Ok, I've contacted the planter and all is well. We're gonna keep this guy in circulation and get him a logbook. Thanks all, for the good info!

Well, you should at least worry that it was a HH. If you walked off with a bonus stamp that's supposed to stay with the box, that'd be bad.

I almost didn't take it for this reason...until we checked out the logbook of the "home" LB and realized it was definitely a HH.
Mercs

True! 'Freckles' does come first, though I still enjoyed 'The Girl of the Limberlost' the first time I read it. I didn't know 'Freckles' existed then.

TTT :o)

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Are you sure it's the same person? ..Since the person is not using the same trailname? Is she using the same signature stamp or someother identifying feature?

I must not have been clear. She signed into my box as herself with her familiar sig stamp and handwriting. She just is not signing onto AQ as her old self (coming here anonymously to get clues perhaps and not logging finds online).

It makes me sad she's ignoring her boxes, almost as if they don't exist. If she doesn't want to deal with them, I wish she'd go pick them up and retire them permanently. Or, at least update the clues on LBNA to let people know which boxes are missing.

People cycle in and out of boxing all the time, so maybe finding some boxes was so much fun, she'll get back into it more.

~dewberry

I figure the evening for sure since it is a work day...what time do you people get off work in NY??

Is Cheesecake Factory dinner okay with you guys?

Evening I am sure will work best for most people!

I have actually have never been to the Cheesecake factory just yet! So I haven't been inside to know how it would work if there are alot of people planning to meet up. That is not to say it wouldn't work, just saying that I don't know one way or the other. Maybe someone else who has been in there would have a better idea! Depending on the time that the "ole meet and greet" is held at, Lady Lilac may or may not have her kids too so I am not sure if we would be able to take the young ones to the cheesecake factory. Might be a tad too fancy for her babies. If that is the case we might just have to meet you afterwards which would be fine with us. An option is those who want to go to the factory could do the whole fancy dinner thing and then those that aren't able to go to the factory could possibly meet you in the food court area right after your meal? Just tossing thoughts and ideas out there!

SO i think the next step is to see who is definitly wanting to meet up? Then depending on how many are meeting go from there! See how big of a table is needed and what not. It seems like there are alot of people who would love to meet you Amanda!

chadams

I'm wondering whether it'd be a good idea for AQ to include some communication on legal issues. There's the ban on planting boxes on National Park Service property, but there seems to be an increasing amount of other regulation, including several state parks requiring a permit of some sort. Michigan reportedly prohibits the use of ammo cans. I'm thinking that, especially for newbies, there needs to be a place where they can look all this up.

One possibility would be a board dedicated to the subject. Another might be something similar to the WIKI help system, a WIKI legal corner per se.

At first I thought it should be divided by state, but now I don't think so. Even when a state supposedly has a uniform statewide policy towards treasure hunting games, it appears that the application of those regulations varies greatly from park to park. And, of course, many letterboxers seek to plant while travelling in other states.

It definitely needs to be searchable somehow, so that people can look up a park name or some such.

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We have a local placer who just dropped out of boxing, very much abandoning her 80 boxes...and has gone more than 2 years without a log-in.

Perhaps there should be some established, convenient method for a person to leave this hobby. For example, a place on "My Page" where you can click a box indicating you're leaving and won't be back. A suitable note or icon would be attached to your profile, all of your boxes would be put up for adoption, etc.

I'm thinking the profile icon should switch to a black-and-white icon. Sorta like a ghost of the original boxer. And the AQ mail envelope should disappear altogether, as they apparently won't be checking their AQ mail.

While the primary focus is on people opting out of the hobby, this system could also be used when someone finds out that a box has passed away, and possibly even when a boxer simply hasn't logged on for some amount of time.

And, of course, there should be a method by which a boxer can un-retire, if they change their mind and decide to come back.

