1090 Another Little Holly Impromptu
West Kingston, RI

While checking on some of our older boxes close to home during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, we were actually surprised to find that our “Holly Trees Impromptu” box (marking what used to be considered the northernmost boundary of where holly grew naturally in the Great Swamp Management Area of West Kington, RI) was still there! However, we found that the box had been left uncovered and the contents were in pretty bad shape, so we decided to replant with just the holly leaf on its original stone backing in a slightly different place.

So, we picked a new spot even easier to reach that the original one and with a connection to the old Rhode Island Hikers Club that we used to lead hikes for years ago in our post-backpacking/ pre-letterboxing days. This travelin' light holly stamp is now located directly behind a small monument for Dr. John J Mulleedy, who was the former leader of that hiking club before he died and we were asked to take over. We had never actually met him ourselves, but we somehow ended up inheriting the club's archives and leadership role, and were able to keep the club going with Sunday afternoon hikes and tail-gate parties for quite a few years before most of the members died or got too old to hike themselves. We still have many fond memories of that friendly old hiking group from so long ago!

Anyway, to find the Great Swamp Management Area, go south from route 138 on the part of Liberty Road that is on the east side of the railroad tracks, crossing the bike path and going all the way down to the large parking lot at the end. Continue on the dirt road past the gate less than half a mile to where the Mulleedy marker is tucked in the middle of the main trail's first fork. Behind the marker is a small holly tree where we left the small pinkish holly-backed stone under a slightly larger rock. Many more miles of trails to wander here if you have the time, but don't forget to wear orange in hunting season!

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