Since I've now reposted this link a few times for reference, I'm going to also add to it with that in mind.

I've been known to put a hitchhiker in a box for the FF, or maybe even some bonus clues, in addition to a FF prize of some kind.

<looks up at the ceiling, whistling innocently>
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When any of you put your mileages to a box, do you do it "one way" or "round trip?"

I have a problem with someone saying it is a 90-minute hike. For them. For me, it might be a five-hour hike!

"They are green ( perfect! ) , but instead of having to press-n-twist, you press the sides and the top pops up. We got two sizes, too! As soon as I saw them, I thought, " Ooo, these would make great micro boxes!"

Rather than bother your vet, just switch to Nescafe Instant Coffee.
Three sizes and the same lid design and they're *perfect* for letterboxes!
-- Dagonell the Pirate

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I have a problem with someone saying it is a 90-minute hike. For them. For me, it might be a five-hour hike!

I probably would not use times to measure a hike. I have been told that I walk very fast (by people I was letterboxing with), so times would probably not be very accurate.

TG

Okay first of all, I know that I will get a lot of opinions on this, but I just really need some help. I have tried so much to get letterboxing going in Alaska, I have gained one or two people, but no die hards like me. I know they must be out there. Sooo (dun dun da), I am thinking about giving an interview to the local paper and news station, however, I want it to be a very good one, you know all the right info and that kind of thing. So on to the help needed. I want to make sure that I don't forget anything and to do it right, so how does everyone think I should go about this? (I really think this is my last resort).

Help Please.

Alaska HSM (Who now has on her fire proof outfit, cause I know its coming)

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(Who now has on her fire proof outfit, cause I know its coming)

You mean your Holocaust Cloak? ;)

Since I have always come out against publicity, here is my feeling.
Alaska is so far removed from the rest of the continental US, I frankly see no problem. If there aren't many boxers there you might create sufficient numbers to get your goal, what ever it is accomplished.

Gwen and I did one interview in 2001 and it was with a neighborhood paper and we pretty much had editor's control, so how you would go about getting all of the info across, I have no idea.

Don

oooh sorry for your booboo....

but i'm glad to hear you're using the dremel... i just got myself one today!! WOOHOO!
now.... if you hear screams and then later sirens coming from the middle section of the east coast later this evening..... just say a prayer.. then you can roll your eyes! LOL

I'd say it's yours. If you haven't already, why don't you ask the planter about it? Maybe they didn't put it in the box when they first planted it and added it later.
S

I see you're in Anchorage. Have you yet thought about doing a clinic at the REI store? Maybe you could get on their calendar - as its own event, perhaps for the spring. My own store here in Denver has done them on geocaching.

Better yet, particularly re: getting some press - reporters LOVE to cover stuff that's "real news" - i.e. "such and such is speaking at the REI store on XYZ and so on about letterboxing - what's that?" as a seque into a piece - and the REI folks usually do all the press releases etc! Or you could get on the event calendar then approach the reporter to do a piece -with more to offer him/her in the process.

It seems to me if you make it into a bigger something you could create some buzz. I used to do this kind of presentations/promotions for a nonprofit I used to work with and REI loves putting stuff on its calendar that's different. FYI: The title of the person whom you want to speak at their stores is Special Events Manager/Coordinator or something very similar. Might be some longer lead time (think spring) than you might want, 'cause of the season, but you could maybe pull off something much bigger than "just" a news article now when not as many people would maybe want to start a new outdoor hobby..

I'm happy to help/give further ideas off list, if you need. I even used to write my own press releases for my events, in addition to what REI and my other partners did. I have some other ideas - if you want to go at things using this tactic.

preboxed
Denver

Oooh, I definitely like preboxed's idea. This way, you don't just shove people into the LB realm after reading the article - you get to actually mentor them and let them ask you questions and set up a practical exercise.

I remember once a while back, someone's child actually gave a talk about letterboxing at their library and then set up a practical exercise where everyone was split into groups and received a clue leading them to a LB in the library, which gave them experience in following a clue and proper rehiding. (stealth and rehiding would be my top points)

I also remember Lock Wench doing an interview of some sort with a local paper. I think it's even posted on the message boards, if someone could direct you to it so you could read it.

But, yes, a press release associated with an event would be a very good thing. *nodding*

Good luck with recruiting!

-Infinity

Yeah, maybe you ARE the first finder of the first finder award.

Have you ever jabbed a Speedball curved carving knife blade into the end of your thumb? I went to Misery...no, wait...that's Missouri with my wife to visit her parents and while we were there I wanted to plant a couple boxes. So, there I was at my mom-in-law's kitchen table just a carving away when the knife slipped and I sank a #2 V blade into the end of my thumb. I jerked and it wouldn't let go. I slung (didn't have the fortitude to pull it out) and it wouldn't let go. I yelled obscenities and it wouldn't let go. Finally my 9 year old daughter came to see what was wrong and before I could even react she had reached up fast as lightening and yanked it out. Then there was blood. Not much but it was my blood. Be careful carving.

