Audrea,

What part of the U.S. are you located?

Also, it's not a guaranteed trick, but looking for boxes that have been
found recently is one assurance that they will be there.

Finally, sometimes the box is there, the clues are just trickier than
we think.

Your best bet might be to contact the placer of some of these boxes to
confirm that the box is still there and ask for advice. That's a great
way to get to know folks in your area.

Best of Luck,
Renee

--- Audrea wrote:

> I am new to letterboxing and have tried to find three different boxes
>
> so far with no luck. I thought I had chosen ones that weren't to
> difficult to find but still no letterboxes found. I've been taking
> my
> kids and they are getting discouraged that we aren't finding
> the "treasure." Anyone have suggestion on how to find a the first
> letterbox or a better idea what they are hidden in? One more
> question. Is is a foe paw to e-mail the person who place the box to
> find out what is was hidden in to make it a lil easier to find?
> Thank
> you and advance for the help!
>
> Audi
>
>


Renee Hartsook Ph.D. DABT
Pharmaceutical and Product Safety Consulting
office 408-945-3971
fax 408-521-0601
cell 510-551-4998
renee@ciliated-cell.com

Audi, first, check to see when the box was last found. That can help you.
Second, YES, contact the placer. When I can't find a box I always let them
know. It may be missing.... or it may be my error. I usually also send
them a picture of where I was looking because sometimes that can help
determine if it was me mistaking the clues or not. On one particular box it
took 3 tries going back to find it before we actually got it! But it is
possible, of course, that you have chosen 3 that are indeed missing.

Looking for the last found date is often quite helpful.

RIFamily
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.0.410 / Virus Database: 268.17.1/640 - Release Date: 1/19/2007


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

--When you first start boxing it can feel kinda lonley out there not knowing any other
boxers. try the contact the placer function on some boxes in your area, some will respond
some will not. I always try to respond especialy to a new boxer having trouble. You also
might want to take a look at the new boxers list and your regional list both can be a big help.

- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Audrea" wrote:
>
> I am new to letterboxing and have tried to find three different boxes
> so far with no luck. I thought I had chosen ones that weren't to
> difficult to find but still no letterboxes found. I've been taking my
> kids and they are getting discouraged that we aren't finding
> the "treasure." Anyone have suggestion on how to find a the first
> letterbox or a better idea what they are hidden in? One more
> question. Is is a foe paw to e-mail the person who place the box to
> find out what is was hidden in to make it a lil easier to find? Thank
> you and advance for the help!
>
> Audi
>

Hi Audi,

Welcome! Don't get discouraged...there are lots of reasons that you might
not have found those boxes, including them having gone "missing" and having
them placed in an "off" spot by a previous finder. Do you know how to see
who has found the boxes via the clue pages on LbNA and Atlasquest? That can
be extremely helpful. If you see the latest entry was "attempted," then I
would not suggest you go looking for it at this point, b/c often that means
it is gone (not always, but perhaps usually, and we want you to have
success). If the box was found recently, then that might be a good one to
look for.

For Christmas we went to visit my inlaws in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where
there was once a very prolific LB placer, so lots of boxes are listed on
LbNA. Unfortunately, he is not into it anymore, so his boxes were mostly
missing, or logbook was full, or box was there but no stamp. And, there is
only one or two box listed by other planters. It was SO FRUSTRATING!! If
that had been my first experience with boxing, I'm sure I would not have
continued with the hobby. As it is, I live in MA where there are loads of
AWESOME LB placers who are very active. So, I'm obsessed with the hobby now!
:-) (And, my husband & I planted 3 boxes in Yellow Springs, in the hopes
that it might spark some interest there for next time we return.)

Where do you live? I agree with mizscarlet731 that it is really helpful--and
fun--to get in touch with other boxers in your area. You should definitely
email the person who planted the box to ask for help. As mizscarlet731 said,
some may not answer (especially if they are not active). However, I've found
that the vast majority of people I've contacted have responded, and they
have all been very friendly and helpful. As a planter, it's exciting when
someone finds my boxes, so I'd be thrilled to help anyone who might need an
extra hint.

How old are your kids? If it's possible, you might consider finding a box by
yourself, first, so you know it is actually there to be found. If the kids
keep running into dead ends, their interest will probably fade quickly.

Keep it up! You'll be rewarded! :-)

~zess~



On 1/22/07, mizscarlet731 wrote:
>
> --When you first start boxing it can feel kinda lonley out there not
> knowing any other
> boxers. try the contact the placer function on some boxes in your area,
> some will respond
> some will not. I always try to respond especialy to a new boxer having
> trouble. You also
> might want to take a look at the new boxers list and your regional list
> both can be a big help.
>
> - In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com ,
> "Audrea" wrote:
> >
> > I am new to letterboxing and have tried to find three different boxes
> > so far with no luck. I thought I had chosen ones that weren't to
> > difficult to find but still no letterboxes found. I've been taking my
> > kids and they are getting discouraged that we aren't finding
> > the "treasure." Anyone have suggestion on how to find a the first
> > letterbox or a better idea what they are hidden in? One more
> > question. Is is a foe paw to e-mail the person who place the box to
> > find out what is was hidden in to make it a lil easier to find? Thank
> > you and advance for the help!
> >
> > Audi
> >
>
>
>


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

In a message dated 1/22/2007 9:52:42 PM Eastern Standard Time,
zess.devine@gmail.com writes:
How old are your kids? If it's possible, you might consider finding a box by
yourself, first, so you know it is actually there to be found. If the kids
keep running into dead ends, their interest will probably fade quickly.
I often have three younger letterboxers with me, ages 11, 10 and 9.
The first box we looked for we did not find. OK I was afraid one of them
would go over the side of the mountain and I was distracted and did not follow the
direction correctly. I did return without them and yep, the box was there. We
will go back after the ice is off the road and the road to the top is open.

I think they will take your lead. Finding the letterbox while is the point
the search is the important thing. I have incorporated plastic grocery bags in
the letterboxing kit. Sadly in some of the places we go there is quite a bit of
litter and the boys take pride in picking up the litter. A small reward but
nonetheless satisfying. They mark that in their books too.

I print out the clues and keep them in a notebook with notes about the
expedition. They put their stamp on that page as attempted. LOL
There is not a failure just another aspect of letterboxing.

DancingStar/Connecticut


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