Hello From New Zealand!

Date Placed: June 2, 2010
Letterbox: Traditional
Carver: 55 Steps
Logbook: GreenJello
Planter: GreenJello
Location: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake, Utah

Status: Active

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This is part of the "Hello From The United States!" series of boxes.
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This stamp is very Kiwi, but may require some explanation for us Americans. :)

The overall shape is a classic Maori fish hook shape. Many New Zealanders wear such fish hooks, carved of bone or greenstone (nephrite jade) as a symbol of strength.

The spine of the fish hook is a silver fern (Ponga or New Zealand fern). Silver fern leaves are dark green on the upper side and silver underneath -- hence the two-tone effect. They are another common New Zealand symbol (Our national netball team is the Silver Ferns, and both one of the television stations and the New Zealand Tourist bureau use silver ferns as their symbol).

The spirals are a common motif in Maori art. They are called Koru, and represent the curl of an unfolding fern. They symbolize life and peace.


Directions: As you're heading up the canyon, the road will very briefly split into two lanes. Stay to the right, and drive straight into the pullout at the end of the split. You should see a "Remnants Of An Ancient Sea" info sign. Looking back down the road from the sign, spot some whitish boulders next to a multi-colored one. Look behind the big whitish boulder, under purple shale.

Notes: If you hit the big S curve, you've driven too far!