Thanks so much for the fix! It works mostly as expected now. Using off-path < 1 mi I still get a few boxes slightly over that parameter but not much.

I also figured out that if there is more than one page of results, each page needs to be mapped separately. Not a problem but it did cause some confusion before I figured that out!

When we go on a road trip with the pup, we like to stop every hour or so to stretch. Finding a letterbox or two makes these stops more enjoyable. Trip Planner is a great tool to find boxes close to the route and plan out an itinerary.

It would be helpful if boxers would map their boxes to an accurate location. I frequently encounter boxes which are not mapped anywhere close to their actual location, so I need to carefully read the clue to figure out the correct place and add a custom location. There are many times we missed looking for a box because it was not mapped anywhere close to reality. But that's not a Trip Planner problem, just a general gripe.

I have a friend who’s about to order and carve their first signature stamp.

What size rubber should he buy and what size should the finished stamp be?

Little things that I find annoying:

Please do not plant your box at the base of a tree under a rock then list it with the snow-friendly attribute. That's just rude.

Unless the location of your box is intended to be a mystery, or part of the process in figuring out the clue, please map the box correctly! We miss looking for many boxes because they were mapped to a location far away from reality.

Putting an UP arrow on the back of your stamp is appreciated when it's not obvious. Thank you.

Remember that a rotting stump or log will not rot forever, it will be gone in a few years. Update your clues or move the box! It's the responsible thing to do. Especially if you hid a film canister in giant rotting log that's eighty feet long.

Well that's enough for now. Otherwise folks will think I am crabbit.

Yeah, the Google Maps API I used had a 100-marker limit, which happened to be the same number as one page from the search results. I'm not sure if that limit has changed since I first implemented it, but that's the reason for it.


That might be the case for particularly curvy areas of road. The trip planner just uses a series of line segments and calculates the distance from the line segments, but those segments are straight and if the road curves, the measurements won't be 100% accurate. On a straight road, if the line segment is accurate and the location of the box is accurately listed, it should be 100% accurate. But on curvy roads, they can be off by a bit.


Yes, indeed. I always recommend people always list boxes as accurately and precisely as possible (assuming it's not meant to be a mystery box, of course) for best results--and is likely to get more finders that way as well.

-- Ryan

Who was the idiot that designed a keyboard with the letter Q right next to the letter I? *shaking head*

-- Ryan

That sounds like a challenge..... ;o)

-- Ryan

I've always preferred putting a DOWN arrow on the back of my stamps, pointing to the base of the stamp.

Once I pointed it to the right, you know, to point to the right side of the stamp, but that seemed to confuse everyone. ;o)

-- Ryan, just stirring the pot =)

This. We kept missing a nearby rest area box because the clue was based 9 miles away. I knew it was there from reading all of the clues in the area, but when we'd pull into the rest area and open Clue Tracker, the Clue wouldn't come up. So frustrating!

I’m guilty of not putting arrows on my stamps, probably because I don’t really care if I stamp upside down or sideways in my own logbook! 😜

I generally put an arrow pointing appropriately 45 degrees to the side. Being in new england, and living on a round planet, that puts the arrow pointing true north when being held upright. And letterboxers always want to know North!

I have been having that issue a lot lately, but on letterboxes that appear to have the correct location and address in the address box. I believe I brought this up before though. Google maps has been frustrating me, so that gets my blame.

However, there are probably a few of mine that people might be like, just put the address in, but like mentioned - solving the location is part of the clue - even if it is simple.

I think I would recommend smaller so it has a better chance to fit in most logbooks, but starting out that might be difficult. There are still some logbooks my small stamp cannot fit in currently.

Overall it would be best if they just get used to carving first, and maybe create a new one later.

And even when it is obvious, lol. Of course, I still manage to stamp in all sorts of directions, even with the arrow

I have noticed some carvers stamping their name on the back of stamps recently--I like this! I am less likely to stamp upside down, maybe because my brain likes words.

Thanks for carving, and thanks for giving me a fighting chance of doing your carve justice in my logbook

I write the name of the box on back of stamp, in case it gets separated. I also write "don't take" to hopefully deter geocachers from taking it.
If finder still stamps it upside down, I have no solution other than to assume they prefer it that way.

Wow! Every time I'm lucky enough to go to one of these events in Greenville, Ohio. I think to myself that GypsyLadybug and Cookie Cutter cannot possibly outdo what they've already done. I'm always wrong. They go one step higher or sometimes a lot of steps higher every single time! So thank you ladies and all the people who provided carves for this amazing event. Thank you all very much!

THIS END UP

\/

That would be a real weirdo.... *nodding* =)

-- Ryan

I could not agree with you, more! Nice to meet you! Crazy Runner and I were sitting beside you getting all the inside boxes later in the day---in the A/C!

Smaller is best, under 2”. But not everyone can carve that small, so what I do when I come across a logbook my stamp is too big for I just pick a part of my stamp I like best and ink/stamp just that portion. So really whatever size they end up with will work!

I’ll take the other if it’s still up for grabs!

I found that after you have your signature stamp you can get
a copy that stamps itself in miniature. I have one, and my husband uses it for me when we log in to a logbook find.
I am certain others will respond and make that option more clear.

My gripe is not with humans, but with critters that take or destroy my box. And my box has never had food in it.
At least that is what I assume when my box goes missing.

1. The size of the rubber doesn't matter, often larger is cheaper "Per square inch" but only if they will eventually use all of it.

2. MY default sig-stamp is a 2-inch circle. I have carved a few different ones from 3" down to (a VERY simple version) less than a centimeter! I would start larger for exchanging with people at events and then recarve smaller with slightly less detail for in logbooks.

Ain't no doubt! GLB and CC could not possibly be more welcoming, encouraging and accommodating full circle. Their many kindnesses begin with carving their own fingers to the bone (they give, they give!) with phenomenally intricate carves while complimenting the contributions of all other carvers.

New and clever ways of hiding, fun stuff in goodie bags, clear clues, and boy oh boy, the ladies in the kitchen, yowza!! Thank you also, Stacy and Denise.

Sure Shot was a very nice place that didn't seen to mind a somewhat stinky, inky, raucous bunch of silly, tired, happy folks.

Ladies, I hope you harnessed some of that monstrous skeeter power and were able to slap a saddle and ride 'em today while collecting ALLLLLL those stamps! ❤️

We have our suspicions that squirrels like the Seed carving material. Anyone else have this problem?

Never heard of it. On my way to Google.

Of course they do!

No problems yet, but hopefully someone will report them if it happens.

Oh yes, I can verify that! I planted these by nailing SEED stamps directly to the side of a staircase and squirrels ate 22 of the 28!

So, I planted this. Guess I’m a glutton for punishment (and squirrels are just gluttons!)

SEED is the Japanese material that Stampeaz sells. Also, their line of erasers can also be found in office supplies and art stores here in the US; the white RADAR erasers with the blue wrapper.