I agree- sometimes less is more
wallis


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Greetings,

--- Matt wrote:
> Likewise I prefer the minimalist clues that make you
> do a little
> homework to find the box instead of spelling out
> every freeway exit
> and cross street just to get to the parking lot
> where the trail
> starts. Its all part of the thrill of the hunt, to
> pull out the
> roadmap and find the way to that park or that
> trailhead, not really
> knowing what to expect there. I think its possible
> to make an elegant
> and straightforward clue without cluttering it up
> with unnecessary
> information. Whether its an easy or hard clue, it
> can still be written
> simply and clearly.

This is resonating with me, too. Some of the better
boxes we've searched for were ones with vague clues,
or were in parks that weren't well known or had
incomplete directions. One of the first boxes we did
is on a reservation in western Mass with so many
interconnecting trails that you can come up on the box
from no less than four different routes. Another great
example of this is the Tree For All Seasons in eastern
Mass. You've got to find a tree with a specific number
on it, but that's the only clue you get.

Thus far, though, all of our boxes, with one
exception, have been fairly direct, with simple walks
and directions. Although we're only a half hour from
the letterboxer heaven that is Mansfield CT, there are
very few boxes, comparatively, in our part of
Massachusetts. So we decided to make our boxes simple,
to encourage folks to get involved.

But that is going to change verra soon. We're planning
our first mystery box.... :-)

Mike S.

=====
The more you love, the more you can love. And the more intensely you love. Nor is there any limit on how many you can love. If a person had time enough, he could love all of that majority who are decent and just. - Lazarus Long

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I have to agree that I get a kick out of the more minimalist clues (not like I have a huge choice since most of the clues in my neck of the woods are from Legerdemaine!). L'ger's boxes were the first I found, so were my introduction to this whole thing. I love figuring out the riddles for myself. Even when I have had to go back 2 or 3 times to find it, I've loved puzzling things out. And I do tend to feel that any comments about the status of a box really should come from the person who created it. If I have a question or comment about a box, I email the creator personally - if that information is available. Just my thoughts
Memlili

Nobbyhicks@aol.com wrote:
I agree- sometimes less is more
wallis


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--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Matt" wrote:
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Randy Hall wrote:
>
> Some thoughts hidden in Randy's post:
>
> > [...]
> > the mapping becomes more imperfect. This represents two sides of
what
> > I call the golden triangle of treasure hunting. The thrill of
> discovery
> > occurs when these imperfections are experienced.
> > [...]
> >
> > To make a long story short, it removes the mystique.
> >
>
> Maybe I'm part of the minority, too, but I wholeheartedly agree that
> the mystique is the essential thing. Lets hear it for the golden
> triangle of treasure hunting! For me, the stamp and logbook in my
hand
> is a surprise and reward for the journey. It isn't as much fun when
> I've seen them online even before I've even left the house.
>
> Likewise I prefer the minimalist clues that make you do a little
> homework to find the box instead of spelling out every freeway exit
> and cross street just to get to the parking lot where the trail
> starts. Its all part of the thrill of the hunt, to pull out the
> roadmap and find the way to that park or that trailhead, not really
> knowing what to expect there. I think its possible to make an
elegant
> and straightforward clue without cluttering it up with unnecessary
> information. Whether its an easy or hard clue, it can still be
written
> simply and clearly.
>
> Anyway, thats just what I find enjoyable about these kinds of
treasure
> hunts. What does everyone else think?
>
> Matt the Rat

I would have to agree... I much prefer clues that require me to do
some research ahead of time and/or to consult the map or other
sources to find where I am going. Even when on the trail, I like
riddles and puzzles and non-direct clues... would love the one where
you have to look for a tree with a certain number on.

I think you have to expect that landmarks are going to change, trees
fall and trails get rerouted, etc. You have to take the clues as an
overall. I think with the direct clues -- turn here, look for this,
etc. you tend to take one little step at a time and get thrown off
when something doesn't fit or the terrain has changed since the
person wrote the clues.

The only thing that irks me is obscurity once I am at the spot where
the box should be. Once I have reached the end of the clues and am
at the place, I want it to be rather obvious where the box is so I
don't have to go hunting around, disturbing the surroundings, under
every fallen log and pile of sticks.

