After finding our initial box in June 2002, we have since found letterboxes in 18 states and placed them in 13 states; 4 countries: Aruba, Bermuda, The Netherlands, Great Britain; and on a cruise ship! Thanks for stopping by our website and we appreciate your continued support.
"Have fun and just get out there & box!!!"
Email us: mjpepe1@comcast.net (Mark) or suepepe1@comcast.net (Sue)
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Is It . . . Or Isn't It???
A new letterbox [or is it] just appeared on the "What's New" page of the LBNA website. It's creator, GEOgeorgia, is theauthor of that ditsy post seen on the big talk list back a few weeks ago.
Now it seems that many well-intentioned letterboxers who came to GEOgeogia's aid were dupped since this was only an April Fool's letterbox . . . . . . . or was it? You decide!
April 2nd is the date when Lady Prisspott makes her first official public appearance since the scandal that rocked the letterboxing world of several weeks ago. Her Ladyship, along with ever-faithful companion, Poison Ivy, has called a press conference to hopefully put this shocking turn of events to rest. See the story below with Lady Prisspot covering her face for address and times for this important press conference.The ladies will be in attendance for a brief hour at which time they might even be talked into an exchange or two. Please be advised that this is not an April Fools joke but a real appearance by two of letterboxing's most unique and loved characters!
April 3rd is the new date for The Art Guru Gathering in Gorham, ME. This is the rescheduled date that Merenwen & Olwe chose after cancelling the first gathering date due to 14" of snow! Be sure to check out our Gatherings Page forspecifics and directions to this upcoming, indoor event!
Isn't this a beautiful sight? Click on the picture to go to the clues for this new box. Hog - if this is what the Oregon coast looks like, get the spare room ready - Sue & I are on the way!
Choi, one of the webmasters of the Letterboxing.org website, has announced that this site will be down from around 8pm EST tonight, March 29th and will be back up on March 31, Thursday. Look for some minor improvements as well as moving the site over to a new server. Print of your clues before 8pm EST tonight!
Phyto'sDeclare Peace is out Box of the Week. Located in Bangor, ME this box celebrates all of those who have sacrificed their lives in combat, defending this country and the freedoms we enjoy. While we may not support the cause or the reason, we admire and appreciate those brave and honoarable service people.
The Poll of the Week relates to a talk list post regarding a law now facing the South Carolina legislature to outlaw letterboxing and geocaching in that state. Is there a way to head this off from spreading to other states. Might it not be time for a national Code of Ethics for letterboxers, similar to Dartmoor's Code of Ethics. Please vote below! Don't forget to check out Atlas Quest's Code of Conduct.
We have completely sold out of our first order of green letterboxing bands. If you are interested in placing an order, please email us, as we will be entering a reorder on Monday or Tuesday. Check our original story below for sizes. Please note that the only available color is green, as pictured above. Thanks to those who have already ordered and paid for their boxing bands - we should receive delivery the first week in April and will ship them right out!
As we look out at the beautiful winter wonderland that our back yard has become overnight, we wonder ifwe will ever see spring! Sure, it's only 6" and it's so pretty - but what about the Tupperware? Those wonderful letterboxes were just starting to awaken from their winter sleep, like the many crocuses that line our walkway. Sue & I love winter and the snow - but that stuff is supposed to stay in VT where we play on the weekends - not in our back yard! We can finally admit it - Enough is Enough! We're anxious for the warmer weather, lighter clothes, gatherings, vacations and letterboxing! Is it safe to assume that you all agree with us???
First there were Toadstools and a Teepee; now we have Tumalo Chipmunk and Tumalo Mayfly! Is something going on in Deschutes County that the letterboxing public should know?Inquiring minds are wondering . . .
Gecko Paradise of AL just posted a new box called Purple Martin, located in Fairhope, AL. This box calls attention to the Fairhope Purple Martin Projectand celebrates the migratory flight of this largest member of the swallow family as it can travels upwards of 8500 miles!And some of us complain about a longer than average hike to get a letterbox!
Funhog, shown at last year's "Letterboxing A to Z" class
Our favorite pig has just announced that once again letterboxers can learn from one of letterboxing's most social animals. This year's Letterboxing A to Z will be taught at Kelso Longview Parks and Rec in Longview, WA. The course, which encompasses two evening classes on April 5 and 12, will also include a full field day on April 16. Subjects explored will be carving and bookmaking. For those lucky letterboxers in the area, both new and experienced, this is the chance of a lifetime to learn from our very learned porcine friend.
Wild Rover & MayEve have just floated a test post on the LBNe Talk List, inquiring about interest in an April Boxing Drive. Judging by the enthusiastic responses already, it looks like it will happen. The two Saturday dates being discussed are April 23 or 3o. The plan is to pick up on some of the letterboxes that the first Winter Drive missed and add some additional Hartford County boxes - including a special series to commemorate Krusty Krab, Wild Rover's daughter, who will be celebrating her 6th birthday in April. This 7 or 8 box series will be entitled "The House of the Mouse."
