The Pepe's & Davidow's Letterboxing Site

2004-05-10T22:13:00.000-04:00

Please be advised that this is our old website location.

Click here for our new location, name and design.

If you have linked our site from your page, please update the link to this new location.

If you are a visitor, please update your bookmarks to our newer page.

Thanks so much and we appreciate your stopping by.

2004-05-08T09:46:00.000-04:00

There's an exciting new contest on the LBNA website. Wes Garrison, webmaster extrordinaire, has seen fit to announce a contest for a new web design for this site. While keeping the traditions of the past, the thought is to give the website a newer, more modern and updated feel. Our hope is that this newer update translates to larger and deeper changes to this pastime. There are things that need to be fixed in letterboxing and maybe this new web design is just the beginning. Changes like more communication with the public land trusts and the National Park Service in order to demonstrate that letterboxing can cohabitate with these organizations' agenda. We all have a common interest in preservation of our national resources and, as we all know, no one respects these treasures as much as letterboxers. I suggest a national letterboxing committee be formed to set up an agenda, elect officers, meet with land authorities, develop a national media strategy and determine the future course for this pastime before it spirals out of control as our numbers increase exponentially. Now is the time to put these changes in place. Please take a moment to email me and let me know your thoughts on this. Thanks.

2004-05-07T09:42:00.000-04:00

I've noticed the recent trend to place hitchhiker hostels at gatherings. While I enjoy stamping into them as much as the next boxer, I have been thinking about this practice. An infamous letterboxer stopped by our house the other night and we got talking about this practice of hitchhiker hostels and their place at gatherings. Sue and I hit 21 letterboxes last Saturday in Rocky Neck with our Dartmoor group and never found 1 hitcher. This other letterboxer just got through with a marathon of boxes in Hartford county and didn't find 1 hitchhiker. With the abundance of HH's out there, is it possible that letterboxers are saving these HH's for gatherings so they can trade them for another? We came to that conclusion and decided hitchhiker hostels were like zoos for animals - they shouldn't be caged in a small area - they are meant to be out roaming free in the wild! Please release those hitchhikers from captivity and let them roam the boxes of the world!!!

2004-05-03T10:25:00.000-04:00

Our usual Monday goodies are set! Website of the Week is Silent Doug's wonderful site that tells you everything you need to know about letterboxing! Links, definitions, the works. Our Poll of the Week relates to a fairly new trend in the US, but a well established one in England - Word of Mouth clues [or WoM's.] This method of clue distribution never hits a database, website, etc. Clues are handed off in person or via email to other letterboxers, some even while meeting on the trail. Our Box of the Week is the Winchester Soldiers Monument. Great history and description of the monument in this educational box by Patriotic Girl. If my memory serves me correctly, she has a well-known sister - The Engraver. Think great carving runs in the family? Visit this box and see!!

2004-05-02T19:16:00.000-04:00

It was a fun, albeit wet, time at the May Day gather. Momma Fox, Bald Eagle, The Maplines and Teach & Preach did a great job. The boxes were plentiful, the food great, fun raffle and the exchanges many. Sue and I found a total of 37 letterboxes today. That brings our total for the weekend to 58! Now, I'm going to rest.

2004-05-01T23:27:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful day of the 2 B's! Boxing and bonding as Sue & I met some of our Dartmoor travelers in East Lyme to spend the day boxing in Rocky Neck and other places. We got a chance to meet Cheryl from Team Mad Dawg in Ohio, who made the trip out for this meeting and the Sunday gathering. It was a marathon of 23 finds for us! Butterfly, LobstaLady and Rubaduc can really move! I think we'll be seeing their backs all the time we're in Dartmoor! After the boxing, we went to Butterfly's "cottage" for refreshments and snack. Alan [Letterboxer2002] had an extremely well-done slide show of his photographs, as well as stories and advice, from his trip to Dartmoor in February of 2003. We thank him for his time and his knowledge! After the day of boxing, Deanne [Lazy Letterboxer] and Dave went to dinner with Sue and I which was the perfect ending to a great day. Now on to Thompson, CT for the Sunday gathering! See you there!

2004-04-30T10:40:00.000-04:00

Hope to see you all at the Quaddick State Park gathering on Sunday, May 2. One of our trip participants, Cheryl from Team Mad Dawg, is flying out to make our Dartmoor trip meeting on Saturday and will be coming to the Sunday gathering. Let's show her how great we CT boxers are and give her a warm welcome - and an exchange!! She may be bringing some Ohio-based goodies with her!!

Check back on Monday for our reports on both the Saturday trip gathering and the big gathering at Quaddick. Enjoy this great weather and . . . . . . . . have fun and just get out there & box!!!

2004-04-28T21:59:00.000-04:00

Congrats to The Engraver as she too hits the F500 mark. You should have seen her do the "Dance of the 500 Boxes!" Apparently, Corrina has the pictures to prove it!! Our best goes out to you as you reach this great milestone.

Just noticed that the NeeDeeps are back on the State Stamp Series. Today, they planted their Arkansas letterbox. We'll have to watch and see when the next bunch gets planted. I think they told me that they are all carved, but stopped planting them to get to different type letterboxes. To refresh memories or clear this up for our new readers, the NeeDeeps have carved a series of letterboxes patterned after the state quarters being issued by the US Mint. Arkansas is the newest in that series. Now back to your regularly scheduled program . . . .

2004-04-27T21:38:00.000-04:00

We finally did it tonight! Sue & I hit F 500 [Thanks Phyto!] after almost 2 years of letterboxing. Quite a thrill. While that is an accomplishment, I heard from Pete, of Wanda & Pete, and he hit F3000 over the weekend! Makes 500 look soooooo tiny and puts it into perspective! Congrats to Pete and to us!

This coming Sunday, May 2, is the CT Gathering at Quaddick State Forest. Don't miss this great event hosted by MommaFox, Bald Eagle, The Maplines, and Teach & Preach. Check out our Gatherings page for the particulars. This should be a very well-attended event, as, while it's in CT, it's close to both the MA and RI borders. That territory covers a huge amount of available letterboxers. Hope to see you all there.

2004-04-26T09:06:00.000-04:00

Another email from The Engraver!

completed size of the map of CT after you find all 8 counties will be 6.25" wide by 4.5" high

different piece of paper

assemble and glue it on another piece of paper like a jigsaw puzzle

Can you find that Hartford County Hitchhiker to complete your map

I'm having more fun than I should with this thing!

I had a truly evil thought! The Engraver has offered a prize to the first letterboxer who completes the State Stamp Series and mails us a copy of the completed map. I might make things a little more difficult to reach that goal! Sue and I never got to place the Hartford County portion of that Series since we were so busy trying to reach our F500 on Saturday and we still fell 2 short! So - I have decided to make the Hartford County stamp a Hitchhiker with the caveat that it must remain in a box within the Hartford County. Even after that first finder discovers it, they must move it to another Hartford county box - that should make things a little more interesting!!! Let's see who gets the prize!!!

