As a "secret sign", I kinda like the idea of cupping your hand under your armpit, and flapping your wing. If you do it just right, it makes exactly the same sound as Tupperware burping - what could be more appropriate?

-wassamatta_u

Wow..these are great ideas for secret signals. I may have to change my profile answer. :)

LW

Quote

these are great ideas for secret signals.

So there you have it. When you see someone on the trail you first make armpit farts them give an inky thumbs up and ask "which way is north" if the other person hasn't run away then they are letterboxers.

Shiloh

Quote

So there you have it. When you see someone on the trail you first make armpit farts them give an inky thumbs up and ask "which way is north" if the other person hasn't run away then they are letterboxers.

Shiloh

I'm glad this is coming together, but I'm not sure I can participate unless the penguin issue is added in there somehow....... How about waddling like a penguin while making the armpit farts, then do the rest...... ;-))

I know, I'm a trouble maker!!

Mama Fox - having fun!

Quote

I'm not sure I can participate unless the penguin issue is added in there somehow.

Um . . . I can't do the armpit fart. :::hanging head in shame:::

Does this mean I can't letterbox anymore?

DebBee

Quote

I can't do the armpit fart.

I think if you just go through the motions that would be enough, since you'll be waddeling like a penguin nobody will notice there is no noise.

Shiloh

Quote

I think if you just go through the motions that would be enough, since you'll be waddeling like a penguin nobody will notice there is no noise.

Plus, you could really improve your efficiency on the trail, if you keep your inkpad in your armpit. That way, if you hold your stamp in your hand, you can "signal" and "ink-up" at the same time.
-wassamatta_u

We went out for pizza last night, and my son put a quarter in a machine to get an egg. His prize was a compass ring! I'm all set!

HP~ who agrees with the waddle and the inky fingure, but just couldn't bring herself to make farting noises~

Yesterday I was out boxing, and came upon a couple walking on the trail. The man was carrying...tupperware!! So I casually asked, "Which way is north? About the time he pointed appropriately, (Not UP), I noticed he was also carrying a fork... You mean people still use TW for food??

~Happy Papaya~ who is SO glad she didn't make farting noises, point inky fingers, or ask about flying penguins!!

HP, that made me laugh so hard I almost choked on my baby carrot stick!! Of course, carrying a fork would be the perfect disguise so that muggles wouldn't notice that your tupperware was filled with unusual stuff! ;-)

Webfoot (who may have to add a fork to her 'boxing kit)

Quote

Of course, carrying a fork would be the perfect disguise so that muggles wouldn't notice that your tupperware was filled with unusual stuff! ;-)

Webfoot (who may have to add a fork to her 'boxing kit)

Interesting comment about the man on the trail with the Tupperware & fork. As we're letterboxing (most often with kids in tow) our code word for nearing the letterbox along the trail is: "Let's stop for a snack break" & "Ding-dong" when we actually find the box. We pull off the pack and start to set up a little site where we can spread things out to stamp in. We grab the box and pretend to be foraging around in our pack for food (usually crackers) in order to conceal our stamping in activities.

If there are more than typically curious passersby along the way, we'll actually pull out crackers to keep the kids occupied and I pretend to be writing things in my nature 'journal'--keeping the stamps & inkpads hidden within my opaque eagle creek waterproof letterboxing gear bag. It seems to work more often than not at concealing our activities.

I also fold up the cluesheet in a manner so only the crucial clue information is visible and keep it stowed in my pocket. I refer to it occasionally along the trail--but more often than not by the time we're actually out on the trail boxing I've got the clue mostly memorized (which is scary--because I can't remember squat in the rest of my daily activities). Usually the only visible hint on our person that we're actually letterboxing is the compass which is secured to my pack with a carabiner clip--but a lot of hikers carry those, too. Otherwise, the inky fingers would be the dead giveaway for most (& the random letterboxing stamp image in various colors of permanent ink stamped onto my kids' foreheads, arms, hands & other exposed skin might help, too).

daelphinus

Quote

Happy Papaya~ who is SO glad she didn't make farting noises, point inky fingers, or ask about flying penguins

See....it does work. Now if you had gone through all the other things you would have known for sure.

Shiloh *who is happy with just which way is north*

LBs could stamp the top of their hands with their stamp to ID themselves.

Quote

LBs could stamp the top of their hands with their stamp to ID themselves.

Then they will look like they have been to some weird club where they stamp your hand when you enter. And I'm not sure I want a stamp on my hand - some inks can take a while to wear off.

TG

Quote

LBs could stamp the top of their hands with their stamp to ID themselves.

I took this one step further (or was that one pace further?)...

I gave my kids crew-cuts, then shaved our sig stamps into their little flat heads. This helps not only to identify us on the trail as "die-hard LBers", but speeds up "stamping in" as well. Just place your ink pad on the ground, grab a kid by the ankles, and stamp away!

Of course, n'oxers look at us a little funny, what with all the colored hair and all. But we live in California, so I guess they are used to it.

-wassamatta_u

Quote

I gave my kids crew-cuts, then shaved our sig stamps into their little flat heads. ... Just place your ink pad on the ground, grab a kid by the ankles, and stamp away!

The visuals you inspire in my imagination are great -- I am, of course imagining that you use rainbow ink pads, so they have stripes, too! The effect would be quite astounding! :) Thanks for the grin!!

Webfoot

You are my hero, wassamatta_u!

LW

Quote

I gave my kids crew-cuts, then shaved our sig stamps into their little flat heads. This helps not only to identify us on the trail as "die-hard LBers", but speeds up "stamping in" as well. Just place your ink pad on the ground, grab a kid by the ankles, and stamp away!

ROFLMAO

You Americans never do anything by halves do you :-D

YT

You could always stamp your hand, like they do in clubs or carnivals, with your personal stamp.

I know; it's not very funny, but it's kind of innovative.

Quote

I gave my kids crew-cuts, then shaved our sig stamps into their little flat heads. This helps not only to identify us on the trail as "die-hard LBers", but speeds up "stamping in" as well. Just place your ink pad on the ground, grab a kid by the ankles, and stamp away

ROFLMAO

But I don't have kids. Could I borrow yours?

Shiloh

I'm making shirts for my family to wear boxing...white t-shirt, then take fabric paint and write across the back "I have inky fingers"...then I'm gonna finger-paint ink smears all over the shirt with more of the fabric paint.

come boxing in arizona, and you might even se our shirts

night writer

Quote

I gave my kids crew-cuts, then shaved our sig stamps into their little flat heads. This helps not only to identify us on the trail as "die-hard LBers", but speeds up "stamping in" as well. Just place your ink pad on the ground, grab a kid by the ankles, and stamp away

Quote

But I don't have kids. Could I borrow yours?
Shiloh

Sure, but those girls aren't real thrilled with the whole shavy-head thing... go figure.
-wassamatta_u