1153. Zig Zag Christmas Tree Now on the Straight-away Evergreen Trail
Voluntown, CT

Zig Zag Christmas Tree carved by phantom phiddler
Yellow Topper Star carved by moonstone
Oddball Assortment

The area in RI where this zig-zag Christmas tree carved by phantom phiddler had originally been planted for our “Favorite Ornaments” series has changed so much over the years that it was very difficult for us to even find it! So, after finally rescuing this stamp in the snow, we decided to transport it over to a much more straight-forward trail in CT, along with a transplanted topper star with a face on it, carved by moonstone, and a few other possible optional decorations.

To find this lovely evergreen trail, usually tracked for skis or snowshoes after a snowfall, go north on route 49 from its junction with route 138 in Voluntown, CT, and turn left into the state forest. Wind right past the first picnic area, staying left of the CCC worker and the table on a tiny bridged island, to park at the open field that we call the dog sled training area near the rhododendron sanctuary. Continue walking down the road westward to the first gate on the right, and take the trail right behind it to soon plunge into the evergreen tunnel. Shortly after seeing a very large broken-limbed two-trunk tree on the right, start looking for a 3-foot stump next to a tree a few steps off trail on the right. Tucked behind sticks in a hole about two feet up on the side facing the trail is where we left the white box with log for the Zig Zag Christmas Tree. Be sure to recover it well with sticks so that it cannot be seen from the trail!

Now continue to the next green and yellow gate where this portion of the trail ends with a swamp ahead, but with yellow-backed arrows on a tree pointing right and left for those who may wish to continue a nice hike or ski loop in either direction. To find the yellow topper star in its small yellow jar, however, simply backtrack a few steps to the keyhole tree with a thin broken branch to its left, and look behind upright sticks in a small cave between that branch and the boulder to its left. A few steps further back under a stick or two behind the large hemlock is where we left another yellow pill bottle with an oddball assortment of optional decorations, including a couple of smaller stars, a backwards candy cane and possibly even a leftover Easter egg from the Foxwoods Easter basket(?), so feel free to add whatever decoration you may choose to your tree, or if your hands are getting cold and you don’t feel like dealing with itty bitty stamps, simply skip the decorations altogether. Going back the way you came is shortest, but there are many other trails to explore in this forest that we always find to be particularly lovely in fresh fallen snow for enjoying winter holidays in the great outdoors!

A few steps further back under a stick or two behind the large hemlock is where we left another yellow pill bottle with an oddball assortment of optional decorations, including a couple of smaller stars, a backwards candy cane and possibly even a leftover Easter egg from the Foxwoods Easter basket(?), so feel free to add whatever decoration you may choose to your tree, or if your hands are getting cold and you don’t feel like dealing with itty bitty stamps, simply skip the decorations altogether. Going back the way you came is shortest, but there are many other trails to explore in this forest that we always find to be particularly lovely in the snow for enjoying winter holidays in the great outdoors!

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