With the success of both the mens and womens UCONN basketball programs this year in the NCAA tournaments, I had an easy task of choosing the new Box of the Week! The Huskyville Letterbox is our choice, placed by Wild Rover.

Our Poll of the Week relates to your attendance at the coming gathering on Sunday, May 2 at Quaddick State Forest in Thompson, CT. Check out our New England Area Gatherings page for specifics, directions and a direct link to MommaFox's website with up-to-the minute details.

Website of the Week honors go to Leader of the Pack. Check out the link in the right column. Carolyn will be our next victim in out Interview Series.

2004-04-25T11:46:00.000-04:00

In addition to the History of Dartmoor, I have also added the First 15 Dartmoor Letterboxes.

2004-04-24T23:03:00.000-04:00

I just received an exciting email from The Engraver! The first letterboxer who completes the state of CT map from the CT State Stamp Series will receive a special, personalized momento from The Engraver. Hope that gives you some incentive to be first! Hopefully, all of the counties will be planted by next weekend. Stay tuned for details.

I have posted a new page, History of Dartmoor Letterboxing, as told by Anne Swinscow in her legendary book, "More Dartmoor Letterboxes." First published in December of 1986, this book and the previous, "101 Dartmoor Letterboxes", have become mainstays in the British letterboxing world. I hope that you will take the time to read it. It's amazing how much of her comments towards the end of the piece still hold true today, and in the United States.

We almost did it! Sue & I reached F498 today and had to quit due to darkness. We would have hit our F500 if 3 of the boxes we searched weren't missing ~ but ~ that's the great thing about letterboxing ~ there's always tomorrow! It wasn't a bad day, though. A legerdemaine box, a first finder and 5 others. In some parts of the country that's a few days worth of finds. We truly are spoiled here in the box-rich state of CT. Now we should hit our goal with a quick run after supper one night this week. Hope you all got out today - the weather was perfect for letterboxing.

2004-04-23T15:21:00.000-04:00

Sue and I are 9 boxes away from our F500. We will head out tomorrow to pick up a legerdemaine box, a few boxes in Simsbury, Unionville and Bristol. When we return, hopefully, we will have reached that benchmark! Another letterboxing-related item on the agenda for tomorrow is to plant our CT State Stamp Series - Hartford County box. I have opened up a CT State Stamp Series "Hall of Fame" for those of you who email me that you have completed all 8 counties to form the completed map of CT.
Special thanks to The Engraver for her ingenious idea and the wonderful carving.
Planted our 26th letterbox today, There's a Fungus Among Us!

Noticed on the new Great Lakes talk list that Matt the Rat of Chicago is back and replacing his letterboxes. Matt was referred to in our interview with Funhog back a month or so ago. Matt visits our website from time to time so we'd like to say: Welcome back, Matt!

In collecting emails with first finds, I've received a number of great letterboxing stories, along with the vital first find info. One came from the midwest - forgive me but her name escapes me after all of the mail. This letterboxer is also an 11th grade English teacher. After introducing her class to letterboxing, they have decided, as a class, to design and carve a stamp and hide it on the school grounds. Better yet, she went on to say, they letterbox with her on Saturdays! Imagine - 11th grade students spending the weekend with their English teacher! I guess letterboxing transcends all sociological groups!!! How many of you teacher/letterboxers out there, and I know there are a lot, have had the same experience???

2004-04-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

A recent, newly-announced mystery letterbox led me to a great little find. This new box called Paige's Tales 4 perked my interest. I thought the clue-writing unique, so upon further investigation found Paige's Tales 1, 2, and 3. These boxes are done by Paul & Paige with 4 being an mystery and 1 - 3 located in Ashford, CT. Be sure to check them out!

2004-04-22T10:58:00.000-04:00

Thanks for all who have emailed me their first finds. My Inbox is full again this morning - keep 'em coming! They will be updated nightly. The comments from you have been all positive - even the email that began "You are a nut job!" I think he meant I was crazy for all of the work this involved but it really isn't that bad.

2004-04-21T10:40:00.000-04:00

Check our Gatherings Page for the specifics of the Moose Hill Gathering Mach 2, to be held Sunday, June 27. Thanks to RustyPuff & CSCM, who will once again serve as hosts for this event. Don't forget to RSVP!

2004-04-21T09:49:00.000-04:00

I got thinking again - I know it's dangerous! What about a page on this website with your first find and those of other letterboxers?? I have posted a message on both the national and our regional talk lists. Email me your trail name, state, name of your first box, it's state and the date you found it, including the year. As I get them, I'll open up a new sub-page with all of the info by state in which the letterboxer resides. Thanks for your participation!

2004-04-20T21:54:00.000-04:00

Spent a great night letterboxing with Joe & Betsy and Dave & Nancy. Headed over to Hubbard Park in Meriden. Not only are the daffodils spectacular - you must check out Northstar's In Bloom letterbox before it's gone on Tuesday. It's a great stamp. While there we were able to check on our adopted Dead Bug letterbox, which was fine. We just refined the clues to match the changing environment.

2004-04-20T11:03:00.000-04:00

Just had a chance to look at our stats of visitors to this webpage. We have had visitors from 26 countries besides the US and we average 57 visitors per day! We'd like to thank you all for stopping by and don't forget to put your virtual pin on our Guest Map located at the bottom of this column.

2004-04-20T08:43:00.000-04:00

As I sit here in my cubicle with work up to my elbows and looking outside at this beautiful day, I am filled with envy for all of you teachers/letterboxers out there who are able to letterbox on such a beautiful day! As Ryan Carpenter signs off - ~ carpe diem!
There is some hope though. Sue and I are headed out after work today with friends to Hubbard Park in Meriden to enjoy the daffodils and find Northstar's In Bloom before it is gone.

2004-04-19T13:09:00.000-04:00

The new CT State Stamp Series page is up, with only 2 of the 8 counties currently hidden. Check back often for updates as the different counties are placed. All stamps carved by The Engraver and hidden by a different letterboxer within that particular county that the stamp portrays.

2004-04-19T08:23:00.000-04:00

The normal Monday amenities have been posted!
Letterbox of the Week is Charlotte's View, placed by Limur in Southwest Harbor, ME. As you know, this island is reknowned for it's beautiful hiking trails, striking views and wonderful letterboxes. Website of the Week is Irish Tinker's site - find the link in the right column. The Poll of the Week deals with finding pornographic drawings in logbooks and how you would handle that. I'm afraid this may be an issue we have to deal with more frequently.

2004-04-18T23:02:00.000-04:00

What a great weekend in VT! We placed 4 new letterboxes in the southern VT area and found 3 letterboxes, one of which is a new legerdemaine Opus #122. Not bad for a weekend's work! Got back and found an email from Joe & Betsy, one of the 2 couples with whom we spend a lot of time, telling us that they did our 5 newest CT boxes, picked up a HH and exchanged with Butterfly and Sadie and Russ.

