River Burying Grounds is on the right.

15.1  Turn right at stop sign
15.5  Take your next left past the lumberyard.
16.6  Park in pull-off area on right side of road.

Walk up the white blazed trail leading off from the pull-off area to an orange wildlife sign. Look for the third tree on the left from this sign. The third part of the Sunday Drive letterbox is located under a rock in the wall next to the hollow tree. Go back to car.

16.6  Continue down the road the way you were going.
19.9  Turn left at stop sign.
21.3  Take left fork before the church on the green.

The Colebrook Green is located in Colebrook Center, a hilly rural residential community serving as the center for the entire town of Colebrook. The Green is surrounded by architecturally distinguished buildings constructed prior to the mid-19th century including the Colebrook Store and Colebrook Inn. On the Green sits the perfectly proportioned Green Revival church.

23.3  Turn left at stop sign.
23.4  Turn left at stop sign.

Pass Gaylord Pond on your left.

24.7  Go straight across road.
25.2  Turn left at fork.
25.5  Turn right at stop sign.
26.7  Go straight through stop sign.

Riverton, a charming country village by the river, is still much as it appeared in the early 1800's. The Old Union Church (now a museum), the Hitchcock Factory and the 200 year old Old Riverton Inn along with charming restaurants and shops are all within walking distance in this community. Stop in the shoppe on your right and enjoy the best ice cream in the area. And if you forgot your picnic supplies there is an excellent general store at the intersection. 

26.8  Turn right at stop sign.
28.5  Park in parking area 1.6 miles on right.

Find JG trail on left side of road. A few yards in the trail splits. Take the left side blue blazed trail. This will turn into yellow blazes. Some of the blazes are far apart but the trail goes up the right side of the rocky stream. Trail will cross stream near top then cross back again over a log bridge. Cross the bridge and stand at the end. Walk 7 steps at 220 degrees towards a tree with large roots. Step over the roots to the south side of tree. The final Sunday Drive letterbox is tucked under the root. Continue on the now blue and yellow blazed switchback trail staying to the right where the trail splits back to the parking area.

28.5  Continue south down the road.

This area has many great picnic areas, hiking trails, fishing holes, a swimming area and a tubing area. On the right side at 29.9 is a pavilion, a large field, picnic tables, and the swimming hole. On the left side at 30.1 is a museum, miles of hiking trails, and several great picnic areas nestled in the woods. 

30.9  Turn right at stop sign going over steel bridge.
31.0  Turn left at stop sign after bridge.

One of the few remaining active drive-in theaters in Connecticut is on your right. It has been operating since the late 1940's.

32.1  Turn left on Rt.44
33.7  You are back where you started!