I visited Family in VA for Thanksgiving and we went to Williamsburg (I had never been) to see the historical colonial recreation of the original Capitol of Virginia and I noticed a short walk from this area was a cemetery that had 3 Safari Man stamps in it (originally a series of 5 but one was retired and the other was unknown with 4 people in a row not locating it). I got to the cemetery and decided to look for the strikeout stamp anyway. I found the black pouch on the ground beneath the tree it was supposed to be in but there were no contents inside the bag. I saw some empty beer bottles in the area and thought the nearby college kids must’ve found it and perhaps taken it. I was a bit bummed, but still searched the area to see if I could save a Safari Man stamp... just as I was giving up, I started to walk away and I said “I wish I could find this Safari Man stamp” and I looked down, and right by my feet, 20 feet from the pouch, there I found the stamp! I was quite excited to find a limited edition Safari Man stamp that was reported as missing!

So excited that the series that had 3/5 stamps now has 4/5 stamps! I think Glenn was there with me - I thanked him for his help. The other stamps were all where they were supposed to be and in great condition. Today was a great day. Miss you Safari man but thank you for all of your adventures and stamps! I can still see his smile and and remember his fun spirit and kindness toward all. Safari Man Is still making me smile even 5 years after his passing. He will not be forgotten. I look forward to finding more of his Letterboxes...

That is a fabulous story to share, Chill E!

I'd click the Awesome! button if there was one. I looked for that series last year, and I believe I was the first person not to find box #2 (I ended up bringing a tick back to our hotel room for my efforts). I never had the pleasure of meeting Glenn, but every Safari Man carve I find is precious. I'm sure he was there with you when you were looking for this one.

I'm so glad you found this stamp, and like Angel Winks said, thanks for sharing!

E-

Went thru a LOT of drama last week....pretty sure Glenn was up there laughing!!

So glad YOU found that stamp/series!!

Hugs!!

Heart warming! Glad you could rescue the stamp in his honor! And on a Thanksgiving trip none-the-less! :)

make sure you buy a lottery ticket today! you are very lucky!

Great story, thanks for sharing.

Yes, thank you for sharing. I only met him once, but he was a true pleasure to meet.

I'm about to plant my first box using velcro. Is there a best way of doing this? Does it matter which side of the velcro goes on the box?

In my experience, the method of attachment is more important. The adhesive of Velcro will not last long especially at extremes of temperature. I’ve used small tack nails (if your surfaces permit it) to secure the ends of both sides of the Velcro.

Warrior Woman
avoids Velcro on metal

If you are planting where you get freezing weather, you won't be able to get the box free. The velcro gets water in it and then freezes. I found a box here in NY and when I went to pull the box free the velcro ripped away from the bottom of the bench, but was still attached to the box. I now had a box that wouldn't reattach to the bottom of the bench, so I hid it in the woods nearby and notified the planter.

If you are making a cammo bag type of letterbox, use the soft part on the area where you zip it closed. It is rough to seal the bag with the hard part.

That's so awesome! I'm glad you were able to find it! I met Safari Man a couple times, such a great guy! Definitely missed!

Thanks, everyone, for the advice. My box is a small tin, but I'm hoping to plant on a wooden surface, so I'm going to try tacking/nailing it down. I wouldn't have thought of that, but it's a great tip.

Of course, like many, my first few carves were not any where near as detailed as they are now, and I wanted some advice on something. I am going to carve a new version of the original stamp to show the difference time and practice has on carving skills, and I wanted to know if I should post it as another box like a series would be or not? I also was wondering if I should make it a new box along the same trail or if I should put it in the same box as the old one? Maybe I should just replace the old one?

What would you you guys do?

Why don't you set up a vote using the buttons, like, educational, etc.

I think I'd probably keep the original stamp along with the new carve, and note in the clue they're both there so no one thinks one is a hitchhiker and removes it.

I like the idea of a second box for a series, but I would state in the clue that the second is a recarve. I love to see the progress carvers have made.

Basketcase!

I think that I would make it a new box along the same trail and perhaps add it as a series with the first and title it something like " take 2" or "second time around"
Good luck with your decision!
WW52

I think that you should make a new box with the new carve. Make it a new box in the same series, and at least a few hundred feet along the trail. Let people know that it is a recarve so that you can show the progress that you made in carving.

The next question would be, do you make a new logbook for this new box in the series? Some people would say to do so, and others don't like a logbook per box. With two boxes in the series, I would say a logbook per box, especially since it is new.

I have a series of 12 boxes, each with their own logbook. I placed them one at a time, and I used to have 3 - 4 boxes out at a time. Now, all 12 are out. Two of them went missing (and have been replaced with new carves) so they have new logbooks. The advantage to this is that I have (in other logbooks) the personal stamps from those who stamped the missing logbooks.

And before you think that these 12 boxes are too close, if you find them by following the clues in order you will walk 1.2 miles. It is a level trail, 0.6 miles out and the same back.

... perhaps add it as a series with the first and title it something like " take 2" or "second time around"

I like this idea! Other suggestions:
Son of _______
Revenge of ________
_______ part Deux
_______ 2
Here we go again: ________

Have fun with it!
😄

If you have a bunch of new boxers/finds, make it a bonus. But if the local boxers have found the old one, make it a part two. I like the suggestions on this thread for funny names.

I understand how it happened, but a logbook every .1 mile on average by the same planter? You're ears would be ringing . . . . .

[...] but a logbook every .1 mile on average by the same planter?

It made much more sense when I had a rolling 3 - 4 boxes out at the same time. Most of those who have found them are locals from this era.

I would do it differently if I were planning a new series with 12 boxes in it. Nevertheless, that is the way that I've done it and I decided that when I replace a box I'll also put a logbook in that new box too. I've only had to replace two boxes so far, and they have been out since the first one on January 2, 2012.

Bonus' are the best!!!!!! A thrill in the woods, so to speak.

I might have three logbook in a three box series, the trail is maybe 1.5 or 2 miles. because I like making diffrent kinds of books alot, but also because each stamp uses diffrent color ink(s) one involves colored penciles... should I go pull a couple of the logbooks or will folks forgive my enthusiasm this one time if I am more careful in the future? No one has gotten to the boxes yet so it would be easy to fix.

There is nothing wrong with having a logbook in each box. Even on a short trail.

each stamp uses diffrent color ink(s) one involves colored penciles

The logbook isn't for your stamps, it is for our stamps! I prefer one logbook in the last box of a series. Anything after the box with the logbook should be a bonus. Just my thoughts.

Anything after the box with the logbook should be a bonus. Just my thoughts.

I've got a series planned that will use the stamps I used to make an LTC alphabet series. I asked a local letterboxer what I should do; make one long series of 26 stamps, or break them up into multiple series with 4-6 stamps each? The response was to make the multiple series.

When I do this I'm certainly not going to always put the logbook in the final box of each series. Just my opinion, but I kind of want it to be a surprise. It will also be a surprise if I decide to put a clue to a bonus box in any box in each series.

Isn't it fun to play this game how each of us wants to do?

A Bonus Box is a Excellent idea,with a A New Log Book!