It seems as though letterboxes are multipling as fast as bunnies in the Mohawk Valley. Just one year ago, boxes were few and far between, requiring quite a bit of mileage to get to one.

This year, there are LOTS of new boxes up and down the Mohawk Valley. In just one week, I believe that about 16 or more appeared magically in the Utica-Rome area.

Then there's this little village called Oriskany -- it's quite small, but it's got about a dozen boxes in and around that sleepy village.

I found a great box in a great location-- the Moss Island box in Little Falls. Fascinating place -- and there are now 2 boxes there. Cooperstown is another hot spot for letterboxing these days.

SO, NY is really a happening place!

Paul in SF

This year, there are LOTS of new boxes up and down the Mohawk Valley. In just one week, I believe that about 16 or more appeared magically in the Utica-Rome area.

Then there's this little village called Oriskany -- it's quite small, but it's got about a dozen boxes in and around that sleepy village.

I found a great box in a great location-- the Moss Island box in Little Falls. Fascinating place -- and there are now 2 boxes there. Cooperstown is another hot spot for letterboxing these days.

**********

Hmmmm..... we wouldn't have anything to do with *why* the Mohawk Valley has suddenly become such a boxing hot spot, would we? Well, actually, I think we can credit the lovely and talented Lock Wench with most of this activity. I understand that her goal is to plant one hundred boxes before the end of the year.

So Connecticutions (and others), hop in your cars annd check out this beautiful part of the country! You won't be disappointed.

Lisascenic

I think it's funny that two of the most prolific NY planters (as well as excellent stamp carvers) both live in San Francisco..they truly are BI-COASTAL boxers!

As for 100 boxes..I have 74 planted so far...and another 10 sitting here ready to plant. So 20 more in the next 3 months should be doable. I just want those 20 to be in places that don't have many boxes. Share the love, ya know? You guys have certainly done YOUR part!

LW

And a little further east, but still in the Mohawk Valley, we are doing our best to "seed" the area... last August there were only 2 boxes in Schenectady County. We are now up to around a dozen, and I just planted 4 more (yes, Lisascenic, I had to pull and replant!) -- clues to be posted in the next day or so...

So come visit -- it is definitely worth the trip!

Tamsyn

" last August there were only 2 boxes in Schenectady County. We are now up to around a dozen, and I just planted 4 more"

Awesome, Tamsyn! Can't wait to travel down to your area!

Lock Wench

I better toot some horns for folks near us, since they probably won't do it themselves!

Buffalo has suddenly started to spring anew with boxes as well! Team Dakota moving to Tennessee was a hard blow, but Celtic Quinn and Moonlightgamer have really started to plant like crazy...as if in anticipation for a WNY gathering further south next year...hmmm...

Rochester has also blown up around us (and that's not including the gathering boxes) thanks to folks like Mama Rose and the Urban Letterboxer and a bunch of other folks that've planted a box and then vanished!!! Just when the Highlander and I think all the boxes in the area have been done, another box springs up and we've GOT to make the trek just once more! :-)

Tamsyn's carving are really lovely. Historic Stockade is a great hunt as well!

Lisascenic

BTW, LW, I bought another item from your micro box supplier. I couldn't resist trying one of those fake sewer drains. A bit pricey, but considering the time & effort I've put into replacing urban boxes, it may be worth it. The downside is that you do need to dig to "install it". That's going to limit the number of places I can pull that off. But I do know of one extra large city park that's so big you could bury a body there w/o anyone seeing you. His fake apple and fake bird are not quite the ticket - let the geocachers buy those.

Paul in SF

We should have a big gathering next year and really pump up the whole state!

Paul in SF

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But I do know of one extra large city park that's so big you could bury a body there w/o anyone seeing you.

Hmmm...... I really want to say something, but I won't. ;o)

-- Ryan

"LW, I bought another item from your micro box supplier. I couldn't resist trying one of those fake sewer drains. ...His fake apple and fake bird are not quite the ticket - let the geocachers buy those."