Rubaduc emailed me with a great story about her grandson, Jared. Apparently, Rubaduc was taking him for a dentist appointment but also found the time to find our Unsung Heroes letterbox. This is her account of what happened:

I explained about being careful so people woudn't guess what we were doing but I wasn't too sure how much his 7 year old brain absorbed. He located the box and brought it to me just as a woman was cutting through the lot. When he saw her he said (looking oh so innocent :-) "time for lunch, Gramma." Talk about catching on fast

2004-04-15T21:22:00.000-04:00

Sue and I are getting ready to leave for VT for the first time in many weeks. We are planning to find a new home for our Prince of Naples letterbox as well as the beautiful event stamp carved by Jay Drew. Hopefully we will plant a few more and find time on the way home to look for a new Opus!
Watch for details & clues on Monday!

Congrats to Amymisha, who quietly began a new letterboxing website. The only way I found out is from an email from Camera Obscura, who sent me a link for listing their Love Buzz letterbox for inclusion on our I-95 Letterbox page. Thanks to Tim for keeping me informed and Amy, we wish you the best in your new endeavor!

I received a great package in the mail today from The Engraver. We asked for some of her dog series stamps that she carved this past winter and offered up on the LBNE talklist. Sue and I received the Dachshund, Yellow Lab and Bichon Frise'; all wonderfully hand-drawn and carved! We also got the Hartford County portion of the CT Map Series that she carved. One letterboxer from each county in CT received their county stamp to hide. Once clues are all posted and the letterboxes are found, the completed image will make up the State of CT. Great idea! We will be planting the 3 dog stamps soon - watch for clues.

2004-04-14T19:36:00.000-04:00

On the way home from work today, I planted another letterbox. This one is special to Sue and I as it is dedicated to our son Matt and all of the volunteer firefighters who daily put their lives on the line in service to their community. We call this letterbox Unsung Heroes.

2004-04-13T18:43:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Binx, we now have the link for the NPR audio of a news story about letterboxing. Click this link, then click on the "Letterboxing" link at the top of the page. You will need RealAudio or Windows Media to listen to this 6 minute plus interview. The interviewee is Thomas Johnston. During this interview, the host, Linda Wertheimer actually takes part in looking for a letterbox planted in Washington, DC. Hope that you enjoy it.

Our first patient has been released from our Box Maintenance Hospital. Thanks to Silver Eagle for keeping us informed and the boxer who, in turn, advised Silver Eagle of its welfare. This is how this page should work - new boxes coming in, being found/repaired and then getting discharged!

Today must have been email day! We so appreciate anyone who takes the time to email us with a suggestion, an addition or a comment. Steve, of Steve & Heidi fame, emailed today with a question on our new I-95 Letterboxes page. He noticed the entry of one of the Rocky Neck State Park letterboxes listed in CT. He asked where we draw the line, as there are tons of boxes located there. To clarify - I think these boxes should be unique in an area [unlike Rocky Neck], practically a drive-by and about 10 miles or less from the highway. I hope this helps the determination of new boxes to be added in the future. Also thanks to all of those letterboxers who added a box to this page and emailed the status of our First State Letterboxes page. There have been far too many to name but we really appreciate your time and contributions.

2004-04-12T10:12:00.000-04:00

We'd like to wish a great and safe trip to TeamGreenDragon as they wing their way south today to meet their new grandchild, Dakota Skye, in Florida. What an exciting week they have in store for them.

2004-04-12T08:52:00.000-04:00

Our Poll of the Week is ready for your vote. It relates to the affect of pulling letterbox clues off of the main LBNA website and placing them only on the placer's own website. Phyto announced over the weekend that she was taking this action due to the main LBNA site being down for hours and as a method of keeping more control over her boxes.

The Box of the Week is Northstar's In Bloom. If you haven't yet visited Hubbard Park in Meriden during the Daffodil Festival, now is the time! It's something to see and you can also get this limited edition letterbox, which is out only as long as the festival's length. By the way, there will not be an ungathering after you find this one like the recent Prince of Naples limited box!!!

Our Website of the Week is Ryan Carpenter's website. The link is in the right column.

2004-04-11T00:51:00.000-04:00

Special thanks to Fleur de Lis, Sam I Am and Hikers n Hounds for their suggestions and contributions to our new I-95 Letterboxes page. This page came about because of a recent post to both talklists where I asked for suggestions for quick and easy boxes right off of the I-95 highway as Sue and I will be driving to Atlantic Beach, NC this May. Then Steve & Heidi asked for this list and Sam I Am emailed me that it might make a good resource to put on our web page for those letterboxers traveling I-95 during the coming vacation season. This is just what this webpage is about - trying to fill the needs of letterboxers from around the country. We are here to help you gain the best boxing experience by our small contribution. Never be afraid to email us with a suggestion, criticism or comment. This is your website - except don't forget that I run things around here! ;-)

2004-04-10T11:12:00.000-04:00

It's been an exciting morning here and it's only 11:00! I received an email from our first finder of our Haunted Pumpkin letterbox. CT letterboxers are quick. This letterboxer stopped on his way to work! That's dedication.
Phyto has placed a new letterbox in the great state of ME, called Chocolate Church, located in Bath, ME. Looks like another of those wonderful treasures for which this state is known.

2004-04-09T12:31:00.000-04:00

While Sue worked, I planted 4 new letterboxes today. Jumping Frog and Put on a Happy Face are located at Timberlin Park & Golf Course off of Route 364W in Kensington, CT. Golden Basket and Haunted Pumpkin are both located at Sage Park, Routes 5 & 15 in Berlin, CT. Hope you get the time to check them out soon!

2004-04-07T15:12:00.000-04:00

Thanks so much to all of you who have emailed me with positive comments on our First State Letterbox page! We appreciate the kind comments, as well as your status reports and corrections. The success of this page depends on your input and help! Thank you!

2004-04-06T23:34:00.000-04:00

Great new gatherings are on the horizon!

June 5th is National Trails Day and in CT that means a gathering! Letterboxer2002 had coordinated what looks to be a great event - a letterboxing clinic to introduce new people to the pastime, a stamp carving class by none other that Brian of TeamGreenDragon, carving and letterboxing supplies for sale by the Great American Stamp Store, and plenty of new letterboxes out in the area. There are plans underway to provide for camping with an event stamp for those that join the Saturday night campfire, and a special Things That Go Bump in the Night series to be distributed after the campfire to be done at night with a flashlight and another event stamp! Do we CT boxers know how to throw a gathering or what?

RustyPuff has announced on the talk list a teaser for the Moose Hill Gathering Mach2. You remember the gathering; you remember the place! Now it's time to try letterboxing at Moose Hill when the temperature is above freezing! Dates and more info to come.

Watch our Gatherings Page for updates and announcements!

2004-04-06T23:22:00.000-04:00

UCONN - UCONN - UCONN - UCONN - UCONN - UCONN - UCONN - UCONN!

