K-Martha Kraziness!

As if hitchhikers being planted as permanent boxes wasn't enough - the latest scourge of letterboxing is, of all places, eBay! According to a new post on the LBNA talk list, someone is selling one of Legerdemaine's infamous K-Martha stamps! This is really the last straw! Click the image above to see for yourself.

In an attempt to save this piece of history from being lost forever, we have bid on it twice so it might be returned to it's rightful owner but the competition has been fierce. Sue and I are re-examining our role in this hobby with so many of these boxing faux pas taking place.

Maybe it's time for a new venue for our efforts!

A Bit of History

Please enjoy this wonderful piece of history as recorded and edited by Rae Record. This film was part of our interview with Rae in December but we wondered if some boxers might have missed it if they didn't read the interview. Please, take some time and view this. It's our roots and shows the very first gathering in the US. Thanks again, Rae, for a wonderful job and this great gift to the letterboxing community!

Thanks for Helping Us Reach a Milestone!

Seems like only yesterday when we started this blog with our first post. We've been publishing our blogs, both the original "Pepe and Davidow's" site and our latest "Letterboxing with Mark & Sue," for over 3 years! Where has the time gone? We owe this milestone to our visitors who stop by often to see what we've cooked up next.

In response to that, when we first started this blog, several letterboxers called it a "gossip page." Is that true? Do we gossip??? What is this blog in your opinion? Please vote in our Special Poll of the Week below as to how you view this website . . . .

and thanks for continuing to stop by -
we couldn't have done it without you!

Laze Says . . .

This is One Klever Koyote!

Koyote, of the End Gang, is barking up the right tree! He's taken the bull by the horns. Ok - enough with the analogies!

Our friend, Koyote, now of the lucky state of VA, has collaborated with a local park ranger and made arrangements for a fully sanctioned letterbox within the Claude Moore Park in Sterling, VA. This historic park contains a visitor's center, nice hiking trails, nature programs and some unique historic sites. It has the last preserved section of the Vestal's Gap Road on its property. Vestal's Gap Road was used by George Washington frequently and troops used the road during the French and Indian War, which is the name of this new box. This road was also used to evacuate the Declaration of Independance and the Constitution when the British burned Washington, DC during the War of 1812.

Working with the park manager, Pam Sheet, Koyote has planted a single box on the Claude Moore Park site. Boxers will be directed to obtain clues from the Visitors Center. There will be no clues published on the web. Info will be provided so that those new to boxing will have the proper guidelines and etiquette that is expected when boxing. Boxers will be required to solve the clues by locating certain objects in the visitors center's exhibition room and around the trails and historic buidlings located on the property. This box is a limited one that will be out for a year. Koyote has already begun to plan for the replacement box.

This sounds like a win/win situation. Letterboxing is introduced and sanctioned by the park officials, visitors get the experience of learning about history and this park, the manager now had another method by which to promote her park, and new boxing addicts are properly educated by the instruction sheet that is part of the clues. Great work, Koyote!

Twists & Turns~

Those of you who read this blog regularly know that we love innovation! There are so many ways to play and clue boxes and we appreciate all those that are new and exciting. We'd like to highlight the following new and different letterboxes:

Der Mad Stamper (DMS) has been in letterboxing since it's beginnings in the US. We were pleased to interview him upon his return to boxing in the fall of 2004 and have since become friends. We look forward to finally meeting him in June when we head out to Hogland.

Mitch has always found a way to vex our minds - whether it be a clue in code or an anagram or some such mindbender clue. Well, Mitch is at it again with his newest effort! The box is named after a new book, entitled Thunder from a Clear Sky, which recounts the Civil War effort in lower Ohio during the summer of 1862. The author, Ray Mulesky, is now on a promotional tour for this new book. Can you guess how you get this box? You have to go up to Ray at one of his promo locations and mention this box and you get to sign the journal and collect the image by DMS! Promo tour locations and dates are found in the clues for this new box, Thunder from a Clear Sky.

The second box we'd like to mention for being unique is our best friend, Turtle McQ's new box, AAA Tourbook. This box is hidden in the location of the front cover photo of the AAA NY State's Tourbook for 2005! But you have to move quickly, as AAA has a brand new tourbook coming out in April for 2006!

Presently the box is unavailable due to some construction but grab that 2005 book before it disappears and you'll be ready for the announcement that the box is back in commission! What a great idea to use a commercially printed book as the location for a picture clue! This is one turtle who moves quicker than the average tortoise - we know, we've boxed with her!

In a bit of shameless self-promotion (something that we rarely do) - we'd like to mention our Travel Letterbox. Sue & I planted it this past summer on our family reunion cruise aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines' Crown ship. It's probably the only letterbox that is continuously in a different location every day! While we don't expect many finders; we just couldn't miss out on this opportunity!

