My wife and I had a baby (Jack), a year ago on November 2nd. I've
taken to taking Jack out hiking in a baby-backpack on the weekends,
to give my wife a few well-deserved hours of time to herself. Jack
really enjoys getting out, seeing the birds and animals, and most
especially the other people we see on our hikes.

We'd done a bunch of local hikes on nature trails, and I was
wondering where to go next. I remembered reading that Smithsonian
article some years back, and got on the Internet to see what was
happening here in the US. Whoopie! I just got so excited to see
what all you great folks have been doing! How fun! I spent my
allowance this week on some erasers and carving tools, and had a load
of fun making my stamp and researching all the great letterboxes
folks have been placing.

So, my son Jack and I went out letterboxing for the first time on
Saturday afternoon, and we had a wonderful time! (Although Jack
slept about half the time, which is average.) After giving my wife
clear directions on where we'd be and when we'd be back, we set out
to find Muk-Luk's four letterboxes in Peace Valley Nature Center, in
Bucks County, PA. The day started out wet, but got clear and warmer
as the day went on. What fun! Jack loved seeing the geese and the
deer, and most especially the nice mountain biker we met who told us
about the eight-point buck up on the top of the hill (who we didn't
see... we're pretty noisy). :) But mostly we on our own, able to
hunt quietly for the well-hidden letter boxes. Finding the first one
was a thrill, and took some real work... it was pretty well hidden,
and that makes it even better, like you've earned your stamp. :)
The second one was easier once we got a better idea of what to look
for. We never found the third one, "the Mighty Oak", but did find
the "Flight of the Hawk." In the stamp book for the Flight of the
Hawk others said they couldn't find the Might Oak either, but one
person did say they found it, so I know it's there. So we'll go back
someday to look again. :)

Best of all, now my wife wants to come hiking with us, which has
always been an anathema to her... tramping around in the woods "where
there are bugs" is something that's never held any appeal to her.
But, framing it as a treasure hunt, now she's interested! Hooray!

So anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and say "Thanks!" I'm
so excited to find a hobby that fits in with my schedule and
interests, and I'm already thinking about where I'm going to place my
own letterboxes... I have a few favorite hikes that I'd love to
share, that touch on some neat old ruins and local history, and I'm
excited to plan the letterboxes I'm going to place!

Regards,

Ken Rhines
krhines@yahoo.com