flames and stories
8 messages in this thread |
Started on 2002-09-08
flames and stories
From: Randy Hall (randy@mapsurfer.com) |
Date: 2002-09-08 08:18:58 UTC-04:00
> Save yourself dear, and stop while you're ahead.
> It all seemed to be going so well, until.......
There are more people and more letterboxes on the east coast, therefore
there are more in each strata of each individual's putative "quality"
curve. That is not my opinion, but a natural fact. Lets leave it at
that ... as Hang Glider suggested, please consider waiting 24 hours
before deciding if you need to jump into this pool ...
Perhaps a couple of cool (I think, anyway) letterboxing stories
instead --
So, I planning this new box, and one of the landmarks in the clue is
a covered bridge in the middle of nowhere. So I go out there to get
some information, and much to my surprise, a folk festival has broken
out at the covered bridge! It is the most unlikely thing I've ever
seen, certainly in a most unlikely place. Small, low key, and really
cool, with really talented musicians. Literally people wearing sun
dresses with flowers in their hair being nice to each other. I'm more
likely to be spotted in a mosh pit than at such an affair, but the
serendipity of the whole thing was just really cool. I stayed for
five hours, and it all happened because of the coolness of
letterboxing ...
The other story is in the has-this-ever-happened-to-you class. I tend
to place my boxes, and then spend a long time writing the clues, so the
boxes tend to be out there clueless, as it were. I find places with
zero chance of accidental discovery, I mean remote places way off trail
that no one is going to randomly wander thru, and well-hidden -- this
model seems to have worked pretty well.
Anyway, I get an e-mail from someone who says they found one of my
boxes, but their description of the hunt doesn't make any sense. It
then hits me they may have found a box for which the clues haven't
even been written! My boxes are hard enough to find _with_ the clues :-)
I think about moving it, but its really in the place I want for
the clue to work, so I decide to leave it where it is. In fact, I feel
its pretty improbable that this accidental discovery happened, and that
the hunter is confusing two different boxes in her narrative to me.
But I decide to check anyway, and much to my surprise, _two_ people have
stamped in! Unbelievable!
So, I moved it well out of there, and reworked the clues ...
I don't know if these true stories are interesting to anyone but me, but
I think the list prefers stories to flames in general. Something to
consider before hitting the send button, FWIW ...
Cheers
Randy
List Manager
Re: [LbNA] flames and stories
From: (LoveLetterBoxing@aol.com) |
Date: 2002-09-08 08:57:41 UTC-04:00
Mornin' Randy...
>>There are more people and more letterboxes on the east coast, therefore
>>there are more in each strata of each individual's putative "quality"
>>curve. That is not my opinion, but a natural fact.
Couldn't believe my eyes...list master in a round about way agreeing publicly that some boxes--any boxes--are of lesser quality. My goodness.
I too think that every box I've found and placed is lovely. I appreciate the hike, the effort on clues, the money spent on supplies and most of all the time it gives me with my family...be it east coast, west coast, Seattle or abroad.
As for waiting 24 hours before posting, at 44, only my mama tell me when not to speak. It is however a good rule for anyone who's angry. I'm not.
Like you, I have an opinion.
Enjoy the day.
Robin
the Russ Clan
>>There are more people and more letterboxes on the east coast, therefore
>>there are more in each strata of each individual's putative "quality"
>>curve. That is not my opinion, but a natural fact.
Couldn't believe my eyes...list master in a round about way agreeing publicly that some boxes--any boxes--are of lesser quality. My goodness.
I too think that every box I've found and placed is lovely. I appreciate the hike, the effort on clues, the money spent on supplies and most of all the time it gives me with my family...be it east coast, west coast, Seattle or abroad.
As for waiting 24 hours before posting, at 44, only my mama tell me when not to speak. It is however a good rule for anyone who's angry. I'm not.
Like you, I have an opinion.
Enjoy the day.
Robin
the Russ Clan
Re: [LbNA] flames and stories
From: MARTEL (martel@downeast.net) |
Date: 2002-09-08 09:36:09 UTC-04:00
I have a question regarding this post. And no, I
am not passing any judgnments or making any comments - I am just asking a
question.
Randy wrote:
>
> "I find places with zero chance of accidental discovery, I mean remote places way off trail"
> "I find places with zero chance of accidental discovery, I mean remote places way off trail"
I have been under the impression that we should be hiding our
boxes in a way that does not require disturbing the area in order to retrieve
the box. (Leave no trace) In my mind that has meant not
placing anything really "off trail". I have the good fortune to live
surrounded by Acadia National Park and know the havoc that is done to this area
by all the visitors who would rather make their own trail. So, my
question is this: What are people's "rules of thumb" regarding where you
plant? How far "off trail" do you tend to go? So far my plants have
been where the searchers will be walking on shoreline or climbing on ledge - so
nothing to trample. I would really like to hear others thoughts on
this. Thanks for your time.
Memlili
>
Re: [LbNA] flames and stories
From: Randy Hall (randy@mapsurfer.com) |
Date: 2002-09-08 15:27:55 UTC-04:00
> > "I find places with zero chance of accidental discovery, I mean remote
> > places way off trail"
>
> I have been under the impression that we should be hiding our boxes in a
> way that does not require disturbing the area in order to retrieve the
> box. (Leave no trace) In my mind that has meant not placing anything
> really "off trail".
