I think Facebook has a lot to do with it as well. I am "friends" with
a lot of letterboxers and we discuss our boxing adventures and plan
get togethers with each other on that forum. I rarely post on LbNA or
AQ anymore...not that I ever posted much anyway....
The lazy letterboxer

Sent from my iPod

On Feb 26, 2010, at 8:31 AM, "sileagle1"
wrote:

> I was wondering the same thing myself, but the bigger question is
> why the lack of posting on all the letterboxing boards? I'm sure
> part of the reason is that almost anything that can be discussed has
> already been done several times, and most new letterboxers only post
> on the Newboxers List. About the only thing left to post is stories
> about actual letterboxing adventures, and I think many people just
> don't letterbox that much any more or don't care to talk about it.
> However, since many people still want to talk with others, I think
> they go to AQ where they can talk about other topics besides
> letterboxing. Just my theory.
>
> Silver Eagle
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "mizscarlet731"
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Why do we keep refering everyone to AQ? Every other board is dying
> due to lack of posting. If I were a new boxer I would find AQ just
> too scattered. Too much chatter unrelated to boxing. I think I'll go
> put on my asbestos underwear.
>
>


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

Good points. I've been watching a few of the AQ boards the past few weeks and it appears to me that a lot of the people there think that AQ *is* letterboxing... they have no idea lbna exists -- even if they are aware of it, don't use it, and don't really participate in the regional Yahoo groups.

If kind of feels like there are two camps -- the more veteran letterboxers, many of whom don't really even letterbox that much any more, who hang around the regional Yahoo groups and primarily use lbna for letterbox clues, and then there is this whole group of other letterboxers, many newer, but not all, who think that AQ is the be-all and end-all of letterboxing and seem overly obsessed with how many boxes they've found and how to make sure every last once is accounted for in their online tally. Of course there is some cross-over here and there, but for the most part it is two distinct groups.

On the "traditional letterboxes" AQ board there are a mere 30 messages for the entire month of Feb., on only a couple of subjects -- how to properly list a series to get credit for all stamps, how big to make a stamp, etc. No talk anywhere of mystery or cool box ideas or even awesome finds (although I guess you don't need to talk about that any more, rather just rate the box and maybe help it get a "blue diamond").

So why is it a lot of veteran players don't letterbox that much any more (other than the fact that it is winter at present in many places)? Has the game changed so much since we first were hooked that the *new and improved* flavor just doesn't hold our interest? Has it just run its course in our lives and we've moved on to other obsessions? Have letterboxes become commonplace and most ideas overdone? Have we finally given up hope and grown tired of replacing missing boxes? Something else?

SpringChick


--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "sileagle1" wrote:
>
> I was wondering the same thing myself, but the bigger question is why the lack of posting on all the letterboxing boards? I'm sure part of the reason is that almost anything that can be discussed has already been done several times, and most new letterboxers only post on the Newboxers List. About the only thing left to post is stories about actual letterboxing adventures, and I think many people just don't letterbox that much any more or don't care to talk about it. However, since many people still want to talk with others, I think they go to AQ where they can talk about other topics besides letterboxing. Just my theory.
>
> Silver Eagle
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "mizscarlet731" wrote:
> >
> >
> > Why do we keep refering everyone to AQ? Every other board is dying due to lack of posting. If I were a new boxer I would find AQ just too scattered. Too much chatter unrelated to boxing. I think I'll go put on my asbestos underwear.
>

Although I use AQ more often, I still check LbNA when going to visit an area for a day of boxing. I've also listed a few boxes on LbNA only as a present for those willing to look there. It is a bit funny that posting a box on LbNA only is a bit like making it a semi-mystery.

I think that AQ is much more popular to use because it's a more convenient tool. LbNA has made conscious decisions over the years to limit the developments of convenience features, limiting some to turning them on in Member Services. The main argument for these limits has been that the extra effort is part of the letterboxing experience and having a no frills approach provides an alternative to AQ for those that value that part of the experience. Vive la choix!

Choi

On Feb 26, 2010, at 2:54 PM, SpringChick wrote:

> Good points. I've been watching a few of the AQ boards the past few weeks and it appears to me that a lot of the people there think that AQ *is* letterboxing... they have no idea lbna exists -- even if they are aware of it, don't use it, and don't really participate in the regional Yahoo groups.
>
> If kind of feels like there are two camps -- the more veteran letterboxers, many of whom don't really even letterbox that much any more, who hang around the regional Yahoo groups and primarily use lbna for letterbox clues, and then there is this whole group of other letterboxers, many newer, but not all, who think that AQ is the be-all and end-all of letterboxing and seem overly obsessed with how many boxes they've found and how to make sure every last once is accounted for in their online tally. Of course there is some cross-over here and there, but for the most part it is two distinct groups.
>
> On the "traditional letterboxes" AQ board there are a mere 30 messages for the entire month of Feb., on only a couple of subjects -- how to properly list a series to get credit for all stamps, how big to make a stamp, etc. No talk anywhere of mystery or cool box ideas or even awesome finds (although I guess you don't need to talk about that any more, rather just rate the box and maybe help it get a "blue diamond").
>
> So why is it a lot of veteran players don't letterbox that much any more (other than the fact that it is winter at present in many places)? Has the game changed so much since we first were hooked that the *new and improved* flavor just doesn't hold our interest? Has it just run its course in our lives and we've moved on to other obsessions? Have letterboxes become commonplace and most ideas overdone? Have we finally given up hope and grown tired of replacing missing boxes? Something else?
>
> SpringChick



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

Good points, Springchick. I, myself, plant to just list on Lbna from now on as there are just getting to be too many rules and "extra' stuff cluttering up AQ.

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "SpringChick" wrote:
>
> Good points. I've been watching a few of the AQ boards the past few weeks and it appears to me that a lot of the people there think that AQ *is* letterboxing... they have no idea lbna exists -- even if they are aware of it, don't use it, and don't really participate in the regional Yahoo groups.
>
> If kind of feels like there are two camps -- the more veteran letterboxers, many of whom don't really even letterbox that much any more, who hang around the regional Yahoo groups and primarily use lbna for letterbox clues, and then there is this whole group of other letterboxers, many newer, but not all, who think that AQ is the be-all and end-all of letterboxing and seem overly obsessed with how many boxes they've found and how to make sure every last once is accounted for in their online tally. Of course there is some cross-over here and there, but for the most part it is two distinct groups.
>
> On the "traditional letterboxes" AQ board there are a mere 30 messages for the entire month of Feb., on only a couple of subjects -- how to properly list a series to get credit for all stamps, how big to make a stamp, etc. No talk anywhere of mystery or cool box ideas or even awesome finds (although I guess you don't need to talk about that any more, rather just rate the box and maybe help it get a "blue diamond").
>
> So why is it a lot of veteran players don't letterbox that much any more (other than the fact that it is winter at present in many places)? Has the game changed so much since we first were hooked that the *new and improved* flavor just doesn't hold our interest? Has it just run its course in our lives and we've moved on to other obsessions? Have letterboxes become commonplace and most ideas overdone? Have we finally given up hope and grown tired of replacing missing boxes? Something else?
>
> SpringChick
>
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "sileagle1" wrote:
> >
> > I was wondering the same thing myself, but the bigger question is why the lack of posting on all the letterboxing boards? I'm sure part of the reason is that almost anything that can be discussed has already been done several times, and most new letterboxers only post on the Newboxers List. About the only thing left to post is stories about actual letterboxing adventures, and I think many people just don't letterbox that much any more or don't care to talk about it. However, since many people still want to talk with others, I think they go to AQ where they can talk about other topics besides letterboxing. Just my theory.
> >
> > Silver Eagle
> >
> > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "mizscarlet731" wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Why do we keep refering everyone to AQ? Every other board is dying due to lack of posting. If I were a new boxer I would find AQ just too scattered. Too much chatter unrelated to boxing. I think I'll go put on my asbestos underwear.
> >
>

We also put our clues only on LBNA, unless it is an International box. Boxes in other countries we will list on both sites. LBNA seems like a LETTERBOXING site and AQ seems like a more general rubber stamping site. Some people seem to consider anything they do with a rubber stamp to be a letterbox. We don't have the same opinion.

I've had people email me telling me to put my clues on AQ, otherwise people won't look for the box. Oh, well, then they won't look for the box.

However we will consult AQ and other assorted web sites and message boards for clues.

I'm happy to be in a region that still has a vibrant Yahoo message group. We've been boxing for 6.5 years and still enjoy getting put to plant & find boxes and meet other letterboxers on a regular basis. We've met lots of fun people all across the country. Thanks to all of you who put boxes out on hikes with interesting clues!!!

Wisconsin Hiker


---- Familyof6 wrote:
> Good points, Springchick. I, myself, plant to just list on Lbna from now on as there are just getting to be too many rules and "extra' stuff cluttering up AQ.
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "SpringChick" wrote:
> >
> > Good points. I've been watching a few of the AQ boards the past few weeks and it appears to me that a lot of the people there think that AQ *is* letterboxing... they have no idea lbna exists -- even if they are aware of it, don't use it, and don't really participate in the regional Yahoo groups.
> >
> > If kind of feels like there are two camps -- the more veteran letterboxers, many of whom don't really even letterbox that much any more, who hang around the regional Yahoo groups and primarily use lbna for letterbox clues, and then there is this whole group of other letterboxers, many newer, but not all, who think that AQ is the be-all and end-all of letterboxing and seem overly obsessed with how many boxes they've found and how to make sure every last once is accounted for in their online tally. Of course there is some cross-over here and there, but for the most part it is two distinct groups.
> >
> > On the "traditional letterboxes" AQ board there are a mere 30 messages for the entire month of Feb., on only a couple of subjects -- how to properly list a series to get credit for all stamps, how big to make a stamp, etc. No talk anywhere of mystery or cool box ideas or even awesome finds (although I guess you don't need to talk about that any more, rather just rate the box and maybe help it get a "blue diamond").
> >
> > So why is it a lot of veteran players don't letterbox that much any more (other than the fact that it is winter at present in many places)? Has the game changed so much since we first were hooked that the *new and improved* flavor just doesn't hold our interest? Has it just run its course in our lives and we've moved on to other obsessions? Have letterboxes become commonplace and most ideas overdone? Have we finally given up hope and grown tired of replacing missing boxes? Something else?
> >
> > SpringChick
> >
> >
> > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "sileagle1" wrote:
> > >
> > > I was wondering the same thing myself, but the bigger question is why the lack of posting on all the letterboxing boards? I'm sure part of the reason is that almost anything that can be discussed has already been done several times, and most new letterboxers only post on the Newboxers List. About the only thing left to post is stories about actual letterboxing adventures, and I think many people just don't letterbox that much any more or don't care to talk about it. However, since many people still want to talk with others, I think they go to AQ where they can talk about other topics besides letterboxing. Just my theory.
> > >
> > > Silver Eagle
> > >
> > > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "mizscarlet731" wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Why do we keep refering everyone to AQ? Every other board is dying due to lack of posting. If I were a new boxer I would find AQ just too scattered. Too much chatter unrelated to boxing. I think I'll go put on my asbestos underwear.
> > >
> >
>
>

try the economy on for starters. most veteran letterboxers have found the
boxes in their region and driving 2-4 hrs for a box is getting expensive.
On top of that, there are only so many scenic overlooks in an area and im
seeing new boxers planting in areas that had boxes that id found go missing.
so why do I box? for the view, for the hunt, if ive already walked that
trail a few times i might be that anxious to do it again.