Women's team 3peat

Men's NCAA title as well

First time in NCAA history that the same school has won both mens and womens championships in the same year

UCONN is the capital of college basketball

Congratulations to both great teams for a terrific season - you did us proud

2004-04-06T10:22:00.000-04:00

I worked last night assembling at least 10 new letterboxes that are ready to plant. About half will be planted in CT and the other half will go to southern VT. We have a series of 3 to plant in Osbornedale State Park in Derby, CT [the location of the Prince of Naples ungathering.] This series will be called Joe Goes . . . and details the favorite outdoor activities of a fictional child. The series is dedicated to my father, Joe Pepe, who passed away a year and a half ago. He encouraged and nurtured my love for the outdoors and all it has to offer. Most of the new boxes going out will have store bought stamps that I purchased prior to carving my own. The boxes going to VT feature hand-carved stamps.

2004-04-05T15:01:00.000-04:00

Let me start by saying welcome back! I haven't posted much in the past week because of the planning for our Prince of Naples Ungathering. I really have missed my posting so get ready for a return back to my verbose self!

Our usual Monday treats are ready! Poll of the Week - relates to the April Fool's joke played on the letterboxing.org website; Box of the Week - Rayne's Come into my Parlor . . . located in Broad Brook, CT; and our Website of the Week is Fudrick's Letterboxing Travails.

2004-04-04T22:30:00.000-04:00

Today was great fun as our Prince of Naples letterboxed turned out to be the ungathering with our special guest, Randy Hall/Mapsurfer. Sue and I are so greatful to all of our friends who braved the rain and mud and helped make this gathering so special! Thanks to Randy for coming, Jay Drew for the wonderful event stamp, and most of all, all of our guests - the 35 letterboxers who showed up from RI, MA, NY, CT and even NC [who were here visiting family in CT.] It was also wonderful to see and exchange with 7 new letterboxers who attended the event. And Happy Birthday to Veronica, who chose to go letterboxing and fit us into her special day! As your belated birthday gift, I have decided to call my friend at the Maine State Police barracks in Wells and have Tony's name taken off of the 10 Most Wanted list! [For further explanation for our readers, please see our March 22 post and the Maine gathering info for details!]
For those of you who might have missed our Prince, he will be moving to southern VT very shortly. Also, we have 3 new letterboxes to hide at Osbornedale State Park in the next few weeks. Watch for them to be announced here, along with the Prince of Naples new VT home.

2004-03-29T06:59:00.000-05:00

SPECIAL NOTICE: The Prince of Naples limited edition, 2 hour letterbox will take place on its appointed date and time regardless of the weather - our prince waits for no one and will be on his throne for all of his loyal and hearty subjects!!!

Our Prince of Naples clues to the special 2 hour letterbox are posted in our Photo Album. Click the Prince of Naples Clues folder in the photo album and you will see a postage stamp sized photo, click again for a medium sized image and click a second time for a full sized, legible clue. Read and print off this largest clue. Good luck!

Don't forget to sign our Guest Map in the lower portion of this column if you haven't yet done so. Thanks!

2004-03-28T19:45:00.000-05:00

Our Website of the Week is Azroadie's web site. Check out the link located in the right column. Our Poll of the Week is up and ready for your vote. It relates to teenage children and their posts on the talklists. Our Box of the Week honors go to our friend, Amymisha, of Boothbay, ME for her Mr. or Ms. Potato Head. You start with a potato head body, then choose from eyes, mouths, noses and accessories. In each category there are several choices from which to choose so no Potato Head will be the same! Great job, Amy - now we just have to find the time to get up there and get this box!

2004-03-28T13:16:00.000-05:00

Looked at the next person on the list for Beating a Dead Horse postal box and noticed it was CT Ferret from Wethersfield. After a quick email to her, we made plans and met today to transfer ownership of the Dead Horse, along with a new HH we are releasing called Dead Duck - you know, birds of a feather - yada, yada? We also had a chance for 2 quick exchanges with CT Ferret and her son Liam, who seems to be the letterboxing enthusiast in the family.

2004-03-27T20:38:00.000-05:00

Sue and I received Bindle Babe's Beating a Dead Horse Postal Letterbox in today's mail. We will get it on it's way on Monday. Can't wait to get rid of it - ever smell a dead horse?

We have been very busy today between following the NCAA tournament [GO UCONN!] and getting our Prince of Naples 2 hour letterbox ready. Have to keep this short. Stop back on Monday for the clues to Prince of Naples!

2004-03-24T23:45:00.000-05:00

The first 24 states have been posted on our First State Letterboxes page. Please check it out and let us know if there are any errors, additions or corrections that can be made. This is our effort to once again preserve this valuable part of letterboxing history. It would be wonderful if we could receive reports on these boxes as to their status. Each box represents an important part of the past that we hope can be preserved for the future!

2004-03-24T21:31:00.000-05:00

Our new Poll of the Week is ready for your vote. Phyto - I'm watching you!! ;-)

2004-03-24T09:33:00.000-05:00

Work has begun on our special, limited edition, 2 hour letterbox. The stamp has been already been carved. Sue and I will take a trip Saturday to find a location and prepare our clues. We are calling this letterbox The Prince of Naples. We will not plant this box earlier than it will be available. You have just a 2 hour window in which to find this box. Stay tuned for clues to be announced here next Monday, March 29th.

2004-03-22T18:20:00.000-05:00

In keeping with the Maine motif of today's posts, we have chosen Nautilus' and Culex's Transportation Hitchhiker Hostel as our Box of the Week. This is probably the first time Sue and I have done a Box of the Week before it has been chosen. See our story below related to our experiences at this box!
Our Website of the Week honors goes to CodeBCleo. See the link below in the right column.

2004-03-22T07:58:00.000-05:00

Where do I begin? What a weekend! It started at 10:15 am Saturday at the State of Maine box, where we met TeamGreenDragon, RustyPuff & CSCM and CameraObscura, then went on to meet Amymisha in Portland at the Ihop for breakfast. From there, we headed to Portland, where we did 3 of Casco Bay Painter's boxes, and phyto's Munjoy Hill Observatory and Trolley Park boxes. We ran into the Weathergleams at the Trolley Park as they were just finishing the boxes. Ended the day with 6 finds - Maine is certainly not like CT!!!

From Portland, we headed to our hotel to clean up [some of us napped!] and got ready for the pre-gathering meal at Federal Jack's. Sue and I had a great time there. How could you not - with a table of 25 letterboxers eating great food, swapping stories from the trails and gossip, teasing and educating new letterboxers and handing out secret clues? We enjoyed our time talking to Tony and Veronica from Waterford, CT. We left the restaurant in a mini blizzard which never really amounted to much.

Sunday morning saw us getting up a little later than planned so we missed the TeamGreenDragon group as they were heading out. Sue and I decided to find Isoceles' Higher Education in Biddeford. As we pulled into the parking lot, we saw Tony walking across the parking lot, box in hand. After stamping in, Tony and Veronica joined us as we made a trip to Nautilus and Culex's Home, Sweet, Home Mystery box. With only an hour before the start of the gathering, we hit every slow Maine driver on the road, but managed to make it to the gathering before Deb Blanchard's Dartmoor presentation. Inside the mystery box, we found Butterfly's Early Bird's Catch HH! Then we knew why Sadie and Russ encouraged us to get to that mystery box; they must have transported this Butterfly creation from CT! Since it was Tony and Veronica's second HH, we let them take it with them.

