Wow, I was keeping track of the posts I wanted to comment on and I
finally had to stop. I don't think I have ever had the experience of
agreeing so completely with so many different people about a response
to a post.

I very much agree with the sentiments I am hearing. Letterboxing is
different things to different people, and there are varied elements
of it that I love. I haven't been able to decide what it is "all
about" for me. I do enjoy a good hike, but I think I enjoy exploring
a new place even more--whether hiking or not. One of my favorite
things is finding a well-carved stamp. I happen to work obsessively
enough though that it is difficult to get out on long hikes, so I am
so thankful for the easier finds. I love the thought of the effort
and creativity going into the stamps. I keep an F count, but it is
in reflection of the fun adventures that every one of those finds was
for me. The numbers represent all of the good times I have had. I
felt the same way about them when I was PFX3 as I am now nearing
PFX200.

The area I live in only had two boxes when I began. I planted easy
boxes to give people something to find since I only had letterboxers
that were passing briefly through on their way to and from
Yellowstone. Now that it is finally growing and there are other
boxes, I find myself feeling more drawn to make some plants that
challenge people to think. I realize that it will likely be years
before many find these boxes since there aren't really others out
there, but that is okay. I know that it will be valued by those who
make the effort. I love the response I have still had from some
easier finds. For instance, one of the earliest series I planted was
right by the river in a central park in my town. They are pretty
easy finds, but I have had so many emails commenting on how much they
enjoyed finding them because they hadn't realized what pretty spots
can be found in this area. My first plant ever is by a waterfall
that is off of the main highway on a dirt road. It is less than five
feet from the dirt road and certainly a drive-by, but nobody passing
the area would know that there is a beautiful waterfall so close to
where they were if they didn't go looking for the drive-by box.

We all value different things. And I, for one, deeply admire and
enjoy learning from those who have these amazing PFX counts--even
though I could never dream of mine being anywhere near what theirs
are unless I move. I love the history that is entailed in those
numbers, and I love hearing the stories and memories that are
associated with the history of long-time and avid letterboxers.

Cadenza
-who can't wait to be PFX500--what an adventure!