On Fri, Feb 26, 2010 at 11:54 AM, SpringChick wrote:

>
>
> Good points. I've been watching a few of the AQ boards the past few weeks
> and it appears to me that a lot of the people there think that AQ *is*
> letterboxing... they have no idea lbna exists -- even if they are aware of
> it, don't use it, and don't really participate in the regional Yahoo groups.
>
> If kind of feels like there are two camps -- the more veteran letterboxers,
> many of whom don't really even letterbox that much any more, who hang around
> the regional Yahoo groups and primarily use lbna for letterbox clues, and
> then there is this whole group of other letterboxers, many newer, but not
> all, who think that AQ is the be-all and end-all of letterboxing and seem
> overly obsessed with how many boxes they've found and how to make sure every
> last once is accounted for in their online tally. Of course there is some
> cross-over here and there, but for the most part it is two distinct groups.
>
> On the "traditional letterboxes" AQ board there are a mere 30 messages for
> the entire month of Feb., on only a couple of subjects -- how to properly
> list a series to get credit for all stamps, how big to make a stamp, etc. No
> talk anywhere of mystery or cool box ideas or even awesome finds (although I
> guess you don't need to talk about that any more, rather just rate the box
> and maybe help it get a "blue diamond").
>
> So why is it a lot of veteran players don't letterbox that much any more
> (other than the fact that it is winter at present in many places)? Has the
> game changed so much since we first were hooked that the *new and improved*
> flavor just doesn't hold our interest? Has it just run its course in our
> lives and we've moved on to other obsessions? Have letterboxes become
> commonplace and most ideas overdone? Have we finally given up hope and grown
> tired of replacing missing boxes? Something else?
>
> SpringChick
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com ,
> "sileagle1" wrote:
> >
> > I was wondering the same thing myself, but the bigger question is why the
> lack of posting on all the letterboxing boards? I'm sure part of the reason
> is that almost anything that can be discussed has already been done several
> times, and most new letterboxers only post on the Newboxers List. About the
> only thing left to post is stories about actual letterboxing adventures, and
> I think many people just don't letterbox that much any more or don't care to
> talk about it. However, since many people still want to talk with others, I
> think they go to AQ where they can talk about other topics besides
> letterboxing. Just my theory.
> >
> > Silver Eagle
> >
> > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com ,
> "mizscarlet731" wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Why do we keep refering everyone to AQ? Every other board is dying due
> to lack of posting. If I were a new boxer I would find AQ just too
> scattered. Too much chatter unrelated to boxing. I think I'll go put on my
> asbestos underwear.
> >
>
>
>


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

I've been in hibernation for the winter. Used to get out in bad weather, but I am getting old.

I expect things will pick up in the Spring, but the economy is having an effect also. I personally don't drive anywhere I don't have to these days. Besides the cost of fuel, my cars are getting old and I can't afford to replace them.

Many people are either unemployed or working three jobs trying to get by. They simply don't have the time and resources to letterbox.

I use both LBNA and Atlasquest to look for boxes and to post clues, as some people use one and some the other. I agree that Facebook, etc. are putting a dent in traditional websites and email groups - email is so unreliable with spam filters that you never can be sure of your messages getting through. I've noticed that many (non-letterboxing) sites I frequent are joining Facebook, while keeping the traditional websites running also. It is more work, but it is probably necessary at this time. It would give a boost to letterboxing. There are a few letterboxing groups on Facebook, but none seem to be connected with the "big two".

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, george bx wrote:
>
> try the economy on for starters. most veteran letterboxers have found the
> boxes in their region and driving 2-4 hrs for a box is getting expensive.
> On top of that, there are only so many scenic overlooks in an area and im
> seeing new boxers planting in areas that had boxes that id found go missing.
> so why do I box? for the view, for the hunt, if ive already walked that
> trail a few times i might be that anxious to do it again.
>
>
>
>

I, for one, like both but do find AQ more user-friendly. I akso like AQ for event participation and planning. I don't think I talk and plan too much on either - that I do in person with my boving friends. And I like a lot of what we have done! I will say I'm always going to be more of a traditional boxer - but maybe if I were craftier and had more time the whole LTC and logbook-making would be more important to me. So I tend to carve, hike, plant, and find - and use both sites as resources! Who says I have to choose??
TT4

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 26, 2010, at 6:46 PM, John Chapman wrote:

Although I use AQ more often, I still check LbNA when going to visit an area for a day of boxing. I've also listed a few boxes on LbNA only as a present for those willing to look there. It is a bit funny that posting a box on LbNA only is a bit like making it a semi-mystery.

I think that AQ is much more popular to use because it's a more convenient tool. LbNA has made conscious decisions over the years to limit the developments of convenience features, limiting some to turning them on in Member Services. The main argument for these limits has been that the extra effort is part of the letterboxing experience and having a no frills approach provides an alternative to AQ for those that value that part of the experience. Vive la choix!

Choi

On Feb 26, 2010, at 2:54 PM, SpringChick wrote:

> Good points. I've been watching a few of the AQ boards the past few weeks and it appears to me that a lot of the people there think that AQ *is* letterboxing... they have no idea lbna exists -- even if they are aware of it, don't use it, and don't really participate in the regional Yahoo groups.
>
> If kind of feels like there are two camps -- the more veteran letterboxers, many of whom don't really even letterbox that much any more, who hang around the regional Yahoo groups and primarily use lbna for letterbox clues, and then there is this whole group of other letterboxers, many newer, but not all, who think that AQ is the be-all and end-all of letterboxing and seem overly obsessed with how many boxes they've found and how to make sure every last once is accounted for in their online tally. Of course there is some cross-over here and there, but for the most part it is two distinct groups.
>
> On the "traditional letterboxes" AQ board there are a mere 30 messages for the entire month of Feb., on only a couple of subjects -- how to properly list a series to get credit for all stamps, how big to make a stamp, etc. No talk anywhere of mystery or cool box ideas or even awesome finds (although I guess you don't need to talk about that any more, rather just rate the box and maybe help it get a "blue diamond").
>
> So why is it a lot of veteran players don't letterbox that much any more (other than the fact that it is winter at present in many places)? Has the game changed so much since we first were hooked that the *new and improved* flavor just doesn't hold our interest? Has it just run its course in our lives and we've moved on to other obsessions? Have letterboxes become commonplace and most ideas overdone? Have we finally given up hope and grown tired of replacing missing boxes? Something else?
>
> SpringChick

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







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

Good to hear from you Spring Chick. I was at a gather recently and a few of the newer boxers had never heard of any other lists besides AQ.
I too am getting the feeling of 2 camps. Alot of the boxers from my early days have faded away but here in the cozy little mid-atlantic we still have a group who have been at it for years. Most week-ends will find someone on the trail.

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "SpringChick" wrote:
>
> Good points. I've been watching a few of the AQ boards the past few weeks and it appears to me that a lot of the people there think that AQ *is* letterboxing... they have no idea lbna exists -- even if they are aware of it, don't use it, and don't really participate in the regional Yahoo groups.
>
> If kind of feels like there are two camps -- the more veteran letterboxers, many of whom don't really even letterbox that much any more, who hang around the regional Yahoo groups and primarily use lbna for letterbox clues, and then there is this whole group of other letterboxers, many newer, but not all, who think that AQ is the be-all and end-all of letterboxing and seem overly obsessed with how many boxes they've found and how to make sure every last once is accounted for in their online tally. Of course there is some cross-over here and there, but for the most part it is two distinct groups.
>
> On the "traditional letterboxes" AQ board there are a mere 30 messages for the entire month of Feb., on only a couple of subjects -- how to properly list a series to get credit for all stamps, how big to make a stamp, etc. No talk anywhere of mystery or cool box ideas or even awesome finds (although I guess you don't need to talk about that any more, rather just rate the box and maybe help it get a "blue diamond").
>
> So why is it a lot of veteran players don't letterbox that much any more (other than the fact that it is winter at present in many places)? Has the game changed so much since we first were hooked that the *new and improved* flavor just doesn't hold our interest? Has it just run its course in our lives and we've moved on to other obsessions? Have letterboxes become commonplace and most ideas overdone? Have we finally given up hope and grown tired of replacing missing boxes? Something else?
>
> SpringChick
>
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "sileagle1" wrote:
> >
> > I was wondering the same thing myself, but the bigger question is why the lack of posting on all the letterboxing boards? I'm sure part of the reason is that almost anything that can be discussed has already been done several times, and most new letterboxers only post on the Newboxers List. About the only thing left to post is stories about actual letterboxing adventures, and I think many people just don't letterbox that much any more or don't care to talk about it. However, since many people still want to talk with others, I think they go to AQ where they can talk about other topics besides letterboxing. Just my theory.
> >
> > Silver Eagle
> >
> > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "mizscarlet731" wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Why do we keep refering everyone to AQ? Every other board is dying due to lack of posting. If I were a new boxer I would find AQ just too scattered. Too much chatter unrelated to boxing. I think I'll go put on my asbestos underwear.
> >
>

I use AQ to check for clues and find gathers but find all the other chatter confusing. Too many seperate little lists. I just can't follow a conversation about a topic. There just isn't a progression from topic to topic.
MizS
-
> I think that AQ is much more popular to use because it's a more convenient tool. LbNA has made conscious decisions over the years to limit the developments of convenience features, limiting some to turning them on in Member Services. The main argument for these limits has been that the extra effort is part of the letterboxing experience and having a no frills approach provides an alternative to AQ for those that value that part of the experience. Vive la choix!
>
> Choi
>

It does seem alot of well intentioned people think anything with a rubberstamp is to be called letterboxing. I was an avid rubberstamper before I came into letterboxing but didn't even think my cards and ATC's were letterboxing.
I'm glad peoople want to be creative but it's just not a box for me if there's not a little walking involved.
MizS

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
>
> We also put our clues only on LBNA, unless it is an International box. Boxes in other countries we will list on both sites. LBNA seems like a LETTERBOXING site and AQ seems like a more general rubber stamping site. Some people seem to consider anything they do with a rubber stamp to be a letterbox. We don't have the same opinion.
>
> I've had people email me telling me to put my clues on AQ, otherwise people won't look for the box. Oh, well, then they won't look for the box.
>
> However we will consult AQ and other assorted web sites and message boards for clues.
>
> I'm happy to be in a region that still has a vibrant Yahoo message group. We've been boxing for 6.5 years and still enjoy getting put to plant & find boxes and meet other letterboxers on a regular basis. We've met lots of fun people all across the country. Thanks to all of you who put boxes out on hikes with interesting clues!!!
>
> Wisconsin Hiker
>
>
> ---- Familyof6 wrote:
> > Good points, Springchick. I, myself, plant to just list on Lbna from now on as there are just getting to be too many rules and "extra' stuff cluttering up AQ.
> >
> > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "SpringChick" wrote:
> > >
> > > Good points. I've been watching a few of the AQ boards the past few weeks and it appears to me that a lot of the people there think that AQ *is* letterboxing... they have no idea lbna exists -- even if they are aware of it, don't use it, and don't really participate in the regional Yahoo groups.
> > >
> > > If kind of feels like there are two camps -- the more veteran letterboxers, many of whom don't really even letterbox that much any more, who hang around the regional Yahoo groups and primarily use lbna for letterbox clues, and then there is this whole group of other letterboxers, many newer, but not all, who think that AQ is the be-all and end-all of letterboxing and seem overly obsessed with how many boxes they've found and how to make sure every last once is accounted for in their online tally. Of course there is some cross-over here and there, but for the most part it is two distinct groups.
> > >
> > > On the "traditional letterboxes" AQ board there are a mere 30 messages for the entire month of Feb., on only a couple of subjects -- how to properly list a series to get credit for all stamps, how big to make a stamp, etc. No talk anywhere of mystery or cool box ideas or even awesome finds (although I guess you don't need to talk about that any more, rather just rate the box and maybe help it get a "blue diamond").
> > >
> > > So why is it a lot of veteran players don't letterbox that much any more (other than the fact that it is winter at present in many places)? Has the game changed so much since we first were hooked that the *new and improved* flavor just doesn't hold our interest? Has it just run its course in our lives and we've moved on to other obsessions? Have letterboxes become commonplace and most ideas overdone? Have we finally given up hope and grown tired of replacing missing boxes? Something else?
> > >
> > > SpringChick
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "sileagle1" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I was wondering the same thing myself, but the bigger question is why the lack of posting on all the letterboxing boards? I'm sure part of the reason is that almost anything that can be discussed has already been done several times, and most new letterboxers only post on the Newboxers List. About the only thing left to post is stories about actual letterboxing adventures, and I think many people just don't letterbox that much any more or don't care to talk about it. However, since many people still want to talk with others, I think they go to AQ where they can talk about other topics besides letterboxing. Just my theory.
> > > >
> > > > Silver Eagle
> > > >
> > > > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "mizscarlet731" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Why do we keep refering everyone to AQ? Every other board is dying due to lack of posting. If I were a new boxer I would find AQ just too scattered. Too much chatter unrelated to boxing. I think I'll go put on my asbestos underwear.
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
>

I feel lucky to live in an area with so many options for hiking. I don't think I'll ever run out of trails.