That being said, I have written a variety of clues, many very direct
and easy, primarily because there were no boxes here and the easier
ones seemed a better way to get things off the ground. But I am
certainly having a lot more fun doing the ones of late where the
clues are much less straightforward.

Deb (SpringChick)

I disagree that the mystique is the essential thing. The essential
thing for me is getting out and seeing new places and enjoying new
hikes and not taking forever deciphering vague clues to find the
box. This is especially important for me since my family is not
"into" letterboxing like I am, so if I manage to drag them with me I
don't want to waste too much time deciphering clues while they
get impatient and like the hobby even less. Also, if I visit another
state and want to letterbox, I don't usually have much time so I
don't want to waste it looking for boxes with vague directions and
clues. In fact, I will avoid even looking if they look vague online.

That said, I do agree that some boxes should be harder to find for
those times when you want the challenge. I just would be less likely
to try for those than others. I guess I just prefer the physical
challenge of finding boxes rather than the mental one.


--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Matt" wrote:
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Randy Hall wrote:
>
> Some thoughts hidden in Randy's post:
>
> > [...]
> > the mapping becomes more imperfect. This represents two sides of
what
> > I call the golden triangle of treasure hunting. The thrill of
> discovery
> > occurs when these imperfections are experienced.
> > [...]
> >
> > To make a long story short, it removes the mystique.
> >
>
> Maybe I'm part of the minority, too, but I wholeheartedly agree that
> the mystique is the essential thing. Lets hear it for the golden
> triangle of treasure hunting! For me, the stamp and logbook in my
hand
> is a surprise and reward for the journey. It isn't as much fun when
> I've seen them online even before I've even left the house.
>
> Likewise I prefer the minimalist clues that make you do a little
> homework to find the box instead of spelling out every freeway exit
> and cross street just to get to the parking lot where the trail
> starts. Its all part of the thrill of the hunt, to pull out the
> roadmap and find the way to that park or that trailhead, not really
> knowing what to expect there. I think its possible to make an
elegant
> and straightforward clue without cluttering it up with unnecessary
> information. Whether its an easy or hard clue, it can still be
written
> simply and clearly.
>
> Anyway, thats just what I find enjoyable about these kinds of
treasure
> hunts. What does everyone else think?
>
> Matt the Rat

As in most (all?) things, diversity is key. Make whatever kind of
boxes you want, seek those which interest you.

I like em' easy. I go for the hike (physical workout) not the mental workout. Life is enough of a mental workout for me :-)

Scoutdogs

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Amen!
It's like you read my mind!
Like you said, variety is good, so there is something for all, no
matter what it is about letterboxing that you enjoy!
Kim
Cavy Lovers

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "sileagle1"
wrote:
> I disagree that the mystique is the essential thing. The essential
> thing for me is getting out and seeing new places and enjoying new
> hikes and not taking forever deciphering vague clues to find the
> box. This is especially important for me since my family is not
> "into" letterboxing like I am, so if I manage to drag them with me I
> don't want to waste too much time deciphering clues while they
> get impatient and like the hobby even less. Also, if I visit
another
> state and want to letterbox, I don't usually have much time so I
> don't want to waste it looking for boxes with vague directions and
> clues. In fact, I will avoid even looking if they look vague
online.
>
> That said, I do agree that some boxes should be harder to find for
> those times when you want the challenge. I just would be less
likely
> to try for those than others. I guess I just prefer the physical
> challenge of finding boxes rather than the mental one.
>
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Matt"
wrote:
> > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Randy Hall
wrote:
> >
> > Some thoughts hidden in Randy's post:
> >
> > > [...]
> > > the mapping becomes more imperfect. This represents two sides
of
> what
> > > I call the golden triangle of treasure hunting. The thrill of
> > discovery
> > > occurs when these imperfections are experienced.
> > > [...]
> > >
> > > To make a long story short, it removes the mystique.
> > >
> >
> > Maybe I'm part of the minority, too, but I wholeheartedly agree
that
> > the mystique is the essential thing. Lets hear it for the golden
> > triangle of treasure hunting! For me, the stamp and logbook in my
> hand
> > is a surprise and reward for the journey. It isn't as much fun
when
> > I've seen them online even before I've even left the house.
> >
> > Likewise I prefer the minimalist clues that make you do a little
> > homework to find the box instead of spelling out every freeway
exit
> > and cross street just to get to the parking lot where the trail
> > starts. Its all part of the thrill of the hunt, to pull out the
> > roadmap and find the way to that park or that trailhead, not
really
> > knowing what to expect there. I think its possible to make an
> elegant
> > and straightforward clue without cluttering it up with unnecessary
> > information. Whether its an easy or hard clue, it can still be
> written
> > simply and clearly.
> >
> > Anyway, thats just what I find enjoyable about these kinds of
> treasure
> > hunts. What does everyone else think?
> >
> > Matt the Rat