Oh Dixie! I just read your message and am now typing through tear-filled eyes. What a loss! The world will definitely be a much less colorful place without Mary Jane. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to visit with her again last year, and for giving Emily the chance to meet a loving legend. She was most loved and will be sorely missed.

Our prayers are with her family.

Hope

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She just is not signing onto AQ as her old self (coming here anonymously to get clues perhaps and not logging finds online).

Forgot her password?

I guess I was lucky. I adopted 5 boxes around here when it seemed the planters were gone. I put a big note on the clues about how I was just the caretaker and if the original planters wanted their boxes back, I'd give them to them in a flash, and I just wanted to keep the boxes out there, etc. etc.

YEARS later, I got an email from the original planters, thanking me for looking after the boxes and assuring me that it was okay with them, since they'd had to leave letterboxing due to health concerns. But I never thought of them as my boxes, and still don't. I'm just the caretaker, even though I've recarved the stamps and even rehidden a couple of them.

As for connecting with boxers in a certain area, I recommend (as have others) posting on the AQ board for whatever state you're interested in. I just posted on the ME board that I'd be there soon on vacation, and a bunch of nice folks spoke up!

DebBee

Just because someone chooses not to sign on to this site does not mean that he/she is no longer a Letterboxer.

Boxes, even though in the wild, do have owners. If you see that bags need to be replaced, repairs need to be made, etc. and you are able to provide that bit of first aid then do it, it's part of letterboxing (to come with extra supplies that might be needed).

But without the owner’s permission, it is my opinion, that you may not “adopt” the box - that (again in my opinion), would be kidnapping not adopting.

It’s wonderful that you want to take care of boxes that you have seen that might need some TLC, you can do that. Also, there is no rule that one must have planted their own box in order to “adopt” one in the wild. In fact there are no rules to Letterboxing at all.

Some people move, or travel around the country planting boxes (in some cases I doubt they can maintain them), but that does not mean that they are up for adoption.

My two cents,
~Perdu

have I got the postal for you!!

http://www.atlasquest.com/lboxes/tracker/showinfo.html?gTrackerId=820

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I'm in the market for a larger-than-usual ink pad for a larger event stamp I've just finished. I'd be interested in something about double the size of the normal size, or at least larger in at least one dimension..something like that.

Why? All of the better ink pads are designed with the pad sitting higher than the surrounding container so you can ink up any size stamp on it.

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Some people move, or travel around the country planting boxes (in some cases I doubt they can maintain them), but that does not mean that they are up for adoption.

The way it is set up here on AQ is that if someone doesn't log in for a year, their boxes are available for adoption by qualified boxers. There is no system on LBNA, and I think things are handled by the webmasters on a case by case basis.

There is a lot of frustration from people where boxes have been known missing for years and the clues are never updated to reflect that, because the placer has dropped out of letterboxing.

I whole heartedly agree that many times it isn't clear cut. It's very tricky to parse out whether boxes have been abandoned or if the placer is just dormant or doesn't like to respond to email.

~dewberry

I would use caution in this area. One might take such information as legal advice that is up-to-date and complete and that could open a can of worms best left sealed.

However, an informational note might be helpful to let potential planters be aware that there may or may not be local, state or federal regulations that contain restrictions or require permits or other types of permission before planting and it is up to the potential planter to learn what, if any, requirements exist.

My tuppence,
~Perdu

Gotta start practicing my Rubic's Cube solving skills...... =)

Think you can beat me? :D

I have 2 2x2x2's, 4x4x4's, and 5x5x5's....
We could have one fun contest :D

CQ

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There are several boxes in my area that are crying out to be adopted but I have yet to plant any boxes of my own and I think that is one of the requirements. Planting a box is a little like having a child in that it carries a certain amount of responsibility. It's always a little disappointing to find a neglected box.