Oh I know which you mean. Those looked pretty intriguing to me too. I gotta give him snaps for trying to come up with unique items but some - like the apple or fake bird - are SO fake that they would lead me right to the box/cache! All I can think of when I see the fake birds is that Monty Python skit...with the guy returning the dead parrot to the pet store!

A few of us have discussed NY events for last year....right now just in the "talk" stage. MtNstRobin would like to host an event at Trenton Falls (they have that great big Adirondack dining hall with all the big tables) and there are 4 or 5 letterboxes near by but TONS of areas ready for planting! She was thinking more of a book making class or stamp carving session. I like the idea of the Texas planters ( see Mark Pepe's site) who are doing a "Barn Raising" style event (making tons of stamps and planting them all at once to seed an empty area). This is kind of what Sprite did for the Durand Eastman Park in Rochester.

And Tony, Tamsyn's son...wants us to host something near Moss Island so he can return and bring friends. :) This is definately a possibility...as we could go to nearby Canajoharie (Wintergreen Park) and then do all the boxes in that area, as well as seed some. It would also give our neighbors on the east side of the state some visitors.

Of course there is always the Adirondacks. I am looking into getting the Chimney Mountain cabins for an extended weekend. There are 8 cabins of various sizes, and they were part of an old Boy Scout camp. All have bedrooms with beds (you supply the linens), bathrooms and stone fireplaces with great space kitchen/living areas complete with kitchen ware...and screened-in front porches and outdoor fireplaces. I stayed in a 2 bedroom one about 4 years ago and it was $75 a night for a place that slept 4....more if you used the cots and couches and sleeping bags! We split it and it was soooo affordable and fun. Right on the water (Deer River Flow into Indian Lake) and canoes and rowboats are provided. Lots of great trails, mountains and caves nearby..and lean tos for those who want more rustic camping than a cabin. The Adirondack Museum and Enchanted Forest Water Park aren't that far away..and there are places that rent kayaks as well. So kinda something for everyone. I will check it out over this fall and see if it is doable.

Chimney Mountain, huh? My old stomping grounds! A climb to the top is merited for some pretty beautiful picture taking and exploring of the caves there. Just be sure not to climb the Chimney itself...locals get quite irritated about having to have helicopter rescues *again*. ;o)

The Adirondack Museum is one of my favorites. Pick up "Woodswoman" by Anne LaBastille and you'll get the feel for the area.

"Chimney Mountain, huh? My old stomping grounds! A climb to the top is merited for some pretty beautiful picture taking and exploring of the caves there. Just be sure not to climb the Chimney itself...locals get quite irritated about having to have helicopter rescues *again*. ;o)

The Adirondack Museum is one of my favorites. Pick up "Woodswoman" by Anne LaBastille and you'll get the feel for the area."

Hey...maybe we were stomping around at the same time! I am an Adirondack veteran..having grown up hiking there and going to school nearby. My mom was the first person to complete the Adirondack Quest and she did it in record time. My dad is still leading hikes all over the mts at age 76. He used to do some search and rescue on a volunteer basis but quit it in his 60's. :)

I have some great pics of Chimney Mt and some very fond memories of the area. It was the first Adirondack letterbox I made but I still haven't planted the darn thing! I thought it would be a great central place to introduce other boxers to the Adirondacks....and provide them plenty to do. I continue to explore caves even though I absolutely fear bats...but I have come a LONG way. :)

So did you grow up there or are you just a very frequent visitor? I am thinking about bringing some friends to the Elizabethtown watershed area/Boquet River. Talk about dealing with a lot of rescues! Whew!

LW

I grew up in North Creek, about half an hour away. My husband and son spent a week in July backpacking the area of Siamese Ponds wilderness, fishing and just having 'boy time'.

I'm not able to scramble up the mountain like I could years ago- I r e a l l y take my time going to the top now, but try to get up there as we can when I visit the parents.

Someday I'll get to go home for good. Until then, this gathering sounds awesome.

I have a box I carved about two years ago for the Train Depot in N. Creek. Just haven't planted it yet. Left it with my parents thinking they'd plant, but it's still there. If this gathering pans out I'll carve some more and ask my dad for great ideas in hiding spots.