We have been unable to discover why red is such a popular color for houses in Vermont—perhaps because they provide such a picturesque contrast to the verdant green mountains.

As we predicted, today we reached the 1,000-find milestone in our letterboxing stats. We can't say that #1,000 was our most challenging find. Unfortunately, the previous finder had not re-covered the letterbox with leaves and sticks, making it very apparent as we neared the spot on the trail.

  

  "At the bottom of a small hill as the trail levels," the clue read, "look on the left of the trail for a screaming two-sister tree with its tongue sticking out. Find the box beneath the tongue." The most difficult part of this one was fighting off the gnats and mosquitoes who craved our companionship on the trail. 

  

Gravestones are not always what you expect.

Vermont is Subaru country!

It's easy to see why some roads are less traveled.

  

DAILY STATS

• Miles driven: 79
• Letterboxes found: 9
• Birthday packages mailed: 1
• Tick bites: 1 (Dianne)