The gathering itself was so much fun. Sue and I managed to get 19 new exchanges as well as some great event-only letterboxes. The gathering started with Deb Blanchard's presentation on Dartmoor Letterboxing. Deb chose to take a walking trail that wound it's way through a picturesque village in the eastern part of Devon. This walk had it's own boxes with poems that told of the locations. On display were many of her trip rememberances: her walking stick that she purchased in Dartmoor with many medallions from England, a lot of Dartmoor literature, a few souvenirs and a whole collection of pictures from her trip to both Dartmoor and London. During Deb's presentation, we witnessed a momentous occasion: Wanda hit her F4000! Quite a thing to see. There is only one Wanda and we salute her on her herculean accomplishment!

After the presentation, we all went to the porch of the education center for a group photo [or six!] As we gathered back into the building, we were handed the clues for the special one day boxes hidden on the grounds. After a quick bite to eat at the potluck luncheon and much talking, exchanging and gossipping, Sue and I headed out with Wanda & Pete and TeamGreenDragon to get those special event-only letterboxes.

The gathering ended with a champagne toast offered by CameraObscura as Amymisha hit her F100! Congrats Amy! What a contrast in one afternoon: Amy hits her F100 and Wanda breaks F4000. This was surely a diverse group.

On our way home, Sue & I stopped at Nautilus' and Culex's new HH Hostel. After I found the hostel box, I heard a car horn sound and saw Tony & Veronica getting out of their car. They told us this was their second attempt at looking for the hostel as their first search was interrupted by a local policeman, who thought they were involved in an arguement. After questioning Veronica to be that she was alright, taking down their car's license plate number and Tony's driver's license number, the cop left the area and so did Tony and Veronica! They saw us on their second attempt to find the hostel! What we letterboxers will do to get a box! Tony is now wanted in the state of Maine! ;-)

Our weekend ended with a stop at Amymisha & CameraObscura's new box, Love Buzz. They both carved this stamp. This clue was handed to us by Amy at the Ihop as we began our weekend. Sue & I were so tired, we almost passed this up but decided to stop last minute and we were glad we did. What a great box it was! I don't want to spoil it for anyone but you must get this one and read the story within. This is a perfect example of the creativity we found throughout the weekend on all of the Maine boxes. Sue and I were first finders on this one - a great ending to a fantastic, boxalicious weekend!

2004-03-19T11:26:00.000-05:00

Watch for our new First Letterboxes page that will list the earliest known letterbox planted in each of the 50 states. The list will be based on Mapsurfer's original achived page, which will be updated to include the links, if known, from the new letterboxing.org website. If you see an error, please let us know. If we cannot find a current link, the letterbox will be listed anyway. Again, it's another way to link our letterboxing past to the present! Thanks for your help!

2004-03-19T08:20:00.000-05:00

Well - it's almost here! Letterboxing at Laudholm is only 2 days away - Sunday, March 21 in Wells, Maine. Deb Blanchard wil give a slide presentation and discussion of her Dartmoor letterboxing trip. Also scheduled are various demos on felt stamp holders, matchbook-style logbooks, group photo, potluck luncheon, hitchhiker hostel, special letterboxes - how can you stay at home??
Be sure to keep an eye on the talk list and the new letterboxes as they seem to be coming fast and furious for this gathering!

In preparation for our early departure Saturday morning, this will most likely be our last post until Monday, when we hope to have a complete report on the weekend's activities. Boxing up the Maine coast and the pre-event dinner on Saturday, the gathering on Sunday - it's like a mini boxing vacation! Hope to see you all there!

2004-03-18T20:36:00.000-05:00

I want to take a moment to thank all of you for the wonderful support given me for our Interview Series. The emails are still arriving. It looks like Funhog, and the series as a whole, were well-received. Thanks for your continued support for our Interview Series and this webpage in general.

2004-03-16T23:51:00.000-05:00

Received a great package from England today. Check out our Dartmoor Trip page for details!

2004-03-15T09:38:00.000-05:00

A new weekly feature will be our Website of the Week. This week I have chosen SpringChick's Stamp-in-the-Box site. The link will be located in the right column under our PFX's. Every Monday we will randomly choose another letterboxer's website, in an effort to get exposure to all of those great sites out there.

Our new Poll of the Week is up and ready for your vote!

Anyone interested in joining us for a day of wild letterboxing in Maine on Saturday, March 20; meet us at the State of Maine letterbox parking lot at 10 am. TeamGreenDragon, Solar & Binx, Rustypuff & CSCM and others will be there! The plan is to head to Portland and get all of those great, new boxes there and box south, following the coast until we get to our hotel at 5pm to get ready for the 6pm dinner at Federal Jack's.
See our New England Gatherings page for more info on Federal Jack's and Letterboxing at Laudholm.

2004-03-14T20:18:00.000-05:00

Back from a great, almost snowless! weekend in VT. Did find time for a long walk on the Deerfield Valley Trail, home of our Symbols of Freedom series.

Last month, I went off with a diatribe about trying to include more innovation and different ways to plant boxes and write clues. Today I found some great, new and innovative boxes planted by the WeatherGleams, Teach & Preach, Waterfalls, and Sadie and Russ along with Butterfly. I think this is one of the ways we take this pastime to the next level. Look at HOW prized those Legerdemaine boxes are. Who knows how many others like Legerdemaine are out there. Looks like the list is ever-growing. Thanks to the above, along with TeamGreenDragon, Phyto and Isoceles, Amymisha, Casco Bay Painter and others, who continue this great tradition! You all make this pastime a little better with these creative letterboxes. Thanks so much!!!

Added a new link to an up-and-coming letterboxing website by MandM. Check it out.

2004-03-12T17:30:00.000-05:00

CW Sunseeker, from Salt Lake City, Utah, sent us our second letterbox to take to Dartmoor this fall. It's called the Travel Bug HH, which will also make a brief appearance at Letterboxing at Laudholm. She is very excited to get stamps from all over and has given me permission to bring it to any events prior to our trip. It's a great stamp and we hope to fill up the logbook with stamps from around New and Old England!!

2004-03-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Sue & I are headed to VT tonight after work for the weekend. We plan to snowshoe and I plan to carve my special 2 hour stamp for my limited edition letterbox.
Clues and date to be announced. Watch this page for more details!

2004-03-11T10:26:00.000-05:00

More so than in the states, UK letterboxers rely on WoM [Word of Mouth] clues. I have been in touch with several and have a few of these for our trip to Dartmoor. One of the Brit letterboxers emailed me a link for the fairly new Yahoo England Letterboxing Group.

I highly encourage you all to take a look, and join, especially if you are coming on our trip. What we learn here may prove invaluable!

2004-03-10T21:50:00.000-05:00

It's official - our plans have been finalized for our Dartmoor trip this September. There are now 14 of us going. Check out our Dartmoor Trip page for more info.

