I wanted to let y'all know that everything seems to have worked out with my boxes at a Florida State Park. I finally got in touch with the lady who AQ-mailed me. She received an e-mail from Tallahassee and had to find out the location of the boxes. She said that she had to make sure they weren't in a "sensitive area." She also stated that the boxes would be removed before a prescribed burn and replanted afterward. I told her which trail the boxes were on, and she said that they were in a recreational area, and that was fine. The lady was extremely nice. There was no talk of confiscation or permits.

A Very Pleased,
Geometry Junkie
Mandy

That's really cool! Glad it worked out so well.

JPMcD

We have a pass. We got it for a year and we don't renew until July. We were thinking of going this weekend on Saturday. It is suposed to be in the 80's this weekend. Not sure if we will be at the Magic Kingdom or Epcot this time. We also enjoy MGM a lot and the Animal kingdom. We just love it all!
KBgirl

I have a 14 year old friend who has been missing from Loganville, Georgia for 2 days. He is about 5'6, 125 lbs., short dirty blonde hair, blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a charcoal-grey hoodie with LHS Track on the front. Also possible that he may be riding a black 20" Mongoose bike. His whereabouts are not known but he could possibly be heading to the Woodstock area or may be in the Conyers area. If you see anyone you believe could be him please contact the proper authorities.


If you have any questions please contact me offline at either AQ or hawkeyes2446@aol.com.

Thanks for your help!
hawkeye

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How long will you be there for? Because we are coming soon afterwards!

-- Queen B of the B's

We will be there for 9 days, flying back on the 14th.

-Buxton Boxers

I never got one, but there are a bunch of pictures on the disposeable I have yet to develop - it isn't full. I'm going to fill it up the rest of the way at our next Gather. I'm also going to remember my digital & I PROMISE I will take a group shot at the next one!

Three Hearts

PS - I'm REALLY glad everyone had such a good time. I'm so excited about the next one - you have no idea! Can't wait!!!

The dark side isn't so bad. I just rewrote all my clues recently. I'm actually enjoying having all my clues in one document file. :o)

Three Hearts

The inaugural event for Florida's First Coast is scheduled and open for registrations. You don't have to be a member of First Coast Letterboxing, live here, or even know anyone here to join us for some fun in the sun (or shade if that's your preference).

Potluck lunch, event stamps, workshops, kid only boxes, permanent boxes, event only boxes, special prizes for usual and unusual categories, raffle for cool stuff.... and whatever else we/you can come up with - all on top of some fellowship with other inky fingered pals.

OH and did I mention the beach? Yeah, the park has beach access, camping, fishing, canoe/kayak/sailboat/paddle boat rentals, hiking and biking trails, playgrounds and a lot fun just waiting for you.

Come one, come all to experience spring break - First Coast Letterboxing style!

Link:
http://www.atlasquest.com/events/event.html?gEventId=317

Come one, come all! This one's going to be fun!

Three Hearts

Hi panhandlers!

We'll be heading to the Destin area in the next few weeks and I've been printing off clues to prepare for some boxing! It seems that many letterboxes are missing from the state parks due to confiscation. Several others don't mention that they are missing, but haven't been found since December. If there are any status updates any of you could give me, I would certainly appreciate it! I'm only printing out clues as far west as Pensacola and as far east as Panama City. I doubt I'd be able to convince the family to venture further than that.

Also, if any of you know of any fun "don't miss" family-friendly activities in the area please pass those along too!

Thanks bunches!
Amyrica

We are headed to St. Augustine for a wonderful trip of sightseeing, sunbathing and letterboxing the week after Easter and would love to meet some of our fellow boxers in that area. We will be arriving in St. Augustine on Tuesday, April 10th and leaving on the 13th. Anyone who is interested in meeting, e-mail me here and we will try to set up a time to meet and exchange.

Hope

The FCLB crew would love to meet with you! At the moment that's the Pyratemates and the Draygonflies, but we are growing.

Let us know what your schedule is like. (i.e. are you going after any boxes in Jacksonville or Jacksonville Beach, or did you plan to stick close to St. Augustine?)

Teressa

We will probably stay close to St. Augustine. The muggle boychild will be traveling with us, so we have to do some things to keep him entertained as well. So we will definitely be at the beach at least one day and trying to take in the historic sites as well. But guarantee CDQ and I will be doing some hunting and will always make time for exchanges!

Hi~
I will be visiting the Tampa area in the third week of April (22nd through 28th). Anyone knowing status of boxes in that area would be great help as I am the boxer and the hubby is NOT! So it would be hard to convince him to go here, there and everywhere to find boxes if they are for sure not there!
thanks for the help and anyone wanting to meet, maybe that could also be set up.
six stars

My old man is south of Clearwater, and most of the boxes there are up and motoring.

-Wink

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Anyone knowing status of boxes in that area would be great help as I am the boxer and the hubby is NOT!

I hunted for Grumpy Old Lazy Fart not too long ago, and DNF'd on the whole series. Apparently they're all missing.

Hey, We'll be there the same week! Maybe we'll cross paths?