Another thing you might want to do is check with the locals and see if someone else has contact information for the placer of the boxes you have found. I know my best friend is a very profilic carver, and hid a ton of boxes, but has had issues with email, etc. Sooo.. if I hear there's a problem, I can alert her and either her or I will take care of it. :)

Maiden

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Some people move, or travel around the country planting boxes (in some cases I doubt they can maintain them), but that does not mean that they are up for adoption.

The way it is set up here on AQ is that if someone doesn't log in for a year, their boxes are available for adoption by qualified boxers. There is no system on LBNA, and I think things are handled by the webmasters on a case by case basis.

There is a lot of frustration from people where boxes have been known missing for years and the clues are never updated to reflect that, because the placer has dropped out of letterboxing.

I whole heartedly agree that many times it isn't clear cut. It's very tricky to parse out whether boxes have been abandoned or if the placer is just dormant or doesn't like to respond to email.

~dewberry

It isn't up to this site or any other to dictate when a box can be adopted. Just because someone says it...webmaster or not...doesn't make it so, unless one is talking for the sole purpose of points/counts on that site and that is another matter entirely.

~Perdu

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Also, what can one do if you know that a person doesn't check boxes anymore and hasn't logged on in two years and you are capable of adopting the abandoned boxes?

I would make a final attempt to contact the placer and then if after a reasonable amount of time, I would adopt the box. If there hasn't been a log on in 2 years I think you should be safe.

Am I the only one that is bothered by this current need to adopt every box that looks like it *might* be abandoned? I fully understand the want and need to repair a box, but as long as the stamp is there, I don't consider that worthy of adoption. If I run into a box that is in bad shape. I will happily replace the bags, add a log book, even replace the box if it's broken. I go home and let the placer know exactly what I've done so they can "undo" anything they didn't want done.

Now, what if the placer doesn't respond. It's ok.. the box is there and it's now in good shape because of the TLC I gave it. So, what if there are no clues to the box any longer? Can't you just spread the word WOM. When I run into those situations, I let those I box with know the box is there. They spread the word to others as well. That way, the box is still being found, still being loved, still being shared with the world, but *I* am not taking over someone elses box.

Just my two cents.
Maiden

Aha! I will go click that peskery mail and solve this woe. Thanks, clever Tortuga! :)

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"...I must not have been clear. She signed into my box as herself with her familiar sig stamp and handwriting. She just is not signing onto AQ as her old self (coming here anonymously to get clues perhaps and not logging finds online)..."

In the spirit of always looking for the good side of people...

Maybe she had some family issues or health issues and is just coming back to boxing. Maybe she's going to find a few and then repair all of her boxes. I'd give it a another month or two before I wrote her off.

Maiden

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Another thing you might want to do is check with the locals and see if someone else has contact information for the placer of the boxes you have found.

Excellent point, Maiden! Checking with locals is a great way to ask.

As I have said before, although Atlas Quest is fantastic and many of us use it profusely, it is not the only place for letterboxers.

Just because someone has not logged on here for one year does not mean they are not active. They may have lost their password, as Kirbert said, they may have been offended by someone or something here and no longer like AQ, etc.

Post an email on LBNA yahoo group and the regional yahoo group asking if anyone has heard of them and from them recently.

Ask some locals individually, as Maiden said. Post on the regional boards here, too.

And I really liked the idea of caretaker, not adopter. Just as there is no guarantee that a box you are searching is there, so there is no guarantee that any adopting or caretaking will be rewarded if the owner comes back.

You give your efforts and service freely because you want a great box to continue, no matter what.

My 4-1/2 cents.

KuKu

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Am I the only one that is bothered by this current need to adopt every box that looks like it *might* be abandoned? I fully understand the want and need to repair a box, but as long as the stamp is there, I don't consider that worthy of adoption. If I run into a box that is in bad shape. I will happily replace the bags, add a log book, even replace the box if it's broken. I go home and let the placer know exactly what I've done so they can "undo" anything they didn't want done.