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, george bx wrote:
>
> try the economy on for starters. most veteran letterboxers have found the
> boxes in their region and driving 2-4 hrs for a box is getting expensive.
> On top of that, there are only so many scenic overlooks in an area and im
> seeing new boxers planting in areas that had boxes that id found go missing.
> so why do I box? for the view, for the hunt, if ive already walked that
> trail a few times i might be that anxious to do it again.
>
>
> >

The thing is, though, that people who trade LTC's don't think of them as letterboxes... they're cards that are traded with letterboxERs. I think the misconception comes from the way AQ has them grouped in with hitch hikers, cooties & fleas as "non-traditional letterboxes." It's not really the people on AQ who think that "anything with a rubber stamp" is a letterbox, it's just that the website forces one to choose between listing either a "traditional" (normal/mystery/bonus/WOM) letterbox or a "non-traditional" letterbox--there's no third option....

Sheba


--- On Sun, 2/28/10, mizscarlet731 wrote:

It does seem a lot of well intentioned people think anything with a rubberstamp is to be called letterboxing. I was an avid rubber stamper before I came into letterboxing but didn't even think my cards and ATC's were letterboxing.
I'm glad people want to be creative but it's just not a box for me if there's not a little walking involved.
MizS

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
LBNA seems like a LETTERBOXING site and AQ seems like a more general rubber stamping site. Some people seem to consider anything they do with a rubber stamp to be a letterbox. We don't have the same opinion.

> Wisconsin Hiker






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

Eloquent as always , my dear Sheba. But I choose to be a curmudgeon and continue to abjure trading cards.At a few recent gatherers I have had several of theses given to me by some enthusiastic boxers. They were given with such sincerity I accepted them graciously. But now what do I do with them? They were given with such warmth I don't have the heart to just toss them. I guess I will put them in my log of things from gathers but are really not boxes.
MizS



--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Suzanne Coe wrote:
>
> The thing is, though, that people who trade LTC's don't think of them as letterboxes... they're cards that are traded with letterboxERs. I think the misconception comes from the way AQ has them grouped in with hitch hikers, cooties & fleas as "non-traditional letterboxes." It's not really the people on AQ who think that "anything with a rubber stamp" is a letterbox, it's just that the website forces one to choose between listing either a "traditional" (normal/mystery/bonus/WOM) letterbox or a "non-traditional" letterbox--there's no third option....
>
> Sheba
>
>
> --- On Sun, 2/28/10, mizscarlet731 wrote:
>
> It does seem a lot of well intentioned people think anything with a rubberstamp is to be called letterboxing. I was an avid rubber stamper before I came into letterboxing but didn't even think my cards and ATC's were letterboxing.
> I'm glad people want to be creative but it's just not a box for me if there's not a little walking involved.
> MizS
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
> LBNA seems like a LETTERBOXING site and AQ seems like a more general rubber stamping site. Some people seem to consider anything they do with a rubber stamp to be a letterbox. We don't have the same opinion.
>
> > Wisconsin Hiker
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Well, sure.... or put 'em with the ATC's.... or trade them to someone who likes them (of course then the question is, trade for WHAT? hmmm....)

--- On Wed, 3/3/10, mizscarlet731 wrote:

From: mizscarlet731
Subject: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 6:08 AM

Eloquent as always , my dear Sheba. But I choose to be a curmudgeon and continue to abjure trading cards.At a few recent gatherers I have had several of theses given to me by some enthusiastic boxers. They were given with such sincerity I accepted them graciously. But now what do I do with them? They were given with such warmth I don't have the heart to just toss them. I guess I will put them in my log of things from gathers but are really not boxes.
MizS



--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Suzanne Coe wrote:
>
> The thing is, though, that people who trade LTC's don't think of them as letterboxes... they're cards that are traded with letterboxERs. I think the misconception comes from the way AQ has them grouped in with hitch hikers, cooties & fleas as "non-traditional letterboxes." It's not really the people on AQ who think that "anything with a rubber stamp" is a letterbox, it's just that the website forces one to choose between listing either a "traditional" (normal/mystery/bonus/WOM) letterbox or a "non-traditional" letterbox--there's no third option....
>
> Sheba
>
>
> --- On Sun, 2/28/10, mizscarlet731 wrote:
>
> It does seem a lot of well intentioned people think anything with a rubberstamp is to be called letterboxing. I was an avid rubber stamper before I came into letterboxing but didn't even think my cards and ATC's were letterboxing.
> I'm glad people want to be creative but it's just not a box for me if there's not a little walking involved.
> MizS
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
> LBNA seems like a LETTERBOXING site and AQ seems like a more general rubber stamping site. Some people seem to consider anything they do with a rubber stamp to be a letterbox. We don't have the same opinion.
>
> > Wisconsin Hiker
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>




------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links








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

I think the intent of those TC's is to be what the name describes, 'trading cards'. Just like baseball cards of old (for example, I once traded a golf ball and an empty coffee can for a 1974 Hank Aaron card), they are meant to be traded. Perhaps one alternative is to trade them for something as a WOM clue or other information. This would be particularly effective on the 'stamp collecting set' as opposed to the letterboxer that operates more informationally and is challenge and experience driven.

On a personal level, I tend to ignore such things, but maybe if it will assist in the procurement of information, it can have some value....

LB

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Suzanne Coe wrote:
>
> Well, sure.... or put 'em with the ATC's.... or trade them to someone who likes them (of course then the question is, trade for WHAT? hmmm....)
>
> --- On Wed, 3/3/10, mizscarlet731 wrote:
>
> From: mizscarlet731
> Subject: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 6:08 AM
>
> Eloquent as always , my dear Sheba. But I choose to be a curmudgeon and continue to abjure trading cards.At a few recent gatherers I have had several of theses given to me by some enthusiastic boxers. They were given with such sincerity I accepted them graciously. But now what do I do with them? They were given with such warmth I don't have the heart to just toss them. I guess I will put them in my log of things from gathers but are really not boxes.
> MizS
>
>
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Suzanne Coe wrote:
> >
> > The thing is, though, that people who trade LTC's don't think of them as letterboxes... they're cards that are traded with letterboxERs. I think the misconception comes from the way AQ has them grouped in with hitch hikers, cooties & fleas as "non-traditional letterboxes." It's not really the people on AQ who think that "anything with a rubber stamp" is a letterbox, it's just that the website forces one to choose between listing either a "traditional" (normal/mystery/bonus/WOM) letterbox or a "non-traditional" letterbox--there's no third option....
> >
> > Sheba
> >
> >
> > --- On Sun, 2/28/10, mizscarlet731 wrote:
> >
> > It does seem a lot of well intentioned people think anything with a rubberstamp is to be called letterboxing. I was an avid rubber stamper before I came into letterboxing but didn't even think my cards and ATC's were letterboxing.
> > I'm glad people want to be creative but it's just not a box for me if there's not a little walking involved.
> > MizS
> >
> > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
> > LBNA seems like a LETTERBOXING site and AQ seems like a more general rubber stamping site. Some people seem to consider anything they do with a rubber stamp to be a letterbox. We don't have the same opinion.
> >
> > > Wisconsin Hiker
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Suzanne Coe wrote:
> Well, sure.... or put 'em with the ATC's.... or trade them to someone who likes them (of course then the question is, trade for WHAT? hmmm....)
>
>

Hehehe...

--
Nathan Brown

AKA Cyclonic
Penncoasters.com

The Insensitivity rolls on...

Behind every great man is a great woman rolling her eyes

rpboehme wrote:
> I think the intent of those TC's is to be what the name describes, 'trading cards'. Just like baseball cards of old (for example, I once traded a golf ball and an empty coffee can for a 1974 Hank Aaron card), they are meant to be traded. Perhaps one alternative is to trade them for something as a WOM clue or other information. This would be particularly effective on the 'stamp collecting set' as opposed to the letterboxer that operates more informationally and is challenge and experience driven.
>
> On a personal level, I tend to ignore such things, but maybe if it will assist in the procurement of information, it can have some value....
>
> LB
>

By any means necessary sometimes :-)

I think the whole LTC thing is really an off shoot of what letterboxing
seems to have become, and that is more about the stamp and less about
where that stamp is and how you get there.

The original letterbox, the Crenmore Pool box, was entirely about the
location and the journey. There wasn't even a stamp, it was just
thought of later as a way to record that you were there, that you found
this obcure little pond in the middle of nowhere. To me, that is one of
the great things about letterboxing, the discovery, be it a letterbox on
a nice walk, at a great view, or even in a museum or coffee shop. The
clue takes you on that journey to get there, to that wonderful place,
and the letterbox is simply proof that you have been there.

I believe that the story is lost on many people. To them a great
letterbox is simply which one has a great stamp. So why not simply
eliminate the letterbox altogether? I guess then, simply doing stamp
art, does not seem as exciting, so they still call it letterboxing, even
though they have actually done away with the letterbox. But I guess it
does make it easier.

Schizokeet and I recently visited Hickory, NC. There are tons and tons
of boxes around that area, and I looked at the clues for nearly all of
them, and frankly was disappointed. Such great potential, such great
places, yet the clues were lousy, the plants even worse. I mean, who
wants to find a letterbox in the parking lot of a car dealership? Well,
there are about 20 of them. Where is the journey? The adventure?

How very sad that this is what letterboxing has become.

--
Nathan Brown

AKA Cyclonic
Penncoasters.com

The Insensitivity rolls on...

Behind every great man is a great woman rolling her eyes

That sounds like geocaching... (here we go again??).
Well, I'm a geocacher too, but I still think they are very different
"sports".

zorket

On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 8:12 PM, Nathan Brown wrote:

>
>
> rpboehme wrote:
> > I think the intent of those TC's is to be what the name describes,
> 'trading cards'. Just like baseball cards of old (for example, I once traded
> a golf ball and an empty coffee can for a 1974 Hank Aaron card), they are
> meant to be traded. Perhaps one alternative is to trade them for something
> as a WOM clue or other information. This would be particularly effective on
> the 'stamp collecting set' as opposed to the letterboxer that operates more
> informationally and is challenge and experience driven.
> >
> > On a personal level, I tend to ignore such things, but maybe if it will
> assist in the procurement of information, it can have some value....
> >
> > LB
> >
>
> By any means necessary sometimes :-)
>
> I think the whole LTC thing is really an off shoot of what letterboxing
> seems to have become, and that is more about the stamp and less about
> where that stamp is and how you get there.
>
> The original letterbox, the Crenmore Pool box, was entirely about the
> location and the journey. There wasn't even a stamp, it was just
> thought of later as a way to record that you were there, that you found
> this obcure little pond in the middle of nowhere. To me, that is one of
> the great things about letterboxing, the discovery, be it a letterbox on
> a nice walk, at a great view, or even in a museum or coffee shop. The
> clue takes you on that journey to get there, to that wonderful place,
> and the letterbox is simply proof that you have been there.
>
> I believe that the story is lost on many people. To them a great
> letterbox is simply which one has a great stamp. So why not simply
> eliminate the letterbox altogether? I guess then, simply doing stamp
> art, does not seem as exciting, so they still call it letterboxing, even
> though they have actually done away with the letterbox. But I guess it
> does make it easier.
>
> Schizokeet and I recently visited Hickory, NC. There are tons and tons
> of boxes around that area, and I looked at the clues for nearly all of
> them, and frankly was disappointed. Such great potential, such great
> places, yet the clues were lousy, the plants even worse. I mean, who
> wants to find a letterbox in the parking lot of a car dealership? Well,
> there are about 20 of them. Where is the journey? The adventure?
>
> How very sad that this is what letterboxing has become.
>
> --
> Nathan Brown
>
> AKA Cyclonic
> Penncoasters.com
>
> The Insensitivity rolls on...
>
> Behind every great man is a great woman rolling her eyes
>
>
>


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

My point, which seems to have been lost, is that they DON'T actually call that letterboxing....

