--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Knotty Klown!"
> I wanted your advices on problems you have had with urban boxes

I created a downtown series in Portland, Maine. I love this waterfront
city and to honor my many favorite locales, I decided to create
microboxes. They're all housed in film canisters. No logbooks. 15
boxes total with the last box in the series being hid in a
not-so-urban area so that it could sustain a larger box with a regular
sized logbook for folks to record their (gripes) finds and other comments.

I've had a difficult time with this series. It was tricky to hide
them, even harder to find them, and now it is difficult for me to
replace them when they are missing. I'm living further away. I'd
definitely recommend that you're close to the city area so as to check
on them. Urban boxes may or may not (depending on the size and
location) need far more babysitting than regular boxes that see fewer
traffic.

The reasoning behind film canisters and only a stamp inside was to
minimize the chance of suspicion as to the contents and/or the placer.
With no contact information within the box it is nearly impossible for
a casual (non-letterboxer) finder to discern what the object is. I
think that is good and bad.

So, based on my experience, make sure that you're able to check on the
box. I included a very detailed information sheet with the clues that
are passed on from letterboxer to letterboxer - the clues are not
maintained online in any format other than a listing and perhaps the
status if necessary. The instructions detailed the size of the stamps,
the boxes, and how to search in a responsible way as not to draw
attention to yourself.

Good luck on urban boxing.
It is tricky!
phyto
p127 f423 x128

Not to speak ill of LB, but you might try geocaching. I have a friend who is
without a car and works all day just like you. He's recently started
geocaching and is really enjoying it. Most caches are in urban areas.
Ridiculiously urban areas. He hit 6 in his neighborhood his first night...of
course he was out until 2 am.

bokononists_unite

P.S. My friend still boxes with me on the weekend, so there's hope. : )

On Apr 9, 2005 11:35 PM, Knotty Klown! wrote:
>
>
> Hi there yall,..
> have been boxing for a couple of weeks now,.. and as a non-driver,
> and
> generally available to hike only at night I find my hunting options
> pretty
> limited.
>
> I would really like to find some truly urban boxes, and there are few
> in my
> area, so I have been working on planting one.
>
> I have the stamp carved and the book picked out and a very fancy
> little
> waterproof container for it,...
> but Before I go stomping off to where I am thinking about planting
> it,..
> iwanted to know what people's experiences had been with urban boxes.
>
> I mean really urban boxes,.. not out in the suburban boonies half a
> mile
> from another living sole urban,..
>
> I have a spot picked out that I think is an amazing little
> treasure,...
> from my old neighborhood,
> and aside from the obvious admonitions abotu not putting it in too
> heavily
> traveled a spot,.. (gonna request this one only be cheked in the wee
> hours,.. and then awfully subtley)
> I wanted your advices on problems youhave had with urban boxes you
> have
> planted, (obviously they get stolen,.. but which ones worked,.. and
> why did
> they go missing,.. and how did you fix it, and so on)
>
> Looking forward to hearing from yall,
>
> Knotty Klown!
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I've done urban boxes here in nyc, so it can be done. Don't assume they will be stolen. If hidden well, that can be avoided. Only one has gone really missing and it was probably mistaken for trash. I replaced it and moved it to a better spot nearby and it stayed.
missmoon




----- Original Message -----
From: Knotty Klown!
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: 4/10/2005 2:35:18 AM
Subject: [LbNA] newbie planting question





I wanted your advices on problems youhave had with urban boxes you
have
planted, (obviously they get stolen,.. but which ones worked,.. and
why did
they go missing,.. and how did you fix it, and so on)

Looking forward to hearing from yall,

Knotty Klown!

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

I take that back. Two went missing, one mistaken for trash and one probably found by people cutting back plants. I don't say gardners because it's not in a park or garden. I replaced it and it stayed all winter in good shape and is still there. If they replace those plants, it may be found again. I'll have to check it as often as I can.

Another boxer has quite a few urban boxes in Washington DC also, so again, it *can* be done. You don't have to resort to geocaching. heh, heh......I work all day and don't have a car. Actually if you are doing really urban boxes, having a car shouldn't matter. You should be able to walk and/or use public transportation. Boxing outside the city in rural areas is where not having a car turns into a pain, at least for me.
missmoon


----- Original Message -----
From: JuneMcAllister
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: 4/10/2005 2:57:53 PM
Subject: RE: [LbNA] newbie planting question


I've done urban boxes here in nyc, so it can be done. Don't assume they will be stolen. If hidden well, that can be avoided. Only one has gone really missing and it was probably mistaken for trash. I replaced it and moved it to a better spot nearby and it stayed.
missmoon

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