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Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954241 by west dover quidditch team
Dec 1, 2017 9:55am
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In the Minneapolis area, we're working on refreshing the cities, so there are more and new boxes to find, as many of us older folk have played this city out, pretty much. For us, it's become more about the relationships and what we can do together for the hobby. Pretty cool.

oh, and Ryan, we all didn't get as old as we are now by sheer luck. ;)
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954197 by NavyCop
Dec 1, 2017 10:17am
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I've been retired since the 1990's, but SWMBO didn't retire until two years ago. I expected that once she retired our letterboxing activity would increase dramatically because we'd be free to travel when and where we wanted. Plus, she really loved travelling when we were younger. Exactly the opposite has been the result, though. She never wants to go anywhere, and if/when we do travel I feel like she's only going along with it because she knows I want to. She loves our lives here at home and sees no reason to ever go anywhere. What's more, our time is so filled with -- well, doing nothing, really, but doing it together, it's true that once you retire you don't have time for anything -- that I don't have anywhere near as much time for carving stamps as I used to. I think I've only carved one in the past month.

There's been a second factor, too. We have a pretty healthy stock portfolio and diversification is always good. She always wanted to own a lake, and every time she got ahold of a newspaper (we don't subscribe) she'd glance over the classifieds to see if any good deals on land were listed. After the 2008 mortgage crisis, real estate prices plummeted, so one day she was looking through the classifieds and I said "Y'know, if you really want to buy some property, now would be a good time." We put a couple of months into shopping around and ended up buying 72 acres with a small lake only about 15 minutes from our house. It's beautiful property and we've set up three picnic tables on it, so a coupla times a week at least we drive out there and just sit and read - or carve. I do more carving there than here. But we don't go there in the summer because it's too hot and overgrown, it's a fall-through-spring activity -- but so is travelling, we don't like to travel in the summer. So, instead of catching a flight to wherever, she'd rather just drive out to our property and relax. She no longer cares for the hassle of catching a flight, what with getting your junk fondled and photographed, and she doesn't care for motels.

So, put me down as still as eager to letterbox as ever, but nonetheless far less active than I once was.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954248 by estella_naparella
Dec 1, 2017 10:24am
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...many of us older folk have played this city out, pretty much.

Geocachers are much more attuned to retiring old caches and planting new ones to always give people something new to hunt. Of course, they're not retiring a lovely stamp and log book, they're just retiring a rusty ammo can full of Happy Meal toys -- and they can reuse both with their new plants. But just the same, perhaps we should put more effort into "updating" boxes just to keep things fresh. We all know of boxes that are all-time classics that should remain active as long as they can, but we also know of boxes that are just meh. Perhaps the meh ones should be retired and new boxes planted, and perhaps we could take our time planting the new boxes so each one is really special.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954249 by Kirbert
Dec 1, 2017 11:12am
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We put a couple of months into shopping around and ended up buying 72 acres with a small lake....

Plenty of places to walk around naked now.... AND SKINNY DIPPING TOO!!!!! =)

-- Ryan
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954212 by Mu
Dec 1, 2017 12:43pm
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but there's still a high volume of creative and clever content being produced, just in different forms and at different rates.

Oh, I totally agree. I just meant I'd like to see less emphasis on stats. There are still many great boxes out there and more being planted.

And as has been discussed before, different people look for different qualities in a box/hike/location/stamp/etc. I think that is what keeps it interesting for many people.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954197 by NavyCop
Dec 1, 2017 1:27pm
Thread (disabled) Board
We boxed out our area a LONG time ago and rarely are new boxes planted around here, probably because this is such a touristy part of the state; the beach & L'boxing aren't necessarily great companion activities.

That's what I tell myself anyways...

We have also noticed a definite decline in finders of our boxes which we kind of attributed to the painted rock craze over the past year or so?

Boxing is not a regular part of my daily life but we still enjoy it when traveling.

The best and everlasting part is that I have made some really terrific friends through L'boxing over the years!

Is all about ebbs and flows....we are in an ebb at the moment but hey you never know, a flow might be right around the corner.

