Civil War Series

Former CT resident, history buff and good friend, Koyote of The End Gang, has been taken with the War Between the States since his transplantation to Virginia. He told me in an email months ago that he planned this series around some of the battles of the Civil War. If you are down VA way, be sure to check them out:

Battle of Cool Spring - Berryville, VA
Grey Ghost - Clarke, VA
Action at Rutherford's Farm - Winchester, VA
Picket Duty - Hillsboro, VA
Laurel Brigage - Toms Brook, VA

Those of you that follow this blog, know that Koyote is the creative force behind the wonderful The Four Directions series that is still in place in western CT. If these Civil War boxes are anything like TFD, you are all in for a treat in VA!

A Sweet New Box!

Cape Cod Letterboxer has just planted a new, 10 box series on the Cape called Candyland. As you hunt for these boxes, you are virtually playing the game! Unique idea in a great setting. Click the image above to taste the clues! Sweeeeet, huh?

Special Boxing Bands Offer!

With the holidays upon us and our inventory slightly larger than we want (!), we've decided to take $1 off the price of our boxing bands for the month of December. The sale price will now be $4, shipping included.

We have green and pink in size large (8.375" diameter) and green in size small (7.375" diameter.) Email us with your name, address, quantity and size per color. We will ship your order the same day we receive your check or money order in case this is a holiday gift.

Finally - Some Goodies!

After a long hiatus (wonder if anyone missed them?), our weekly features are back! Box of the Week is Fantastic Fairies, a series of 5 boxes in in Kettletown State Park in Southbury, CT. This series was placed by Cracker.

Our Poll of the Week, again, is offered by Wisconsin Hiker. She wants to know how you find your way to the letterboxes you are hunting. Paper maps, internet, software, etc. Please place your votes below.

Hope you all are enjoying this extended holiday weekend and finishing up those leftovers!

An Exclusive WOM Clue!

A few Sundays before the Mystery Gathering, Alafair, Dink & I met in North Kingston, RI to plant a series to compliment Trish's Angel theme. But, we placed a little spin on it by carving and placing angels other than those celestial beings that were the subject of this years Mystery Gathering. Click on Michael to find clues for this limited edition series. Boxes will be pulled during mid January.

This is a web site exclusive and we ask that you not discuss it in any public forum. Treat it as a little piece of our Thanksgiving turkey that we are offering you - the "wing!"

What a day!

Funhog relaxing after the gathering


Part One

Gathering day started at the crack of dawn and Sue & I were in the parking lot of the pre-arranged motel meeting spot by 9:15am that was located just down the street from the gathering. As we drove in, we noticed a little huddle of friends: Alafair, Turtle McQ, Amanda from Seattle, Amy of Always Chaos and a little pink piggy who decided to surprise us all, Funhog! After greeting the group, Sue & I went on to our room that we were sharing with Deanne & Dave, who had just arrived.

We headed out to the gathering location and loved what we saw! SpringChick, Old Shoe & Azobox from MI were there as well. With TeamGreenDragon, Seth, Jennifer, Tony & Veronica and Jay Drew arriving shortly afterwards and Trish & Alafair hosting, this gathering was sure shaping up! We were so glad to meet the gals from the Cape as well! After some words to all, we preceeded to hide on the buffet table a pair of pinecone wooden salt & pepper shakers with 2 stamps I had carved and glued to the bottom of each shaker. I called this bit of mischief "Thanksgiving Before and After." The before was a nice little tom turkey; the after was Tom is a well done state, stuffed and in repose on a platter. I couldn't think of a way to put a logbook with this so we really have no idea how many people found this spicy holiday surprise.

Another bit of pinecone fun was a potholder that we purchased in Lake George several weeks ago that had a pocket in the front. Perfect for hiding the "Kitchen Angel" stamp and logbook and great for hanging off the handle of one of the cabinet door pulls! Our clue was attached on a display sign that said "Please be an angel and keep the kitchen clean." The back page of the logbook was stamped with another angel that was a bonus for anyone who asked me about it - but no one did!!


Part Two


One of the hooded monks making his mark in a logbook

As usual, exchanges and conversations began as the gathering got underway. After about an hour, the doors to the center parted and through them walked 3 people in oversized hooded dark brown robes. Silently, this trio found their way to a table and began unpacking their items: candles, sealing wax, jewel-encrusted offering plate! All conversations stopped as we watched the 3 monks silently set up for exchanges. Slowly, all of the observers began to find their way to the table o'monks with their logbooks in hand; like subjects paying homage to a king. Everyone wanted an exchange with these guys!

