Letterboxing USA - Yahoo Groups Archive

Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

15 messages in this thread | Started on 2006-02-20

Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: Shannon (wolfmoonproductions@yahoo.com) | Date: 2006-02-20 13:02:41 UTC-08:00
It has taken me awhile to get around to writing this, but here goes:

In October, Letterboxing was taken away from me, and I want to get back to it this Spring.

I did learn a lesson form this and hope nobody else has this happen to them
I wear an old fanny pack for hiking sometimes (also use it in dog training and on vacation). I took it with me to introduce my boyfriend to Letterboxing on a short trail in Iowa. It was a short, fun search and we stamped up rather quickly to get back to the car before we could be eaten alive by mosquitoes. I left that stupid sweaty fanny pack in my car that evening, containing my stamp, my logbook, inkpad, wipes, and a nice Suunto compass, one pair of dirty socks (yum), and my spare car key.

Well, that night, my car was broken into and the pack was stolen along with other things. I couldnt care less about some CDs, a leather bag the thieves probably sold, but why oh WHY must someone take personal things that cannot be replaced? Unfortunately, the thieves came back to steal my car the night before I had an appointment to have it re-keyed. And they wrote bad checks. There is more to this nightmare, but suffice it to say, I felt very violated and upset that my silly little eraser and logbook with stamps were taken. The checks were taken care of, they were able to recover my car and repair everything, and I am to meet next week with the criminal who was picked up driving it. The Victim Offender Reconciliation Program is a form of restorative justice, and restitution & closure will help. I wonder if my fanny pack, stamp and logbook went into a dumpster or landfill, and I know it didnt mean anything to the thieves, but as you all know, it meant something to me. I
was unemployed when all of this went down, and I learned to never leave anything of value (monetary or sentimental) in my car again.

Things are beginning to look up with a new job, a wonderful relationship, and the prospect of Spring. I havent felt much like carving a new stamp, but I will. I will get to hike again.

I am relatively new to Letterboxing. I did have the pleasure of hearing that my Ireland box was found last Spring. I now no longer have that stamp image, but I know it's out there!

First off, it is unfortunate there arent oodles of LBs in my area (but Iowa is gaining more! A special thanks to FunHog keep em coming!). Next, I was disappointed when the first letterbox I placed was stolen, and after this, now I have to start all over. I understand this is the nature of such a hobby there is risk in box vandalism and theft, hazards on the trail, and whatnot. Just wish some stupid person hadnt ruined the rest for me. Drop a line if you wish (wolfmoonproductions@yahoo.com) or if you have ideas on how to make a new start special and meaningful. Perhaps I will commemorate it with a special theme box. J

Thank you for reading my story, and never leave your letterboxing gear even in your locked vehicle!

Happy Hunting!!!
-Wolfmoon


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Re: [LbNA] Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: MaryAnn Lockard (mizscarlet731@yahoo.com) | Date: 2006-02-20 16:31:19 UTC-08:00
Whoa! What a story! I've had my car broken into and
know how you can feel violated. I've also been the
victim of a violent crime and wish I had had the
chance to confront my attacker in a safe environment,
i hope it gives you closure(I hate that term but have
yet to come up with something better). How about some
box donations? I always have more stamps around than I
can plant.

--- Shannon wrote:

> It has taken me awhile to get around to writing
> this, but here goes:
been
> removed]
>
>


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Re: Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: lesliekusz (lesliekusz@yahoo.com) | Date: 2006-02-21 04:46:24 UTC
How awful! My apartment was broken into a couple of years ago (just a few weeks after I'd
moved in). As you've said, it is the things with sentimental value that are the worst to
lose, and you always feel so violated--somebody went through your stuff and evaluated it.

If you hadn't just started a new job, I would suggest a special letterboxing trip. But maybe
even if you can't go right away, you could *plan* an extended letterboxing trip? You might
get as much fun out of mapping a course to hit some of the more famous or interesting-
sounding ones, and maybe even hit a gathering along the way somewhere. That would be
a great way to really submerge yourself in the pursuit again. And if you couldn't go to a
gathering, maybe you could arrange to meet up with some fellow letterboxers along the
way to get some exchanges in your new log book. Personally, I think I'd use an actual map
tacked up to cork board and some mapping pins and maybe some flags with the name of
letterboxes on it. The more involved, the better, because you are replacing the bad
memories of loss with the good memory of planning a trip.

If you do end up doing this, I'd love to hear your plans--it would be great to know what
exciting stuff you came up with.

I would also suggest getting a small punching bag and pretending it is your
thief...amazingly cathartic.







