I agree with you about the Glad type containers. They are not meant
for this kind of thing. Unfortunately, that is mostly what I have
encountered too.

The most popular type of container seems to be the Lock and Lock. I
have found them in the housewares department of Wal-Marts and other
stores of that type. They have a seal around the rim and there are
latches on all four sides.

A suggestion for those boxes in the Glad containers - carry a
handful of Ziploc bags and some paper towels with you. You can dry
out the box and put an extra layer of protection around the contents.

TG

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "tworstaggering"
wrote:
>
> Hi, I'm new to letterboxing. My son and I have been enjoying our
> adventures around central Maryland, but boy is it discouraging how
> often boxes/bags have been damp, soggy, and downright slimy-
> disgustingly wet! We were afraid to touch one of them.
>
> Those "Glad" lightweight plastic food containers are pretty
useless,
> IMHO.
>
> We're looking forward to trying to plant one on our own by
spring.
> We're certainly checking out what seems to "work" or hold up to
the
> conditions around here.
>
> Boyvenger [son]
> Caught Red-Handed [mom] Someone else has that name, I guess, but
we
> two are always together...
>

It is disappointing to find a totally water-laden box. I agree that
the lightweight plastic containers just don't do the job. We use
the Rubbermaid boxes with the blue gasket around the top, and so far
(knock wood), our boxes have stayed dry for the most part. We also
plan to try the Lock-and-Lock boxes, which seem to work well too.

But even with the best box, the contents can get damp if finders
don't make sure that the lid is tightly reseated on the box before
they replant it. We have come across the Rubbermaid and other boxes
the the lid only partially pushed down. So, like many others, we
double-bag our logbooks, as an added layer of protection. And we
also carry extra Ziploc bags and paper towels so we can try to help
boxes we find that are damp. Some, sadly, have been beyond
redemption.

One added note: we have come across boxes that have been placed
inside a larger plastic bag. Almost every one we found like that
had standing water inside the outer plastic bag. If it gets torn by
an animal (which seems to happen frequently), water gets in, and
then can't drain out very well. Putting the whole box in an outer
plastic bag seems to make it worse.

Patti
The "Lady" of Lord & Ladybug

I second (third?) the Lock and Locks! I found some at Walmart for
about$2 each (great big ones are more) and bought 2. Then I took them
home, put a paper napkin in them, and sunk them in the sink. Truly
waterproof!

I could never find real Tupperware, so have used the Gladware in the
past, but its Lock and Lock from here on out.

stargazermomma

Double Bag, Double Bag, Double Bag.

And bring extra freezer style heavier duty plastic bags for first
aid.

Scarab

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "tworstaggering"
wrote:
>
> Hi, I'm new to letterboxing. My son and I have been enjoying our
> adventures around central Maryland, but boy is it discouraging how
> often boxes/bags have been damp, soggy, and downright slimy-
> disgustingly wet! We were afraid to touch one of them.
>
> Those "Glad" lightweight plastic food containers are pretty
useless,
> IMHO.
>
> We're looking forward to trying to plant one on our own by
spring.
> We're certainly checking out what seems to "work" or hold up to
the
> conditions around here.
>
> Boyvenger [son]
> Caught Red-Handed [mom] Someone else has that name, I guess, but
we
> two are always together...
>

hm... I have never found a lock and lock box here in central cal,
although, bost of my finds have been indoors anyway, however, one time
a came accross a microbox that I actaually had to dig for in some damp
sand. unfortunately, the lid to the film canister was cracked, and the
little register paper and staples book was so damp, it might have been
one piece of heavyweigt paper.

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "tworstaggering"
wrote:
>
> Hi, I'm new to letterboxing. My son and I have been enjoying our
> adventures around central Maryland, but boy is it discouraging how
> often boxes/bags have been damp, soggy, and downright slimy-
> disgustingly wet! We were afraid to touch one of them.
>
> Those "Glad" lightweight plastic food containers are pretty useless,
> IMHO.
>
> We're looking forward to trying to plant one on our own by spring.
> We're certainly checking out what seems to "work" or hold up to the
> conditions around here.
>
> Boyvenger [son]
> Caught Red-Handed [mom] Someone else has that name, I guess, but we
> two are always together...
>

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "tworstaggering"
wrote:
>
> Hi, I'm new to letterboxing. My son and I have been enjoying our
> adventures around central Maryland, but boy is it discouraging how
> often boxes/bags have been damp, soggy, and downright slimy-
> disgustingly wet! We were afraid to touch one of them.
>
> Those "Glad" lightweight plastic food containers are pretty useless,
> IMHO.
>
> We're looking forward to trying to plant one on our own by spring.
> We're certainly checking out what seems to "work" or hold up to the
> conditions around here.
>
> Boyvenger [son]
> Caught Red-Handed [mom] Someone else has that name, I guess, but we
> two are always together...
>ya..i felt the same way...if you keep up with my postings you get a
good new soap opera..the case of the bad letterboxer...people got
really mad at me for just venting..unbelievable.....try not to give
up i know first hand the discouragement,,we just went through it..but
its fun..it really is....its free and a good family time together...