Thus they exchanged, in silence, for over an hour. At one point, the monk sitting on the end of the table handed Sue 2 small pieces of paper, typed in a gothic style script, on which were the answers to both our Dartmoor Traveler (The day the Baker's Dozen left for England) and my one day traveler of my favorite painter (Salvatore Dali.) Sue then was handed this enigma's logbook into which I stamped these 2 images. By then, I knew who at least 2 of the three were: Poison Ivy and Lady Prisspott!

Six months before this gathering, there were some rumors that the Mystery Gathering might be of epic proportions with surprises and special guests. Names were flying around - many of whom had confided in me that they would be there. As a way to surprise the rest of the attendees, I asked Poison Ivy and LP if they would like to attend, stay at our home and we could pull a fast one on the rest of this unsuspecting group.

Those of you that follow this website know that one of our most popular features ever was Lady Prisspott's Dilemma and the events that came afterwords. I still get comments on that series of letterboxes that were embedded in those events. This series was retired last month and had quite a few visitors while it was active. Since that collaboration, I was dying to meet both of these boxers.


Poison Ivy and Mark - we finally meet!


Unbeknownst to me, Ivy and LP had turned the tables on me and had planned for months to attend the gather with strict instructions to all they involved "Don't tell the Pepe's!" Even my last minute email to LP (just to see if I received an answer or if they were on the road to the event) came back with LP's regrets on not being able to attend. Imagine my surprise when I noticed that the smaller monk had a beard! It was Poison Ivy! Could LP be far behind?


Part 3



The group of us that were staying at the motel got together later on for a bit of revelry! In passing, Funhog asked if I wanted her personal traveler. Now I knew what it entailed, I said I would pass. But the more I thought about it, I decided I would. To obtain this traveler, you have to roll around on the floor and oink like a pig. Needless to say, it was a sight!

But not as good as the next sight! Before I could get my camera ready, SpringChick, Azobox and Jay Drew were following suit in unison - on their knees, oinking and rolling as one on the floor! It was a sight to see!


It was a special night with great friends. As you can see, I was a little overdressed for the evening! Truly a time to remember!

Much Mischief & Mayhem at the Mystery Gather!

Just got in from a wonderful 2 days in RI attending the Mystery Gathering. So much to talk about - even some pictures. Check back tomorrow night for our report. Special boxes - special guests - special fun!

Sue & I talked about this gathering this afternoon on our return trip from RI and have to say that besides our day spent at Cranmere Pool in Dartmoor last year, this was our second best letterboxing day! Stay tuned . . .

Boxing Bands are Finally Home

After 6 weeks on the road attending various gatherings, our letterboxing wrist bands are home safe and sound. We will have some at the Mystery Gathering but you'll have to ask us. We hesitate to just put them on a table and sell them. It seems a little nicer to have them available for those that ask rather than in everyone's face.

We have plenty of green bands in both sizes (large and small) but only large are remaining in the special pink bands we purchased for the Flamingo Caper. See one of us pinecone lovers if you'd like to buy one or even a dozen!

Special One Day Traveler!

A Mysterious Personna???

There has been much discussion on Atlas Quest about this new/old stamp image that has been seen in logbooks all over the country. Many are speculating as to who this identity belongs. Apparently, it's a very small skull that is always stamped in purple ink. After doing some maintenance recently, we have noticed that same image in both our CT and VT logbooks. This must be one traveling letterboxer. Who can this purple headed skull be? We are watching this story very closely!

Mystery Gathering . . .

Sue & I always look forward to this event - both before and after. There are many surprises that seem to spice up this gathering. You never know what you will find! And all this before Thanksgiving!

Guess Who's Coming . . .

to the Mystery Gathering????

A Box with a Different Sound!

Tony & Veronica, CT's newest newlyweds, have just planted a new box entitled "Musicbox Mystery Letterbox." Once again, they have created a unique twist to the way letterboxes can be clued. To have a listen, click the handle of the antique music box above and crank up the sound!

Great Weekend!

This past weekend was our annual Schmoopie weekend at the b & b in Vermont. Weather was perfect and allowed the other 4 Schmoopies to get their 50th Valley Quest box which entitles them to a Valley Quest hat. We boxed and quested from Friday through sunset on Sunday so they could reach that goal.

Also had time to plant 2 new letterboxes - Sugarbush Cheese Block and our third Schmoopie box, called A Slice of Friendship. Hope you have some time in your schedule to visit these 2 new boxes that were planted in the spirit of the friendship that the 6 of us share.

A Collaboration . . .

Mystery Gathering to be a Blast!

