When I first began letterboxing, there were very few other boxers in my area. Around that time, I planted a few letterboxes while on a trip out east, a couple of which turned out to be two of my most visited boxes -- Bridges of Lancaster (PA) and Along the Way (DE). At the time, I was new enough that it had never really occurred to me how I was going to maintain the boxes. But hearing from the finders of these boxes was wonderful -- a great way to make contact with boxers in other areas. Fortunately when the time came that these boxes needed a little TLC, I was able to find letterboxers in those areas who were willing to help out because of the people I had corresponded with and by posting on that region's talk list.

I have several boxes placed in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, which is several hours from me and may as well be another state. Most of these boxes have been in place for 3-4 years now. I am only up there in the fall of each year and even then, am not able to check in on all of the boxes. I have found that they kind of maintain themselves -- finder reports let me know if the box is in place and in good condition. On a few occasions when one has needed some attention, I've been able to find somebody headed that direction who is willing to help out. Likewise, I am always ready to help out a non-local planter who has placed a box in this area while visiting.

I like finding boxes that were planted by those who were just visiting -- it gives some variety to the usual planters in my area and provides an opportunity to see the creativity of other letterboxers I might not otherwise cross paths with.

I would echo what Randy said about the importance of a secure hiding spot -- always, but especially when you will not be able to check on the box.

I say go for it!

SpringChick


-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "norastaa"
> Hi all, out of Lurkdom to ask for your opinion. My local boxes don't
> get many hits (I'm a lonely boxer here in Ontario) so it is always very
> gratifiying to get a find report on a box that I hid while travelling.
> BUT of course I can't maintain these and may never see them again.
> Maintenance is an issue that has been discussed here so what to do?
> Thoughts?
>
> Norasta PhD
> (Phooey on Diamonds - I love 'em all)
>
>




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

> BUT of course I can't maintain these and may never see them again.
> Maintenance is an issue that has been discussed here so what to do?
> Thoughts?

Of course :) Thoughts are free, and often worth just as much.

I think an unmaintained box is better than no box if you follow
the principles of zero chance of accidental discovery and zero chance
of wildlife discovery. I'm sure there is an argument to the contrary
(and I'm sure it has been made a billion times, and in may even be
made in response, but it escapes me as to how it could go at the
present).

If the clues are fun, the journey interesting, or the place cool,
I don't really care if I find a box. You only need one of these
things to be positive to create a net positive over the null box
(assuming you don't create a negative by hiding it a toxic waste
dump :)).

Remember, the original letterbox was placed by a traveler with no
intent of maintenance, so I remain skeptical of the tenability of
counter arguments (tho I imagine I'm about to be educated :)) --
my ethos is to remain as close to the spirit of the original as
possible in our day and age, so placing a box while traveling seems
ok to me.

Cheers
Randy

I would agree with Randy. Go ahead a plant the box with care knowing you may not be back to maintain it. If you are concerned about not being present for maintenance you could always launch a hitch hiker and ask the finders to go to the letterboxing board and post where they found it and where they placed it.At the end of the log book for the hitchhiker you could ask the last finder to mail the hitchhiker and log book back to you.
--
When people run around and around in circles we say they are crazy. When planets do it we say they are orbiting.

-------------- Original message --------------
From: Randy Hall



Of course :) Thoughts are free, and often worth just as much.

I think an unmaintained box is better than no box if you follow
the principles of zero chance of accidental discovery and zero chance
of wildlife discovery. I'm sure there is an argument to the contrary
(and I'm sure it has been made a billion times, and in may even be
made in response, but it escapes me as to how it could go at the
present).






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

Norasta,

It's funny to hear from you here, since just the other day we were
discussing your Huntsville, TX, boxes on the Texas list and your method for
distributing the clues for them, which we all thought was quite ingenious!

As one who used to be a lonely boxer in the far northeast corner of Texas, I
know that sometimes it's really hard to "feel" like a letterboxer when you
don't get to do all the aspects of letterboxing. While I don't know about
your other plants, I do know that we in Texas thoroughly appreciate your
Huntsville boxes because they fill a void in our area, and from what you
say, they also help to fill a void in your letterboxing experience! Isn't
that cool?

Down here, we tend to look after each other's boxes pretty well, especially
when we know the planter lives a distance away, so that if you were to ask
someone to check in on your box periodically, you would be assured your box
is being cared for. And even if you didn't ask, your box is likely being
cared for anyway, by finders. I would imagine it is much the same
everywhere else.

So I guess my take on your question is: If you can find someone locally who
is willing to help care for your box and check on it and do maintenance for
you, that's the ideal situation. If you can't find such a person, hide them
well to prevent unintended discovery, even if that means they will be hidden
so that you don't get as many finders. And leave them with good, thick
logbooks so they won't fill easily before you can eventually get back to
check them...

Lucy
On 8/12/07, norastaa wrote:
>
> Hi all, out of Lurkdom to ask for your opinion. My local boxes don't
> get many hits (I'm a lonely boxer here in Ontario) so it is always very
> gratifiying to get a find report on a box that I hid while travelling.
> BUT of course I can't maintain these and may never see them again.
> Maintenance is an issue that has been discussed here so what to do?
> Thoughts?
>
> Norasta PhD
> (Phooey on Diamonds - I love 'em all)
>
>
>



--
Barefoot Lucy
"It's not about footwear, it's about philosophy"


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

norastaa wrote:
> Hi all, out of Lurkdom to ask for your opinion. My local boxes don't
> get many hits (I'm a lonely boxer here in Ontario) so it is always very
> gratifiying to get a find report on a box that I hid while travelling.
> BUT of course I can't maintain these and may never see them again.
> Maintenance is an issue that has been discussed here so what to do?
> Thoughts?
>
> Norasta PhD
> (Phooey on Diamonds - I love 'em all)
>

I have some boxes that I have planted while traveling. I basically rely
on the kindness of other boxers to help keep me updated on the box and
maintain it. Most folks don't mind doing such favors, like replacing
bags or adding logbooks.

--
Nathan Brown

AKA Cyclonic
Penncoasters.com

The Insensitivity rolls on...

I'm in shape; round is a shape.