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Re: Happy *Official* New Years!
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916885 by StampingIsMyForte
Jan 1, 2016 12:02am
Thread Board
And here in the West too :)
Re: Clues / geocache items?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916872 by WafflesParty
Jan 1, 2016 4:16am
Thread Board
They do get cleaned away after a while since they clog up the searches for reviewers, and you might get asked when you plan to release the cache. Also, if someone has a cache in progress and happened to start it before you "reserved" a page that cache could still be approved.

Even if you have a started page someone else might get the spot. I imagine the reviewers will approve a finished cache if the conflicting page is just an empty placeholder...

I'd save this trick for very special circumstances since the local reviewers might not be amused if they catch on.
Re: First boxes of the year
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916888 by Sits N Knits
Jan 1, 2016 4:19am
Thread Board
I found a last letterbox of the year on the last day of the year. Very nice way to end the year. The only sad thing is that that's one less box within reasonable distance. I guess I need to plant more and try to convert more local geocachers to the inky side!
Re: First boxes of the year
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916888 by Sits N Knits
Jan 1, 2016 4:28am
Thread Board
Well, I hope to find at least one box today. Not sure if I'll plant one, though.
one week notice from AQ
Board: LTC: Trades and Trackers
Jan 1, 2016 5:19am
Thread Board
Was wondering...
AQ automatically sends a one week email reminder for the LTC trackers. "You're signed up for Faces of the World, which is scheduled to start a week from today! If you won't be able to participate, please let us know right away so we can make other arrangements as necessary."

Was wondering...
once the email is received, sometimes people drop, and one week is usually not enough turn around time for carving, designing, producing, mailing, etc. etc. for another new participant. What if the email arrived two weeks before the due date? Pros/cons? Would it even be worthy of pursuing with the Webmaster?
Re: one week notice from AQ
Board: LTC: Trades and Trackers
Reply to: #916899 by aMAZEing adventure frog
Jan 1, 2016 5:28am
Thread Board
I agree that a week's reminder isn't enough time for LTCs, so I try to send my own reminders about a month in advance. It would be great if we had an option to customize the date of the reminder email, since you might like 2 weeks and I might like 4 weeks.
Re: New Years Resolutions?
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #916815 by Rocklun
Jan 1, 2016 5:40am
Thread Board
My resolution is the same as last year. To get a box in every town/city in Massachusetts and to add new states.
I added six new states in 2015, it would have been seven but the one box I had time to look for in Oaklahoma was missing. Arizona is on my list this year.
Rocklin if you want to see moose, go to Denali. I saw a moose within 30 minutes of arriving. He was just walking down the side of the road.
Re: Box of the month 2016
Board: State: Minnesota
Reply to: #916876 by tie dye sue
Jan 1, 2016 5:53am
Thread Board
Yay!
Your Box of the Month totally fulfills my "need" to find at least one traditional LB each month.
And now it will be 2 boxes per month!
Re: one week notice from AQ
Board: LTC: Trades and Trackers
Reply to: #916899 by aMAZEing adventure frog
Jan 1, 2016 5:55am
Thread Board
I agree that the time is minimal, but extending it too far would probably cause some people to ignore that reminder because, "oh look I still have two weeks."

I changed my listings to send by due dates instead of received by dates because I realized most people were using that option anyway and because of the 1 week reminder being more realistic then. The 1 week reminder is just a mail them today or they won't make it notice with a received by date is used.
Re: one week notice from AQ
Board: LTC: Trades and Trackers
Reply to: #916903 by LROSEM
Jan 1, 2016 6:06am
Thread Board
I changed my listings to send by due dates instead of received by dates because I realized most people were using that option anyway.

I did the same thing and give a 10-day grace period. This has resulted in fewer last-minute drops and more on-time packages.
Re: Happy *Official* New Years!
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916885 by StampingIsMyForte
Jan 1, 2016 6:21am
Thread Board
....and from the Great Lakes area too!
Re: Happy New Year!
Board: The Grateful Letterboxers!
Reply to: #916886 by The Merry Pranksters
Jan 1, 2016 6:41am
Thread Board
Happy New Year! Looking forward to starting with the O Letterbox Tree tomorrow for all who can visit!! We even have good enough weather to include a two-mile hike this year! <3
Re: one week notice from AQ
Board: LTC: Trades and Trackers
Reply to: #916899 by aMAZEing adventure frog
Jan 1, 2016 7:04am
Thread Board
I always send my own email out 2 to 3 weeks ahead, requesting if people feel like they wont finish on time, now is the time to drop. Then the 1 week is a last minute reminder, in my opinion. Sometimes people don't even log in every week.
Re: First boxes of the year
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916888 by Sits N Knits
Jan 1, 2016 7:11am
Thread Board
I get to find a new box today that was just planted this week. It's rare that we get any new ones here in Central IL that are within an easy driving time.
Re: Clues / geocache items?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916895 by ApanAnn
Jan 1, 2016 7:48am
Thread Board
Sorry i didnt know about not posting the clue ... Wont do that again