Now, what if the placer doesn't respond. It's ok.. the box is there and it's now in good shape because of the TLC I gave it. So, what if there are no clues to the box any longer? Can't you just spread the word WOM. When I run into those situations, I let those I box with know the box is there. They spread the word to others as well. That way, the box is still being found, still being loved, still being shared with the world, but *I* am not taking over someone elses box.

Just my two cents.
Maiden

Thank you!

That's all I'm trying to say.

Exactly, what she said...yep.

Together that's 4 cents in the pot,
~Perdu

What size bottle is that?

KuKu

Hello Maryland! We will soon be heading to your area and are hoping for any suggestions you'd like to share for boxes in the areas we'll be visiting. I did a search, but being unfamiliar with the area, I can't really judge the distances, or the accuracy of my search. We plan on staying at Assateague Island for a few days, camping at the state park and visiting the national seashore. We're then heading to Catoctin Mountain Park and camping at Cunningham Falls State Park for a few more days. We travel with children, so drive-by boxes or boxes with short (1-2 mile) hikes are best for us, especially boxes in scenic areas. Have any boxes to suggest?

Thank you all,
Padfoot Treehuggers :)

I'd rather watch a talent show, or a Rubic's Cube being solved, or even someone walking and chewing gum at the same time
than watch a poor dead lemur being beaten

Thanks guys

S~N~K

Apparently the queen of the run on sentence today

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Sorry for so many posts from me

Don't apologise...this is great!

I wish I had a map before I went to Ohio

Thanks for all your hard work in putting this together

We have officially moved, and will not be using the previous PO Box any longer.

Please do not mail anymore PLBs to:
PO Box 2814

We will send the new address to those of you that need it as soon as it is available. If you have a PLB to send us, please email if you have not received our new address.

Thank you,
~ TLP♥

is there a way to find out where the letterboxers are in a particular area?

You have a few of options.

• Notice the people who are planting and finding boxes in your area. Most of them are probably locals.
• Attend (or plan!) a gathering in your area. Those who show up will likely be locals. =)
• Search for letterboxing bloggers in your area. If they have a blog in your area, they're probably locals.
• Post to your state board and ask.

There's more details in the Help section about How to find letterboxers in your area.

what can one do if you know that a person doesn't check boxes anymore and hasn't logged on in two years and you are capable of adopting the abandoned boxes?

Adopt them, I would imagine. =)

-- Ryan

Ugh...is there really a hornet's nest at the Grotto?

Thanks, I'd better put that warning in the clues

I'm suprised we didn't see it. And I'm glad we didn't find it the hard way.

I think I would have problems then with getting my sister and grand-niece to ever go boxing with me again

Quote Also, what can one do if you know that a person doesn't check boxes anymore and hasn't logged on in two years and you are capable of adopting the abandoned boxes?

I would make a final attempt to contact the placer and then if after a reasonable amount of time, I would adopt the box. If there hasn't been a log on in 2 years I think you should be safe.


Am I the only one that is bothered by this current need to adopt every box that looks like it *might* be abandoned? I fully understand the want and need to repair a box, but as long as the stamp is there, I don't consider that worthy of adoption. If I run into a box that is in bad shape. I will happily replace the bags, add a log book, even replace the box if it's broken. I go home and let the placer know exactly what I've done so they can "undo" anything they didn't want done.

Now, what if the placer doesn't respond. It's ok.. the box is there and it's now in good shape because of the TLC I gave it. So, what if there are no clues to the box any longer? Can't you just spread the word WOM. When I run into those situations, I let those I box with know the box is there. They spread the word to others as well. That way, the box is still being found, still being loved, still being shared with the world, but *I* am not taking over someone else's box.

Just my two cents.
Maiden

I agree! I maintain almost all the boxes at a local well known park and only contact owner if I need to ask what they want done or not done! I just keep an eye one them! Only because it is the right thing to do and I hope they would do it for me or you! I will not ever adopt them unless asked to by owner! :)