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Read Thread: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain

Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968679 by NandJ
Nov 26, 2018 2:22pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I’m predicting the much-maligned newbie smackdown, as most of us have had this very lament and postulated to the boards all kinds of ways to improve the hobby. You are in very good company.

This is the first time I’ve seen someone post every, single letterboxers’ pet peeves all in one fool-proof solution -- except maybe suggesting people shout “Rah-rah” while conspicuously and badly rehiding the box with a ten-foot pile of – oh, wait. We’re in the parking lot. Nevermind.

I’ll be as gentle as I can. It’s easy to defend those who prefer/need short hikes over long, don’t particularly care about the artistry of the boxes, (i.e. store-bought stamps and lamp skirts in parking lots), aren’t interested in planting or carving (it’s always been fine to box and not plant a blessed thing – come find my boxes!), cannot tolerate disappointment (box might be missing), and cannot or will not invest any time pursuing hobby, and probably don’t much like walking at all. Any of those are pretty fine, but what you have when you have all of them? Someone who just gave you the, “I can’t go out with you on Saturday because I’m washing my hair.”

Do you really want this? I try to plant something I myself would like to find. Am I supposed to stop handcarving stamps, seeking out suitable/interesting/pretty or at least safe places to plant, start buying stamps and planting places where retrieval is effortless and guaranteed – essentially going backward skill-wise -- to accommodate people who need a simpler form of letterboxing?

We have to further dumb down a hobby that at its basic level is essentially reading while walking? Do YOU want to go letterboxing with those folks? I guess every shampoo bottle has its lid.

I would say that the dearth of letterboxers is perhaps already related to the unlathered mass’ antipathy toward sweat equity. I’d say there’s room for all kinds for sure, but why work so hard swaying the uninterested? Let them lather, rinse, repeat.
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968740 by dingus dufus
Nov 26, 2018 3:26pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Btw, we all randomly check guard rails at interesting locations right?

Oh, man. That was you? Sorry about the puddle.
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968766 by Wry Me
Nov 26, 2018 3:37pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Oh, man. That was you? Sorry about the puddle.

By “puddle”, you mean ‘brown spot’?
Heathen!
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968758 by MissMoon
Nov 26, 2018 7:11pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I hung out at letterboxing.org for a really long time - until I found it got way out of date, and I took about a five year hiatus while my mom was declining due to dementia. I mean, really, I have no reason to lie about that or any of it. I used a different name on letterboxing.org - changed it when I came here because I started hunting with a friend and it seemed appropriate to include him.

It wasn't your disagreement that I thought was snarky - it was the insistence that I am obviously ignorant and ill-informed because I have only used THIS website for 4 months. There is a whole wide world out there - way broader than a single website and the opinions of a handful of people.

You seem super defensive of your right to be cranky. Not sure why. If you want to be cranky, then knock yourself out.
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968738 by Gremlands
Nov 26, 2018 7:18pm
Thread (disabled) Board
If it's an easy find, make it an interesting place to find it. If the place isn't as interesting, make it a challenge to find.

I can do that, but I don't think that the local boxers would appreciate me planting in thorny bushes and trees, up in a tree, or even on a cliff. I've done all of these for geocachers in my area, but I don't think that local letterboxers would appreciate that type of challenge.

I plant for my boxes to be found, but I will try for more challenging locations. Maybe I'll even do some gadget boxes.
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968763 by Wry Me
Nov 26, 2018 7:30pm
Thread (disabled) Board
We have to further dumb down a hobby that at its basic level is essentially reading while walking?

Don't you mean reading ***and*** thinking while walking?
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968774 by NandJ
Nov 26, 2018 7:33pm
Thread (disabled) Board
You seem super defensive of your right to be cranky. Not sure why. If you want to be cranky, then knock yourself out.

There is a lot of that going on here.

Learn to enjoy the snark. It can be entertaining.
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968777 by Oberon_Kenobi
Nov 26, 2018 7:38pm
Thread (disabled) Board
There is a lot of that going on here.

Learn to enjoy the snark. It can be entertaining.

Yes, you can be.
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968778 by MissMoon
Nov 26, 2018 7:59pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Learn to enjoy the snark. It can be entertaining.

Yes, you can be.

Who? Me?
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968776 by Oberon_Kenobi
Nov 26, 2018 9:14pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Don't you mean reading ***and*** thinking while walking?

Too many things! Pop!
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968787 by Wry Me
Nov 27, 2018 6:57am
Thread (disabled) Board
I deleted the last six-or-so posts to this board. This thread was getting a little nasty. I'm not moving it to the dead lemurs board--yet--but just a reminder that personal attacks against others are not appropriate. Disagreeing opinions are fine, but keep it civil.

-- Ryan
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968798 by Green Tortuga
Nov 27, 2018 7:05am
Thread (disabled) Board
I thought the horse was dead, the lemurs were just flung.
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968798 by Green Tortuga
Nov 27, 2018 8:43am
Thread (disabled) Board
Disagreeing opinions are fine, but keep it civil.

Don't make me stop this car!
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968798 by Green Tortuga
Nov 27, 2018 12:43pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Oh, wow, the dead lemurs board! It's been an awfully long time since anyone got excited enough about anything boxing related to have a thread even considered to be moved there. Ah, the good old days... ;)
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968823 by Frankie and Benjy
Nov 27, 2018 12:45pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I was just reminiscing about RogueOne.

Warrior Woman
remembers
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968824 by Warrior Woman
Nov 27, 2018 2:19pm
Thread (disabled) Board
OMG!!!!!! Don't even open up that can or worms again!!!
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968799 by Mizscarlet
Nov 28, 2018 7:27am
Thread (disabled) Board
It *had* started down the road to facebutt level discussions. I call that the merry go round stage......round and round and going no place fast.

Although Ryan may soon have to find another animal.

https://psmag.com/environment/what-killed-these-lemurs
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968858 by MissMoon
Nov 28, 2018 8:53am
Thread (disabled) Board
Although Ryan may soon have to find another animal.

https://psmag.com/environment/what-killed-these-lemurs

Dang, did we do that!?!
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968862 by dingus dufus
Nov 28, 2018 12:13pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Dang, did we do that!?!

Did I do that?
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #968711 by Mizscarlet
Dec 23, 2018 1:04pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Dear Lord, I wasn't going to jump in but now I am. This has been my montra as some of my closest friends know. Some of my VERY best letterboxing experiences have been where a box was missing or one was where someone carved a simple x In the old PZ-Cut. I just took my granddaughter letterboxing for her very first time. I told her there are no guarantees will will be able to figure out the clues and that the box will even be there but I told her the box and the stamp are only PART of the deal and that any time we can spend time outdoors and exploring new places together, it was a great day! Sure enough, the box was long gone but she assured me the was still great bc she loved the little (unexpected park ) and that we had had fun. My point is that when I tell people about letterboxing, I hope their experience is in trying or exploring something new and they can figure out which aspects they like best. Some can't hike on trails any more, Some only like event boxing, Some like historic boxes or ones in cemeteries and some jump over to LTC rings. There's something for everyone so when explaining to new folks I hope they know there are many options they can try. Going to crawl back under my SPOR. Lol
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #969604 by Trailtracker
Dec 23, 2018 3:48pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Totally agree, Trailtracker. And when we find enough time, we will be back to Hocking Hills to look for a number of older boxes, unknown and unvisited for a long time. The experience is totally worth it.
Re: Finding new letterboxers/looking for a bargain
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #969604 by Trailtracker
Dec 28, 2018 5:22pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Very well stated Trailtracker… you get a lot more out of letter boxing experiences than just the stamps…yes and there is something for everyone!
WW52