2004-03-10T11:03:00.000-05:00

Things are heating up with the advent of Letterboxing at Laudholm! Sold out hotels, 25 already joining us for dinner Saturday night before the event, special boxes for the gathering, Dartmoor slide presentation, demos on felt stamp holders and matchbook-style logbooks, surprises here, travelers there! Don't miss out on this one!

2004-03-08T12:03:00.000-05:00

Nautilus & Phyto have been working hard on the upcoming Letterboxing at Laudholm gathering to take place on March 21 in Wells, ME at the Wells National Estuarine Reserve. For further details, see our New England Gatherings page and look under March 21. If you click on the gathering name, the link will take you to a specially prepared page done by Isoceles that not only has the schedule and times, but also has listed a few of the area letterboxes with links to those clues. Could they make it any easier? Let Amymisha or myself know via email if you are interested in the Pre-gathering meal, Saturday nite, March 20, 6pm at Federal Jack's Brew Pub in Kennebunk.

Our new Box of the Week is by Jay, from New Hampshire, who has just planted the Greyhound Letterbox. This box is planted for Rocky, his retired greyhound, who loves to box! If while letterboxing a rabbit crosses the trail, I wonder what happens???

Our new Poll of the Week will continue the talk list discussion about placing letterboxes in cemeteries. Opinions have been wide-ranging and we expect the same results from this poll.

Don't forget to sign in on our Guest Map located in the lower right column of this page. Thanks, we enjoy seeing from what part of the world are readers live!

2004-03-07T18:50:00.000-05:00

Can't answer anymore email tonight as I will be busy! The much-awaited new season premiere of The Soprano's airs tonight. It will be good to see Tony and the guys back in action!
Yo - what? You talkin' ta me????

Sue and I headed out right after church this morning and got home at 5:30. It was a very fruitful day - 1 Legerdemaine box and 12 others - who said 13 is an unlucky number? Check our Finds Page 3 for our conquests de jour.

I can't believe the furor this 2 hour special letterbox is causing. Posts on the talklist and my email has been going nuts! Boy - you letterboxing people are crazy! It's only a stamp . . . albeit a once in a lifetime, extra special, supercalifragilistic stamp! ;-) Things have been very busy at work, plus the Dartmoor trip arrangements, plus Funhog's interview - you get the picture. I haven't even carved the stamp yet! The clues will happen when they happen - but don't worry, I will give you plenty of notice! Thanks for all of your interest in this limited edition letterbox.

2004-03-07T07:08:00.000-05:00

I couldn't wait until Monday! Have to share the Funhog interview with you today! Have fun and enjoy!

2004-03-06T02:12:00.000-05:00

The fourth installment of our Interview Series should be ready for Monday. Funhog is our subject and the interview should give you an insight into the life and world of this most interesting individual. Stay tuned for letteboxing and life according to the Hog!

2004-03-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

In case you hadn't noticed, there's a new CT letterboxer named Waterfalls [or a veteran trying a new twist!] They have approached this game in a novel way - you have to email them, by hitting the "contact placer" button on the clue page, and include the name of your favorite letterbox. After you do that, you will receive the clues to this first letterbox, Waterfalls One, via email. Your entry for favorite box is then added at the bottom of this clue page. I imagine the list will be updated regularly. Is it my imagination, or have we become more innovative and clever with our clues and the ways in which we distribute them? That's a good thing and something I totally advocate!
By the way, that Hawk Watch entry in Putney, VT belongs to Sue & I.

Update! Waterfalls has introduced a second box, Waterfalls Two. To get the clues to this one, you must email your favorite mystery letterbox! Where will it all end?! That's our Gang of 8 by Mapsurfer entry!

2004-03-04T11:23:00.000-05:00

OK - here's the scoop. I will be announcing a new, special letterbox of mine that will be around for one day only! That's right, 1 day only between the hours of 2 to 4pm, somewhere in CT. Clues and date will be forthcoming in the next 4 days or so. Let me just assure you that this box will be well worth your visiting - even if you have to travel a distance. That's all I can say for now! Don't you just love a good mystery? Gather around and stay tuned - things are about to heat up!

2004-03-03T17:27:00.000-05:00

Brian, from TeamGreenDragon, posted on the NE talklist his method of carving stamps. I thought this would serve as a great teaching tool, so I have added a page. If you want to begin to carve a stamp, this process may work for you. After all, there is no one better from which to learn!

2004-03-03T09:11:00.000-05:00

I just received an email from Turtle McQ. She told me that her Rockport, MA letterbox, Bull Frog Pond, has a hole in the lid of the box and water is getting into the box. She asked if I [or anyone else] planning to go to the Maine gathering on March 14 via Boston, would do her a favor and either replace the box with a new tupperware container or at least drop the old box into a new ziplock bag. You could also visit her nearby Shooting Star box. Maybe we should start a new page on the website for those boxes that need maintenance and the owner may be out of the area!

2004-03-03T08:21:00.000-05:00

Sadie & Russ handed off their contribution to the letterboxes that we are taking to England this September. It's a great HH called Window on New England. Russ has become an accomplished carver and this is a great stamp. And what about those X-Y Twister clues?! Leaves my head spinning. Thanks both of you for this contribution. We'll return it after we get back.

2004-03-02T10:37:00.001-05:00

Check out our New England Gatherings page for a hotel suggestion in the Wells, Maine area for the upcoming Maine gathering in Wells.

2004-03-01T10:46:00.000-05:00

In an effort to head my own words of an earlier post about bringing more innovation and creativity to clues and boxes that we all plant, I have been playing around with a software program to create acrostic-style puzzles, that once completed will reveal the clues to a particular letterbox. My upcoming Mountain View Letterbox will be created in that style.

Our new Poll of the Week relates to the proliferation of personal travelers at the past POE gathering and most likely, future gatherings. Please vote your feelings. Also, check out our Finds Page 2 and new Finds Page 3 for details of those travelers, boxes and HH picked up at POE.

2004-02-29T20:58:00.000-05:00

What a great day at POE! There were over 100 letterboxers, both veteran and new boxers, all stamping and swapping stories of the trails. We even met Chad & Melissa from MA who were letterboxing for their first day after they met another letterboxer on the trail and invited Chad & Melissa along to the gathering! Special thanks to Warrior Woman, who was the ultimate host along with Farmer Harvey for opening up his great location for the gathering; Brian of TeamGreenDragon for the wonderfully executed Event Stamp; Phyto for the informative felt pouch demonstration; all of the boxers that brought along food and those with personal travelers. There were so many travelers posted to the talk list that I had to make an Excel spread sheet to keep them all straight [Isoceles - I forgot already the 10 digits of PI, but I remembered when it counted!] Special thanks to Kstar for arranging the Tweed's Restaurant after gather dinner and Brian, again, for carving the Sadie Hawkins stamp.
[Yes - "Eik was Danish" is an anagram for "Sadie Hawkins."]
Thanks to Wanda & Pete [and Jay Drew!] for letterboxing with us after the gathering and before Tweed's.

2004-02-28T23:02:00.000-05:00

I added some new links that feature websites by various letterboxers, including Tailchaser from the UK.

