I'd just move my box and revise my clues. It wouldn't have to be too
far away, just far enough to not be stumbled upon. The planter of the
new box might not have any idea of the mystery box & you would risk
offending them. :-)

catbead

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "SpringChick"
wrote:
> Have you ever had it happen where you had planted a mystery box with
> rather obscure clues and then another box was placed very near to it
> (most likely without the other person's knowledge of the mystery box)
> and the not-so-cryptic clues to the newly placed box unintentionally
> took the mystery out of your clues?
>
> In a situation like this, do you pull the mystery box? Just leave it
> and hope most people won't make the connection? Say something to the
> planter of the new box?
>
> SpringChick

Hey SpringChick,
That's a tough one...
I'd either turn the mystery box into a regular box, especially if I
really liked the location. Or I would move the mystery box to another
spot, or really, really obscure the clues.
Tough choice.
Mark

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "SpringChick"
wrote:
> Have you ever had it happen where you had planted a mystery box with
> rather obscure clues and then another box was placed very near to it
> (most likely without the other person's knowledge of the mystery box)
> and the not-so-cryptic clues to the newly placed box unintentionally
> took the mystery out of your clues?
>
> In a situation like this, do you pull the mystery box? Just leave it
> and hope most people won't make the connection? Say something to the
> planter of the new box?
>
> SpringChick

I would leave the box and hope most people don't make the connection. I would bet that most people wouldn't unless they had your mystery box active in their mind.
___________________________
Eric Polk
----- Original Message -----
From: SpringChick
Subject: [LbNA] Taking the Mystery out of the Mystery...

In a situation like this, do you pull the mystery box? Just leave it
and hope most people won't make the connection? Say something to the
planter of the new box?

SpringChick

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

Thanks to those who offered suggestions for my compromised mystery
situation.

I think I wasn't quite clear in my post... I really don't have a
problem that the other box is there -- personally it wouldn't bother
me if they were only a few feet from each other. The problem is that
because of its proximity, since that box is not a mystery box, it
gives away the park and the starting location (trail) within the park
for my mystery box (due to mention of a landmarks that most would not
know without being there). To move the box elsewhere in the park
would not change that. I played around with changing my clues to not
reference the specific places that are mentioned in the other clues,
but taking that information out would leave a person wondering around
a rather large park with no idea of where to begin their hunt, no to
mention, leaves a hole in the story/clues.

So, I am still contemplating how to proceed. This was one of my best
boxes/clues and I worked a long time putting this together. To date,
it had been found by two parties, both of whom struggled and then
when they found it -- remarked how it all fit together. I really
would hate to pull it.

Would welcome any other suggestions.

SpringChick

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Polk"
wrote:
> I would leave the box and hope most people don't make the
connection. I would bet that most people wouldn't unless they had
your mystery box active in their mind.
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: SpringChick
> Subject: [LbNA] Taking the Mystery out of the Mystery...
>
> In a situation like this, do you pull the mystery box? Just
leave it
> and hope most people won't make the connection? Say something to
the
> planter of the new box?
>
> SpringChick
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I would leave it. In all honesty, if someone is lucky enough to make the connection, that's great for them! :)

-Jena
blue dragonfly
P0 F12 (V8) X3
E0 S2
----- Original Message -----
From: SpringChick
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2003 8:09 AM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Taking the Mystery out of the Mystery...


Thanks to those who offered suggestions for my compromised mystery
situation.

I think I wasn't quite clear in my post... I really don't have a
problem that the other box is there -- personally it wouldn't bother
me if they were only a few feet from each other. The problem is that
because of its proximity, since that box is not a mystery box, it
gives away the park and the starting location (trail) within the park
for my mystery box (due to mention of a landmarks that most would not
know without being there). To move the box elsewhere in the park
would not change that. I played around with changing my clues to not
reference the specific places that are mentioned in the other clues,
but taking that information out would leave a person wondering around
a rather large park with no idea of where to begin their hunt, no to
mention, leaves a hole in the story/clues.

