wrote:
> Hi, guys. I don't post much to the group in terms of comments.
I
> usually just submit clues to boxes I have hidden....some of
which are
> probably on National Park property...can't say for sure because
I never
> knew there would be a problem with it. I've hidden quite a few
along
> Blue Ridge Parkway, and a lot of those are probably on NP
land. I am
> deeply saddened by the issues the NPS have taken with
letterboxing. The
> entire concept of hiding letterboxes on Blue Ridge Parkway
was born of a
> great sentimental notion. Someone "rehiding" these boxes
would only
> serve to void the sentimentality the box held when planted in
the first
> place.
>
> I have always tried to "play by the rules", but I have also never
cared
> much for useless rules that only serve to stifle someone else's
> enjoyment. I agree with the person who says that the only
reason
> letterboxing is deemed a "threat" or "inappropriate" is because
it isn't
> understood. Letterboxing seems to appeal to only a minority of
people,
> which serves the sport well. But, in this instance it puts us
against
> the wall. The NPS is a lot bigger than we are and can make
outrageous
> claims that the general public would swallow whole. Only the
few
> individuals who letterbox would know the absurdity of their
accusations.
>
> I would hope that these statements are made as a safety net
incase
> "something happens"...the NPS could say "we made every
effort to prevent
> such atrocities by explaining our objections to letterboxers and
> removing every known box". (seems ridiculous...) But, maybe
it was
> simply said to pacify some loudmouth, and now that it has
been said it
> will be laid to rest. Or...I'm just wishful thinking.
>
> Should I remove my Blue Ridge Parkway boxes, or simply let
them be
> confiscated and die an honorable death? :(
>
> You can email me personally at letterbox@q...
>
> -Julie
Yes, but....let me play Devil's advocate. State, county and
National parks were mostly established for a reason: To
preserve open space, or green space in or around a city, or an
endangered or threatened plant/animal/ecosystem. I'm new to
the sport, and when I was first looking for boxes I found that I
often didn't need that last clue because I could see a parth
already established leading to the hiding place. That's not a
problem in every park, but it could grow to be a serious one in
more fragile areas, and the folks charged with protecting those
areas need to make decisions about how much damage a
particular area can tolerate. I don't think letterboxers will ever be
on a par with off-road motorized vehicles like dirt bikes and
snowmobiles, but as our numbers grow (and I hope they do) we
need to think ahead and eliminate problems before they become
such. Someone has already suggested some positive steps like
offering to help clean up litter and such -- introducing ourselves
to park personnel and asking what we could do as volunteers in
our local parks -- presenting ourselves as positive forces rather
than destructive ones. Because once rules are established
concerning our sport they will be hard to change, and the bigger
the government agency the more remote from reality the rules
may be. And the more mindlessly they will be enforced. If I
remember right, the Davises in Vermont had some useful
thoughts on this subject. Maybe they could respond.