I agree with most of what you say. That is pretty much what I enjoy
about letterbxing. However, don't be too quick to count out the
cleverness of the geochachers Let me illustrate with an example.

Instead of using series GC'ers like to use multi-caches, usaully you
find the first cache which will give you information on how to find
the next. There is a multi-cache in the Lake George region that is a
3 cache multi-cache and what this person did was to locacte them
along a trail to the top of Sleeping Beauty Mt. I don't want to give
too much away, but the first cache first gives you the cooords for
the next cache and then tells you to take a key with you. It was a
drawing with holes cut into it at different spots. There were 20 or
so in the box all laminated! Then you found the next cache, locacted
along the trail, but at a very interesting locaction and it ended up
being a very creative hide. This one gave you the coords for the next
and final cache with instruction to use the key and write down the
numbers that the key indicacted when you placed it over another
drawing. Then the final, which was literally located in an enchanted
spot, one that only a hunter would find, and there was the final
cache with and absolutely beautiful painting on the outside of the
ammo cantainer which was locked and you had to use the information
from the key to solve a riddle that was posted on the origial clues
to figure out the combination, which took me a half an hour. Inside
were the usaul trinkes, but it also held a geocoin a nice metal one
that is trackable (most like a HH in the Lb world), that was
beautiful.

This so far is the most creative, fun and thoughtful cache or
letterbox I have found to date. What I am saying is that there are
aspects to geocaching that are as appealling to those who seek
challenging and creative hides. It is jsut different than
letterboxing.

I personally like both and actually like letterboxing a little
better. One thing that I don't do is both at the same time. I either
do one or the other.




--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "John"
wrote:
>
> To each his own...but for me it's not just about the find or
whether
> the method/container used to hide it is clever or not - it's about
> the journey to get there. Part of what makes the journey special
is
> a well written clue (requiring some research to solve) and an
> interesting location. It gets even better when the clue is
> exceptional and the location is superb..and then the journey
becomes
> an adventure. The clue...the location...the journey..the
adventure.
> All play a significant part. And when you are fortunate to find a
> letterbox with a hand carved stamp and homemade logbook to match,
> which shows the stamps and history of those before you, you are
then
> part of an even bigger adventure as played out over time...all the
> way back to Cranmere. You just don't get that from punching
numbers
> into a GPS so you can locate a cache filled with trinkets and a 3x5
> lined memo pad with peoples names scrawled in it line after line....
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Baker"
> wrote:
> >
> > I am sure that what you say is true. I have seen some very
> > interesting stamps, and clever hides in beautiful locations.
> However,
> > the most creative item that I have found so far is a very very
> clever
> > cache.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Nathan Brown
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I am with Randy on this one, I won't be adopting them either.
I
> > plant
> > > boxes near and far, and if any of the current databases tell me
I
> > have
> > > to do it the way they want me to do it, then I will simply not
> post
> > my
> > > clues there. There are plenty of outlets for clues, including
my
> > own
> > > website and this list.
> > >
> > > They can do their own thing, I have no problem with Geocaching,
> but
> > this
> > > is not Geocaching and I don't play that game, nor do I want
to.
> > > Letterboxing, I feel, is much more organic in its nature.
There
> is
> > > greater creativity, from the logbooks, to the locations, to the
> > stamps
> > > and boxes themselves and the clues. Sure, there are plenty of
> > little
> > > boxes, boxes placed simply to place a box, but at the same time
> > there
> > > are a ton of boxes out there that are extremely innovative,
> clever
> > and
> > > creative. I think the way in which letterboxing is done, with
> > clues and
> > > a stamp, alone allows for better boxes that I can imagine being
> > > conceived with the geocaching method.
> > >
> > > The best thing for you to do, instead of asking repeated
> questions
> > > comparing letterboxing to geocaching, is to simply get out
there
> > and
> > > box, and see what you find.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Nathan Brown
> > >
> > > AKA Cyclonic
> > > Penncoasters.com
> > >
> > > The Insensitivity rolls on...
> > >
> > > Vader '08
> > > Embrace the Dark Side!
> > >
> > > McCarthy was RIGHT!
> > >
> >
>

The most wonderful thing about Letterboxing and Geocaching is that you
land in places that you would never dream of! I have often found
myself on paths that only the neighborhood locals know about. these
are such a treasure. I have discovered Bronze statues and hidden ponds
in places that I pass all the time.

Both activities give you a moment in our busy lives to pause and take
in the world around us.

Many of the geocaching podcasts include letterboxing. My own Venture
crew does both.

I just like the thought of taking the time to smell the roses.

Karen in Colorado
Cutie Pie 604
www.centennielstategeocaching.com