That is too funny. It sounds like a sit-com episode. I expect to turn on Nick at Night and see Tony Danza walking out of the hospital like that with Judith Light behind him yelling "Who's the boss, now, Mr. Macho?"

Yea, and maybe those other folks that posted in his logbook didn't take it because they didn't want anyone to know that they had been there before you..., no wait, nevermind, sleepy now.

wait... maybe the box was a plb in a former life.....??? just trying to think why so many people would have logged in, but not taken a FF.

I know there is a clue somewhere that has a pic of a dude (if you're the dude, nice to meet ya) in mirrored sunglasses in the woods. Above the pic it says "Natty Bumpo turned me into a newt" and below it it says "I got better" with a few clues. The problem is, I have tried to locate it off and on tonight using various methods, but I can't seem to. Help?!?!?

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but i'm glad to hear you're using the dremel... i just got myself one today!! WOOHOO!
now.... if you hear screams and then later sirens coming from the middle section of the east coast later this evening....

I'm an old hand with a Dremel -- in fact, I think I'm on my 3rd or 4th one.

I must strongly advise not to get one particular accessory. It's a little nose extension. Around the front end of a Dremel is a black plastic nut that holds the halves of the housing together. This accessory replaced that nut and provided a bit of extension out forward. The idea is that you can grip the Dremel closer to the cutting tip when doing fine work. Sounded like a good idea to me.

This particular item provided two "arms" extending forward. This allows you to still use the little wrench to change bits, since you can fit the wrench between the arms.

Here's the problem: When holding the Dremel between thumb and forefinger on these extension arms, my middle finger -- tucked up underneath the forefinger -- got caught between one of those extension arms and the bit itself. It grabbed the finger and wouldn't let go. In about a half second, it ground all the way through the fingernail and down into the meat underneath. Unpleasant in the extreme.

That extension piece got tossed immediately. And I recommend that anyone else with one do the same.

Preboxed probably has the best idea. I've thought about doing this: planting a box just for the reporter to find and then pulling it after the interview. If it happed to be a TV spot then the camera man could follow along and no box location would be spoiled as long as this *special box* wasn't planted near a real box.

Shiloh

Thank you! I'm so glad you answered, I forgot I asked. I have another AQ weird word, but I'm going to put it in Stupid Questions.

Janet (A SWMBO and didn't even know it)

Another good reason to go to Orlando (I'll wait till Spring though)

Janet, Blooming Flowers

Oh yeah, I have more to say, but I'm on my way to bed just now...Whatever you do re: REI or other likely venues WAIT until after the HollyDays!

Can you say Retail Land...The Loooooooong wait until spring/summer IS in your favor...IF you can wait. Trust me on this, but don't compete with the Frenzy.

pre

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Have you yet thought about doing a clinic at the REI store?

.....gave a talk about letterboxing at their library and then set up a practical exercise where everyone was split into groups and received a clue leading them to a LB in the library, which gave them experience in following a clue and proper rehiding. (stealth and rehiding would be my top points)

That's exactly what I did in March 2004! I gave a presentation at our local REI in March 2004. I created a Powerpoint presentation, had lots of examples of things (boxes, stamps, carving tools, different types of clues, etc and a raffle prize). Another local boxer created a box that REI gave us permission to place in the store and the clues were distributed at the presentation. (In fact, the box is STILL in the store and the clues are publicly posted.)

I could send a copy of the Powerpoint presentation if you are interested.

Wisconsin Hiker

That box is a mystery box. You need to derive the location from the clue itself.

Good Luck,

LB

They're not looking for the location..they're looking for the clue.

Try Dragon, sounds like one of that set.

Ish

..and...

The reason you can't find it on AQ is, it's not here.

Check http://www.members.aol.com/nattybumppolbna/newt.html

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The reason you can't find it on AQ is, it's not here.

Check http://www.members.aol.com/nattybumppolbna/newt.html

Looks challenging. I guess I don't understand these things -- how you know the web page exists, how you know it's a letterbox, how you know whether or not you live within 1000 miles so it might be worth your while to figure it out.

The web page *is* the clue.

Again, it is a mystery box.

Peace,

LB

LBNA.

Hm, I should have thought of that. There is certainly enough space in the box. But I was so excited, and wanted to show them all to my fiance, so I brought the stamped pages all home. I suppose I could bring them back ...
Sigh. So much to learn! I've only been doing this for less than a year, so I guess one goof needs to be forgiven.

monotonia