For those who may be interested, I went out today to confirm the status of a
few of my older boxes in the Portland, Oregon area... some of which had been
reported missing.

I am delighted to report that the Mount Tabor box in SE Portland is safe and
sound. It has now been visited five times. Keep looking, Amanda... maybe
you'll be Number Six. As they say... third time's a charm!!!

Amanda had also reported that my Wahkeena Falls box in The Gorge had likely
washed away, and I can now positively confirm that this is correct.

Numerous reports that the nearby Ponytail Falls box was missing also proved
to be true. I found Cole's note in the hiding place, and tend to agree with
him that the box was most likely stolen. I will try to replace both of these
Waterfall boxes before spring. Meanwhile, I will add a note to the clue
pages to indicate they are missing.

While in The Gorge, I had time to check out a couple of my other boxes. The
elusive Multnomah Falls box is still there. It has withstood numerous floods
and some major buldozer action, and has remained exacly where I placed it in
1998. At first glance, this box might appear to be a quick-and-easy roadside
"gimmee", but only three people have visited this box in nearly three years,
even though five or six million people have likely walked within a few yards
of it during that time period. Goes to show, you can't always judge a book
by it's cover!!!

The highlight of my day was a quick visit to my Horsetail Falls box. No less
than EIGHTEEN people (including one party from NJ) have stamped into this
box, and it is still in great condition!!! My congratulations and thanks go
out to all of them. I think it's safe to say that letterboxing is alive and
well in Portland, Oregon...

Enthusiastically,
Mitch (Der Mad Stamper)