--- On Wed, 3/3/10, Nathan Brown wrote:

I believe that the story is lost on many people. To them a great
letterbox is simply which one has a great stamp. So why not simply
eliminate the letterbox altogether? I guess then, simply doing stamp
art, does not seem as exciting, so they still call it letterboxing, even
though they have actually done away with the letterbox. But I guess it
does make it easier.






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

i have been reading these posts with interest and now i think i have my
thoughts together.

i also remember when lbna was the only kid on the block. and then aq moved
in. aq had a bit fancier house and a lot of parties going on, but did not
really change the game. so what did?

perhaps it was a bunch of well meaning articles that said..... look at this
secret game. hey, wasn't the key work secret? letterboxers changed the game.
we changed it by calling attention to ourselves and then not teaching the
rules of the game. sure we did our best, but some just didn't get the
reading and researching part.

so now we have changes that aren't traditional letterboxing. such as postals
ltc's and virtuals. ask yourself, does this really change letterboxing? i
can tell you it doesn't for me. i do postals, have dabbled in ltc's and a
couple of virtuals. none of these take the place of letterboxing. none of
them take the place of the hike or the thrill of cracking that extra hard
clue.

i have been letterboxing now for 8 years and the game, for me, has not
changed. i am the one that chooses which boxes i will look for. i am the one
that chooses where i will go. i am the one that will ultimately enjoy the
journey. i am responsible for the quality (or lack there of) of my plants
and clues. i am the only one that can change the game for me, and i don't
plan on changing.

now all of the rant above does not mean i am not concerned about the trends
i see. the poor plants, the kindergarten clues (hey, i was there once also)
and the overall lack of knowledge.

what i do believe is that those who are not serious about the game will fade
away... just another trend. those of us who are serious about the game will
be having this same conversation 5 years down the road.

smile
uneksia

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

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Suzanne Coe wrote:
>
> Well, sure.... or put 'em with the ATC's.... or trade them to someone who likes them (of course then the question is, trade for WHAT? hmmm....)
>
Hmmm, let's see what could you have I would want to trade for?

Well now Bug you just might have inspired a little eeevil in me.
MizS
>
> On a personal level, I tend to ignore such things, but maybe if it will assist in the procurement of information, it can have some value....
>
> LB
>
> >

Once again, well said, my friend!



Mark





From: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com [mailto:letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of uneksia
Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 12:41 AM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?






i have been reading these posts with interest and now i think i have my
thoughts together.

i also remember when lbna was the only kid on the block. and then aq moved
in. aq had a bit fancier house and a lot of parties going on, but did not
really change the game. so what did?

perhaps it was a bunch of well meaning articles that said..... look at this
secret game. hey, wasn't the key work secret? letterboxers changed the game.
we changed it by calling attention to ourselves and then not teaching the
rules of the game. sure we did our best, but some just didn't get the
reading and researching part.

so now we have changes that aren't traditional letterboxing. such as postals
ltc's and virtuals. ask yourself, does this really change letterboxing? i
can tell you it doesn't for me. i do postals, have dabbled in ltc's and a
couple of virtuals. none of these take the place of letterboxing. none of
them take the place of the hike or the thrill of cracking that extra hard
clue.

i have been letterboxing now for 8 years and the game, for me, has not
changed. i am the one that chooses which boxes i will look for. i am the one
that chooses where i will go. i am the one that will ultimately enjoy the
journey. i am responsible for the quality (or lack there of) of my plants
and clues. i am the only one that can change the game for me, and i don't
plan on changing.

now all of the rant above does not mean i am not concerned about the trends
i see. the poor plants, the kindergarten clues (hey, i was there once also)
and the overall lack of knowledge.

what i do believe is that those who are not serious about the game will fade
away... just another trend. those of us who are serious about the game will
be having this same conversation 5 years down the road.

smile
uneksia

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



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

Or perhaps akin to a summit logbook. Something to sign to say "I was here".
It might fly, but someone would have to create a new site/database for that new 'hide-n-seek' game.I'd join and I'd still letterbox and geocache. Wonder what it would be called? 'Questing' has already been taken but I think it's a good word.

Lone R

--- On Wed, 3/3/10, Elizabeth Thompson wrote:

From: Elizabeth Thompson
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 9:21 PM

That sounds like geocaching... (here we go again??).
Well, I'm a geocacher too, but I still think they are very different
"sports".

zorket

On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 8:12 PM, Nathan Brown wrote:

>
>
> rpboehme wrote:
> > I think the intent of those TC's is to be what the name describes,
> 'trading cards'. Just like baseball cards of old (for example, I once traded
> a golf ball and an empty coffee can for a 1974 Hank Aaron card), they are
> meant to be traded. Perhaps one alternative is to trade them for something
> as a WOM clue or other information. This would be particularly effective on
> the 'stamp collecting set' as opposed to the letterboxer that operates more
> informationally and is challenge and experience driven.
> >
> > On a personal level, I tend to ignore such things, but maybe if it will
> assist in the procurement of information, it can have some value....
> >
> > LB
> >
>
> By any means necessary sometimes :-)
>
> I think the whole LTC thing is really an off shoot of what letterboxing
> seems to have become, and that is more about the stamp and less about
> where that stamp is and how you get there.
>
> The original letterbox, the Crenmore Pool box, was entirely about the
> location and the journey. There wasn't even a stamp, it was just
> thought of later as a way to record that you were there, that you found
> this obcure little pond in the middle of nowhere. To me, that is one of
> the great things about letterboxing, the discovery, be it a letterbox on
> a nice walk, at a great view, or even in a museum or coffee shop. The
> clue takes you on that journey to get there, to that wonderful place,
> and the letterbox is simply proof that you have been there.
>
> I believe that the story is lost on many people. To them a great
> letterbox is simply which one has a great stamp. So why not simply
> eliminate the letterbox altogether? I guess then, simply doing stamp
> art, does not seem as exciting, so they still call it letterboxing, even
> though they have actually done away with the letterbox. But I guess it
> does make it easier.
>
> Schizokeet and I recently visited Hickory, NC. There are tons and tons
> of boxes around that area, and I looked at the clues for nearly all of
> them, and frankly was disappointed. Such great potential, such great
> places, yet the clues were lousy, the plants even worse. I mean, who
> wants to find a letterbox in the parking lot of a car dealership? Well,
> there are about 20 of them. Where is the journey? The adventure?
>
> How very sad that this is what letterboxing has become.
>
> --
> Nathan Brown
>
> AKA Cyclonic
> Penncoasters.com
>
> The Insensitivity rolls on...
>
> Behind every great man is a great woman rolling her eyes
>
>
>


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



------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links





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

Very well put... it is letterboxers who changed the game and each of us has the choice of whether to buy into the changes or not.

That being said, I do feel that choosing not to buy in, choosing to play in a more traditional way, has become more difficult due to lack of like-minded individuals.

Several years ago, there were far fewer letterboxes in my area, but the boxes that were being planted for the most part involved a hike and had clues of a much higher challenge than most I see now. Likewise, the letterboxers playing the game at that time thought nothing of spending an entire Saturday afternoon hiking a few miles and nabbing 1-2 boxes. Now those boxes on longer hikes, often with quality clues, languish unfound for months/years because there are handfuls of boxes easily found on the edges of the parking lot. Sure, these people *could* choose to ignore the gimme boxes in the parking lot and head off down the trail for a nice hike with a box at the end of some challenging clues... but I am not seeing that so much, rather there has been a mentality shift that more boxes is better, regardless of the quality of the box, the clues and the location.

Even though there is nothing forcing me to buy into that mentality, it is a bit lonely playing a game alone.

SpringChick


--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "uneksia" wrote:
>
>
> i have been reading these posts with interest and now i think i have my
> thoughts together.
>
> i also remember when lbna was the only kid on the block. and then aq moved
> in. aq had a bit fancier house and a lot of parties going on, but did not
> really change the game. so what did?
>
> perhaps it was a bunch of well meaning articles that said..... look at this
> secret game. hey, wasn't the key work secret? letterboxers changed the game.
> we changed it by calling attention to ourselves and then not teaching the
> rules of the game. sure we did our best, but some just didn't get the
> reading and researching part.
>
> so now we have changes that aren't traditional letterboxing. such as postals
> ltc's and virtuals. ask yourself, does this really change letterboxing? i
> can tell you it doesn't for me. i do postals, have dabbled in ltc's and a
> couple of virtuals. none of these take the place of letterboxing. none of
> them take the place of the hike or the thrill of cracking that extra hard
> clue.
>
> i have been letterboxing now for 8 years and the game, for me, has not
> changed. i am the one that chooses which boxes i will look for. i am the one
> that chooses where i will go. i am the one that will ultimately enjoy the
> journey. i am responsible for the quality (or lack there of) of my plants
> and clues. i am the only one that can change the game for me, and i don't
> plan on changing.
>
> now all of the rant above does not mean i am not concerned about the trends
> i see. the poor plants, the kindergarten clues (hey, i was there once also)
> and the overall lack of knowledge.
>
> what i do believe is that those who are not serious about the game will fade
> away... just another trend. those of us who are serious about the game will
> be having this same conversation 5 years down the road.
>
> smile
> uneksia
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

My sentiments exactly, Spring Chick!  Thank you!
MayEve
 
 
--- On Thu, 3/4/10, SpringChick wrote:


 



Very well put... it is letterboxers who changed the game and each of us has the choice of whether to buy into the changes or not.

That being said, I do feel that choosing not to buy in, choosing to play in a more traditional way, has become more difficult due to lack of like-minded individuals.

Several years ago, there were far fewer letterboxes in my area, but the boxes that were being planted for the most part involved a hike and had clues of a much higher challenge than most I see now. Likewise, the letterboxers playing the game at that time thought nothing of spending an entire Saturday afternoon hiking a few miles and nabbing 1-2 boxes. Now those boxes on longer hikes, often with quality clues, languish unfound for months/years because there are handfuls of boxes easily found on the edges of the parking lot. Sure, these people *could* choose to ignore the gimme boxes in the parking lot and head off down the trail for a nice hike with a box at the end of some challenging clues... but I am not seeing that so much, rather there has been a mentality shift that more boxes is better, regardless of the quality of the box, the clues and the location.

Even though there is nothing forcing me to buy into that mentality, it is a bit lonely playing a game alone.