Three Flamigos
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954251 by Kirbert
Dec 1, 2017 4:24pm
Thread (disabled) Board
perhaps we should put more effort into "updating" boxes just to keep things fresh

I have been revisiting all my local boxes in plant date order and pulling some of those that have grown "stale", no finds in several years, all the local boxers have found them, meh, etc. Either I'll plant new ones in the same general area or maybe another local boxer will. Some of the clues have gotten outdated and so time to spruce things up some.

PI Joe
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954249 by Kirbert
Dec 1, 2017 5:22pm
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ended up buying 72 acres with a small lake only about 15 minutes from our house.

This sounds like the perfect place to host an event. Bring the people and letterboxes to you!!

~Aurora
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954266 by PI Joe
Dec 1, 2017 6:53pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I have been revisiting all my local boxes in plant date order and pulling some of those that have grown "stale", no finds in several years, all the local boxers have found them, meh, etc.

Some of us love finding those so called "stale" boxes, the older ones that haven't been found in years. It's a real thrill! People visiting the area, passing through would love finding them. Lots of people don't think of them as stale. We think of them as great finds!

And since Live and Breathe is going to be in your area next year, it would really be great for those of us visiting the area to find some of these old boxes. I hope you don't retire all of them.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954266 by PI Joe
Dec 1, 2017 7:29pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Either I'll plant new ones in the same general area or maybe another local boxer will. Some of the clues have gotten outdated and so time to spruce things up some.

I'm all for sprucing up some clues, but unless you have totally run out of space you don't need to retire a box just to make room. I'm not familiar with your particular area but there must be new area to plant.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954263 by Three FLAmigo's
Dec 2, 2017 5:05am
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the beach & L'boxing aren't necessarily great companion activities.

That's true. I live in a tourist beach city and experiencing the exact same ebb. But the one box I have planted in a chocolate shop does get several finds a year (vacationers need to eat too!).

Nice thing though the painted rock craze is starting to wind down also.

I have to admit I personally have slowed down on boxing primarily due to my spouse's health situation. I've only carved one stamp in the last year, found none, planted none, and been to zero events. We are trying to change that with our trip to Arizona (this is a test trip to see how much activity and fun my wife can actually manage) in January. Hopefully we'll find we are still strong enough to continue on with this hobby in a traditional sense.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954214 by Kit
Dec 2, 2017 6:19am
Thread (disabled) Board
I agree that letterboxing isn't generational as much as it's where you are in your life.

Yes and No, where I am in life is retired but that has a lot to do with the generational aspect. In 14 years of letterboxing, I have found about 6500 boxes. In 2017, my first year of retirement, I have logged 1771 of those finds. Granted, 500 of them were from one exceptional event, but even when eliminating them, I still had way more finds this past year than in any year when I was working and trying to fit errands, grandchildren and boxing into the same two days each week. Getting older does have its benefits, I now have time for everything.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954276 by BBStacker
Dec 2, 2017 7:35am
Thread (disabled) Board
I have to admit I personally have slowed down on boxing

But your carves live on, BBStacker. I've got a beautiful bear in my logbook from an event I went to on Sunday.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954276 by BBStacker
Dec 2, 2017 11:02am
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And the Woodsmoke gang is honored to have been the recipients of that very cool stamp! Expect some ltcs, good sir!
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954286 by Team Awesome Pants
Dec 2, 2017 12:18pm
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So glad you guys enjoyed it!
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954283 by Dawnkey
Dec 2, 2017 12:19pm
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Thanks so much. Glad you like Bearsy. Reading the comments on the boards it sounds like the event was a spectacular success.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954290 by BBStacker
Dec 2, 2017 1:15pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Reading the comments on the boards it sounds like the event was a spectacular success.

Yup, BaliWho pulled out all the stops and we lucked out on the weather. A very good time was had by all.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954225 by Oberon_Kenobi
Dec 2, 2017 1:58pm
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(Nothing really jumps out from the location as to what to carve. Once I figure that out it shouldn't be long thereafter until i plant it. And the stamps that I've carved for LTCs are too big for the containers that would fit.)

