This is the board where you can ask anything! If you aren't sure where to ask a question, if you're afraid of asking a 'stupid' question, if you're a newbie and nervous about posting, or whatever your reason, this board is a safe haven. You can't make a mistake posting to this board! (Well... spam, porn, racial slurs, etc. are still off limits, of course, but you know what I mean!)

I"m wondering what constitutes a "series". Is it by subject? Is it when you are hiding several boxes in a small radius within a town or area.? I have looked for information but perhaps not in the right place.

a series of boxes is a group, usually on one theme, that is intended to be found in a single outing. they are generally, but not always, in the same park or general area as each other.

Romana

I"m wondering what constitutes a "series".

When you list a letterbox, on the "Series" page, there's the following note:

NOTE: A series, for our purposes, is a group of letterboxes that you expect someone to find
in a single outing. It is not a group of boxes related only by theme. It is not a list
of every stamp within one box.

-- Ryan

I've just found out that some of my recent plants aren't showing up in the search by area or by my name. They do show up when searched by box number. I haven't put any restrictions on them, and don't know what to do. Suggestions? The box numbers are:
267761
267760
267753
267752

Thanks!

They are in the results when I search 30 mile radius from Carson City, NV. Each has a distance listed of 15.8 miles.

Thanks, Fox Socks! That partially explains it--i wasn't looking far enough. They are all in Carson City--one is even at the capital building. So now i post a new question:

Any ideas how to fix the distance problem?

Put in a more specific address for location---Number and street name would work.

I haven't needed to do that on my other boxes, but I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the suggestion.

Hello folks, I have been finding planted stamps for a wee whiley now and would like to get started planting a stamp or two. I don’t know how to begin plotting and writing up directions. I am afraid of doing things wrong and incurring the wrath of the community. So please, any help as to how to begin would be gratefully received. Carving and planting is not a problem, it’s the how to write up directions in the correct way that is. Thank you

Hello folks, I have been finding planted stamps for a wee whiley now and would like to get started planting a stamp or two. I don’t know how to begin plotting and writing up directions. I am afraid of doing things wrong and incurring the wrath of the community. So please, any help as to how to begin would be gratefully received. Carving and planting is not a problem, it’s the how to write up directions in the correct way that is. Thank you, padfoot.

Please be careful with subjective direction words. Trees and most objects do not have rights and lefts and fronts and backs--right and left (except for vehicles, people and animals) usually depend on which way a person is facing. Saying the letterbox is behind the tree is worthless unless you first describe the position of the viewer. "The letterbox is behind the tree when looking west from the big rock on the trail."

Thank you! This is the kind of direction I need. I wouldn’t have thought of that.

First, it's good that you've been finding before you start planting. Think about the boxes you've found so far. Which clues did you think were the most fun? Did they tell a story? Did you have to solve a puzzle? Were they creative so that you weren't sure what something referred to and then you saw it on the trail and said "ah-ha!" I'd encourage you to try to write clues rather than directions, that is have some sort of creative element so that it's not just "walk 40 steps down the path, turn right at the signpost, and check the end of the log by the first tree on your left."

Another good thing is to be precise about where the box is. I hate something like "check in the bush" and the "bush" is a sprawling morass of vines with a 20' diameter. We're not geocachers, so we want to be able to zero in on the box once we've arrived at the end of the clues.

Do you have anyone you box with or a family member you could test your clues on? See if they have trouble following your clues and make any necessary corrections before you post the clues on AQ.

Here's a tutorial on AQ that you might want to check out.

And most of all, have fun! You might want to start simply and straightforwardly and then work in more creative elements to your clues as you get more experienced. And most of us are pretty nice. People who find your boxes might give you some feedback about your clues, but hopefully it will be constructive rather than mean-spirited.

Hello and thank you. This is the help I was looking for.I have been taking note of how others have written their clues. It’s good to know to ‘clue’ rather than direct. I appreciate your help. I did look out the tutorial, you are right it is helpful. Again thanks.

A few years ago (ok, a LOT of years ago), I wrote up a bit of a "How-To" for planting a Letterbox. I think these instructions still apply, for the most part.

Thank you Wassamatter U. You made me smile. Luckily I had finished my tea before reading the post. I have taken a copy of your instructions. And will proceed accordingly.

Be sure to click the "Funny" button, because Ryan pays my Auxiliary-Admin Salary based on "Funnies per Post". Another few years at this rate, and I'll be able to afford a Lock-n-Lock without stealing it!

As requested button clicked 😊

I absolutely love writing clues. To me, they are a huge piece of the enjoyment of letterboxing.

I'll send you a few examples of clue writing from my own plants. I write clues in a variety of ways to keep the boxes interesting. Here are a few ways to write clues, but the more letterboxes you find, the more variety you will see. I hope this helps!

To the tune of a song

Based on a children's book

A puzzle/cipher

A story I made up based on history

A mystery location to figure out

Haiku poetry

Straight forward

A picture clue

A youtube clue

A clue based on another clue

A backwards clue

A clue requiring research

Minimalistic clue

Cipher

And there are so many more ways to write interesting clues. Enjoy the process!

Thank you. I will use your advice and have fun

Have fun! And if you’re feeling hesitant, it is perfectly fine to begin with simple straightforward clues: a magnetic box attached to the underside of a clearly identified object; a unique, visit-worthy shop where finders ask staff for the box; or a short trail with a couple of landmarks. Add as much complexity and creativity as you’re comfortable with.
The only thing that bugs me is when the very last step of the clue is vague. It’s fine (even fun) to be wandering around puzzled when you’re not near the box, but once you’re in front of it, any fumbling around raises the chance of alerting muggles of hidden treasure.

Everything Angel Winks said... and once in a while, it's fun to be eevil...

}:{>

Thank you for your help and insight. I would never have thought of an indoor shop. We have an awesome local history and artifacts museum that would fit the bill nicely. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

That’s very true. And I enjoy a little twist to things. Thanks for your help.

Adding to the great advise already given, I’ll post something not so obvious...

Make sure what you think you are saying is really what you are saying. There have been a couple of times when reviewing my clues I wrote “left” when I meant “right”. It seems impossible but it happens. You can get distracted by other aspects.

Here are some real examples of ‘adventures’ I’ve been on...

Clue said: “behind big tree on right side of trail” - of course, it was on the left.

Clue said: “behind the big, lone boulder” - a cluster of 3 actually.

And this one, clue said: (go to certain spot then) “cross the trail going due east, crotch of the big oak tree”.

I tried several times with no luck then contacted the owner. I heard back a couple of months later confirming they checked and the box was there.

I went back with the idea of not leaving until I found it. After a looong search, I finally found it.

It was due SOUTH in the crotch of a eucalyptus tree. Groan.

Im sure it was a honest mistake, but like I said it happens.

You were thinking of the direction it was when you were going back to your car. It is easy to get it wrong that way. ;-)

I once posted a clue counting '''three''' bridges. After the first seeker didn't find it I went back and checked. I did mean that many bridges, but I specified the wrong place to start counting. I didn't want to change the number to I re-specified where to start counting.