SpringChick

--- In letterbox-usa@ yahoogroups. com, "uneksia" wrote:
>
>
> i have been reading these posts with interest and now i think i have my
> thoughts together.
>
> i also remember when lbna was the only kid on the block. and then aq moved
> in. aq had a bit fancier house and a lot of parties going on, but did not
> really change the game. so what did?
>
> perhaps it was a bunch of well meaning articles that said..... look at this
> secret game. hey, wasn't the key work secret? letterboxers changed the game.
> we changed it by calling attention to ourselves and then not teaching the
> rules of the game. sure we did our best, but some just didn't get the
> reading and researching part.
>
> so now we have changes that aren't traditional letterboxing. such as postals
> ltc's and virtuals. ask yourself, does this really change letterboxing? i
> can tell you it doesn't for me. i do postals, have dabbled in ltc's and a
> couple of virtuals. none of these take the place of letterboxing. none of
> them take the place of the hike or the thrill of cracking that extra hard
> clue.
>
> i have been letterboxing now for 8 years and the game, for me, has not
> changed. i am the one that chooses which boxes i will look for. i am the one
> that chooses where i will go. i am the one that will ultimately enjoy the
> journey. i am responsible for the quality (or lack there of) of my plants
> and clues. i am the only one that can change the game for me, and i don't
> plan on changing.
>
> now all of the rant above does not mean i am not concerned about the trends
> i see. the poor plants, the kindergarten clues (hey, i was there once also)
> and the overall lack of knowledge.
>
> what i do believe is that those who are not serious about the game will fade
> away... just another trend. those of us who are serious about the game will
> be having this same conversation 5 years down the road.
>
> smile
> uneksia
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>











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

ahhh, but we are not alone. how many have spoken the same sentiments?

the team may be smaller than we would like, but we are still playing. hang
in there and we will still be playing when the others go home.

smile
uneksia



-------Original Message-------

From: Chris Harvill
Date: 3/4/2010 1:21:35 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?


My sentiments exactly, Spring Chick! Thank you!
MayEve


--- On Thu, 3/4/10, SpringChick wrote:


Even though there is nothing forcing me to buy into that mentality, it is a
bit lonely playing a game alone.

SpringChick

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

Very true! There are still some fun clues and hikes out there.



Wisconsin Hiker



From: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com [mailto:letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of uneksia
Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 2:10 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?





ahhh, but we are not alone. how many have spoken the same sentiments?

the team may be smaller than we would like, but we are still playing. hang
in there and we will still be playing when the others go home.

smile
uneksia



-------Original Message-------

From: Chris Harvill
Date: 3/4/2010 1:21:35 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?


My sentiments exactly, Spring Chick! Thank you!
MayEve


--- On Thu, 3/4/10, SpringChick > wrote:


Even though there is nothing forcing me to buy into that mentality, it is a
bit lonely playing a game alone.

SpringChick

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





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

I want to chime in and suggest that perhaps those of us who often nab the
"easier" boxes are doing so because we are hoping to share our passion for
hiking and boxing with small children who may not be able to handle a more
challenging hike. While I would love to spend an entire Saturday hiking, I
would also love to spend an entire Saturday with the short people in my
house who are really amazing (and whose definition of "long hike" is
different from mine). We also find letterboxes during roadtrips as a way
to stretch our legs and see places we might otherwise miss, and my
appreciation for the people who place those short-hike boxes is vast!

Chrispy
(with Lumpy, Mono, and Nutcracker)

On Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 2:12 PM, Debbie Kotlarek wrote:

>
>
> Very true! There are still some fun clues and hikes out there.
>
> Wisconsin Hiker
>
> From: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
> letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com ]
> On Behalf Of uneksia
> Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 2:10 PM
>
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
>
> ahhh, but we are not alone. how many have spoken the same sentiments?
>
> the team may be smaller than we would like, but we are still playing. hang
> in there and we will still be playing when the others go home.
>
> smile
> uneksia
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: Chris Harvill
> Date: 3/4/2010 1:21:35 PM
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com > letterbox-usa%40yahoogroups.com >
> Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
>
> My sentiments exactly, Spring Chick! Thank you!
> MayEve
>
> --- On Thu, 3/4/10, SpringChick
> > > wrote:
>
> Even though there is nothing forcing me to buy into that mentality, it is a
> bit lonely playing a game alone.
>
> SpringChick
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>


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

the above posts aren't just about long hikes. short hikes also have their
place. they are about innovative clues, well thought out hiding places,
interesting locations. it is not about who found the letterbox, it is about
how they found it. it is not about the numbers, it is about the journey.
there can be interesting clues and locations in a drive by or a short hike.

i have shared my passion with young children. i often box with my
grandchildren. one of whom has been boxing with me since before she was
born. these amazing young people have more energy and stamina that i will
ever have again! i don't miss the hassle of carrying a little one up a trail
but i am sure glad i did it. now i have children and teenagers who are eager
to see spring so they can go climb a mountain to find a letterbox. in the
meantime i need to build up my stamina to make the climb, and keep up with
them.

smile
uneksia



-------Original Message-------

From: Christine Velez
Date: 3/4/2010 4:17:27 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?

I want to chime in and suggest that perhaps those of us who often nab the
"easier" boxes are doing so because we are hoping to share our passion for
hiking and boxing with small children who may not be able to handle a more
challenging hike. While I would love to spend an entire Saturday hiking, I
would also love to spend an entire Saturday with the short people in my
house who are really amazing (and whose definition of "long hike" is
different from mine). We also find letterboxes during roadtrips as a way
to stretch our legs and see places we might otherwise miss, and my
appreciation for the people who place those short-hike boxes is vast!

Chrispy

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

Yes, you are right Uneksia, and of course I didn't literally mean there are not any others playing the game. Actually I consider myself fortunate to live in the Great Lakes area where there are many wonderful letterboxers and boxes. It just seems the number is dwindling and instead of being the norm as it once was, it is now a small minority. It distracts me; I don't like wading through clue after clue of boxes that have little to offer in terms of *the letterboxing experience* to find the few gems. But hey, that's just my take on it... something for everyone, right?

SpringChick

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "uneksia" wrote:
>
> ahhh, but we are not alone. how many have spoken the same sentiments?
>
> the team may be smaller than we would like, but we are still playing. hang
> in there and we will still be playing when the others go home.
>
> smile
> uneksia
>
>
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: Chris Harvill
> Date: 3/4/2010 1:21:35 PM
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
>
>
> My sentiments exactly, Spring Chick! Thank you!
> MayEve
>
>
> --- On Thu, 3/4/10, SpringChick wrote:
>
>
> Even though there is nothing forcing me to buy into that mentality, it is a
> bit lonely playing a game alone.
>
> SpringChick
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

So true! Likewise I often letterbox with grandchildren in tow... but on a trail, not in a parking lot. I will never forget the first time I took my oldest grandson out boxing when he was 2. I had no idea how far a 2-yr. old could hike, but chose a trail where there was a shorter-distance box (mine, so I knew it was there) and a box further along on the trail (not mine). I figured at the least we would get the nearer box; he didn't have to know it was mine -- it would still be a fun treasure to find. My thought was to go until he began to slow down a little and then turn around, even if we hadn't made the further box, and nab the closer box on the way back. Little did I know that 2-year olds go full bore until they're done. There is no in between, no slowing down phase. So we were about a mile out on the trail, less than 100 yards to the further box and he sat down and announced, "grandma, I'm done now." That was it... "done now." There was no convincing to go just a little further, no understanding that the car was a mile back the way we came... So it was up on the shoulders, to the box and then back. He's 8 now and an entire afternoon of hiking is no big deal -- he's usually the one saying, "can we look for one more?" when I say it's time to be done!

SpringChick

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "uneksia" wrote:
>
> the above posts aren't just about long hikes. short hikes also have their
> place. they are about innovative clues, well thought out hiding places,
> interesting locations. it is not about who found the letterbox, it is about
> how they found it. it is not about the numbers, it is about the journey.
> there can be interesting clues and locations in a drive by or a short hike.
>
> i have shared my passion with young children. i often box with my
> grandchildren. one of whom has been boxing with me since before she was
> born. these amazing young people have more energy and stamina that i will
> ever have again! i don't miss the hassle of carrying a little one up a trail
> but i am sure glad i did it. now i have children and teenagers who are eager
> to see spring so they can go climb a mountain to find a letterbox. in the
> meantime i need to build up my stamina to make the climb, and keep up with
> them.
>
> smile
> uneksia
>
>
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: Christine Velez
> Date: 3/4/2010 4:17:27 PM
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
>
> I want to chime in and suggest that perhaps those of us who often nab the
> "easier" boxes are doing so because we are hoping to share our passion for
> hiking and boxing with small children who may not be able to handle a more
> challenging hike. While I would love to spend an entire Saturday hiking, I
> would also love to spend an entire Saturday with the short people in my
> house who are really amazing (and whose definition of "long hike" is
> different from mine). We also find letterboxes during roadtrips as a way
> to stretch our legs and see places we might otherwise miss, and my
> appreciation for the people who place those short-hike boxes is vast!
>
> Chrispy
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

That is why there is a box out there for every taste, but not every box is for everybody. :-)

It all depends upon personal taste.

YMMV,

LB

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Christine Velez wrote:
>
> I want to chime in and suggest that perhaps those of us who often nab the
> "easier" boxes are doing so because we are hoping to share our passion for
> hiking and boxing with small children who may not be able to handle a more
> challenging hike. While I would love to spend an entire Saturday hiking, I
> would also love to spend an entire Saturday with the short people in my
> house who are really amazing (and whose definition of "long hike" is
> different from mine). We also find letterboxes during roadtrips as a way
> to stretch our legs and see places we might otherwise miss, and my
> appreciation for the people who place those short-hike boxes is vast!
>
> Chrispy
> (with Lumpy, Mono, and Nutcracker)
>
> On Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 2:12 PM, Debbie Kotlarek wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Very true! There are still some fun clues and hikes out there.
> >
> > Wisconsin Hiker
> >
> > From: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
> > letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com ]
> > On Behalf Of uneksia
> > Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 2:10 PM
> >
> > To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
> >
> > ahhh, but we are not alone. how many have spoken the same sentiments?
> >
> > the team may be smaller than we would like, but we are still playing. hang
> > in there and we will still be playing when the others go home.
> >
> > smile
> > uneksia
> >
> > -------Original Message-------
> >
> > From: Chris Harvill
> > Date: 3/4/2010 1:21:35 PM
> > To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com > > letterbox-usa%40yahoogroups.com >
> > Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
> >
> > My sentiments exactly, Spring Chick! Thank you!
> > MayEve
> >
> > --- On Thu, 3/4/10, SpringChick
> > > > wrote:
> >
> > Even though there is nothing forcing me to buy into that mentality, it is a
> > bit lonely playing a game alone.
> >
> > SpringChick
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

there are a few neuvo purists around here, Ive only been boxing 3 years and
most of my plants are at least a mile hike,,



On Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 8:19 AM, SpringChick wrote:

>
>
> Very well put... it is letterboxers who changed the game and each of us has
> the choice of whether to buy into the changes or not.
>
> That being said, I do feel that choosing not to buy in, choosing to play in
> a more traditional way, has become more difficult due to lack of like-minded
> individuals.
>
> Several years ago, there were far fewer letterboxes in my area, but the
> boxes that were being planted for the most part involved a hike and had
> clues of a much higher challenge than most I see now. Likewise, the
> letterboxers playing the game at that time thought nothing of spending an
> entire Saturday afternoon hiking a few miles and nabbing 1-2 boxes. Now
> those boxes on longer hikes, often with quality clues, languish unfound for
> months/years because there are handfuls of boxes easily found on the edges
> of the parking lot. Sure, these people *could* choose to ignore the gimme
> boxes in the parking lot and head off down the trail for a nice hike with a
> box at the end of some challenging clues... but I am not seeing that so
> much, rather there has been a mentality shift that more boxes is better,
> regardless of the quality of the box, the clues and the location.
>
> Even though there is nothing forcing me to buy into that mentality, it is a
> bit lonely playing a game alone.
>
> SpringChick
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com ,
> "uneksia" wrote:
> >
> >
> > i have been reading these posts with interest and now i think i have my
> > thoughts together.
> >
> > i also remember when lbna was the only kid on the block. and then aq
> moved
> > in. aq had a bit fancier house and a lot of parties going on, but did not
> > really change the game. so what did?
> >
> > perhaps it was a bunch of well meaning articles that said..... look at
> this
> > secret game. hey, wasn't the key work secret? letterboxers changed the
> game.
> > we changed it by calling attention to ourselves and then not teaching the
> > rules of the game. sure we did our best, but some just didn't get the
> > reading and researching part.
> >
> > so now we have changes that aren't traditional letterboxing. such as
> postals
> > ltc's and virtuals. ask yourself, does this really change letterboxing? i
> > can tell you it doesn't for me. i do postals, have dabbled in ltc's and a
> > couple of virtuals. none of these take the place of letterboxing. none of
> > them take the place of the hike or the thrill of cracking that extra hard
> > clue.
> >
> > i have been letterboxing now for 8 years and the game, for me, has not
> > changed. i am the one that chooses which boxes i will look for. i am the
> one
> > that chooses where i will go. i am the one that will ultimately enjoy the
> > journey. i am responsible for the quality (or lack there of) of my plants
> > and clues. i am the only one that can change the game for me, and i don't
> > plan on changing.
> >
> > now all of the rant above does not mean i am not concerned about the
> trends
> > i see. the poor plants, the kindergarten clues (hey, i was there once
> also)
> > and the overall lack of knowledge.
> >
> > what i do believe is that those who are not serious about the game will
> fade
> > away... just another trend. those of us who are serious about the game
> will
> > be having this same conversation 5 years down the road.
> >
> > smile
> > uneksia
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>