2004-02-28T15:02:00.000-05:00

Our Box of the Week is St. Lawrence Church - Starry Night Letterbox, by Casco Bay Painter. Located in Portland, ME this box and it's creator show the originality and innovation that we all appreciate. The only clues are "Carefully inspect the doorways." As I have posted earlier in the month, this website is worth a visit. Heah - TeamGreenDragon, want to take a trip to Portland the Saturday before we attend Letterboxing at Laudholm???

2004-02-28T10:23:00.000-05:00

While anxiously awaiting the POE gathering tomorrow, we received a special surprise today in the mail - Peppermint Patti's Scouting Postal Letterbox. This letterbox is for anyone who had anything to do with the scouting program. The unique thing about this box is that you are requested to write your most memorable scouting story in the logbook. It will be on it's way on Monday. Thanks for a great box, Patti.

2004-02-27T10:31:00.000-05:00

I'm biting the bullet and waiting patiently for Sunday's Peace on Earth Gathering. Keep an eye on the talklist for Warrior Woman's post about the new boxes she promised to plant at the farm for this event - some for the gathering only and some to remain there permanently. Don't forget the HH Hostel at the gathering - add one; take one. Phyto will be demonstrating how she makes her felt pouches to hold stamps. Email her if you are interested in attending it so the supplies are there for you. The event stamp is carved [It's the best], along with the post event [Tweed's] stamp [Look for clues here on our website - it's the only place you can find them!], by Brian of TeamGreenDragon. The event of the season is coming - hope you are all ready! Remember your food item to share for the Potluck Lunch - electricity will be provided. See you there!

Any of our Dartmoor Trip attendees that are at the POE be sure to see me. I have several brochures that you may want to look at and a special full color Dartmoor label for your Dartmoor logbook per Butterfly's request.

2004-02-25T14:12:00.000-05:00

As I predicted, the travelers for the upcoming POE gathering are being posted fast and furious . . . Wanda & Pete, TeamGreenDragon, LadyBug, Sunshine & Swamp Yankee, Phyto, Isoceles, Teach & Preach and others. Keep your eyes pealed to both talk lists. Don't forget, travelers count as boxes found since they have a clue or riddle to solve and have a stamp! Good luck.

2004-02-23T09:05:00.000-05:00

Warrior Woman's Peace on Earth is our Box of the Week. While it is not a new box, it is the location and the name of our upcoming gathering this Sunday, February 29. Warrior Woman has done a great job in securing the location and planning this event. See our New England Area Gatherings page for more info. Watch the talk lists this week for hints and clues to individual travelers that area letterboxers will be bringing to the event. Ours is listed several posts below this one on this page.

2004-02-22T22:54:00.000-05:00

I just received an email from Phyto . . . it's official, Deb Blanchard, an educator from the Raymond Elementary School in Raymond, Maine will be a guest speaker at the Maine Gathering on Sunday, March 21st. Deb brings a wealth of experience from her teaching in the classroom and supervision of the Lakes Region Letterboxing Trail. Deb will be sharing a slide show of pictures from her trip to Dartmoor National Park. She will also bring her stamps and other memorabilia from her trips abroad. Sounds like my Dartmoor trip friends may want to be at this gathering for sure! Thanks Phyto for sharing this great news with us.

2004-02-20T10:18:00.000-05:00

I just received an email from our boxing buddy, Brian of TeamGreenDragon. Attached to the email was a special preview of his carved event stamp for the Peace on Earth Gathering on February 29th in Westborough, MA. Brian has a great reputation as a carver par excellence but he has really outdone himself! The stamp is truly a work of art. If you are on the fence as to whether you should attend this gathering or not, the stamp itself is worth the ride! Check out our new New England Area Gatherings page for more specifics as to time, directions, etc.

In a related vein, there will be a special Post Event Stamp at Tweed's Restaurant following the POE Gathering. Check my posts on this webpage for earlier in the month for your clue. Please keep this quiet as this webpage is the only location for the clues and mention made about this stamp - we do not want it posted on any of the talklists. Again - Brian is carving that one also! Have fun and just get out there and attend the POE!!!
Also check earlier posts for clues to my special traveler I will have with me at POE that will eventually become a HH or letterbox traveling to England in September.

2004-02-19T21:08:00.000-05:00

Well - things were quiet on the national talk list for a while anyway! Looks like there's a new fanatic on the block, Dr. Everett Van Scott. Read and learn!!!
What a horror show! Make what you like of it, but we found it profound enough to give it some webspace.

2004-02-18T21:22:00.000-05:00

Speaking of gatherings . . . our new Poll of the Week relates to the characteristic of letterboxing gatherings that you favor the most. Please vote now!

2004-02-18T19:21:00.000-05:00

One of those gatherings that we are hoping to attend is Letterboxing at Laudholm in Wells, ME on the 21st of March. Hosted by Nautilus and Phyto, it is sure to be a great time. There are even rumours of a special guest! We'll have to watch this one closely. And for all of those letterboxers that don't make the POE gather, Phyto will be demonstrating once again her felt stamp pouches that she has designed! See our New England Gatherings Schedule page for details like times, locations and directions!

2004-02-18T09:21:00.000-05:00

As those welcomed tulips pop through the soil with the coming of spring, so does the emergence of area letterboxing gatherings. In a effort to keep all of them straight [the gatherings, not the tulips!!!], I have created a greater New England Letterboxing Schedule. As the season heats up and the weather improves, we will also post gatherings outside of the area.

2004-02-17T09:58:00.000-05:00

A new letterboxer has come into the fold. Casco Bay Painter has been in the letterboxing business since January of this year. She has already begun a website that while still in it's infancy is one that we encourage you to visit.
Another Maine-based letterboxer churning out some great boxes is Amymisha from East Boothbay. Looks like Maine is becoming a hotbed of activity with new recruits and creative ideas.

2004-02-17T08:38:00.000-05:00

Our Letterbox of the Week is sadie&russ' Obsessions. They have continuously distinguished themselves in the type of quality and innovative letterboxes that they are planting. In my humble opinion, the bulk of letterboxes are all the same caliber, all kind of run in together - mundane but still fun. It's the innovators, like sadie&russ, TeamGreenDragon, Phyto & Isoceles, Mapsurfer, of course Legerdemaine and a few others that keep this game interesting. I view this as a maturation process: initially we produce the "cut & dry" letterboxes, then proceed to a mystery box or two, then a hitchhiker. Eventually the creative juices begin to flow and a select few letterboxers churn out a box with a creative edge to it - the perfect marriage of location, clues and stamp. To those who are bringing this pastime to new heights - we salute you! To those of us [myself included!] who are part of the average, everyday type placer - try harder - use your imagination and look for new ways to keep this game interesting. This is the whole theory behind this webpage - keep things interesting, involve all and promote innovation. I hope that we have succeeded!

2004-02-16T13:41:00.000-05:00

Ever-vigilant in my search for letterboxes in England for our coming trip, I ran across The SpaceHijackers website, that features Urban Letterboxes located in several cities around the world: London, Paris, and others. While there are just 54 listed here, this could be a growing segment of letterboxing or at least an alternative. You may even recognize the name of a famous CT letterboxer who has entered a box or two in this database!!!

