Well, we just returned from finding our first letterbox! I first
read about letterboxing less than a week ago and immediately went out
and bought stamp making materials, a book, ink, etc. We live in
Chatsworth (that's really the far NW corner of LA, in the San
Fernando Valley) and attempted as our first box the Corriganville
letterbox in Simi Valley.
I learned a few things: even with two adults, steep inclines are
hard to manage with a 15 month old in a BabyBjorn. Anyone have
little ones (we've another on the way) and have advice in this area?
Is it best to simply stick to the easiest boxes? Or is there another
way to transport kids more efficiently? Also, we got lost once (we
took a side trail to be the "split" in the trail, and scaled a very
steep hill up and down, before realizing we had gone wrong.)
But: This is so fun! We're already planning on collecting another
box next Friday (my first day off), then more on our NJ trip the
following week. I can't wait for the rest stop clues for I95--we'll
drive that route twice visiting my folks in MD. Then we'll drive
from there all the way back to CA... and have started scouring the
maps for boxes on our route home!
Well, just had to share my excitement with someone. Husband and son
are so tired, they both fell asleep as soon as we got home.
--Kay Barre (another Newbie Kay, this one in CA)
New to Letterboxing in SoCal
6 messages in this thread |
Started on 2003-04-12
New to Letterboxing in SoCal
From: Kay (pastrkay@aol.com) |
Date: 2003-04-12 04:53:12 UTC
Re: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
From: Gwen & Don Jackson (foxsecurity@earthlink.net) |
Date: 2003-04-12 07:27:42 UTC-07:00
Welcome Kay, while it's not real close to San Fernando Valley , the Eldorado Park series in Long Beach is pretty much stroller/ bike friendly. There are a couple of boxes that are nearly drivebys. On the weekend you will find that some boxes are difficult due to the numbers of picnickers. The series will take you most of the day at a neat park.Make sure you ride the Express. Don
----- Original Message -----
From: Kay
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2003 9:53 PM
Subject: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
Well, we just returned from finding our first letterbox! I first
read about letterboxing less than a week ago and immediately went out
and bought stamp making materials, a book, ink, etc. We live in
Chatsworth (that's really the far NW corner of LA, in the San
Fernando Valley) and attempted as our first box the Corriganville
letterbox in Simi Valley.
I learned a few things: even with two adults, steep inclines are
hard to manage with a 15 month old in a BabyBjorn. Anyone have
little ones (we've another on the way) and have advice in this area?
Is it best to simply stick to the easiest boxes? Or is there another
way to transport kids more efficiently? Also, we got lost once (we
took a side trail to be the "split" in the trail, and scaled a very
steep hill up and down, before realizing we had gone wrong.)
But: This is so fun! We're already planning on collecting another
box next Friday (my first day off), then more on our NJ trip the
following week. I can't wait for the rest stop clues for I95--we'll
drive that route twice visiting my folks in MD. Then we'll drive
from there all the way back to CA... and have started scouring the
maps for boxes on our route home!
Well, just had to share my excitement with someone. Husband and son
are so tired, they both fell asleep as soon as we got home.
--Kay Barre (another Newbie Kay, this one in CA)
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
----- Original Message -----
From: Kay
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2003 9:53 PM
Subject: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
Well, we just returned from finding our first letterbox! I first
read about letterboxing less than a week ago and immediately went out
and bought stamp making materials, a book, ink, etc. We live in
Chatsworth (that's really the far NW corner of LA, in the San
Fernando Valley) and attempted as our first box the Corriganville
letterbox in Simi Valley.
I learned a few things: even with two adults, steep inclines are
hard to manage with a 15 month old in a BabyBjorn. Anyone have
little ones (we've another on the way) and have advice in this area?
Is it best to simply stick to the easiest boxes? Or is there another
way to transport kids more efficiently? Also, we got lost once (we
took a side trail to be the "split" in the trail, and scaled a very
steep hill up and down, before realizing we had gone wrong.)
But: This is so fun! We're already planning on collecting another
box next Friday (my first day off), then more on our NJ trip the
following week. I can't wait for the rest stop clues for I95--we'll
drive that route twice visiting my folks in MD. Then we'll drive
from there all the way back to CA... and have started scouring the
maps for boxes on our route home!
Well, just had to share my excitement with someone. Husband and son
are so tired, they both fell asleep as soon as we got home.