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

Everyone has there own way of letterboxing. There are no rules as to what a "real" letterbox is. To some it is a drive by for handicap reasons. To some it is that long hike, to some it is the stamp itself, or location. Whatever the reason there is no wrong or right way to box. Except of course after finding it you rehide it better than you found it. Which we have been finding a problem lately. After reading these posts the past few days I am finding there are a lot of LB snobs! If I was a new boxer I would be very discouraged to even want to become part of this hobby. So that could be the reason Why So Quiet?

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, george bx wrote:
>
> there are a few neuvo purists around here, Ive only been boxing 3 years and
> most of my plants are at least a mile hike,,
>
>
>
> On Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 8:19 AM, SpringChick wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Very well put... it is letterboxers who changed the game and each of us has
> > the choice of whether to buy into the changes or not.
> >
> > That being said, I do feel that choosing not to buy in, choosing to play in
> > a more traditional way, has become more difficult due to lack of like-minded
> > individuals.
> >
> > Several years ago, there were far fewer letterboxes in my area, but the
> > boxes that were being planted for the most part involved a hike and had
> > clues of a much higher challenge than most I see now. Likewise, the
> > letterboxers playing the game at that time thought nothing of spending an
> > entire Saturday afternoon hiking a few miles and nabbing 1-2 boxes. Now
> > those boxes on longer hikes, often with quality clues, languish unfound for
> > months/years because there are handfuls of boxes easily found on the edges
> > of the parking lot. Sure, these people *could* choose to ignore the gimme
> > boxes in the parking lot and head off down the trail for a nice hike with a
> > box at the end of some challenging clues... but I am not seeing that so
> > much, rather there has been a mentality shift that more boxes is better,
> > regardless of the quality of the box, the clues and the location.
> >
> > Even though there is nothing forcing me to buy into that mentality, it is a
> > bit lonely playing a game alone.
> >
> > SpringChick
> >
> > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com ,
> > "uneksia" wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > i have been reading these posts with interest and now i think i have my
> > > thoughts together.
> > >
> > > i also remember when lbna was the only kid on the block. and then aq
> > moved
> > > in. aq had a bit fancier house and a lot of parties going on, but did not
> > > really change the game. so what did?
> > >
> > > perhaps it was a bunch of well meaning articles that said..... look at
> > this
> > > secret game. hey, wasn't the key work secret? letterboxers changed the
> > game.
> > > we changed it by calling attention to ourselves and then not teaching the
> > > rules of the game. sure we did our best, but some just didn't get the
> > > reading and researching part.
> > >
> > > so now we have changes that aren't traditional letterboxing. such as
> > postals
> > > ltc's and virtuals. ask yourself, does this really change letterboxing? i
> > > can tell you it doesn't for me. i do postals, have dabbled in ltc's and a
> > > couple of virtuals. none of these take the place of letterboxing. none of
> > > them take the place of the hike or the thrill of cracking that extra hard
> > > clue.
> > >
> > > i have been letterboxing now for 8 years and the game, for me, has not
> > > changed. i am the one that chooses which boxes i will look for. i am the
> > one
> > > that chooses where i will go. i am the one that will ultimately enjoy the
> > > journey. i am responsible for the quality (or lack there of) of my plants
> > > and clues. i am the only one that can change the game for me, and i don't
> > > plan on changing.
> > >
> > > now all of the rant above does not mean i am not concerned about the
> > trends
> > > i see. the poor plants, the kindergarten clues (hey, i was there once
> > also)
> > > and the overall lack of knowledge.
> > >
> > > what i do believe is that those who are not serious about the game will
> > fade
> > > away... just another trend. those of us who are serious about the game
> > will
> > > be having this same conversation 5 years down the road.
> > >
> > > smile
> > > uneksia
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Hmm. I stand corrected.... =)

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Suzanne Coe wrote:
It's not really the people on AQ who think that "anything with a rubber stamp" is a letterbox, it's just that the website forces one to choose between listing either a "traditional" (normal/mystery/bonus/WOM) letterbox or a "non-traditional" letterbox--there's no third option....






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

Postal Letterboxing... Okay, so maybe that's kind of a misnomer, but here are the good sides of this branch of the hobby:

1. Camaraderie
2. Those in WINTERY climates can still participate,
even when they can't get outdoors much.
3. Carving skills and logbook-making skills improve greatly.

That's just my two cents -- and I only do postal letterboxes in the winter.

Sincerely,

Hansenclan

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Suzanne Coe wrote:
>
> Hmm. I stand corrected.... =)
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Suzanne Coe wrote:
> It's not really the people on AQ who think that "anything with a rubber stamp" is a letterbox, it's just that the website forces one to choose between listing either a "traditional" (normal/mystery/bonus/WOM) letterbox or a "non-traditional" letterbox--there's no third option....
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

There are many types of interesting and creative rubber stamp activities.
However I don't know why some of them use the term letterbox.



Wisconsin Hiker



From: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com [mailto:letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of eighthands4jesus2007
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 11:23 AM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?





Postal Letterboxing... Okay, so maybe that's kind of a misnomer, but here
are the good sides of this branch of the hobby:

1. Camaraderie
2. Those in WINTERY climates can still participate,
even when they can't get outdoors much.
3. Carving skills and logbook-making skills improve greatly.

That's just my two cents -- and I only do postal letterboxes in the winter.

Sincerely,

Hansenclan

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
, Suzanne Coe wrote:
>
> Hmm. I stand corrected.... =)
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
, Suzanne Coe wrote:
> It's not really the people on AQ who think that "anything with a rubber
stamp" is a letterbox, it's just that the website forces one to choose
between listing either a "traditional" (normal/mystery/bonus/WOM) letterbox
or a "non-traditional" letterbox--there's no third option....
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





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

> There are many types of interesting and creative rubber stamp
> activities.
> However I don't know why some of them use the term letterbox.

I remember the first time I saw a postal letterbox. Funhog had received it from Legerdemaine, and she brought it to a gathering to show off since it didn't seem practical to mail it to everyone individually. It was pretty awesome too. I'd never seen a Legerdemaine stamp before, and it had so many wonderful stamps in it from the east coast in the logbook that I'd never seen before. Funhog said it was the letterbox that comes to you, certainly a unique twist to the game. We were even allowed to count it as a find. For all intents and purposes, it really seemed like a letterbox to everyone. An unusual letterbox, to be sure, but not really any more unusual than a hitchhiker which was by then very well established.

Then AQ came along and "ruined" letterboxing. Ah, well, live and learn. AQ 1.0 didn't have support for anything except "real" letterboxes, but almost immediately, a huge problem started occurring--all these hitchhikers and postals were being listed as "mystery boxes" because that was the "best" option available. Which was a problem for me, because I didn't count them as mystery boxes, and it cluttered up the real mystery boxes with all these fake mystery boxes.

So I set up categories for these other types, mostly as a way to segregate those "fake letterboxes" from the real ones. It's kind of ironic, but my adding support for those non-traditional boxes did more to distinguish the real letterboxes from the pseudo boxes than anything LbNA did, which to this day says you can count hitchhikers as a "real" letterbox--something AQ hasn't allowed from day 1.

Eventually LbNA had to start distinguishing between the real letterboxes and pseudo boxes, eventually adding support for "travellers" to get people to stop listing them all as mystery boxes. The support for these other types wasn't nearly as thorough as what I created on AQ, and most people who participated in postals, virtuals, and such pretty much list those types exclusively on Atlas Quest. And it's that fantastic? Does anyone here really *want* all that stuff listed on LbNA? The fact that support for them is so good on Atlas Quest helps take the pressure off of LbNA to add support for those pseudo-boxes, except for that throw-away category of "travellers" that's easy to ignore.

The complaints about calling these stand-ins as "letterboxes" actually did start with LbNA, so I'm not really fond when I see people blaming Atlas Quest for that turn of events. At the time, when that first postal box was released, it seemed harmless enough to call it a letterbox. Not like anyone expected the concept to grow into hundreds and then thousands of listings. In hindsight, I think it was a mistake, but what's done is done.

But everyone on Atlas Quest is well aware of the differences between a real letterbox and the pseudo boxes. Collectively, we might call all of them letterboxes, but it's a term born out of historical context. Something like the "spirit" of letterboxing, if not the actual thing. A way to share stamps we'd otherwise never see, a way to connect with people that we may otherwise never meet.

So no, postals, virtuals, hitchhikers, cooties, LTCs.... none of these are real letterboxes. The folks who use Atlas Quest are well aware of this fact, and if there is anyone on the site who does not believe this to be the case, I'll be the first one to set them straight. The official P and F-counts that AQ tallies does not include any of these pseudo-boxes in the counts. The main page on Atlas Quest only has a search option for real letterboxes.

I have no problem if an individual decides that none of these alternative types of boxes are worth participating in. I'm not even a fan of those types of boxes. But I don't see any reason to go around telling others that they shouldn't be playing that either. When it comes to terminology, they're words without inherent meaning. The meaning comes from context. When we talk about letterboxes, the context the term is used might refer to "real letterboxes," or it might refer to "non-real letterboxes," or it might even refer to "anything with a stamp."

Just like a conversation about bears might be referring to polar bears, or black bears, or grizzly bears, or panda bears, or maybe all of the above. By itself, the term "bear" is meaningless. In context, it could mean any number of things. Consider how ridiculous a conversation would sound if we replaced the term "letterbox" with "bear."

"These aren't letterboxes. They're postals, and virtuals, and I don't understand why some people use the term letterbox. They're stamp collections (imagine a tone of disgust), not letterboxes (imagine a tone of respect)."

"These aren't bears. They're pandas, and grizzlies, and I don't understand why some people use the term bear. They're ANIMALS (imagine a tone of disgust), not bears (imagine a tone of respect)."

Instead of being ungrateful for a website most people here probably don't use, why don't you send a thank you to the webmasters on LbNA thanking them for creating a website that you can enjoy and supports your point of view. AQ is just full of a bunch of Al-Queda operatives and doesn't deserve all the attention you give it. =)

-- Ryan

hi there this is just a shout out to everyone. I found a hitch hiker that belongs to "cascobay painter" but have not been able to contact her to let her know i found it  "please leave a message" any clues anyone  Kimberley

--- On Wed, 3/10/10, rscarpen wrote:

From: rscarpen
Subject: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 4:46 PM







 









> There are many types of interesting and creative rubber stamp

> activities.

> However I don't know why some of them use the term letterbox.



