Yule log hunt returns to Morton Arboretum

Looking to ditch the eggnog for some wassail?

Or maybe the Christmas cookies have your belly shaking a little too much like jelly.

A trek through the Morton Arboretum in Lisle might be the perfect way to spend the day after Christmas, organizers of the 34th annual yule log hunt say.

The blast of a trumpet signals the start of the hunt at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26. Those pursuing the 6-foot log — hidden somewhere on the arboretum’s 1,700 acres — have a set of rhyming clues to guide them.

“Some of them will start dashing in one direction,” said Diana Fischer-Woods, who has a fitting name to serve as the arboretum’s special events coordinator.

Here’s one riddle hunters had to decipher last year:

“Drift toward the lake, pale root is good, counterclockwise will take you into the wood, if it was dark, this would give you sight, walk out of the trees ’til you pass the next light.”

Yulanda Log also will provide some guidance from the seat of her throne at Arbor Court. And she’ll lead a pledge for participants to solemnly swear to the hunt’s rules.

Each rhyme will lead them to a unique site where they’ll enter a punch on their clue sheet. They must enter eight punches to guarantee they’ve followed the clues and haven’t skipped ahead.

The hunt typically lasts about 30 minutes, culminating in the discovery of the log, sometimes blanketed in snow. Trail leaders posted in strategic areas will blow whistles ending the search. A toboggan will help the winner haul the log to a ceremony at Arbor Court where the wood is burned. A chunk is saved for next year’s fire.

The hunt and burning of the yule log is rooted in pre-Christian traditions during the winter solstice.

“It symbolized light returning over darkness,” Fischer-Woods said. “It brought luck and happiness to people.”

A modern twist comes from the caroling Frozen Robins. They’ll serenade about 300 people after the hunt with their renditions of such popular Christmas tunes as “O Rahm, O Rahm, Emanuel.”

“They are very amusing,” Fisher-Woods said.

A toast of that wassail — a spiced, cider-like drink — and a medallion will salute the winner during an event that’s attracted families even after the red and gold leaves have fallen from the now-bare trees at the arboretum.

“It’s something different to do in the winter,” Fischer-Woods said.

A pint-size version, a yule twig hunt for kids, runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission to the arboretum is $11 for adults, $10 for ages 65 and older and $8 for ages 2 to 17.

For details, call (630) 968-0074 or visit http://mortonarb.org/.

If you go

What: Yule Log Hunt

When: 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26

Where: Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle

Cost: Admission fee of $11 for adults, $10 for ages 65 and older and $8 for ages 2 to 17

Info: (630) 968-0074 or http://www.mortonarb.org/