Alive and well 8/30/08
This letterbox is based on Orson Welles's 1941 masterpiece, Citizen Kane. Welles plays newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane.
The film received unanimous critical praise at the time of its release, although it was not a commercial success (partly due to its limited distribution and delayed release by RKO due to pressure exerted by famous publisher William Randolph Hearst).
The film engendered controversy (and efforts at suppression in early 1941) because it appeared to fictionalize and caricaturize certain events and individuals in the life of William Randolph Hearst, the powerful newspaper magnate and publisher. The film drew unflattering and uncomplimentary parallels (especially in regards to the Susan Alexander Kane character). Hearst-owned newspapers and other media outlets pressured theatres to boycott the film and also threatened libel. The notorious battle was detailed in Thomas Lennon's and Michael Epstein's Oscar-nominated documentary The Battle Over Citizen Kane (1996), and it was retold in HBO's cable-TV film RKO 281 (1999).
You do not need to see the film in order to hunt for these letterboxes. (Did I hear a sigh of relief out there?)
The letterboxes are located at the Washburn Day Use Area off of Hwy 1 just north of Cambria, CA.
Clues:
Park at the Washburn Day Use Area and take the boardwalk inland. When you come to the road cross it and follow the trail to the right up the embankment. (There is a sign saying "no bikes and no horses")
Behind the first pine tree on your right is the Snow Globe Letterbox.
Continue on the trail and take the right that crosses the road. (Look both ways!) When you come to the Sign "For Every Season there is a Reason" cross the boardwalk to the other side of the Marsh (and the sign "Landforms and Lifeforms")
Go up 5 small steps to a poison oak sign and then 12 steps up to a large pine on your right, just before the clearing. The Newspaper Letterbox is behind the Large Pine tree.
Return back down the stairs to the boardwalk and cross back over to the "For Every Season there is a Reason" sign. This time go left, Past "Turtles in Trouble", continue til you come to a bench on your right and a mountain lion sign. Cross the road and follow the trail to the Beach! This should look familiar. Walk past your car and on your right were the bridge railing meets the fence, look under the corner of the boardwalk. The Sled letterbox is resting beside the round piece of wood.
Please be very discreet as this is a high traffic area.
Please be discreet and read the waiver of responsibility and liability. Thank You!
Amanda from Seattle
To email me with comments or questions about a letterbox: samanark@yahoo.com
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