And Now - the Rest of the Story!

My grandmother used to say that "good always come from bad."

Since our post yesterday of the wayward and permanently planted HH on the left coast, we've has more email than ever from a single story! Everyone was supportive and agreed that there should be ways to prevent "misunderstandings" such as this recent event. Some of our email stated that similar things were happening in their area. Several identified a HH thinking their example was the one of which we were writing, but it wasn't - which means there's more HH's out there coughing up dirt!

All of the email was very supportive and understanding in nature. One boxer thought we were upset and thinking about leaving the hobby; another thought we were down on all letterboxers and not realizing that this is such a small portion of the trustworthy, dedicated troops out there. That's for sure - there is a bevy of great people hunting Lock & Locks out there! We are more than aware of the kindness and wonderful things letterboxers do every day - Sue & I have been the recipients of more than our share of random acts of kindness. And it would take a lot more than this to give up our letterboxing obsession!

Our main intent was to use this bully pulpit as a means to affect change and to bring to the forefront a problem that exists. Our hope is by making our readers aware of this and other problems, changes for the better will come about. We seriously take the trust that is given us every time someone stops by our site, and want to use that trust in a constructive manner - at times! Other times we play on your curiousity and hide a clue on our site or come up with another sort of mischief.

Upset with letterboxers? Nah - some of our best friends are letterboxers! Worried about the future of this game? Slightly but we realize for every careless boxer there are 100 more that follow the rules and play fair.

One of the most prevalent responses to our story about the permanently planted HH was offers to help move it on its way! We heard from every West Coast state! Dedicated boxers looking to help out and right a wrong. How cool is that?

And the last benefit was a personal one! We heard from the party who originally set this HH off. Come to find out, they are both firefighters and coming CT way in June to visit family and inquired about one of our retired boxes in honor of our son, Matt, who is a volunteer firefighter. We offered to recarve and replace it for them and we are now planning on meeting them at the relocated box's location to make an exchange!

Yes, my grandmother was right! Can you think of any more good to come from this regretful situation? We can't! Thanks for listening, reading and responding!

HI via CT!

I am so . . . .

I received an email from a friend last night that told me about a confusing letterboxing story! A boxer decided to plant a HH a while ago and once it was released, never heard from it again - until just recently. Seems this HH ended up on the West Coast and this planter was thrilled to hear about their HH. After thanking this left coast finder for updating the planter via email, a return email came back from the finder. The finder stated that this "HH" was permanently planted as a box out west! Someone had taken it upon themselves to permanently place this HH as a box!

Now I am a very tolerant person but this type of story has me wondering what the heck is going on here? Don't boxers read the FAQ's before they delve into this game? Haven't there been plenty of posts on all of the talk lists about HH etiquette?

These types of occurrences make me feel both sad and old! Sad in the fact that this game does have rules - don't let anyone tell you differently. Two basic rules were broken here: (1) Don't mess with another's box and (2) keep HH's moving so they're free to roam! How simple is that?

I feel old because many eons ago in the letterboxing world - only 4 years from our perspective - letterboxers were more aware and respectful of these little treasures and the game as a whole. What happened to those days? Will they ever return? And how, as responsible boxers, do we get the word out? Posting ad nauseum on the talk lists don't seem to work - since not every letterboxer is aware of them.

Do we just chalk it up to letterboxing today? No - I believe we try to educate the public. From where? Gatherings and from the LBNA website. These are two arenas where we have a captive audience, with the LBNA site being the most used by anyone even thinking about becoming a boxer.

It's time to go back to basics, people. If we don't - this confusion, mayhem and downright disregard for our boxes will continue and I fear get even worse. Send me your response, please, so I realize that I'm not the only confused one!

And They Call Her . . .

Deanne, the Lazy Letterboxer, is anything but! Over the past weekend she planted 16 boxes made up of 2 series - some of the Flamingo Caper detectives and a new series based on the cartoon strip Mutts. Located in the same area, check out the combined clues here.

I was privileged to see the Mutts stamps before she planted them and they are her best efforts yet. Deanne has gotten cozy with the Exacto knife - spending every free waking minute carving this series. We're sure you will love these images!

New Poll & Gathering & Bada Bing!

There's a new Poll of the Week that asks for your favorite carving implement. Please vote your choice below.

Wild Rover and MayEve have announced a new CT gathering called "Spring Into Boxing." For more info, click the sign of spring above and scroll down until you see our feathered friend.

