Hey Letterboxers all:
A few ruminations about a wonderfull letterboxing weekend -
but first -

This delay has been computer-gremlin-driven. We lost
several hundred e-mails, and couldn't retain new posts,
including mostly new e-group posts. As it turned you, lost
sectors in the hard drive kept Sue busy all Monday and most
of Tuesday. I mention this only as John De Wolf had a
problem of some sort at the same time - any others had any
e-groups-related mysteries?

Sue and I arrived at Long Trail Inn at about 2 pm Sat.,
alas, the group was off box hunting (Woodstock
Valley-Questing). So, Sue pulled out the carving tools and
whipped off a Letterbox Stamp in honor of James P. Taylor,
LT visionary and GMC founder. I went up the trail so scout
for a good spot, and got back just in time to start the
McGrath's Pub Letterbox searchwith the gathering group.

I must compliment Tom on his choice the Pub/Inn, as the is
a very friendly, cozy place. And, the staff were great - the
waitress and bartender searched as well, and, as most of the
clues were based on pub-ephemera, they were also most
helpfull. I'm not even sure who finally solved the puzzle,
but, we were all treated to a stamping of Tom's carved
commerative stamp. Tom, for those who haven't had the
pleasure, is a master cluesmith.

Supper was great, the Irish band was a treat, and we all
shared personal stamp impressions and showed off our stamp
collection (alas, mine is embarrasingly small). As the
evening wore on, we became little concerned as Bonnie still
hadn't arrived. She finally made it, after leaving Western
Mass, over to Mt Monadnock (NH), to hike to the TOP to
collect a stamp, then over to Sherburn Pass and the Inn. I
am impressed!

In the am, my plan was to get up early, hide the box up the
trail a bit, and be back for breakfast. I shoulda known
better! Again, Sue to the rescue - she looked out our
bedroom window and composed a confusing litthe ditty and off
she went to hide the box. After breakfast, the search was
on, while she and I and a few others watched from the
lounge. Fun to observe search-styles: Randy is a full-tilt
runner, interspersed from time to time with head-scratching
- bearing-reading. I should talk - it seemed so easy from
where we sat, but, after many years with Sue, I've learned
that she can be very confusing if she chooses to be!
Anyhow, it was found, and it was time to part.

After all were gone, we rehid the box up the trail near
Maine Junction. The stamp has some added detail, just to
make it worth the hunt. John DeWolf came back after we had
left, took the clue we left and found it.

Thanks to the Valley-Quest representative who came all the
way over to hand out clue books and went back for other
pressing business. And Rae, for shooting video for much of
the time (can't wait to see some stills!). And for those
who drove long distances to be there (Randy, John, who've I
missed?).

Well, we'll just have to do it again - next spring perhaps?

Erik and Susan Davis