First let me thank Eric Ming for his funny response to the Florida
letterboxes. I enjoyed that, and it is good to see a sense of humor expressed.

Well, here are my thoughts on the recent discussions.
1. I'm not a big fan of chat rooms and don't really have time for them. So I
am neutral about that.

2. Missing box: If I get a report about a missing box I try to check it out
if not I amend my clues to say that "the letterbox has been reported missing
but not confirmed" and leave the clues up. I also try to hide two boxes in an
area so if someone bothers to go look for it at least one will probably still
be there to find and it gives incentive to look for the possible missing one.
If several people look and it is still missing I will either take the clues
off the web site or state that is has been confirmed missing.

There was a letterbox in Delaware I wanted to search for and had made plans
to look for but did not get around to it. Later I found out it was missing
and changed my plans. I was very glad that I did not go looking for a missing
box. I like to have at least a fighting chance to find it rather than go on a
wild goose chase.

At one point I looked for a letterbox and was not successful in finding it
and emailed the creator who checked it out and rewrote to clues to give the
correct bearing. In that case the clues were wrong and I went back later and
found the box. The point being communication between the seeker and hider are
essential espicially if you are the first to look for the box. And it is the
responsibility of the creator to keep the web page up to date.

So on Eric Mings page stateing a box is missing I believe that would be fine
but only the creator can declare that, not a seeker.

3. One thing mentioned that no one seemed to pick up on was posting a "last
date found" I think that would be helpful for all. As a seeker it would give
me some idea if the box is still there and as a creator it would give me some
idea if the box is still there, espicially those I planted far from home.

4. The degree of difficulty issue. I think the clues speak for themselves. I
do like to know the mileage and terraine difficulty because that affects my
ability and decision to look for a letterbox so I assume when some one gives
their letterbox a difficulty rateing it is about the terraine. Mileage would
also be helpful to judge time and difficulty and if you need to take a lunch
along. Anyway that should be up to the creator to post on their websites and
hopefully they will.

So those are my thoughts, have a Happy Thanksgiving, I am thankful that you
have all contributed to this fun new hobby. We need each other to do this. So
I honor and respect each of you.
Squirrel