With the advent of spring, what other pastime besides letterboxing comes to mind? Baseball! And our Box of the Week for those left coasters who seem to be visiting this website in droves thanks to our alliance with Atlas Quest, is Batter Up! This micro box is hidden in a unique place by Kristal & Ron in Tuscon Electric Park. Have fun!
Our Poll of the Week deals with how you plan which letterboxes to search for first. Do you have a scheme or plan in mind or just head out wherever the mood strikes you? Please vote below!
You've seen them say "Live Strong" Now, be the first to own your own green bracelet with our motto:
"GET OUT THERE & BOX!!!"
Forget the counting and the negativity - just letterbox! Show your spirit and love for this diversion.
The order should be in by April 1st and ready for shipping. Email us with your name, address, quantity you would like to order and sizes [see below.] Then we will email you our address and after we receive your money order or check, we'll ship out your letterboxing bracelet.
Bracelets are available in green only [as shown in the above picture] and come in 2 lengths -
Small at 7 3/8" around Large at 8 3/8" around
Both are 1/2" in width.
Priced at $5 each, complete including shipping.
Since 8pm Thursday evening, we are almost sold out of our original supply. We have a reorder in the works! Your response has been tremendous and we truly appreciate it!
Leave it to Sadie & Russ to come up withanother interesting letterbox. Find the location and then find Waldo! Click the graphic above to find the clue!
We've noticed a proliferation of planting going on by a certain Texas Luv Bug! Planting here and there and everywhere! From what we've seen in our pre-boxing days, Texas is a mighty big state so there's plenty of room for new boxes. Keep up the good work!
We've just updated our growing list of Boo Boo Box recipients. We got back from VT on Sunday and found about 6 emails from needy, hurt letterboxers. This postal letterbox is still on its way to our house and then it will find its way to those in need of some comfort and care. Some of you have emailed us but have forgotten to include your snail mail address. If you emailed us over the weekend or want this box in the future - please send along your mailing address.It helps speed the process along - thanks!
After a restful weekend, we are pleased to offer you the Monday goodies.
Our Box of the Week is The Dawnlander'sEdmund Fitzgerald #2, which tells the story of a doomed ship and it's wreck in Lake Superior. This tragedy inspired Gordon Lightfoot's song, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, which The Dawnlanders have weaved through the clues along with facts.
Our Poll of the Week deals with your ideal time in which to begin the New Boxer's Sunday night chat. Please vote below!
Funhog should have been at our house a few Sundays ago whena group of us were getting coptic stitch logbook-making lessons from Alafair! Instead, this little piggy found time to plant a box in Hawaii!!!It must be great being a Funhog! Click the ridin' Hog to be brought to clues to this new Maui letterbox, Ae'0, or Hawaiian Stilt, which is a long-billed bird found only on the islands of Hawaii.
Whatever you do this weekend, enjoy!We're headed to the great white North for some snowshoeing and communing with nature. Hope to win at dominoes as well!
Don't forget Sunday night's chat on the newboxer's talk list. Starts at 8pm or whenever people show up. Thanks to a suggestion of a very good friend, our new Poll of the Weekwill deal with the best time you feel the Sunday night chat should begin. Watch for that Poll to be up on Monday!
We just received the following email from Merenwen and Olwe regarding the rescheduling of The Guru Gathering:
Hello Everyone,
I have started getting the e-mail I thought I would be getting when I saw the four days of snow ahead. I would not want any one to be crazy and drive up here for a gathering in such bad conditions, so after much thought, I amchanging the date of the gathering to April 3rd . I am sorry to anyone who has made reservations already but I am doing this for everyones' safety. April 3rd will hopefully bring good weather and an extra hour of daylight. Please e-mail me with any questions and I hope all of you will still be able to make it up then.
Flutterby has seen fit to honor another of her friends with this newest letterbox dedicated to Lobsta Lady. One of our Dartmoor trip attendees, we can attest to the wonderful nature of this most helpful, deserving CT boxer. Click Lobsta's picture above to be taken to the new box that bears her name.
MommaFox emailed us that she has scheduled the 2nd Annual May Day Gathering for - what else - May Day, May 1st! The location will be announced in the future but it will remain in Northeastern CT. This was a memorable event last year, despite the pouring rain, since, among other things, it's where we met the Dynamic Duo - Seth & Kellie.
Watch our New England Area Gatherings Page for updates to this and the growing number of gatherings to come as the spring fast approaches.
Her Ladyship, Hydrangea Prisspott nee Hedge, accompanied by her sister, Ivy Hedge (a.k.a. Poison Ivy,) will take an hour out of their busy social schedule to make a statement in her first public appearance since the publishing of some alleged photos of herself.