We should be. Most of my boxes (including the one in question, most likely),
average less than 5 visitors a year (in reality, less than 2, but if I make
that claim, someone will flame me if they saw 3 stamps in one of the ones in
question because they missed the words "most" and "average", sigh ...).
That is far less than other off-trail activity in the areas, from sports such
as hunting, fishing, geocaching, adventure racing, and orienteering, all of
which are at higher volumes, some of which also leave no trace at these higher
volumes, and all of which are socially accepted in the areas in question.
I'm confident that I'm a very ethical placer and respect the woods. Anyone is
free to remove any of my boxes that they feel violate these ethics.
Cheers
Randy
who gets flamed when simply trying to prevent a flame war, oh well, some days
you're the windshield, somedays the bug ;-)
Re: [LbNA] flames and stories
From: MARTEL (martel@downeast.net) |
Date: 2002-09-08 17:44:52 UTC-04:00
I was not trying to pick on anyone - I was asking a question and truly
looking for guidance as to how people choose places to hide. Seems everyone
is getting so touchy now a person had best not ask an innocent question. I
am sorry if my question offended you. That was not the intent. I am new to
this and trying to learn - that's all.
Memlili
----- Original Message -----
From: "Randy Hall"
To:
Sent: Sunday, September 08, 2002 3:27 PM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] flames and stories
>
> > > "I find places with zero chance of accidental discovery, I mean
remote
> > > places way off trail"
> >
> > I have been under the impression that we should be hiding our boxes in a
> > way that does not require disturbing the area in order to retrieve the
> > box. (Leave no trace) In my mind that has meant not placing anything
> > really "off trail".
>
> We should be. Most of my boxes (including the one in question, most
likely),
> average less than 5 visitors a year (in reality, less than 2, but if I
make
> that claim, someone will flame me if they saw 3 stamps in one of the ones
in
> question because they missed the words "most" and "average", sigh ...).
>
> That is far less than other off-trail activity in the areas, from sports
such
> as hunting, fishing, geocaching, adventure racing, and orienteering, all
of
> which are at higher volumes, some of which also leave no trace at these
higher
> volumes, and all of which are socially accepted in the areas in question.
>
> I'm confident that I'm a very ethical placer and respect the woods.
Anyone is
> free to remove any of my boxes that they feel violate these ethics.
>
> Cheers
> Randy
> who gets flamed when simply trying to prevent a flame war, oh well, some
days
> you're the windshield, somedays the bug ;-)
>
>
> To unsubscribe: mailto:letterbox-usa-unsubscribe@egroups.com
> List info, archives, etc: http://www.letterboxing.org/list.html
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
looking for guidance as to how people choose places to hide. Seems everyone
is getting so touchy now a person had best not ask an innocent question. I
am sorry if my question offended you. That was not the intent. I am new to
this and trying to learn - that's all.
Memlili
----- Original Message -----
From: "Randy Hall"
To:
Sent: Sunday, September 08, 2002 3:27 PM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] flames and stories
>
> > > "I find places with zero chance of accidental discovery, I mean
remote
> > > places way off trail"
> >
> > I have been under the impression that we should be hiding our boxes in a
> > way that does not require disturbing the area in order to retrieve the
> > box. (Leave no trace) In my mind that has meant not placing anything
> > really "off trail".
>
> We should be. Most of my boxes (including the one in question, most
likely),
> average less than 5 visitors a year (in reality, less than 2, but if I
make
> that claim, someone will flame me if they saw 3 stamps in one of the ones
in
> question because they missed the words "most" and "average", sigh ...).
>
> That is far less than other off-trail activity in the areas, from sports
such
> as hunting, fishing, geocaching, adventure racing, and orienteering, all
of
> which are at higher volumes, some of which also leave no trace at these
higher
> volumes, and all of which are socially accepted in the areas in question.
>
> I'm confident that I'm a very ethical placer and respect the woods.
Anyone is
> free to remove any of my boxes that they feel violate these ethics.
>
> Cheers
> Randy
> who gets flamed when simply trying to prevent a flame war, oh well, some
days
> you're the windshield, somedays the bug ;-)
>
>
> To unsubscribe: mailto:letterbox-usa-unsubscribe@egroups.com
> List info, archives, etc: http://www.letterboxing.org/list.html
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
Re: [LbNA] flames and stories
From: Randy Hall (randy@mapsurfer.com) |
Date: 2002-09-08 18:38:51 UTC-04:00
> I was not trying to pick on anyone - I was asking a question and truly
> looking for guidance as to how people choose places to hide. Seems everyone
> is getting so touchy now a person had best not ask an innocent question. I
> am sorry if my question offended you.