So, I am still contemplating how to proceed. This was one of my best
boxes/clues and I worked a long time putting this together. To date,
it had been found by two parties, both of whom struggled and then
when they found it -- remarked how it all fit together. I really
would hate to pull it.

Would welcome any other suggestions.

SpringChick

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Polk"
wrote:
> I would leave the box and hope most people don't make the
connection. I would bet that most people wouldn't unless they had
your mystery box active in their mind.
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: SpringChick
> Subject: [LbNA] Taking the Mystery out of the Mystery...
>
> In a situation like this, do you pull the mystery box? Just
leave it
> and hope most people won't make the connection? Say something to
the
> planter of the new box?
>
> SpringChick
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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

Thanks Jena, and I think Eric had given the same suggestion... I am
thinking that is what I will do, at least for a while. If it
significantly increases traffic to the mystery box, I may reconsider
other options.

SpringChick


--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Jena Marie Paolilli"
wrote:
> I would leave it. In all honesty, if someone is lucky enough to
make the connection, that's great for them! :)
>
> -Jena
> blue dragonfly
> P0 F12 (V8) X3
> E0 S2
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: SpringChick
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2003 8:09 AM
> Subject: Re: [LbNA] Taking the Mystery out of the Mystery...
>
>
> Thanks to those who offered suggestions for my compromised
mystery
> situation.
>
> I think I wasn't quite clear in my post... I really don't have a
> problem that the other box is there -- personally it wouldn't
bother
> me if they were only a few feet from each other. The problem is
that
> because of its proximity, since that box is not a mystery box, it
> gives away the park and the starting location (trail) within the
park
> for my mystery box (due to mention of a landmarks that most would
not
> know without being there). To move the box elsewhere in the park
> would not change that. I played around with changing my clues to
not
> reference the specific places that are mentioned in the other
clues,
> but taking that information out would leave a person wondering
around
> a rather large park with no idea of where to begin their hunt, no
to
> mention, leaves a hole in the story/clues.
>
> So, I am still contemplating how to proceed. This was one of my
best
> boxes/clues and I worked a long time putting this together. To
date,
> it had been found by two parties, both of whom struggled and then
> when they found it -- remarked how it all fit together. I really
> would hate to pull it.
>
> Would welcome any other suggestions.
>
> SpringChick
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Polk"
> wrote:
> > I would leave the box and hope most people don't make the
> connection. I would bet that most people wouldn't unless they
had
> your mystery box active in their mind.
> > ___________________________
> > Eric Polk
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: SpringChick
> > Subject: [LbNA] Taking the Mystery out of the Mystery...
> >
> > In a situation like this, do you pull the mystery box? Just
> leave it
> > and hope most people won't make the connection? Say
something to
> the
> > planter of the new box?
> >
> > SpringChick
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> ADVERTISEMENT
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service.
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'd leave it. If the other box makes it easier for people like _me_. We feel brilliant about putting it all together and realizing the mystery box is close by! ;-) And like you said, you worked hard on it and it's only been found twice. Wait and see. Visit your box frequently over a period of time and read the comments in the log before you change anything. JMHO

Mary (RI)
----- Original Message -----
From: SpringChick
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2003 8:09 AM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Taking the Mystery out of the Mystery...


Thanks to those who offered suggestions for my compromised mystery
situation.

I think I wasn't quite clear in my post... I really don't have a
problem that the other box is there -- personally it wouldn't bother
me if they were only a few feet from each other. The problem is that
because of its proximity, since that box is not a mystery box, it
gives away the park and the starting location (trail) within the park
for my mystery box (due to mention of a landmarks that most would not
know without being there). To move the box elsewhere in the park
would not change that. I played around with changing my clues to not
reference the specific places that are mentioned in the other clues,
but taking that information out would leave a person wondering around
a rather large park with no idea of where to begin their hunt, no to
mention, leaves a hole in the story/clues.

So, I am still contemplating how to proceed. This was one of my best
boxes/clues and I worked a long time putting this together. To date,
it had been found by two parties, both of whom struggled and then
when they found it -- remarked how it all fit together. I really
would hate to pull it.