Wish I had more time to write but there's this little show we watch on HBO called -



Tony Soprano & the rest of the gang return after a 20 month hiatus! Sue & I have been anxiously awaiting the premiere of season six tonight. That's where we'll be - right in front of the TV - Bada bing; bada bang!!! So youze guz better not phone us up - capishe???

Best Wishes to an Ailing Boxer!

We read this week that Molly of Chuck & Molly has been under the weather. While you may say "This is only a dog!" we must say "Oh no - oh uninformed one!"

Molly is more than just a dog - she's a CT boxing institution! Along with her master, Chuck (of the Mansfield Monster Mash fame,) they've planted many boxes, found boxes, sponsored events, helped Butterfly find lost items on several occasions and who knows what else!

Molly - we wish you a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you and Chuck back on the trails real soon. Chuck - give that girl a hug for all of us!

Here's the Surprise!

Click the above graphic to see Cape Cod Letterboxer's latest effort. We were pleased to write the mystery clue for her. Wait until you see the box!!! :-)

A Surprise in the Works~

For all of you Atlas Questers who recently posted a query pondering what we've been doing as of late and the lack of posts, you may soon find out. Our latest project, a collaboration with another boxer, is about to be released very soon. We only played a minor role in this but we'll let you decide!

Please Use Caution!!!

Over the weekend, we heard the tale of a well-known letterboxing couple who had 2 mystery boxes very close to one another. A newbie came along recently, referencing the clues to one of these boxes and planting a box almost next to the other previously planted letterbox! While reading these new clues, you could solve the 2 other mystery boxes from this boxing couple. Besides that, the newbie included the trail name of the boxers who planted those 2 boxes in the title of this new box! Was it intention or an oversight?

Another very well-known and respected boxer told us of a box that was recently planted almost right next to his and even used some of this vet's planting techniques; which we don't want to reveal. Was it intentional or an oversight?

Regardless of which "crime" these occurances are, they show bad manners and poor boxing technique at the very least. If you want to piggy-back a box next to an existing one, common courtesy demands that you contact the placer whose box was there first. If you want to reference another letterbox's clues or box, contact them. Also make sure that when you plant a new box in an area, please make sure there isn't another box in the immediate vicinity!

There is no excuse for either of these 2 occurences - whether accidental or intended. If you are a newbie, join the newbie talk list and read up on the links found on the LBNA site and others. Learn the ropes first, then plant. If you are doing something like this intentionally, let me be so bold as to tell you to get lost - find another hobby - we don't want someone here who purposely gives away clues to a mystery location in such a fashion.

Email me with your comments.

Smithsonian Beginnings

Antique postcard showing the box at Cranmere Pool, Dartmoor NP, UK

Jackbear, from NY, has just planted a new box heralding letterboxing's earliest beginnings in both the UK and that Smithsonian article that began the madness here in the US. Click the postcard above to read the clue for this box, located in the Rush Rees Library on the University of Rochester's River Campus.
Nothing like a good book!

AQ Debuts City Directory

New this week is Atlas Quest's City Directory. Once you choose your state, you are allowed to click on an interactive map that displays major cities within that state. After clicking your city of choice, you are taken to a link with boxes in that city and fanning out in a radius that you can determine. No excuses now when you are in an area and miss a letterbox because you didn't know where it was located! Another great AQ feature. Keep 'em coming, Ryan!

Updated Boo Boo Recipients!

Finally, we updated the recipients to the Boo Boo Box. Thanks, Warrior Woman, for keeping an eye on us!! It's interesting to note that to date, 19 letterboxers have been "healed" by the receipt of this special letterbox.

Not familiar with the Boo Boo Box and what it's all about? Check out the FAQ's.

Also had a chance to update our Exchanges to include the Mystery Gather in RI and the recent Manchester Gathering. Playing catch-up tonight!

Winter Wonderland

For the second time in less than a week, it's a wonderland in the Northeast! While we love the snow and the activities it holds, we also realize that those little Tupperware treasures are under a blanket for now. With the 40's predicted for the weekend, this white, fluffy blanket will not last long - so get out there and enjoy it!

Funhog's Slug!

A few weeks ago, we ran a blurb that the Pacific Northwest Talk List was looking for designs for a new regional patch. Well, the votes are in and the above pictured Slug patch seems to be the winner, which was created by Funhog, who has been using Photoshop like a crazy, little pig!

The design is great! It's the one that Sue & I voted for and we look forward to purchasing one for our backpack when we hit Hog territory in early June. Thanks to all of our readers who joined the PNW list in order to vote and thanks to our favorite piggy for a great effort that incorporates some key Pacific Northwest elements in a fun design.

A Pair from Sangfroid

A Story from the Buried Life Parts 1 and 2