--Kay Barre (another Newbie Kay, this one in CA)
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
From: AM (angele@twcny.rr.com) |
Date: 2003-04-12 10:31:02 UTC-04:00
At 04:53 AM 4/12/03 +0000, Kay wrote:
Welcome, from a SoCal native but current New Yorker. If you're looking to
take a day trip after all your cross-country travels, there are boxes in
the Long Beach/Orange County area that wouldn't be too hard with a little
one in tow. You can always make it your mission to plant family-friendly
boxes in your area if there aren't many there right now, too.
>I learned a few things: even with two adults, steep inclines are
>hard to manage with a 15 month old in a BabyBjorn. Anyone have
>little ones (we've another on the way) and have advice in this area?
When I'd go out with my little ones at that age, a backpack was *so* much
easier to use than a front carrier, especially on inclines. The front
carrier will work great for the newborn when the time comes, though.
Have fun letterboxing your way across the country!
TurtleMcQ
P11 F19 X6
http://www.letterboxing.info/turtlemcq.shtml
Welcome, from a SoCal native but current New Yorker. If you're looking to
take a day trip after all your cross-country travels, there are boxes in
the Long Beach/Orange County area that wouldn't be too hard with a little
one in tow. You can always make it your mission to plant family-friendly
boxes in your area if there aren't many there right now, too.
>I learned a few things: even with two adults, steep inclines are
>hard to manage with a 15 month old in a BabyBjorn. Anyone have
>little ones (we've another on the way) and have advice in this area?
When I'd go out with my little ones at that age, a backpack was *so* much
easier to use than a front carrier, especially on inclines. The front
carrier will work great for the newborn when the time comes, though.
Have fun letterboxing your way across the country!
TurtleMcQ
P11 F19 X6
http://www.letterboxing.info/turtlemcq.shtml
Re: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
From: Eric Polk (ericpolk@attbi.com) |
Date: 2003-04-16 06:52:02 UTC-07:00
Welcome! It's great to see another So. Cal. boxer!
I have seen a lot of people on trails with baby backpacks. They are worn like a regular backpack but have a seat to put your kidlet in. The kids seem to like it since most of them I have seen have been rocked to sleep by the walking motion.
There are also some boxes that are easier to find because they are in more 'civilized' locations. I recommend the Descanso Garden series and the El Dorado Park series. Both of those are on pretty tame terrain with no steep climbs (the one exception might be the Chaparral Trail in Descanso but that one isn't terribly bad either).
I have been thinking of ways to plant some boxes in more urban (or suburban) areas. I bought a bunch of really strong magnets and am going to start experimenting with them. My only worry is that, in the post 9-11 environment, someone might be a little freaked by seeing someone placing a black box behind a payphone, power box, bus stop, etc. and call the police.
___________________________
Eric Polk
----- Original Message -----
From: Kay
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2003 9:53 PM
Subject: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
I learned a few things: even with two adults, steep inclines are
hard to manage with a 15 month old in a BabyBjorn. Anyone have
little ones (we've another on the way) and have advice in this area?
Is it best to simply stick to the easiest boxes? Or is there another
way to transport kids more efficiently? Also, we got lost once (we
took a side trail to be the "split" in the trail, and scaled a very
steep hill up and down, before realizing we had gone wrong.)
--Kay Barre (another Newbie Kay, this one in CA)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I have seen a lot of people on trails with baby backpacks. They are worn like a regular backpack but have a seat to put your kidlet in. The kids seem to like it since most of them I have seen have been rocked to sleep by the walking motion.
There are also some boxes that are easier to find because they are in more 'civilized' locations. I recommend the Descanso Garden series and the El Dorado Park series. Both of those are on pretty tame terrain with no steep climbs (the one exception might be the Chaparral Trail in Descanso but that one isn't terribly bad either).
I have been thinking of ways to plant some boxes in more urban (or suburban) areas. I bought a bunch of really strong magnets and am going to start experimenting with them. My only worry is that, in the post 9-11 environment, someone might be a little freaked by seeing someone placing a black box behind a payphone, power box, bus stop, etc. and call the police.
___________________________
Eric Polk
----- Original Message -----
From: Kay
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2003 9:53 PM
Subject: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
I learned a few things: even with two adults, steep inclines are
hard to manage with a 15 month old in a BabyBjorn. Anyone have
little ones (we've another on the way) and have advice in this area?
Is it best to simply stick to the easiest boxes? Or is there another
way to transport kids more efficiently? Also, we got lost once (we
took a side trail to be the "split" in the trail, and scaled a very
steep hill up and down, before realizing we had gone wrong.)