Re: [LbNA] Re: Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: david baril (gingerbreadjunk@yahoo.com) | Date: 2006-02-21 05:41:04 UTC-08:00
my brother moved to louisiana from connecticut and a few weeks later his car was broken into. his car had vermont plates on it. easy target i guess. it is my concern that i will be going down to visit him for a week and even though i will be flying into texas, the car i will be renting will say texas, and i don't know whether my car will be targeted too! i have planned a huge week of LBing and i don't want that same fate to happen to me as for several of you. although this trip away is hopefully going to clear my mind of all the crap that is going on in my life right now. as mentioned by lesliekusz, a LB vacation sounds like someting to be considered. i know it will work for me and i'm sure as others know, it will be good for you. there's nothing more relaxing than a day out in the woods. even if you don't find any boxes while your out there.

david (team new hampshire)

lesliekusz wrote:
How awful! My apartment was broken into a couple of years ago (just a few weeks after I'd
moved in). As you've said, it is the things with sentimental value that are the worst to
lose, and you always feel so violated--somebody went through your stuff and evaluated it.

If you hadn't just started a new job, I would suggest a special letterboxing trip. But maybe
even if you can't go right away, you could *plan* an extended letterboxing trip? You might
get as much fun out of mapping a course to hit some of the more famous or interesting-
sounding ones, and maybe even hit a gathering along the way somewhere. That would be
a great way to really submerge yourself in the pursuit again. And if you couldn't go to a
gathering, maybe you could arrange to meet up with some fellow letterboxers along the
way to get some exchanges in your new log book. Personally, I think I'd use an actual map
tacked up to cork board and some mapping pins and maybe some flags with the name of
letterboxes on it. The more involved, the better, because you are replacing the bad
memories of loss with the good memory of planning a trip.

If you do end up doing this, I'd love to hear your plans--it would be great to know what
exciting stuff you came up with.

I would also suggest getting a small punching bag and pretending it is your
thief...amazingly cathartic.








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Re: Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: cpascott (seh-letterbox@comcast.net) | Date: 2006-02-21 15:22:24 UTC
Hi Wolfmoon ...

Unfortunate story, but I'm glad in the end things are looking better
-- and that you will be heading back out on the hunt this spring!

When I first discovered letterboxing in June 2004, I participated in
the hobby rather fervidly with my then GF. Unforunately, we ended our
relationship that October. The combination of the facts that I had
only known this hobby with her as my partner and that I tend not to
like doing things by myself caused me to stop letterboxing altogether
during the winter. But I missed the hobby greatly and forced myself
to find a way to get back into it. Thanks in large part to my friend
Warrior Woman, who pulled me back out on the trails, I once again
found myself active in this hobby.

Since then I've made some new letterboxing friends and gone 'boxing
with them (and am always trying to make more letterboxing "dates"),
have learned to enjoy 'boxing by myself and am working on getting my
current GF to come with me on a few hikes (although I'm fairly well
convinced she'll not become a letterboxer herself).

Anyway, welcome back to the hobby and enjoy your time!

Best,
CPAScott



--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Shannon
wrote:
>
> It has taken me awhile to get around to writing this, but here goes:
>
> In October, Letterboxing was taken away from me, and I want to get
back to it this Spring.





Re: [LbNA] Re: Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: Hikers_n_ Hounds (hikers_n_hounds@yahoo.com) | Date: 2006-02-21 07:41:21 UTC-08:00
Get a dog. They will always love you and want to do anything you want to do. Go to your local shelter and rescue a mutt who is running out of time. You will have the best letterboxing partner and friend for life you could ever hope for. I thank my lucky stars every day for Dude the Wonder Dog. He got me into letterboxing by making me get off my fat butt and take him on long walks in the woods after I adopted him. It was on one of those walks we discovered a letterbox not very well re-hidden and our adventures began. Adopt a shelter dog, you'll never be sorry....

cpascott wrote: When I first discovered letterboxing in June 2004, I participated in
the hobby rather fervidly with my then GF. Unforunately, we ended our
relationship that October. The combination of the facts that I had
only known this hobby with her as my partner and that I tend not to
like doing things by myself caused me to stop letterboxing altogether


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Re: Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: Wisconsin Hiker (kotlarek@wi.rr.com) | Date: 2006-02-21 17:11:22 UTC
Shannon wrote:
>
> It has taken me awhile to get around to writing this, but here goes:
>
> In October, Letterboxing was taken away from me, and I want to
get back to it this Spring.....
>
> Things are beginning to look up with a new job, a wonderful
relationship, and the prospect of Spring. I haven't felt much like
carving a new stamp, but I will. I will get to hike again....
>
> First off, it is unfortunate there aren't oodles of LB's in my
area (but Iowa is gaining more! A special thanks to FunHog
keep `em coming!). and never leave your letterboxing gear even in
your locked vehicle!
>
> Happy Hunting!!!
> -Wolfmoon
>

Sorry to read of your sad & cautionary tale, but glad to hear you
plan to return to this fun hobby. Wisconsin is "just next door" and
if you have time in early June, we'd love to have you join us at a
gathering planned for Saturday June 3. You'd have an opprtunity to
hike some great trails, meet lots of other boxers, and find plenty of
boxes. It might be a fun way to kickoff your return to
letterboxing. You can find more details about the event here:

http://www.2006greatlakesgathering.homestead.com/

Wisconsin Hiker

P.S. I planted one box in Iowa last June, but it is on the eastern
edge of the state. Not sure where you are located...