2004-02-16T08:02:00.000-05:00

Back from a great weekend in VT. We spent about one and a half hours snow-shoeing on Sunday through the woods and around lakes in southern Vermont. Despite the single digit temperature, it was great to be out. Hope that your weekend was as great as ours.

2004-02-13T08:56:00.000-05:00

Sue & I are heading to Vermont for some snow-shoeing, dinner and "chill time" on Valentine's Day and Sunday with friends. Hope Valentine's Day finds you with those that are most important to you.

2004-02-12T15:16:00.000-05:00

The good news keeps on coming . . . Steve from Ravenhaus announced on the national talk list that he will be marrying RavenMom in a small, home ceremony on March 6, 2004. Our best to both at Ravenhaus along with our wishes for continued health and happiness. Steve assured the talk list that this would result in a new Postal Letterbox! Let's see what happens!

2004-02-12T10:02:00.000-05:00

Congratulations go out to our good friends, TeamGreenDragon, on the birth of their new grandchild, Dakota Skye Sampson, just after noon yesterday! With Dakota living in Florida and Lori in the greater Boston area, it looks like there will be a huge influx of Florida letterboxes as TGD visits their new grandbaby!
Best wishes go out to all - another new letterboxer is always welcomed into the family!

2004-02-09T13:21:00.000-05:00

Here is some exclusive news for our webpage readers only! If you are planning to attend the POE gathering on February 29 and are planning to join us for the after-gathering meal, there will be a special Mystery Post Event stamp carved by Brian of TeamGreenDragon fame and you all know what a fantastic talent he is!
The only place you can find these clues are here on our webpage.
Please do not discuss or post anything about this mystery stamp anywhere.

Mystery Post Event Stamp Clue for the Restaurant after the POE Gathering:

"Eik was Danish"

You must see Brian or me with the answer to get the stamp. Please be discrete, as many will not know about this and afterall - a mystery is a mystery! Good luck!

2004-02-09T00:07:00.000-05:00

I have posted our new Poll of the Week. While I was corresponding with Randy Hall [Mapsurfer] regarding our interview with him last fall, he agreed to a Mystery Gathering to be held in his honor in CT early spring of 2004. Since then, there has been the fiasco on the national talk list and Randy has kind of faded in the background. Please vote in the poll as to whether you are interested in attending such a gathering, provided Randy is still willing to attend. Thanks!

2004-02-08T15:39:00.000-05:00

Sue and I took advantage of the warmer weather and headed out to the shore to get Sadie & Russ' A Letterboxing Valentine, our present Box of the Week. What a great, innovative stamp and it seems like they thought of everything - I will say no more so as not to spoil anything! Thanks for a great stamp! From there we hit the Perk on Main letterbox and I bought a chai to warm us up! Our last adventure for the day was Bikenut's The Hideout series in Guilford. It was a great afternoon and felt wonderful to be back on the trails again. Could have used my walking stick but that's in VT! Hope you all took advantage of the great weather on Sunday.

2004-02-04T11:37:00.000-05:00

A recent post to the national talk list by the Scarabs spoke of the recent mystery gathering in Maryland. Check out the photos in the section of the same name . According to their post, there was a mystery guest at their dinner that has a long name that begins with the letter "L." Anyone come to mind? Hope this mystery "L" makes it to the POE gathering on February 29th. Being Sadie Hawkins day, there may be plenty of marriage proposals for "L."

2004-02-02T09:36:00.000-05:00

A Letterboxing Valentine is this week's Box of the Week. Placed by sadie&russ, it is there for a limited time only and will be pulled on March 8, 2004. It sounds like the location for the box is a favorite of sadie&russ and might become one of yours. This holiday-inspired drive-by letterbox is located in Guilford, CT.

After a great Super Bowl win, the second in three years, the New England Patriots are again champs. This slow-starting, defensive game ended in a nail-bitter with great results!

2004-01-31T13:53:00.000-05:00

I just received a special surprise in the mail today - La Poste en Bolivie postal letterbox. When I say this stamp is a work of art I am doing it an injustice. This stamp, carved by La Chola, is much like the work of our good friend and letterboxing buddy, Brian from TeamGreenDragon and we all know how great his work is. I plan to email La Chola and ask if I can hold onto this box until the POE Gathering so all of our New England friends can enjoy this great work of stamp art.

2004-01-29T22:06:00.000-05:00

Our friend, Steve Glaser, from Valley Quest, has a new book coming out in June, "Questing - A Guide to Creating Community Treasure Hunts." Steve co-authored this resource with Delia Clark, who is a co-founder of Vital Communities. This book will serve as a guide to creating treasure hunts that teach and share the special and historical places in your own community. Relying on the success of the Valley Quest program, of which Steve is the co-ordinator, this guide will help other communities replicate the Valley Quest program. Groups are encouraged to create their own program to not only foster the growing letterboxing/questing pastime, but to promote those special places that should be celebrated and preserved in every area of the country. We wish Steve luck with the book and look forward to the continued success of the Valley Quest program and the new programs that will spring up due to this new resource. Look for it at your local bookstore.

2004-01-28T19:53:00.000-05:00

Silent Doug has done it again! He has totally revamped his Links section to include every letterboxing link imaginable - from individual's pages to articles about letterboxing to you name it. Try this out and get educated!

2004-01-26T11:49:00.000-05:00

I have just finished carving a HH that will go to England with us this fall. Since the POE gathering is this month, I thought I would treat it like a traveler. To get this stamp, you must give me the departure date for our Dartmoor trip.

2004-01-26T04:10:00.000-05:00

After a chilly VT weekend, we are back and ready to face the week. Daily high temperatures never made it past 5 degrees! This week's Poll of the Week relates to that bone-chilling cold that we have all been experiencing in the Northeast and how it may affect our letterboxing habits.
Our Box of the Week is flutterbyandfatcat's Cup O' Joe. Along with hot chocolate, a good cup of coffee is the best way to warm up after a cold day out there find little tupperware containers buried in the snow or frozen to the ground!

Don't forget to sign our Guest Map below if you are new here! Thanks.

2004-01-20T12:05:00.000-05:00

Our new Box of the Week is up - sadie&russ's X-Y Twister. This mystery letterbox is located somewhere in New Haven county - the rest is up to you! It appears that the influences and contributions of legerdemaine & Mapsurfer are rubbing off on all of us - which is the highest form of flattery. There seems to be a maturing process through which letterbox placers go - beginning with explicit clues, moving on to slightly less explicit, to mystery clues and finally to those wild, practically un-solveable clues that drive us all crazy! Thanks to sadie&russ for the latest entry in this genre.

2004-01-19T08:07:00.000-05:00

Our Dartmoor Trip is sold out. We have 11 travelers who will be attending, as well as 1 possible. Thanks for all of the inquiries and email! Our Poll of the Week relates to posting a diary of our trip when we get back. Place your vote now!