The purpose of the appearance is to make a statement regarding the validity of said photos and to comment on rumours of unseemly personal habits.
Immediately following the statement, Lady Prisspott and Ivy will be available for an informal 'exchange' of pleasantries.
Time: 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Date: Saturday, April 2, 2005
Location: The Atrium Lounge, 8th Floor NY Marriott Marquis 1535 Broadway, NY, NY
This is the perfect box to look for if you are in NYC during the St. Patrick's Day holiday! Planted by Stella, this box is located in Kings Park, NY. Click on the shamrocks above.
Don't forget to attend the Maine Guru Gathering, hosted by Merenwen & Olwe. Check out our Gatherings Page for the details. Say hello to everyone for us!
Now that our computer is back up, we had some time to update the Boo Boo Letterbox page with links to 2 new pages - Boo Boo Box FAQ's as written by Jude of Team Freckles and Warrior Woman and a List of Current Recipients who are on our list once this box hits the postal system, which should be very soon!
Since events happened in a mind-numbing pace, we've opened a new page for all of those Lady Prisspott fans who we've heard from since this saga began. Now a summary with links is available in one spot for those that want to keep abreast of this story as it bares itself to the letterboxing community.
Our Box of the Week is The Stone Bridge, located in Yantic, CT and placed by Peaches and Bear [weren't they a singing duo from the '80s? :-) ]
Our Poll of the Week asks how anxious you are for spring, so that you can enjoy the longer days [for boxing] and the warmer weather [for boxing] and the disappearance of snow [for boxing.] Please vote now!
Lady Prisspott's dilemma has taken a new twist this morning, with an email in defense of Her Ladyship, written by a former student. Please click on the image above to be privvy to a studen't response!
This following post was written by Uneksia in answer to people questioning why people letterbox, why bother with the talk list, etc. after the recent rash of ill-tempered and negative posts:
same thoughts different scenario.
why do i letterbox? because it is in my blood. i hope the thrill of finding a tupperware box never dies for me. i don't care if these boxes are in the woods, in a planter outside a cvs, in my mailbox, on the internet, up a tree in a lake, oh gosh the list could go on and on.
would i continue to letterbox if this list did not exist? you bet i would. once it is truly in your blood how can you not? every time i follow a clue i feel honored. someone, a someone i might not even ever meet, has trusted me to appreciate that small part of themselves that they have laid out in the wilds of an uncertain world. has trusted me to be respectful of that special place they have brought me to. has trusted me to be respectful of the care and love that they have put into that hidden treasure.
i for one am grateful to a whole lot of people. some i have never met. vermont viking and susan, mark and sue pepe, teamgreendragon, funhog, ryan, wanda and pete, tom cooch, der mad stamper, trishk, the drew clan, the list could go on and on. if you don't know why i am grateful to them then read the archives.
i letterbox because it is there. because i want to preserve this wonderful adventure for the future generations.
i letterbox because of:
the hike the stamp (handcarved or store bought) the log the mystery the sneakiness (still a kid at heart) the fantastic people i meet along the way the clues the quick driveby the something is in my mailbox besides bills the virtual when the nights are long and lonely the beauty of having made that 10 mile hike up the mountain
smile uneksia
Thanks, Uneksia. We hope your words go to the hearts of letterboxers all over the country. Your sentiments match many of those who truly love this hobby.
My son's friend just brought back our nursed-to-health, newly reformatted computer and it's great to be back online~
While we were offline, we hired a private investigator to look into GW Bush's interview which featured horrible charges against Lady Prisspott's honor. We're sure you've had a chance to read Lady Prisspott's retort to defend her honor.
This has been most unsettling to the letterboxing world. In hopes to clear up this matter, we hired a nationally-known private investigator and we received his investigative report - just as we were plugging in our computer.
Please be warned: This report is not for the faint of heart or those easily offended.
Letterboxing enthusiasts hide and hunt weatherproof containers in remote or scenic places. Each container holds a logbook, a rubber stamp and stamp pad. The planter of the letterbox distributes clues to it's location via the internet, Word of Mouth, on websites or via other means. Clues can be easy to difficult. Finding a letterbox may require a combination of skills such as mapreading, orienteering, and puzzle-solving.
Letterboxers carry their own logbook and personal stamp when hunting for hidden boxes. Upon finding a letterbox, they will imprint their own logbook using the found stamp, and leave their own stamping or personalization in the letterbox's logbook. Some artistic letterboxers carve and even design their own stamps and logbooks. Letterboxes are hidden in various locations throughout the world.
Letterboxing has its beginnings in Dartmoor National Park in England, where the first letterbox at Cranmere Pool was placed in 1854 by a Dartmoor guide named James Perrott, who left his calling card in a container there while guiding tourists through Dartmoor.
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