--Kay Barre (another Newbie Kay, this one in CA)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
From: (mrl@mrlebendig.com) |
Date: 2003-04-16 14:27:31 UTC-07:00
The Descanso Series is ours--hope you like it. Our daughter is 16 months
and we've had a lot of success with a backpack like the style Eric
mentioned. In many cases a jogger has been just fine too, even on difficult
terrain.
Marc (of Threedigs)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Polk"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2003 6:52 AM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
> Welcome! It's great to see another So. Cal. boxer!
>
> I have seen a lot of people on trails with baby backpacks. They are worn
like a regular backpack but have a seat to put your kidlet in. The kids
seem to like it since most of them I have seen have been rocked to sleep by
the walking motion.
>
> There are also some boxes that are easier to find because they are in more
'civilized' locations. I recommend the Descanso Garden series and the El
Dorado Park series. Both of those are on pretty tame terrain with no steep
climbs (the one exception might be the Chaparral Trail in Descanso but that
one isn't terribly bad either).
>
> I have been thinking of ways to plant some boxes in more urban (or
suburban) areas. I bought a bunch of really strong magnets and am going to
start experimenting with them. My only worry is that, in the post 9-11
environment, someone might be a little freaked by seeing someone placing a
black box behind a payphone, power box, bus stop, etc. and call the police.
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Kay
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, April 11, 2003 9:53 PM
> Subject: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
>
>
> I learned a few things: even with two adults, steep inclines are
> hard to manage with a 15 month old in a BabyBjorn. Anyone have
> little ones (we've another on the way) and have advice in this area?
> Is it best to simply stick to the easiest boxes? Or is there another
> way to transport kids more efficiently? Also, we got lost once (we
> took a side trail to be the "split" in the trail, and scaled a very
> steep hill up and down, before realizing we had gone wrong.)
>
> --Kay Barre (another Newbie Kay, this one in CA)
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>
and we've had a lot of success with a backpack like the style Eric
mentioned. In many cases a jogger has been just fine too, even on difficult
terrain.
Marc (of Threedigs)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Polk"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2003 6:52 AM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
> Welcome! It's great to see another So. Cal. boxer!
>
> I have seen a lot of people on trails with baby backpacks. They are worn
like a regular backpack but have a seat to put your kidlet in. The kids
seem to like it since most of them I have seen have been rocked to sleep by
the walking motion.
>
> There are also some boxes that are easier to find because they are in more
'civilized' locations. I recommend the Descanso Garden series and the El
Dorado Park series. Both of those are on pretty tame terrain with no steep
climbs (the one exception might be the Chaparral Trail in Descanso but that
one isn't terribly bad either).
>
> I have been thinking of ways to plant some boxes in more urban (or
suburban) areas. I bought a bunch of really strong magnets and am going to
start experimenting with them. My only worry is that, in the post 9-11
environment, someone might be a little freaked by seeing someone placing a
black box behind a payphone, power box, bus stop, etc. and call the police.
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Kay
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, April 11, 2003 9:53 PM
> Subject: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
>
>
> I learned a few things: even with two adults, steep inclines are
> hard to manage with a 15 month old in a BabyBjorn. Anyone have
> little ones (we've another on the way) and have advice in this area?
> Is it best to simply stick to the easiest boxes? Or is there another
> way to transport kids more efficiently? Also, we got lost once (we
> took a side trail to be the "split" in the trail, and scaled a very
> steep hill up and down, before realizing we had gone wrong.)
>
> --Kay Barre (another Newbie Kay, this one in CA)
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>
Re: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
From: Eric Polk (ericpolk@attbi.com) |
Date: 2003-04-19 17:55:55 UTC-07:00
Thanks for the Descanso series. We had never been there before. The flowers were all in bloom when we got there. It was gorgeous.
___________________________
Eric Polk
----- Original Message -----
From: mrl@mrlebendig.com
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2003 2:27 PM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
The Descanso Series is ours--hope you like it. Our daughter is 16 months
and we've had a lot of success with a backpack like the style Eric
mentioned. In many cases a jogger has been just fine too, even on difficult
terrain.
Marc (of Threedigs)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
___________________________
Eric Polk
----- Original Message -----
From: mrl@mrlebendig.com
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2003 2:27 PM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] New to Letterboxing in SoCal
The Descanso Series is ours--hope you like it. Our daughter is 16 months
and we've had a lot of success with a backpack like the style Eric
mentioned. In many cases a jogger has been just fine too, even on difficult
terrain.
Marc (of Threedigs)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]