Your question did not offend me in any way, and I realised that after I
replied it could give the impression that it did :-) I was pretty steamed
about the other response to my "flames and stories" post, and let that seep
thru. Sorry for the confusion :-)
I pretty much would have said the same thing tho, my strategy for respecting
LNT ethics is to keep the visitor count very low -- I've never seen a social
trail develop to any of my boxes (I have heard of people tearing up areas
looking for them, but that is on them). My boxes do not require any impact
to the area to be found. (If you have to turn over a rock, the rock remains
the same weight after being turned over, therefore it can be put back,
whether you find the box or not).
Cheers
Randy
Re: flames and stories
From: gr82b44 (sezrodriguez@aol.com) |
Date: 2002-09-17 00:36:28 UTC
--- In letterbox-usa@y..., LoveLetterBoxing@a... wrote:
> Mornin' Randy...
>
> >>There are more people and more letterboxes on the east coast,
therefore
> >>there are more in each strata of each individual's
putative "quality"
> >>curve. That is not my opinion, but a natural fact.
>
> Couldn't believe my eyes...list master in a round about way
agreeing publicly
> that some boxes--any boxes--are of lesser quality. My goodness.
>
> I too think that every box I've found and placed is lovely. I
appreciate the
> hike, the effort on clues, the money spent on supplies and most of
all the
> time it gives me with my family...be it east coast, west coast,
Seattle or
> abroad.
so if your the one who stamped this new box that didnt really exist
yet, does that mean that you have one less stamp than you thought?
>
> As for waiting 24 hours before posting, at 44, only my mama tell me
when not
> to speak. It is however a good rule for anyone who's angry. I'm
not.
> Like you, I have an opinion.
>
> Enjoy the day.
>
> Robin
> the Russ Clan
> Mornin' Randy...
>
> >>There are more people and more letterboxes on the east coast,
therefore
> >>there are more in each strata of each individual's
putative "quality"
> >>curve. That is not my opinion, but a natural fact.
>
> Couldn't believe my eyes...list master in a round about way
agreeing publicly
> that some boxes--any boxes--are of lesser quality. My goodness.
>
> I too think that every box I've found and placed is lovely. I
appreciate the
> hike, the effort on clues, the money spent on supplies and most of
all the
> time it gives me with my family...be it east coast, west coast,
Seattle or
> abroad.
so if your the one who stamped this new box that didnt really exist
yet, does that mean that you have one less stamp than you thought?
>
> As for waiting 24 hours before posting, at 44, only my mama tell me
when not
> to speak. It is however a good rule for anyone who's angry. I'm
not.
> Like you, I have an opinion.
>
> Enjoy the day.
>
> Robin
> the Russ Clan
Re: flames and stories
From: gr82b44 (sezrodriguez@aol.com) |
Date: 2002-09-17 01:09:52 UTC
--- In letterbox-usa@y..., "gr82b44" wrote:
> --- In letterbox-usa@y..., LoveLetterBoxing@a... wrote:
> > Mornin' Randy...
> >
> > >>There are more people and more letterboxes on the east coast,
> therefore
> > >>there are more in each strata of each individual's
> putative "quality"
> > >>curve. That is not my opinion, but a natural fact.
> >
> > Couldn't believe my eyes...list master in a round about way
> agreeing publicly
> > that some boxes--any boxes--are of lesser quality. My goodness.
> >
> > I too think that every box I've found and placed is lovely. I
> appreciate the
> > hike, the effort on clues, the money spent on supplies and most
of
> all the
> > time it gives me with my family...be it east coast, west coast,
> Seattle or
> > abroad.
>
>
> so if your the one who stamped this new box that didnt really exist
> yet, does that mean that you have one less stamp than you thought?
> >
> > As for waiting 24 hours before posting, at 44, only my mama tell
me
> when not
> > to speak. It is however a good rule for anyone who's angry. I'm
> not.
> > Like you, I have an opinion.
> >
> > Enjoy the day.
> >
> > Robin
> > the Russ Clan
sorry...i posted in the middle of the message:o anyhow, if you are
the one who stamped this new box that didnt really exist yet, does
that mean that you have one less stamp than you thought?
> --- In letterbox-usa@y..., LoveLetterBoxing@a... wrote:
> > Mornin' Randy...
> >
> > >>There are more people and more letterboxes on the east coast,
> therefore
> > >>there are more in each strata of each individual's
> putative "quality"
> > >>curve. That is not my opinion, but a natural fact.
> >
> > Couldn't believe my eyes...list master in a round about way
> agreeing publicly
> > that some boxes--any boxes--are of lesser quality. My goodness.
> >
> > I too think that every box I've found and placed is lovely. I
> appreciate the
> > hike, the effort on clues, the money spent on supplies and most
of
> all the
> > time it gives me with my family...be it east coast, west coast,
> Seattle or
> > abroad.
>
>
> so if your the one who stamped this new box that didnt really exist
> yet, does that mean that you have one less stamp than you thought?
> >
> > As for waiting 24 hours before posting, at 44, only my mama tell
me
> when not
> > to speak. It is however a good rule for anyone who's angry. I'm
> not.
> > Like you, I have an opinion.
> >
> > Enjoy the day.
> >
> > Robin
> > the Russ Clan
sorry...i posted in the middle of the message:o anyhow, if you are
the one who stamped this new box that didnt really exist yet, does
that mean that you have one less stamp than you thought?