I prefer the easy clues also especially since we're new at it! But I mostly
enjoy letterboxing because it's a great activity to do with my boys and we
all have fun hunting down boxes together and we love to be outdoors! I
don't want to have to struggle with clues...I want it to just be fun!

But I do bow to those who can puzzle out the really difficult clues and
solve them! :)

Peppermint Patti


>From: "Dog Scouts Troop"
>Reply-To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
>To: "letterboxing"
>Subject: [LbNA] idea from Randy exposed
>Date: Tue, 13 May 2003 18:08:34 -0400
>
>I like em' easy. I go for the hike (physical workout) not the mental
>workout. Life is enough of a mental workout for me :-)
>
>Scoutdogs
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>






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<< homework to find the box instead of spelling out every freeway exit
and cross street just to get to the parking lot where the trail
starts. Its all part of the thrill of the hunt, to pull out the
roadmap and find the way to that park or that trailhead, not really
knowing what to expect there. I think its possible to make an elegant
and straightforward clue without cluttering it up with unnecessary
information. Whether its an easy or hard clue, it can still be written
simply and clearly. Anyway, thats just what I find enjoyable about these
kinds of treasure hunts. What does everyone else think?
>>>

I would definitely have to agree! I like the thrill of finding all boxes,
however, there seems, as my choir director says, that "it is a very
satisfying thing" when I find an especially difficult box. Mystery boxes
especially have this thrill for me, especially ones like Dancing Men in RI,
Going Downhill in RI, Some of Jay Drew's mystery boxes...(if I could spell
them correctly, I would name them, however the website for CT is down and I
can't get the correct spellings), legerdemaine boxes etc.... When I found
Dancing Men, I felt like I won the lottery!

Music Woman in CT


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I like straight forward clues, no riddles, rhymes, or clues as part of a story. The main event is the hike and the end is achieving your goal which is a stamp for your log. This is the type of box clues I like best....Chuck and Molly

Dog Scouts Troop wrote: I like em' easy. I go for the hike (physical workout) not the mental workout. Life is enough of a mental workout for me :-)

Scoutdogs

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I admit that we are guilty as put everything (tree, bush, post) in the
clues. But, as Mary can attest, we are "directionally challenged" and get
lost very easily. For us, it is very reassuring to know we are on the right
path by checking off lots of signposts. If this really bugs you, you can
save the clues to Word or such and only include the more salient directions.
Whatever works for you! BeMa


>From: mindizney@aol.com
>Reply-To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
>To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [LbNA] idea from Randy exposed
>Date: Tue, 13 May 2003 21:21:10 EDT
>
><< >homework to find the box instead of spelling out every freeway exit
>and cross street just to get to the parking lot where the trail
>starts. Its all part of the thrill of the hunt, to pull out the
>roadmap and find the way to that park or that trailhead, not really
>knowing what to expect there. I think its possible to make an elegant
>and straightforward clue without cluttering it up with unnecessary
>information. Whether its an easy or hard clue, it can still be written
>simply and clearly. Anyway, thats just what I find enjoyable about these
>kinds of treasure hunts. What does everyone else think?
> >>>
>
>I would definitely have to agree! I like the thrill of finding all boxes,
>however, there seems, as my choir director says, that "it is a very
>satisfying thing" when I find an especially difficult box. Mystery boxes
>especially have this thrill for me, especially ones like Dancing Men in RI,
>Going Downhill in RI, Some of Jay Drew's mystery boxes...(if I could spell
>them correctly, I would name them, however the website for CT is down and I
>can't get the correct spellings), legerdemaine boxes etc.... When I found
>Dancing Men, I felt like I won the lottery!
>
>Music Woman in CT
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

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