Are you looking for an idea for that series? Just a suggestion, what about Catch Me If You Can? small, unobtrusive, ....fly? mosquito? butterfly? tsi fly? lol.....tiny bugs..lightning bug? Road Runner? Whatever....good luck, sounds like a fun place to hide...OD
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954254 by Green Tortuga
Dec 2, 2017 3:26pm
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No shortage of nekkidness, either here (we live on 73 acres) or on our new property. No skinny-dipping, though, for two reasons: First, the main lake has a public paved road over the dam, and the auxiliary lake is only a couple of feet deep and muddy. Second, both lakes are infested with water moccasins. There's alligators too, but we don't mind them. There are beavers in the main lake, too. And turtles and bass, oh my.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954267 by The hicks from the sticks
Dec 2, 2017 3:34pm
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No bathrooms, no running water, no electricity, no shelter, wild hogs, and the guy who owns the neighboring property says he's captured images of black bears on his game cameras. Oh, yeah, the perfect place for an event!

Actually, it's less than a half mile to the local hospital which has really nice bathrooms.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954295 by Kirbert
Dec 2, 2017 5:08pm
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No bathrooms, no running water, no electricity, no shelter, wild hogs, and the guy who owns the neighboring property says he's captured images of black bears on his game cameras. Oh, yeah, the perfect place for an event!

It's not just an event, it's an adventure. ;-)
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954293 by Okie Dog
Dec 2, 2017 5:31pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Are you looking for an idea for that series? Just a suggestion, what about Catch Me If You Can? small, unobtrusive, ....fly? mosquito? butterfly? tsi fly? lol.....tiny bugs..lightning bug? Road Runner? Whatever....good luck, sounds like a fun place to hide.

Good ideas. I may stick to local fauna, or go exotic. I'll have to think about what to carve, and how to fit in a log. Thanks for the ideas.

One of the holes is larger (I could fit my fist in up past my wrist) but it is more visible so I think that it will be best to go with a stamp-only box (disguised like a rock) in that one. The other one is long and narrow (I can't even get my hand in there) so it will have to have an appropriate container that can easily be retrieved.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954294 by Kirbert
Dec 2, 2017 6:05pm
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Second, both lakes are infested with water moccasins.... And turtles....

Just for the record, he lies! I've never infested Kirbert's lake! =)

-- Ryan
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954241 by west dover quidditch team
Dec 2, 2017 6:38pm
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We're blessed in Massachusetts to have lotsa boxes, so much so that the best places to plant (at least within a close loci for me) already have a goodly number there

There was very little on the New England Trail/M-M in Massachusetts except for a couple hot spots like Mt Tom. The last day of hiking I think I went about 8 miles and there wasn't a single box. And it's a beautiful trail.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954300 by Trailhead Tessie
Dec 3, 2017 4:34am
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There was very little on the New England Trail/M-M in Massachusetts except for a couple hot spots like Mt Tom. The last day of hiking I think I went about 8 miles and there wasn't a single box. And it's a beautiful trail.

I agree that the trail is beautiful, at least the sections we've visited so far (Belchertown to the NH border). Unfortunately, only a few letterboxers have visited the W&P boxes on that section, despite the scenic, peaceful trails and gorgeous nosox stamps.

The Quabbin area is beautiful, with lots of trails and wildlife viewing opportunities, but we get very few finders on the boxes we've planted there. I wish more folks would plant on some of those quieter trails--Southpaw and I would definitely look for those boxes!
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954306 by Rocklun
Dec 3, 2017 11:43am
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There are a ton of boxes in the general area of Northampton, Southampton, Amherst, all around there, Easthampton, Holyoke...

Wolf Hill Sanctuary, Whiting Street Reservoir, Ashley Reservoir, Stanley Park, Westfield, The Notch, Fitzgerald Lake.

Lots of boxes.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954311 by MissMoon
Dec 3, 2017 1:38pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Yep, I've gotten some of them. I was thinking more along the north and east sides of the Quabbin , which is closer to us.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954314 by Rocklun
Dec 4, 2017 7:45am
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Since I always box with my two labs, I'd assumed Quabbin boxes were off-limits to me.
Are any parts of the Quabbin open to dogs?
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954335 by west dover quidditch team
Dec 4, 2017 8:27am
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Nope, all of Quabbin is closed to dogs.
Re: State of the hobby
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #954335 by west dover quidditch team
Dec 4, 2017 6:52pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Since I always box with my two labs

Do you bring your Erlenmeyer Flasks too? ;-D