I remember the first time I saw a postal letterbox. Funhog had received it from Legerdemaine, and she brought it to a gathering to show off since it didn't seem practical to mail it to everyone individually. It was pretty awesome too. I'd never seen a Legerdemaine stamp before, and it had so many wonderful stamps in it from the east coast in the logbook that I'd never seen before. Funhog said it was the letterbox that comes to you, certainly a unique twist to the game. We were even allowed to count it as a find. For all intents and purposes, it really seemed like a letterbox to everyone. An unusual letterbox, to be sure, but not really any more unusual than a hitchhiker which was by then very well established.



Then AQ came along and "ruined" letterboxing. Ah, well, live and learn. AQ 1.0 didn't have support for anything except "real" letterboxes, but almost immediately, a huge problem started occurring--all these hitchhikers and postals were being listed as "mystery boxes" because that was the "best" option available. Which was a problem for me, because I didn't count them as mystery boxes, and it cluttered up the real mystery boxes with all these fake mystery boxes.



So I set up categories for these other types, mostly as a way to segregate those "fake letterboxes" from the real ones. It's kind of ironic, but my adding support for those non-traditional boxes did more to distinguish the real letterboxes from the pseudo boxes than anything LbNA did, which to this day says you can count hitchhikers as a "real" letterbox--somethin g AQ hasn't allowed from day 1.



Eventually LbNA had to start distinguishing between the real letterboxes and pseudo boxes, eventually adding support for "travellers" to get people to stop listing them all as mystery boxes. The support for these other types wasn't nearly as thorough as what I created on AQ, and most people who participated in postals, virtuals, and such pretty much list those types exclusively on Atlas Quest. And it's that fantastic? Does anyone here really *want* all that stuff listed on LbNA? The fact that support for them is so good on Atlas Quest helps take the pressure off of LbNA to add support for those pseudo-boxes, except for that throw-away category of "travellers" that's easy to ignore.



The complaints about calling these stand-ins as "letterboxes" actually did start with LbNA, so I'm not really fond when I see people blaming Atlas Quest for that turn of events. At the time, when that first postal box was released, it seemed harmless enough to call it a letterbox. Not like anyone expected the concept to grow into hundreds and then thousands of listings. In hindsight, I think it was a mistake, but what's done is done.



But everyone on Atlas Quest is well aware of the differences between a real letterbox and the pseudo boxes. Collectively, we might call all of them letterboxes, but it's a term born out of historical context. Something like the "spirit" of letterboxing, if not the actual thing. A way to share stamps we'd otherwise never see, a way to connect with people that we may otherwise never meet.



So no, postals, virtuals, hitchhikers, cooties, LTCs.... none of these are real letterboxes. The folks who use Atlas Quest are well aware of this fact, and if there is anyone on the site who does not believe this to be the case, I'll be the first one to set them straight. The official P and F-counts that AQ tallies does not include any of these pseudo-boxes in the counts. The main page on Atlas Quest only has a search option for real letterboxes.



I have no problem if an individual decides that none of these alternative types of boxes are worth participating in. I'm not even a fan of those types of boxes. But I don't see any reason to go around telling others that they shouldn't be playing that either. When it comes to terminology, they're words without inherent meaning. The meaning comes from context. When we talk about letterboxes, the context the term is used might refer to "real letterboxes, " or it might refer to "non-real letterboxes, " or it might even refer to "anything with a stamp."



Just like a conversation about bears might be referring to polar bears, or black bears, or grizzly bears, or panda bears, or maybe all of the above. By itself, the term "bear" is meaningless. In context, it could mean any number of things. Consider how ridiculous a conversation would sound if we replaced the term "letterbox" with "bear."



"These aren't letterboxes. They're postals, and virtuals, and I don't understand why some people use the term letterbox. They're stamp collections (imagine a tone of disgust), not letterboxes (imagine a tone of respect)."



"These aren't bears. They're pandas, and grizzlies, and I don't understand why some people use the term bear. They're ANIMALS (imagine a tone of disgust), not bears (imagine a tone of respect)."



Instead of being ungrateful for a website most people here probably don't use, why don't you send a thank you to the webmasters on LbNA thanking them for creating a website that you can enjoy and supports your point of view. AQ is just full of a bunch of Al-Queda operatives and doesn't deserve all the attention you give it. =)



-- Ryan

























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

today i will be plain and simple.

ryan, that is a really nice letter.

smile
uneksia



-------Original Message-------

From: rscarpen
Date: 3/10/2010 4:46:13 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?


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

Pandas aren't bears, though, but grizzlies are.

(Same thing with respect to postal letterboxes and hitchhikers, respectively.)  ;-)




________________________________
From: rscarpen
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, March 10, 2010 4:46:07 PM
Subject: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?

 
> There are many types of interesting and creative rubber stamp
> activities.
> However I don't know why some of them use the term letterbox.

I remember the first time I saw a postal letterbox. Funhog had received it from Legerdemaine, and she brought it to a gathering to show off since it didn't seem practical to mail it to everyone individually. It was pretty awesome too. I'd never seen a Legerdemaine stamp before, and it had so many wonderful stamps in it from the east coast in the logbook that I'd never seen before. Funhog said it was the letterbox that comes to you, certainly a unique twist to the game. We were even allowed to count it as a find. For all intents and purposes, it really seemed like a letterbox to everyone. An unusual letterbox, to be sure, but not really any more unusual than a hitchhiker which was by then very well established.

Then AQ came along and "ruined" letterboxing. Ah, well, live and learn. AQ 1.0 didn't have support for anything except "real" letterboxes, but almost immediately, a huge problem started occurring--all these hitchhikers and postals were being listed as "mystery boxes" because that was the "best" option available. Which was a problem for me, because I didn't count them as mystery boxes, and it cluttered up the real mystery boxes with all these fake mystery boxes.

So I set up categories for these other types, mostly as a way to segregate those "fake letterboxes" from the real ones. It's kind of ironic, but my adding support for those non-traditional boxes did more to distinguish the real letterboxes from the pseudo boxes than anything LbNA did, which to this day says you can count hitchhikers as a "real" letterbox--somethin g AQ hasn't allowed from day 1.

Eventually LbNA had to start distinguishing between the real letterboxes and pseudo boxes, eventually adding support for "travellers" to get people to stop listing them all as mystery boxes. The support for these other types wasn't nearly as thorough as what I created on AQ, and most people who participated in postals, virtuals, and such pretty much list those types exclusively on Atlas Quest. And it's that fantastic? Does anyone here really *want* all that stuff listed on LbNA? The fact that support for them is so good on Atlas Quest helps take the pressure off of LbNA to add support for those pseudo-boxes, except for that throw-away category of "travellers" that's easy to ignore.

The complaints about calling these stand-ins as "letterboxes" actually did start with LbNA, so I'm not really fond when I see people blaming Atlas Quest for that turn of events. At the time, when that first postal box was released, it seemed harmless enough to call it a letterbox. Not like anyone expected the concept to grow into hundreds and then thousands of listings. In hindsight, I think it was a mistake, but what's done is done.

But everyone on Atlas Quest is well aware of the differences between a real letterbox and the pseudo boxes. Collectively, we might call all of them letterboxes, but it's a term born out of historical context. Something like the "spirit" of letterboxing, if not the actual thing. A way to share stamps we'd otherwise never see, a way to connect with people that we may otherwise never meet.

So no, postals, virtuals, hitchhikers, cooties, LTCs.... none of these are real letterboxes. The folks who use Atlas Quest are well aware of this fact, and if there is anyone on the site who does not believe this to be the case, I'll be the first one to set them straight. The official P and F-counts that AQ tallies does not include any of these pseudo-boxes in the counts. The main page on Atlas Quest only has a search option for real letterboxes.

I have no problem if an individual decides that none of these alternative types of boxes are worth participating in. I'm not even a fan of those types of boxes. But I don't see any reason to go around telling others that they shouldn't be playing that either. When it comes to terminology, they're words without inherent meaning. The meaning comes from context. When we talk about letterboxes, the context the term is used might refer to "real letterboxes, " or it might refer to "non-real letterboxes, " or it might even refer to "anything with a stamp."

Just like a conversation about bears might be referring to polar bears, or black bears, or grizzly bears, or panda bears, or maybe all of the above. By itself, the term "bear" is meaningless. In context, it could mean any number of things. Consider how ridiculous a conversation would sound if we replaced the term "letterbox" with "bear."

"These aren't letterboxes. They're postals, and virtuals, and I don't understand why some people use the term letterbox. They're stamp collections (imagine a tone of disgust), not letterboxes (imagine a tone of respect)."

"These aren't bears. They're pandas, and grizzlies, and I don't understand why some people use the term bear. They're ANIMALS (imagine a tone of disgust), not bears (imagine a tone of respect)."

Instead of being ungrateful for a website most people here probably don't use, why don't you send a thank you to the webmasters on LbNA thanking them for creating a website that you can enjoy and supports your point of view. AQ is just full of a bunch of Al-Queda operatives and doesn't deserve all the attention you give it. =)

-- Ryan







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

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Otis' Friends wrote:
>
> Pandas aren't bears, though, but grizzlies are.
>
> (Same thing with respect to postal letterboxes and hitchhikers, respectively.)  ;-)
>
>
> I love you Otis. We need both AQ and LBNA. The horse is dead.

Who said anything about horses? We were talking about bears.







________________________________
From: mizscarlet731
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, March 11, 2010 12:21:09 PM
Subject: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?




--- In letterbox-usa@ yahoogroups. com, Otis' Friends wrote:
>
> Pandas aren't bears, though, but grizzlies are.
>
> (Same thing with respect to postal letterboxes and hitchhikers, respectively. )Â ;-)
>
>
> I love you Otis. We need both AQ and LBNA. The horse is dead.







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

I've had enough bears, thank you, the one at Hickory Run was plenty.... =)

--- On Thu, 3/11/10, Otis' Friends wrote:
Who said anything about horses? We were talking about bears.



________________________________
From: mizscarlet731



--- In letterbox-usa@ yahoogroups. com, Otis' Friends wrote:
>
> Pandas aren't bears, though, but grizzlies are.
>
> (Same thing with respect to postal letterboxes and hitchhikers, respectively. ) ;-)
>
>
> I love you Otis. We need both AQ and LBNA. The horse is dead.







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

But we oughtta be talking about lemurs!
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

-----Original Message-----
From: Otis' Friends
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:59:53
To:
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?

Who said anything about horses? We were talking about bears.







________________________________
From: mizscarlet731
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, March 11, 2010 12:21:09 PM
Subject: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?




--- In letterbox-usa@ yahoogroups. com, Otis' Friends wrote:
>
> Pandas aren't bears, though, but grizzlies are.
>
> (Same thing with respect to postal letterboxes and hitchhikers, respectively. )Â ;-)
>
>
> I love you Otis. We need both AQ and LBNA. The horse is dead.







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




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

Invoking the Lemur Law? ;-)

LB

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "BarefootLucy" wrote:
>
> But we oughtta be talking about lemurs!
> Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Otis' Friends
> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:59:53
> To:
> Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
>
> Who said anything about horses? We were talking about bears.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: mizscarlet731
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thu, March 11, 2010 12:21:09 PM
> Subject: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
>
>
>
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@ yahoogroups. com, Otis' Friends wrote:
> >
> > Pandas aren't bears, though, but grizzlies are.
> >
> > (Same thing with respect to postal letterboxes and hitchhikers, respectively. )Â ;-)
> >
> >
> > I love you Otis. We need both AQ and LBNA. The horse is dead.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

I cant bear to talk about dead horses.


