I found a HH about two months ago. Since then I've found quite a few boxes, but none of them have been large enough to accomodate my new buddy. The log book is set of spiral bound 3x5 notecards like you would buy from the store. I hate that I've held on this dude for so long, but he's just too big. I'll be checking on my plants soon and may have to put him up in one of mine that I know will accomidate him.

Try contacting the owner and see if they would be willing to send you a new logbook that is smaller and give reasons why. IMO, a HH needs to have a very small logbook. I just make a HH the other day with a 1-1/2 x 2 logbook and was wondering if THAT was too big!

The log book is set of spiral bound 3x5 notecards like you would buy from the store. I hate that I've held on this dude for so long, but he's just too big.

Don't concern yourself in the slightest. If the planter had wanted his HH to ever move, he wouldn't have made it so big.

There are boxes and Hitch hiker hostels that will house it. It may take time, but one will come!

td

I like the idea of contacting the person. He isn't on AQ - nor is the HH. I do have an email that I used to update the placer. From our exchanges it appears he was new at it when he placed the HH. I have only been at this for 11 months and consider myself to be such a newbie - so much to learn. Everyone at AQ has been more than helpful with my questions and screw ups. Feels nice to return the favor.

If the HH is unlisted and you have no way of contacting the originator, he must not be too concerned about the HH moving quickly so just hang onto it until a suitable spot is found. Chalk it up to a learning experience that you shouldn't create your own HH that is so big and also don't forget that if you run across a HH that you don't want to take, you don't have to. =)

Over the years I have found several hitchhikers with very large log books which would not fit in most traditional letterboxes. What I did was put them in an extra ziploc bag and tie them to the outside of the next appropriate letterbox I found.

What I did was put them in an extra ziploc bag and tie them to the outside of the next appropriate letterbox I found.

Here's a quote from Silent Doug's HH Tips & Etiquette:

If you carry a hichhiker to a new letterbox and find that it doesn't fit inside or in the box's hiding place, then don't leave the hitcher behind or record it in the letterbox log. Instead, carry it with you to the next letterbox you find.

Please, don't leave a HH outside of a letterbox. It won't be camouflaged appropriately (and neither will the host box), it won't be weatherproofed appropriately, and it may become separated from the host letterbox and lost. If a HH is too large either leave it behind or wait for a better opportunity.

Notice that I said I put it in an extra ziploc (a sturdy freezer type) which would weatherproof it. Also notice that I said I waited until the next appropriate letterbox. That would be one that would allow the HH to be well hidden with the host box and not seen. If people are going to make HHs with huge log books, then I see no problem with affixing them to the outside of a letterbox! That is the only way they will move along in a fairly decent amount of time. This has only happened twice to me and I have found lots of HHs. You could wait until you found a hostel; however, there are not many of them, especially in the West.

Throw it away. Really, I mean it, is it really going to be missed? If it is too big to fit in anything, then maybe it is time for it to fade away in the nearest trashcan.

Wait...what?! Throw it away??!! Contact the placer and mail it back to them or during the contact see if you can make a smaller book to go with it.

If there are no Hitch hiker Hostels ( a box bigg enough to house multiple HH's), contact owners of HHH nearby and send it to them.
Diane
the von der Insels

Hitch hiker Hostels ( a box bigg enough to house multiple HH's)

[DISAGREE]
That is not a solution. All that is doing is making it someone else's problem. So instead it will sit in a bigger box forever since no one will ever want to take it and be stuck with it.

It seems that about 95% of the time the ones with the huge logs are released by someone with 12 finds and 2 plants and they vanished from the hobby 4 years ago. The people posting here are too hung up on the 'contact the planter' issue. Try moving beyond that and saying 'The planter cannot be contacted', so now what do you do?

As I said, I don't believe in perpetuating the problem. The majority of the time I will simply leave it outside a box where it can be reasonable hidden and hope for the best re: the elements. If there is damage or it has not travelled much, I will trash the logbook and replace it with a new smaller one. If the stamp is damaged as well then I follow Cyclonic's words of wisdom and find a trash bin. Just like letterboxes are not supposed to last forever, neither are hitchhikers, especially ones that make it a challenge from the start.

Wow - lot of opinions.

The placer and I have been emailing back and forth. The HH will keep me company until I can find a suitable home.

Looking back I remember that a couple of people had stamped in the HH log book, but did not take him along. In my mind I picture someone who basically doesn't have room for a fellow traveler, but is kind enough for a short conversation. They may not have followed the "law of letterboxing" - but it makes sense to me. So I'll keep my buddy with me as we letterbox together. When I find a nice home we will part ways until he can find someone that doesn't mind his hefty nature.

Thanks for all the help.

Maybe posting about this on a board in your geographical area would help--someone might suggest a few boxes to find that are large enough to accomodate it. I have made a point to plant a large box myself just in case anyone in my area has a big HH tagging along!

I have made a point to plant a large box myself just in case anyone in my area has a big HH tagging along!

That's what I've done. I bought some containers for a few plants and bought one that is a bit bigger than normal. Box is loaded, camoflaged, and ready to plant.

When I post the clue I'll follow your lead and make a note that it is a larger box.
--I even have a small Pelican case that was given to me that would make a great hostel. We Texans don't experience hostels that often.