't'
dtandfambly

My husband and I will be arriving in St. Pete Friday night 4/27. My sister lives in Tampa and I used to live in St. Pete. Have scoped out and found many boxes - in fact, had to give up some searches because ketterboxing was interfering with family and friend visits! I asked if they wanted to go on a treasure hunt with me, but only one was interested. There is a great challenge with the Up Up and Away letterbox at Lake Park in NW Tampa. Give that one a try. We're still looking for that one. We'll have to go over the clues again! Don't miss the Haslam's letterbox in St. Petersburg. If you are mapping out boxes, make sure this one is on your MUST list. Great place to roam and a very unique letterbox. If you are able to get to the south St. Pete/Tierra Verde area, check out boxes at Fort Desoto. A very interesting historical landmark. I remember going there on field trips in the 1950's when it was basically nothing but an abandoned fort. Now there are identification plagues and history info. Also, voted as one of the top beaches by Dr. Beach the last few years. So many boxes, so little time!!! Enjoy you visit. E-mail to my AtlasQuest address if you have any questions. Purple Mermaid

Melting in the Sun is currently missing the stamp, but I hope to have it replaced the last weekend of April. I will be in the Tampa area then! April 27-28-29. I also hope to be able to replace one of my boxes at Weedon Preserve which is also missing. So hopefully, I can do that on my way in from the airport on the 27th for your visit!! whew!

-amanda from seattle

maybe we could meet if you are going to be there at the same time!
six stars

Looks like at least four of us will all be heading in/heading out on the 28th. Sounds like a great excuse for a get together. Do any of you know the area well enough to know a good kid-friendly meeting place?

't'
dtandfambly

I'm very familiar with the St. Pete and Bradenton areas and fairly familiar with northwest Tampa. I will rack my brain this week-end for kid friendly areas. Right now I know that Fort DeSoto (Tierra Verde/southwest St. Pete) and Lake Park (NW Tampa) are kid friendly and both have letterboxes. I haven't been to Weedon Island in years so don't know the facilities there. Look forward to checking it out. Boyd Hill Nature Center in south St. Petersburg is a possibility.

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Melting in the Sun is currently missing the stamp...

Gee, how did that happen? There weren't any geocaches close by when I was there, and it was hidden well enough I wouldn't expect any accidental finds.

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I also hope to be able to replace one of my boxes at Weedon Preserve which is also missing.

I've been to that Weedon Preserve twice and still haven't been able to hunt a box! First time I was there, it was raining so hard you couldn't see the hood ornament on the car. Second time it was, like, 110°F in the shade, decided we really wouldn't enjoy it. We'll probably have another chance this summer (will be in the area in July), give it a third attempt.

I only recally one box there, though. I'll have to check the listings again before going.

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Looks like at least four of us will all be heading in/heading out on the 28th. Sounds like a great excuse for a get together. Do any of you know the area well enough to know a good kid-friendly meeting place?

Haslam's Bookstore? :-)

Haslam's bookstore is on north side and at the eastern end of Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, towards downtown bayfront. A wonderful old bookstore, lots of history. Has old/out of print/new books. Could, and have, spent hours there! A wonderful rainy day spot for tourists. Very friendly and helpful staff. Check it out if in the area. It actually deserves its own trip! Hello, Kirkbert! Your Crystal River box was my second ever find!

Melting in the Sun has a geocache RIGHT on TOP of it!! And I was there first! The geocache is directly behind the park sign that I mention in my clue and my box is of course behind the green post behind the sign. So yes, the stamp is missing, even tho my box is a microbox!! Sorry but I have to say it, Idiot geocachers!! Aaaargh.

Anyway, I can't get together for a meet, the whole reason I am flying into Tampa is to drive over to Orlando for a Nancy Drew gathering that was planned months ago. (dueling hobbies!)
I fly into Tampa because I can access a car and place to stay for free (family).

-amanda from seattle

Nancy Drew gathering??? Sounds interesting. I love the interactive Nancy Drew mysteries, but what is this other hobby about? I will be in St. Pete and Tampa April 27 (PM) through May 4, so would love to meet others there during that time, if my family and friend visits allow. I usually make it back home to St. Pete twice a year so I can spread out visits (and letterboxing, of course).

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Nancy Drew gathering??? Sounds interesting. I love the interactive Nancy Drew mysteries, but what is this other hobby about?

Well, there are those of us who collect the Nancy Drew books and are interested in all things Nancy Drew. So there is a website:

http://www.nancydrewsleuth.com/

And we have "conventions" just like Trekkies or letterboxers have gatherings!
We get together and talk about all things Nancy Drew (and related to other children's series books too) and we eat and drink and visit Nancy Drew related places etc etc.
Princess Lea is another letterboxer who is a rabid Nancy Drew collector and we met at a Nancy Drew convention in Maine many years ago! We now combine Letterboxing with our Nancy Drew trips! We just got back from Virginia/Maryland/Pennsylvania where we attended a Nancy Drew Conference and were able to go letterboxing for several days also.
The one in Florida is just a small gathering, mainly for the Florida collectors, but since I can fly in easily, I am going to it also. Our main big gathering this year is in June in Pasadena, CA for the premiere of the new Nancy Drew movie starring Emma Roberts (Julia Roberts' Niece)


-Amanda from Seattle

PS: also check out my website
http://www.amandaarkebauer.com
for articles that I have written about Nancy Drew and other girls series books for a little Magazine the Nancy Drew collectors put out, Whispered Watchword.

Due to the reworking of the trails in San Luis Park in Tallahassee, the clues for James' Book, a series of 6 letterboxes have been reworked. My apoligies to anyone who has recently attempted to find these boxes. Walking throught the park today was like walking through a totally different place than I had planted the boxes.

I'm glad that this was caught. Finding the two boxes that I couldn't on my last attempt has become a priority of mine before I move away.