Re: Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: Warrior Woman (warrioringilead@yahoo.com) | Date: 2006-02-21 20:10:26 UTC
Dear Wolfmoon,

Oh, the tales I could tell - but I can really relate to the loss of
your letterboxing log and stamp. Steal my car - okay, I can deal
with that. Steal all my credit cards - okay, I can deal with that.
Steal my car - darned annoyed, but I can deal with that.

STEAL MY LETTERBOXING LOG?

I would immediately equip myself like Lara Croft in Tomb Raider and
hunt them down and then (okay, this is USENET, so you will have to
use your imagination as to what I'd do next).

I'd like to send you a little letterboxing "care package", so if you
email me offline with your real name and address, I can get it out to
you.

I come with references, just so that you know that I'm not some
random letterboxer with a hidden agenda. You may feel vulnerable
right now, and I don't want to frighten you by asking for such
personal information.

I think just about everyone in LBNA can vouch for my character.

And, to ask a question to the group - I think that Wolfmoon is
entitled to receive The Boo Boo Box for suffering *emotional* injury
while in the line of letterboxing. What say you all?

Warrior Woman




Re: [LbNA] Re: Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: (john@johnsblog.com) | Date: 2006-02-21 16:00:47 UTC-05:00
> And, to ask a question to the group - I think that
>Wolfmoon is
> entitled to receive The Boo Boo Box for suffering
>*emotional* injury
> while in the line of letterboxing. What say you all?

Yes, I'd say that's a big owwie that deserves the Boo Boo
Box.

Choi

Re: Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: lesliekusz (lesliekusz@yahoo.com) | Date: 2006-02-21 21:06:42 UTC
> And, to ask a question to the group - I think that Wolfmoon is
> entitled to receive The Boo Boo Box for suffering *emotional* injury
> while in the line of letterboxing. What say you all?
>
> Warrior Woman
>

Great idea!




Re: [LbNA] Re: Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: Tattoo (nancyanna4200@yahoo.com) | Date: 2006-02-21 13:54:21 UTC-08:00
She should go to the top of the list !

Warrior Woman wrote: Dear Wolfmoon,

Oh, the tales I could tell - but I can really relate to the loss of
your letterboxing log and stamp. Steal my car - okay, I can deal
with that. Steal all my credit cards - okay, I can deal with that.
Steal my car - darned annoyed, but I can deal with that.

STEAL MY LETTERBOXING LOG?

I would immediately equip myself like Lara Croft in Tomb Raider and
hunt them down and then (okay, this is USENET, so you will have to
use your imagination as to what I'd do next).

I'd like to send you a little letterboxing "care package", so if you
email me offline with your real name and address, I can get it out to
you.

I come with references, just so that you know that I'm not some
random letterboxer with a hidden agenda. You may feel vulnerable
right now, and I don't want to frighten you by asking for such
personal information.

I think just about everyone in LBNA can vouch for my character.

And, to ask a question to the group - I think that Wolfmoon is
entitled to receive The Boo Boo Box for suffering *emotional* injury
while in the line of letterboxing. What say you all?

Warrior Woman





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Re: [LbNA] Re: Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: uneksia (uneksia@yahoo.com) | Date: 2006-02-21 19:51:13 UTC-05:00
oh yes, she deserves the boo-boo box! i am sitting here nursing a sore thumb
smashed on a rock while letterboxing...... not a boo-boo box injury, just a
give me a new thumb with a band aide type injury. now wolfman, that is a
real injury! to lose a log book would definitely be traumatic. top of the
list!

on another note. wolfmoon, i do believe almost all of us where would vouch
for warrior woman, she is a sweetheart, so send along your address and see
what she has for you.

smile
uneksia

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Re: [LbNA] Re: Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: Suzanne Coe (wilmcoe@yahoo.com) | Date: 2006-02-21 17:13:27 UTC-08:00
I once misplaced my logbook for three days. Almost drove me nuts. She qualifies!

Sheba

Warrior Woman wrote:
I think that Wolfmoon is
entitled to receive The Boo Boo Box for suffering *emotional* injury
while in the line of letterboxing. What say you all?

Warrior Woman



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Re: [LbNA] Re: Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: bret bridwell (dekulink69@yahoo.com) | Date: 2006-02-21 18:10:08 UTC-08:00
yes most definately. says me.
dragonrider

--- john@johnsblog.com wrote:

> > And, to ask a question to the group - I think that
>
> >Wolfmoon is
> > entitled to receive The Boo Boo Box for suffering
> >*emotional* injury
> > while in the line of letterboxing. What say you
> all?
>
> Yes, I'd say that's a big owwie that deserves the
> Boo Boo
> Box.
>
> Choi
>


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[LbNA] Re: Sad Story/Hopeful Fresh Start in LBing

From: HER (fauxsum@hotmail.com) | Date: 2006-03-01 23:31:24 UTC
On that note, I FINALLY got around to putting contact information
inside my logbook - with the offer to pay postage and a reward if
found. Won't work in all cases, but hey...it sure can't hurt.