Would welcome any other suggestions.

SpringChick

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Polk"
wrote:
> I would leave the box and hope most people don't make the
connection. I would bet that most people wouldn't unless they had
your mystery box active in their mind.
> ___________________________
> Eric Polk
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: SpringChick
> Subject: [LbNA] Taking the Mystery out of the Mystery...
>
> In a situation like this, do you pull the mystery box? Just
leave it
> and hope most people won't make the connection? Say something to
the
> planter of the new box?
>
> SpringChick
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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ADVERTISEMENT





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---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.500 / Virus Database: 298 - Release Date: 7/10/03

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

Then go ahead and leave it where it is. It's a mystery box & the clues
need to be figured out anyway.

catbead

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "SpringChick"
wrote:
> Thanks to those who offered suggestions for my compromised mystery
> situation.
>
> I think I wasn't quite clear in my post... I really don't have a
> problem that the other box is there -- personally it wouldn't bother
> me if they were only a few feet from each other. The problem is that
> because of its proximity, since that box is not a mystery box, it
> gives away the park and the starting location (trail) within the park
> for my mystery box (due to mention of a landmarks that most would not
> know without being there). To move the box elsewhere in the park
> would not change that. I played around with changing my clues to not
> reference the specific places that are mentioned in the other clues,
> but taking that information out would leave a person wondering around
> a rather large park with no idea of where to begin their hunt, no to
> mention, leaves a hole in the story/clues.
>
> So, I am still contemplating how to proceed. This was one of my best
> boxes/clues and I worked a long time putting this together. To date,
> it had been found by two parties, both of whom struggled and then
> when they found it -- remarked how it all fit together. I really
> would hate to pull it.
>
> Would welcome any other suggestions.
>
> SpringChick
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Polk"
> wrote:
> > I would leave the box and hope most people don't make the
> connection. I would bet that most people wouldn't unless they had
> your mystery box active in their mind.
> > ___________________________
> > Eric Polk
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: SpringChick
> > Subject: [LbNA] Taking the Mystery out of the Mystery...
> >
> > In a situation like this, do you pull the mystery box? Just
> leave it
> > and hope most people won't make the connection? Say something to
> the
> > planter of the new box?
> >
> > SpringChick
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Jena Marie Paolilli"
wrote:
> I would leave it. In all honesty, if someone is lucky enough to make
the connection, that's great for them! :)


ITA. I set up this same scenario with some mystery boxes of mine here
in VA and imagined what would I do if the same thing happened to me --
someone went to the park where my boxes are and decided to plant some
boxes there but didn't know about the mystery boxes already there,
then another boxer is browsing the VA mystery boxes after having done
the nonmystery boxes at this park and they crack the code I wrote my
mystery box clues in and they realize that these mystery boxes are at
the same park clearly named in the other boxers' nonmystery box clues.
And then I thought, Who cares? So what? Research is research, even if
it's accidental.

I would just leave things as they are. Either someone is going to
figure it out because they've already gotten the nonmystery box or
they'll tackle the mystery box first and realize eventually there's a
mystery and a nonmystery box at this location.

-- mlg

Well said! If someone figures out your mystery by doing someone
else's boxes... who cares?? You might not ever have visitors to your
box if it is isolated and that area is never given exposure! I know
that in CT, there's actually several mystery boxes that depend on
finding one to get the next. Its actually kind of fun! Of course I'm
still banging my head against the wall about it... but its fun!

As long as you can eliminate the "chance" that someone will not
accidently find your mystery if they happen to be a touch off on the
other box's clues...then it is still a mystery; I'd probably not
alter the mystery clues.

-Steve and Heidi

> boxes there but didn't know about the mystery boxes already there,
> then another boxer is browsing the VA mystery boxes after having
done
> the nonmystery boxes at this park and they crack the code I wrote my
> mystery box clues in and they realize that these mystery boxes are
at
> the same park clearly named in the other boxers' nonmystery box
clues.
> And then I thought, Who cares? So what? Research is research, even
if