While I, as the planter, still see myself as "always right", I am willing to change based on new information. Sometimes I'll change my clue, but other times I won't.

I had a finder tell me that I should re-clue an old series in order to start the series from a brand-new trail head with a lot of parking. Since the old trail head was still perfectly good (though with only one spot to park...which I state in the clues), I declined. If the old trail head had changed to have no parking, I would have changed the clues, though.

y'know what I have to say about that?

TWOFER!!!!

don't worry about it, there are other things in this world far more alarming.

I agree with this (the planter is always right philosophy), (as long as the planter doesn't try to get me fed to alligators, or something stupid).

When I planted my first series, my very first finder had really harsh words for me about my clues and how I did the boxes. I was used to planting like a geocacher, which is a bit different, and I had done test runs of the boxes with 2 people. Anyway, she said something like letterboxing is a small community and if I didn't make the boxes straightforward and easy enough to find, then people would avoid my letterboxes. I was so upset, I almost gave up. She had no idea how MANY hours I had spent on my 4 boxes and the clues. Well, I wrote back to her that I liked my clues just fine, and I was leaving them the same, but I did give her a hint, which in enabled her to find the box. After she found it, she understood the clue better, and was happy with it. I got a Blue Diamond on that series. So, apparently, other people also liked it, and I was glad I didn't change it. But, that really did throw me for a loop. Always give people the benefit of the doubt.

I have a few mystery boxes. I will happily give people hints, but my one exception is that brand new letterboxer with no finds. I don't give newbies hints on those, because I feel like they need to try a few regular boxes first. I made them mysteries because 1 was in a super public spot, and one was a 3 person collaboration and I wanted to keep it special.

[...] one was a 3 person collaboration [....]

If you can, without giving away too much about this series, how do you do a letterbox that requires three people to be able to find it?

I'm pretty sure she's talking about this box, which is a three-way collaboration of a carver, a logbook maker, and a planter.

I agree. By the time I planted box 1 (and so far, my only box!) I didn't realize how hard it would be to get to it physically - I'm happy to climb up a rock six feet up, but forgot that maybe other people aren't, and that I should maybe mention it in the clue that it involved hiking AND scrambling up and down rock. A commenter nicely pointed it out to me.

Similarly, there are definitely some boxes I really don't think were done well...they hid a mason jar in a historical cemetery that gets thousands of tourist visitors??? Uhhh....that jar is GONE.

I'm happy to climb up a rock six feet up, but forgot that maybe other people aren't, and that I should maybe mention it in the clue [....]

A common refrain around here is, "Not all boxes are for all boxers." It is nice to mention things like this (that may turn someone off of a box) in the clue, as you apparently have now done for this box. That's what I try to do, though I seem to forget things from time to time.

Yes, and for me, writing up that clue was challenging and fun, and I was able to find a way to tie them all sort of together. I have to say that was one of my proudest boxes. It was "the whole package".

Hmmm.... that would be intriguing to have a letterbox that actually does take 3 people to find it, though. Geocaching 5 star difficulty!

I attended an event where a box required two finders: one to hang off the bridge and the other to hold the first's ankles.

I attended an event where a box required two finders: one to hang off the bridge and the other to hold the first's ankles.

Well there ya go! Just a few feet lower, and it takes 3 people. I envision a series...

Just a few feet lower, and it takes 3 people.

Or a rope.

If you planted 5 feet from their box without finding their box, I'd consider that an acceptable distance! It'd be kinda funny leading boxers to find two boxes that close but two separate finds!

We have two boxes, on listed on AQ, the other on LbNA.
They're ~three feet apart, but so well hidden that only by chance would you find the other box.
Each set of clues takes you there by a different route and describes the location differently.
It wasn't until I found the second box that I realize I was in the same place as the other box.
Again, acceptable.

As an older person, I appreciate being warned if the box may not be available to me after a bit of a hike.
It's extremely frustrating to get close, but not able to get the box because it's up a tree, or on a boulder. Somewhere I'm not physically capable of going.

As an older person,

You? nahhhh. No way.

Somewhere I'm not physically capable of going.

Two words.......trained squirrels........

This is why we have children.

Two words.......trained squirrels........

oooh, and followed up by the ever popular Squirrel on a Stick
https://www.atlasquest.com/boards/message.html?msgId=901256;search=squirrel+on+a+stick

Bummer, I clicked on the link to that message but got a "that message has been deleted" response......sigh

Or those extension grabber thingies. I dunno the proper name for them, but if I were a short person I'd probably carry one when boxing.

Here you go.
the link is working for me.
Thanks, Bubs.

"Cook it up
And cook it quick!
It's Nancy's famous
Squirrel-on-a stick!

Its tough and chewy,
The innards are gooey,
But you'll be nibblin'
On one or two-ey!

Cause our secret sauce
Is O, so trippin',
And your fingertips,
You'll soon be lickin'

And once your down
From that saucy high,
More Squirrel-on-a-stick
Will get you by!"

YAYYY!! Squirrel-on-a-stick!!!!

Copyright 1784, Nasty Nan Inc. All squirrels reserved. May contains nuts, and may have been processed on machines that make car parts.

Not a response to anyone just

"I don't wanna be nice!" ***stomps feet*** crosses arms, sticks out tongue****

Gg

This is why we have children.

Your children maybe. Mine were mostly useless for this. Eventually I wised up and stopped dragging them along.

Well, clearly you forgot to walk in front of them, dangling their XBox controllers. Or cookies. Or car keys. Yeah, that. "If you want to ride home. . ." My kid is still in Telge park.

I bribed my kid to do "streams and rocks..." with me by taking her to Sephora the next day. Whatever works...

The truer story is that I made a deal with my son a long time ago. I would do my level best to excuse him from letterboxing whenever possible and let him stay home or be with his dad -- whatever. In return, on the occasions I could not make those arrangements, he had to come along for the ride and absolutely no bitching was allowed. He had to respect that I enjoyed it and wasn't allowed to ruin it for me. It worked out well. Now he actually wants to go sometimes. Plus Mosaic Butterfly always plies him with sweets.

I saw you signed up for the October event for two. I am hoping he is your plus one!

What's all this I'm reading about "Let's be Mice"? Mice are little hairy rodents! Who would want to be a little hairy rodent? I mean maybe being Mickey or Minnie Mouse might be okay. What if you're a mouse who is lactose intolerant? All that cheese! And those cats with their sharp claws and teeth!

Emily, Emily, you misunderstood! Boxers are not talking about being mice! They are talking about being nice! Being nice to each other in their daily interactions.

Ohhh, that's very different . . . . never mind!