This year's Mystery Gathering is shaping up to be a great one, thanks to The Right Reverend Thomas Noone. Look for some mischief, mayhem and some mystery guests - all the right elements to make this a memorable event. I've been sworn to secrecy as to the exact date, time and place of the event by the Right Reverend but have his permission to stir up the waters a little!
Will we see you there?

Just a Stamp-Carvin' Fool!

Don't know what's gotten into me but I've been carving like crazy! In the past week, I've carved 9 new stamps. Two or three new boxes to put out in VT (maybe Schmoopie boxes) this coming weekend plus several more for CT . . . and a few for some assorted mischief and mayhem. I think those 2 last minute boxes that I had to carve for the Flamingo Caper have put me in the mood. I guess I'll just go with the flow. And spread some letterboxing love!

The Sagamore Canoe Box!

Just received an email that our newest box, The Sagamore Canoe, was found today - less than a week after it was placed. I've also received quite a few emails about it from other area boxers. Seems there isn't that many boxes in the area so a new box is like a mini holiday.

We'll be sure to plant more when we return next year and encourage all to plant boxes in the Lake George area. Show the locals a little letterboxing love!

A Persistent Rumor

This is little more than a rumor, so make of it what you will. But word from an anonymous source suggests that the peculiar "Item of Great Value" (which captured the attention of the letterboxing community several months ago after its existence was announced by someone calling himself Matthem Halides) has recently been found. I have heard that the "Item" in question is quite worthy of the effort required in its quest, and that it remains alive and well; waiting for others to rise to the challenge and unlock its mysteries.

An even more intriguing aspect of this rumor is the gossip suggesting that the aforementioned "Item" and its mysteries are not the product of any one person, but may have been perpetrated by a conspiracy of several of the most prominent and enigmatic letterboxers from around the country; whose collaboration is a direct result of their association with a secretive underground faction of the letterboxing community. Let's hope that this is one of many mysteries to be created by this imaginative and obscure group of schemers.

Moose & Lake George!

Click those little pinecones above to see pictures of the Bennington, VT Moose Parade and our weekend at Lake George.

Interviews - Interviews - Where are the Interviews???

As of late, we've been getting quite a few email inquiries about the status of our Interview Series of letterboxers. Why haven't there been any new ones? Well, rest assured that we are working like mad, behind the scenes, on 2 interviews. One should be ready in a few weeks; the second probably sometime before Christmas.

I don't know if I've ever told this story but this series wouldn't exist if not for the encouragement of a friend. When Randy's new book came out, I thought it might be a good idea to have our readers hear a little more about him. After that interview with Randy Hall, I was prepared to let it rest; never thinking of continuing this interview thing. I was pleased to get his interview and that was that. Well, I have an on-going correspondance with a friend who greatly encouraged me to keep up the good work and continue interviewing others of note. I'm glad that I listened as this series seems one of this website's most popular features.

Oh - by the way - that friend? Legerdemaine

Our Newest Letterbox!

We left this little goody last Saturday while at Lake George for a few days. It's called The Sagamore Canoe, after the grand old hotel that we stayed at for 2 nights. Hope you like it and keep us informed of it's status!

By the way, that pair of pinecones above was a shot I took in VT. That's an old barn in the background with a small white birch right behind the cones. You'll be seeing more of these newest Pepe-cones!

Dead Duck is Alive & Moving!!!

On March 27, 2004 we released our first solo HH called Dead Duck. Today, we just heard about it's progress in an email, thanks to the J-Walkers from MI. Seems as if our smelly little water fowl has put on more miles traveling than Sue & I!

Dead Duck was launched in CT, moved to MA, then back to CT, then jumped over to ME, then came back to CT, then took a trip to NY, then back to CT, visited the Mansfield Monster Mash, traveled in a backpack to MD, then back to NY and finally to MI where the J-Walkers found it and reported in.

We all know that when we release a HH in the wild, most of us plan on never hearing about it again. You can imagine how pleased we were that the demise of this little duck was greatly exaggerated!

That Ryan Kid has Done It Again!

Another new boxing innovation by that Atlas Quest whiz kid, Ryan Carpenter!

You may now purchase a letterboxing wall calendar for 2006. Each month features a different photo that was taken where a letterbox rests nearby. Geographical areas range from California to Ontario to the Virgin Islands! All of the photos were taken by fellow letterboxers while out on the trails and submitted over the summer to Ryan for inclusion in this calendar.

The calendar sells for $16.99 and would make the perfect holiday gift for your favorite letterboxer! Click on the calendar above to see each of the months' pictures and for ordering info.

And . . . Get Out There & Buy A Calendar!