Thunder Cobra
MTCobra
East Central Illinois







On Mar 11, 2010, at 5:02 PM, rpboehme wrote:

> Invoking the Lemur Law? ;-)
>
> LB
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "BarefootLucy" wrote:
> >
> > But we oughtta be talking about lemurs!
> > Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Otis' Friends
> > Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:59:53
> > To:
> > Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
> >
> > Who said anything about horses? We were talking about bears.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: mizscarlet731
> > To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Thu, March 11, 2010 12:21:09 PM
> > Subject: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In letterbox-usa@ yahoogroups. com, Otis' Friends wrote:
> > >
> > > Pandas aren't bears, though, but grizzlies are.
> > >
> > > (Same thing with respect to postal letterboxes and hitchhikers, respectively. )Â ;-)
> > >
> > >
> > > I love you Otis. We need both AQ and LBNA. The horse is dead.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>



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

Suzanne Coe wrote:
> I've had enough bears, thank you, the one at Hickory Run was plenty.... =)
>
>

Lucky! ;-P

--
Nathan Brown

AKA Cyclonic
Penncoasters.com

The Insensitivity rolls on...

Behind every great man is a great woman rolling her eyes

Throwing it out there for consideration....whatdya think? :&)



On Thu, Mar 11, 2010 at 5:02 PM, rpboehme wrote:

>
>
> Invoking the Lemur Law? ;-)
>
> LB
>
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com ,
> "BarefootLucy" wrote:
> >
> > But we oughtta be talking about lemurs!
> > Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Otis' Friends
> > Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:59:53
> > To: >
> > Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
> >
> > Who said anything about horses? We were talking about bears.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: mizscarlet731
>
> > To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Thu, March 11, 2010 12:21:09 PM
> > Subject: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In letterbox-usa@ yahoogroups. com, Otis' Friends
> wrote:
> > >
> > > Pandas aren't bears, though, but grizzlies are.
> > >
> > > (Same thing with respect to postal letterboxes and hitchhikers,
> respectively. )Â ;-)
>
> > >
> > >
> > > I love you Otis. We need both AQ and LBNA. The horse is dead.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>



--
Barefoot Lucy
"Not about footwear, it's about philosophy!"


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

Hi Kimberley,



Casco Bay Painter is no longer letterboxing. But that’s quite an old HH.

Please contact me offlist as I just sent her an email and will let you know if she wants to be contacted or not.

Thanks.



Mark





From: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com [mailto:letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of kimberley williams
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:50 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?





hi there this is just a shout out to everyone. I found a hitch hiker that belongs to "cascobay painter" but have not been able to contact her to let her know i found it "please leave a message" any clues anyone Kimberley






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

I am a newbie but I have fairly high standards for myself in terms of how I play - I realize there are a lot of very very causal boxes out there (who look up a box on a Saturday for a family outing because there is nothing else to do) and I think that is fine. However I also have been finding a lot of boxes just out in the open lately or (the horror) not closed! I don't know if this is inexperience or just because I am the first person finding these boxes after the winter snow melt. I feel like its disrespectful to the planter but its a risk that's taken every time we plant a box - a risk knowingly taken. I don't think its as easy to apreciate the importance of rehiding a box well until you start planting yourself (although I have always enjoyed rehideing the box really really well (tee hee). I also like a BIT of a challenge when looking for a box I think I should have to do more than scan the area and see the box outright.

ok I am done

lbm








-----Original Message-----
From: mommyquackers
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, Mar 5, 2010 11:44 am
Subject: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?





Everyone has there own way of letterboxing. There are no rules as to what a "real" letterbox is. To some it is a drive by for handicap reasons. To some it is that long hike, to some it is the stamp itself, or location. Whatever the reason there is no wrong or right way to box. Except of course after finding it you rehide it better than you found it. Which we have been finding a problem lately. After reading these posts the past few days I am finding there are a lot of LB snobs! If I was a new boxer I would be very discouraged to even want to become part of this hobby. So that could be the reason Why So Quiet?

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, george bx wrote:
>
> there are a few neuvo purists around here, Ive only been boxing 3 years and
> most of my plants are at least a mile hike,,
>
>
>
> On Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 8:19 AM, SpringChick wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Very well put... it is letterboxers who changed the game and each of us has
> > the choice of whether to buy into the changes or not.
> >
> > That being said, I do feel that choosing not to buy in, choosing to play in
> > a more traditional way, has become more difficult due to lack of like-minded
> > individuals.
> >
> > Several years ago, there were far fewer letterboxes in my area, but the
> > boxes that were being planted for the most part involved a hike and had
> > clues of a much higher challenge than most I see now. Likewise, the
> > letterboxers playing the game at that time thought nothing of spending an
> > entire Saturday afternoon hiking a few miles and nabbing 1-2 boxes. Now
> > those boxes on longer hikes, often with quality clues, languish unfound for
> > months/years because there are handfuls of boxes easily found on the edges
> > of the parking lot. Sure, these people *could* choose to ignore the gimme
> > boxes in the parking lot and head off down the trail for a nice hike with a
> > box at the end of some challenging clues... but I am not seeing that so
> > much, rather there has been a mentality shift that more boxes is better,
> > regardless of the quality of the box, the clues and the location.
> >
> > Even though there is nothing forcing me to buy into that mentality, it is a
> > bit lonely playing a game alone.
> >
> > SpringChick
> >
> > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com ,
> > "uneksia" wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > i have been reading these posts with interest and now i think i have my
> > > thoughts together.
> > >
> > > i also remember when lbna was the only kid on the block. and then aq
> > moved
> > > in. aq had a bit fancier house and a lot of parties going on, but did not
> > > really change the game. so what did?
> > >
> > > perhaps it was a bunch of well meaning articles that said..... look at
> > this
> > > secret game. hey, wasn't the key work secret? letterboxers changed the
> > game.
> > > we changed it by calling attention to ourselves and then not teaching the
> > > rules of the game. sure we did our best, but some just didn't get the
> > > reading and researching part.
> > >
> > > so now we have changes that aren't traditional letterboxing. such as
> > postals
> > > ltc's and virtuals. ask yourself, does this really change letterboxing? i
> > > can tell you it doesn't for me. i do postals, have dabbled in ltc's and a
> > > couple of virtuals. none of these take the place of letterboxing. none of
> > > them take the place of the hike or the thrill of cracking that extra hard
> > > clue.
> > >
> > > i have been letterboxing now for 8 years and the game, for me, has not
> > > changed. i am the one that chooses which boxes i will look for. i am the
> > one
> > > that chooses where i will go. i am the one that will ultimately enjoy the
> > > journey. i am responsible for the quality (or lack there of) of my plants
> > > and clues. i am the only one that can change the game for me, and i don't
> > > plan on changing.
> > >
> > > now all of the rant above does not mean i am not concerned about the
> > trends
> > > i see. the poor plants, the kindergarten clues (hey, i was there once
> > also)
> > > and the overall lack of knowledge.
> > >
> > > what i do believe is that those who are not serious about the game will
> > fade
> > > away... just another trend. those of us who are serious about the game
> > will
> > > be having this same conversation 5 years down the road.
> > >
> > > smile
> > > uneksia
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>









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

its not always people who move boxes from their hiding place,, rodents, and
dogs are attracted to latent odors on the containers too

On Fri, Mar 12, 2010 at 4:29 AM, wrote:

>
>
> I am a newbie but I have fairly high standards for myself in terms of how I
> play - I realize there are a lot of very very causal boxes out there (who
> look up a box on a Saturday for a family outing because there is nothing
> else to do) and I think that is fine. However I also have been finding a lot
> of boxes just out in the open lately or (the horror) not closed! I don't
> know if this is inexperience or just because I am the first person finding
> these boxes after the winter snow melt. I feel like its disrespectful to the
> planter but its a risk that's taken every time we plant a box - a risk
> knowingly taken. I don't think its as easy to apreciate the importance of
> rehiding a box well until you start planting yourself (although I have
> always enjoyed rehideing the box really really well (tee hee). I also like a
> BIT of a challenge when looking for a box I think I should have to do more
> than scan the area and see the box outright.
>
> ok I am done
>
> lbm
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mommyquackers >
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Fri, Mar 5, 2010 11:44 am
> Subject: [LbNA] Re: How do you find letterboxers ?? - Why So Quiet?
>
> Everyone has there own way of letterboxing. There are no rules as to what a
> "real" letterbox is. To some it is a drive by for handicap reasons. To some
> it is that long hike, to some it is the stamp itself, or location. Whatever
> the reason there is no wrong or right way to box. Except of course after
> finding it you rehide it better than you found it. Which we have been
> finding a problem lately. After reading these posts the past few days I am
> finding there are a lot of LB snobs! If I was a new boxer I would be very
> discouraged to even want to become part of this hobby. So that could be the
> reason Why So Quiet?
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com ,
> george bx wrote:
> >
> > there are a few neuvo purists around here, Ive only been boxing 3 years
> and
> > most of my plants are at least a mile hike,,
> >
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 8:19 AM, SpringChick wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > Very well put... it is letterboxers who changed the game and each of us
> has
> > > the choice of whether to buy into the changes or not.
> > >
> > > That being said, I do feel that choosing not to buy in, choosing to
> play in
> > > a more traditional way, has become more difficult due to lack of
> like-minded
> > > individuals.
> > >
> > > Several years ago, there were far fewer letterboxes in my area, but the
> > > boxes that were being planted for the most part involved a hike and had
> > > clues of a much higher challenge than most I see now. Likewise, the
> > > letterboxers playing the game at that time thought nothing of spending
> an
> > > entire Saturday afternoon hiking a few miles and nabbing 1-2 boxes. Now
> > > those boxes on longer hikes, often with quality clues, languish unfound
> for
> > > months/years because there are handfuls of boxes easily found on the
> edges
> > > of the parking lot. Sure, these people *could* choose to ignore the
> gimme
> > > boxes in the parking lot and head off down the trail for a nice hike
> with a
> > > box at the end of some challenging clues... but I am not seeing that so
> > > much, rather there has been a mentality shift that more boxes is
> better,
> > > regardless of the quality of the box, the clues and the location.
> > >
> > > Even though there is nothing forcing me to buy into that mentality, it
> is a
> > > bit lonely playing a game alone.
> > >
> > > SpringChick
> > >
> > > --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com > 40yahoogroups.com>,
> > > "uneksia" wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > i have been reading these posts with interest and now i think i have
> my
> > > > thoughts together.
> > > >
> > > > i also remember when lbna was the only kid on the block. and then aq
> > > moved
> > > > in. aq had a bit fancier house and a lot of parties going on, but did
> not
> > > > really change the game. so what did?
> > > >
> > > > perhaps it was a bunch of well meaning articles that said..... look
> at
> > > this
> > > > secret game. hey, wasn't the key work secret? letterboxers changed
> the
> > > game.
> > > > we changed it by calling attention to ourselves and then not teaching
> the
> > > > rules of the game. sure we did our best, but some just didn't get the
> > > > reading and researching part.
> > > >
> > > > so now we have changes that aren't traditional letterboxing. such as
> > > postals
> > > > ltc's and virtuals. ask yourself, does this really change
> letterboxing? i
> > > > can tell you it doesn't for me. i do postals, have dabbled in ltc's
> and a
> > > > couple of virtuals. none of these take the place of letterboxing.
> none of
> > > > them take the place of the hike or the thrill of cracking that extra
> hard
> > > > clue.
> > > >
> > > > i have been letterboxing now for 8 years and the game, for me, has
> not
> > > > changed. i am the one that chooses which boxes i will look for. i am
> the
> > > one
> > > > that chooses where i will go. i am the one that will ultimately enjoy
> the
> > > > journey. i am responsible for the quality (or lack there of) of my
> plants
> > > > and clues. i am the only one that can change the game for me, and i
> don't
> > > > plan on changing.
> > > >
> > > > now all of the rant above does not mean i am not concerned about the
> > > trends
> > > > i see. the poor plants, the kindergarten clues (hey, i was there once
> > > also)
> > > > and the overall lack of knowledge.
> > > >
> > > > what i do believe is that those who are not serious about the game
> will
> > > fade
> > > > away... just another trend. those of us who are serious about the
> game
> > > will
> > > > be having this same conversation 5 years down the road.
> > > >
> > > > smile
> > > > uneksia
> > > >
> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>


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