Those are GPS clues. The easiest way to find those points on the
earth is with a GPS (Global Positioning System) which will get you
within about 20' of the spot on a good day with minimal tree cover.
Geocaching uses those clues almost exclusively. So if you get a GPS
unit, you have lots of caches to find. However, they don't trade
stamp images, they trade trinkets like happy meal toys, business
cards, coins, etc. Usually no stamps involved. The other option is to
go to www.lostoutdoors.com, enter the coordinates and try to find the
cache using the ariel or topographic map :-)

Scoutdogs

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Pam Kleingers"
wrote:
> I am expanding my horizons and have come across several clues that
give the
> starting points in latitude/longitude. I have absolutely no idea
how to
> figure out how to convert that to "real " places. Any help would be
> appreciated.
>
> Mama Stork
> aka Pam in Cinci
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> I am expanding my horizons and have come across several clues that
> give the starting points in latitude/longitude. I have absolutely
> no idea how to figure out how to convert that to "real " places.

I see at least one person has suggested GPSes, but that's a wussy way
of figuring out the latitude and longitude of where you are. REAL
men (and women) figure such stuff out the old fashioned way.

For instance, an easy way to figure out your latitude (at least if
you're in the northern hemishere) is to measure how far above the
horizon Polaris (the North Star) is located. The number of degrees
it is above the horizon is what your latitude is. Very easy to
measure.

I haven't figured out an *easy* way to measure longitude on the
trail, but Lewis and Clark--if I recall correctly--would do stuff
like find the position of the moon's of Jupiter at a certain time and
after returning back to civilization could look up what the
longitutde was based on such measurements. Even that famous duo had
trouble measuring longitude while on the trail. But perhaps with
today's maps, at least you can make sure you're "close enough" and
not need to be as precise as that.

Hope that helps! =)

-- Ryan, now heading outside to measure the circumfrence of the earth.

No, these are not geocaching clues---I am not interested in that right now.
Too happy with letterboxing---these are local letterboxes--a couple of
Franz's to be exact. He gives the parking lot coordinates. I also ran
into this with one or two of the John Bryan boxes.

I iwll check out the site you gave--hopefully it willhelp a map impaired
person like me!



Mama Stork
aka Pam in Cinci



Those are GPS clues. The easiest way to find those points on the
earth is with a GPS (Global Positioning System) which will get you
within about 20' of the spot on a good day with minimal tree cover.
Geocaching uses those clues almost exclusively. So if you get a GPS
unit, you have lots of caches to find. However, they don't trade
stamp images, they trade trinkets like happy meal toys, business
cards, coins, etc. Usually no stamps involved. The other option is to
go to www.lostoutdoors.com, enter the coordinates and try to find the
cache using the ariel or topographic map :-)

Scoutdogs



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

Mom Stork wrote:
> I am expanding my horizons and have come across several clues that give the
> starting points in latitude/longitude. I have absolutely no idea how to
> figure out how to convert that to "real " places. Any help would be
> appreciated.

Mapquest has a lat/long feature. From the landing page (www.mapquest.com), click on the Maps icon. On the maps page, click on the lat/long link. The lat/long page will allow entries as either Degrees/Minutes/Seconds or as Decimal Degrees.
___________________________________
California Bear

LOL!

Oh, that is *so* much easier.

Maybe I will jstu email the placer and beg....

Mama Stork
aka Pam in Cinci
F62

For instance, an easy way to figure out your latitude (at least if
you're in the northern hemishere) is to measure how far above the
horizon Polaris (the North Star) is located. The number of degrees
it is above the horizon is what your latitude is. Very easy to
measure.



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

Thank you! I was afraid I was going to actually have to buy a watch!



Mama Stork
aka Pam in Cinci
F62

Mapquest has a lat/long feature. From the landing page
(www.mapquest.com), click on the Maps icon. On the maps page, click on the
lat/long link. The lat/long page will allow entries as either
Degrees/Minutes/Seconds or as Decimal Degrees.
___________________________________
California Bear


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

In case this has sparked interest in anyone about the sense of
knowing exactly where you are, I suggest the following:
The film (available on video) - "Longitude" (about the search for a
way to find longitude at sea)
The books: "Drawing the Line" (about the Mason/Dixon survey of the
PA/MD border) and "Measuring America" (about how accurate surveying
made clear title to land possible and shaped the settlement of
America - and also led to all those rectangular stated in the Plains)

Aud
(the cartographer's wife)