Thanks for everyone's help I appreciate it - i've decided I'm going to do what people have suggested above as well as leave a note in my box saying please do not leave swag This is not a geo cache .

I know the person who put it in there does letterboxing and geocaching and he was only doing it to be nice , I don't know if down the road it would have cost me a problem but having someone had asked me If the stamp was for trade and that they were new meant that it was a problem and I'd like to avoid this Especially because I do not carve for myself - people carve for me because I cannot see to do it and those people take a long time to make things for me ... Having their stamps get confused with geocache swag is not cool in my book ... It's still not great but if it were my own stamp it wouldn't be as big of an issue to me , but the fact that it something someone took the time to create for me specifically is where I have the biggest problem
Re: First boxes of the year
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916888 by Sits N Knits
Jan 1, 2016 7:56am
Thread Board
Over the river and through the woods
To grandma's house we go
I found my first box of 2016
It was under the snow

I planted two boxes late last night and posted the clues, but it was before midnight. Guess those don't count as 2016 plants, but it was a good start to the New Year weekend.
Re: New Years Resolutions?
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #916808 by Red Bird
Jan 1, 2016 8:50am
Thread Board
My resolution the past 2 years was to find at least 365 boxes per year, and I succeeded. I aim for the same in 2016. (It helps the count to attend events.) With the input of better brains, I would still like to break the clue for the Pam Dora box in Sunset Hills, MO.
Re: Clues / geocache items?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916911 by brailleboxer
Jan 1, 2016 9:40am
Thread Board
I know the person who put it in there does letterboxing and geocaching and he was only doing it to be nice , I don't know if down the road it would have cost me a problem but having someone had asked me If the stamp was for trade and that they were new meant that it was a problem and I'd like to avoid this Especially because I do not carve for myself - people carve for me because I cannot see to do it and those people take a long time to make things for me ... Having their stamps get confused with geocache swag is not cool in my book

I think this result could be one of the potential downfalls w/ hybrid boxes. Now that they are supposedly "educated" about not taking the stamp, we have to re-educate them about not putting swag in our boxes. It says a lot that not even those who supposedly do both know the difference. All we're doing is reinforcing the mistaken idea that all boxes are caches by default, just with gps coordinates instead of clues, and some with the deviation of a stampswag you can't take.
Re: New Years Resolutions?
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #916817 by StampingIsMyForte
Jan 1, 2016 9:44am
Thread Board
To remember AND CARRY replacement supplies for boxes found, should there be a need. Please do not say "You mean you don't!" I carry them, but it seems they run out too quickly.

Happy New Year!

phynstar
Re: Other mystery and adventure....
Board: Province: Ontario
Reply to: #915726 by Nekussa
Jan 1, 2016 10:04am
Thread Board
I joined TMPC a few months ago but haven't ordered anything from them yet. Their "experiences" start at $99 - and they have a variety. Some are just a one-time curiosity, and others are much more involved (lasting weeks or even months). The descriptions sound VERY interesting... They also offer a quarterly publication that includes an ongoing story told with mysteries and puzzles - subscription is $25 annually, I think. It's free to apply to sign up, though, which gives you access to some of what they offer (but not all, apparently).
Whoo hoo losen' pounds
Board: Health and Fitness
Jan 1, 2016 10:39am
Thread Board
I started on a keto diet on the first of Dec after getting a blood test a little high on the A1c and I have lost 15 lbs already. Yay! I'll have to see where I am on the A1c in six months on this.
Easy gifts with matchbook style cover
Board: Cleverly Cheap and Crafty Xmas or other Gift Ideas
Jan 1, 2016 11:09am
Thread Board
I know it's past the gift giving season but here's an idea that might be helpful next year or for a party favor, or....who knows? I made these for hot cocoa packets for the children in my after school tutoring group. I stamped the cardstock with snowflakes, etc. put their names on the outside, and added the sentiment....Wishing you warmth and joy!.....on the inside. They loved them. I also made one for the boss with a gift card from all of our department.....and no hot cocoa lol!...but that way we could all sign the inside of the card cover. They could also work with mini microwave popcorn, small packet of trail mix or fun size M&Ms bag.

