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Is this a good idea? Bad? I've read that people do it, that people shouldn't do it...I'm confused.

I do it, and frankly don't understand why there would be concern. Seems to me there are only three possibilities of what can happen to that box you planted:

1) It can stay in place for a good long while, with many boxers visiting it.

2) It can fall into disrepair but still remain in place, in which case many boxers will still be visiting it. With any luck, maybe some will do some maintenance on it or even adopt it.

3) It can get discovered by a muggle and thrown away as trash.

Now, #1 and #3 can happen to a box you plant near home, too. The only difference in planting on vacation is #2, because you yourself cannot get back there to service the box. But you still can post a "First Aid" notice on AQ, and describe the sort of service the box might need based on reports you have received. Hence the next finder might even come prepared to provide some service.

There's been the contention that unmaintained boxes constitute litter. I simply don't see that. If a box is washed away in a flood, it becomes litter -- but that's as likely to happen to regularly maintained boxes as to boxes planted on vacation. The only way that a box, remaining in its original hiding place, can become "litter" is if the clues cease to be listed on AQ or LbNA or wherever they are made available. And again, whether the box is within checking range of home or somewhere where the planter will never visit again makes no difference there.

you never know, it could be found! many people dont record their finds ..unfortunately

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We will be going to Cali next week for 2 weeks. We plan on doing a lot of 'boxing while there and I was wondering whether it would be a good idea to plant some there. I obviously won't be able to maintain them.

I had the same dilemma when I recently went on vacation and concluded that I would only plant hitch hikers in the boxes I found there. And since I'm from New England, I made them New England themed, which I thought was fun. :) At least with hitch hikers, you're still planting something, and you don't have to worry so much about maintenance. :)

-gollygee

I just did it :)
And I am hoping if the box is in disrepair I can contact a LB'r from that area and send them supplies to maintain it .... because I would be happy to do that to one in my area.