Very easy to make and when you dress it up with stamps (or embellishments as in the video) it's quite presentable. I also used a corner rounder on the edge that creates the flap (not shown in the video).

Here are my notes for materials: Cut cardstock to 4"x11". Score at 10" and 4.75". Round the corners of the end closest to the 10" score mark. Stamp images after scoring to be sure they will be placed correctly. 2 per 8.5x11 sheet of cardstock. Use a SMALL hole punch and 12"-24" of ribbon. If you are using curling ribbon, the 24" length shows off those long curly ribbon ends well.

Enjoy!
CTEE
Re: Clues / geocache items?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916873 by JampersandJ
Jan 1, 2016 11:12am
Thread Board
According to AQ, they are newbies, with no finds.

No, according to AQ they just created that trailname and listed those 4 boxes. Anything beyond that is an assumption. Rather than a newbie, when I read them I assumed it was an experienced planter using an alias. The vagueness of the clues would probably become quite clear once you find yourself at the locations. I just hope they are still there the next time I have an opportunity to get to the island, because that may be years. Several others have been listed since I was last there.

K
Re: First boxes of the year
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916888 by Sits N Knits
Jan 1, 2016 11:57am
Thread Board
I found a box and a HH this morning!
Re: First boxes of the year
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916888 by Sits N Knits
Jan 1, 2016 12:18pm
Thread Board
After being thwarted by several inches of ice, we finally found a box! Woohoo! Let the year begin!
Re: Clues / geocache items?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916927 by Kelsung
Jan 1, 2016 1:47pm
Thread Board
No, according to AQ they just created that trailname and listed those 4 boxes. Anything beyond that is an assumption.

I assumed it was an experienced planter using an alias.

Ooooh, do you know something that I don't know? <G>

Remember, I was just there!
Of the two clues I could deduce the probable location, one is right in the walking path of the disembarking location. Tourists have to pass by this spot. Great spot to take a photo! I was told by a local that when a cruise ship visits, there are about 2000 extra tourists. I saw a cruise ship both days. The second clue points to one of the most visited landmarks in town, and is still too vague to do a quick grab. The other two clues were even more vague for a quick grab.

I am assuming/deducing that an experienced planter would not put boxes in such muggly places where a boxer would have to tear up the place to find the box, unless, of course, they don't really care if no one finds their box, or if it goes missing quickly.

In addition, they used the "limited" time icon when they listed the box, but didn't list any time constraints. Not something an experienced planter using AQ is likely to do, but a newbie would.
Re: Clues / geocache items?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916878 by Wry Me
Jan 1, 2016 1:49pm
Thread Board
We took a pass.

Did that recently also. There are just some letterboxes we don't feel comfortable looking for.
Re: First boxes of the year
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #916897 by Rocklun
Jan 1, 2016 2:20pm
Thread Board
Southpaw and I hiked in a beautiful area today. Found one box and planted one box, plus saw and heard loons. Managed to avoid getting attacked by bears. Great way to start 2016!
Re: Whoo hoo losen' pounds
Board: Health and Fitness
Reply to: #916925 by Alaska hsm
Jan 1, 2016 2:39pm
Thread Board
Great job!!!! I was recently diagnosed with diabetes and have been trying to control my a1c with diet and exercise and lost 20lbs since Oct. I fell off the wagon right before thanks giving but have maintained the loss. I still have a long ways to go as I need to loose 130lbs more. Good luck on your journey as well. :-)
Jenn
Re: Mystic Dreamer
Board: Region: Pacific Northwest
Reply to: #916780 by Green Tortuga
Jan 1, 2016 3:08pm
Thread Board
So very sad to lose such a creative and fun loving letterboxing friend. I remember when she, Poodle Dudes and Smiley climbed Mt Saint Helens in dresses on Mother's day 2010. All the planning ahead and even photos of their adventure can be seen...

http://www.atlasquest.com/boards/messages.html?startId=381778;gAuthorId=4632

Prayers that her children will find some peace after this terrible tragedy......she will be missed!

H-A-F