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Contributions from fellow letterboxers
"A good day in the mountains!" is the last line of the clues for the Drew clan's two Holyoke Range range letterboxes (in western Massachusetts), and it's no lie! I set out on this sunny but slightly cool Saturday afternoon with the modest hope of perhaps finding one of the two boxes; I left feeling elated because I'd found both. If you are anywhere near this part of the country, you owe it to yourself to look for the Mount Norwottuck and Rattlesnake Knob boxes that the Drews have hidden on the Metacomet Monadnock Trail on the Holyoke Range. Quite a bit of steep climbing on rocky trails, but man, the views are worth it! This was a stretch for me as a hiker, and sometimes along the way up I thought, if these boxes are tricky to locate and I can't find them after all this exertion, I will be so bummed! But, thankfully, the boxes don't require membership in Mensa to find; in fact, they are the icing on the cake after the treats of the hiking and the views. I ambled downhill happily after locating the boxes, feeling this had been an afternoon well spent. I swear the chickadees were singing songs of congratulations. Now, if you'll excuse me, a hot bath loaded with epsom salts awaits my tired legs.... Bonnie P6F5 Leverett, Mass.
Hi! I just got back from Hartman Park where I did the happiness at Hartman letterbox. I ran out of time to do the others. Very good box, however it was pretty difficult on a mountain bike. I had a difficult time finding the box when I got to the rock wall. I was ready to give up when I spied it. Where are the other boxes? I get all of mine from EMS in the Crystal Mall. I'd be interested in doing some others if you can tell me where to get directions. Thanks for a good day in the woods. Mike Mulford
Bonnie (and all others captivated with this season): A wise old friend of mine once told me that the secret of happiness was in developing a "sense of nostalgia for the present." I like that very much. I also like Robert DiNero's character from New York New York: Its a "major chord" when you are doing what you love to do, with someone that you love, in a place that you love to be.. Well, VT is pretty fine these days as well. Our mountain view changes breathtakingly every day every season. It never gets old or worn. So a toast to happy letterboxers everywhere. Carpe Diem! Erik
Jay: Its been 3 decades plus since I hiked Mt. Monadnock as a Boy Scout. It was nice to hear your clues decsribing old, remembered landmarks. What a great incentive to relive those thrilling days of yesteryear! THANKS! Erik
Hi, Jay I've had no response from my local paper, but will try again sometime later. Meanwhile I keep looking at your website. WOW. what are you doing? you must have an army of elves and leprechauns helping you. Or are there many more Drews than I am aware of? And why are you sitting in an office with no windows? Marianne
Jay! Letterboxer par excelence! If it is possible for you to make changes in your web site, do this: Selden creek instead of Seldon. In Happiness at Hartman Park find your almost champion maple and change it to "tulip tree" for that giant raising its arms to heaven is a Liriodendron tulipifera. Have a nice weekend with turkey sandwiches and finally turkey soup for all. Marianne
Dear Mariner, I think you must realize how delighted I am that you found Frodo's Dream. You have absolutely made my day! Tom
I've managed to hunt down a fair number of your boxes -- many beautiful hikes! One suggestion I would make is to move some of them a little farther off trail, at least the ones that are on easy trails in heavily visited areas. The ones that are two miles back in the woods where you don't see a soul on your way out there are probably safe. The rule I use is that there has to be zero chance of someone who does not know what letterboxing is discovering them by accident. Cheers, Randy
From: Graham Howard >Graham, great to hear your voice again on the list. So how did your marvelous sounding eclipse boxes go over? Could you post the stamp images for all to see, or would that be cheating?< Its hard to believe I've not been waxing lyrical since the 11August...(e-day) ....<eclipse day> <<GRIN>> Oh yes "God turned off the sun" It was awesome beyond my limited imagination to have appreciated in advance ! I have already booked a trip to Africa to see the next one in 2001.... Suddenly in the middle of the day 11:20 ish ...the stars came out ! My son and a good Letterboxing pal and I were awaiting this event...it began almost insignificantly...The sun was cut with a curved black crescent..."OK" we thought "it's got interesting" ...but we all agreed that we were surprised what all the fuss was about..and surely no medieval farmer would even look up from his toil in the fields..... THEN....it got cold..about 10 degree drop in temperature..no small change..a big drop !...then all the birds landed and all the animals went quiet..it was a total silence..even we went quiet..<no mean feat> THEN it went BLACK ! A huge and slow hand moved across my whole being...a simple, silent, and effective gesture of cosmic authority....a small voice had just reminded me of the power of the universe in which we live and the insignificance of us mere mortals....It wasn't at all malevolent..just so potent and without any hesitation or debate. ....and the stars looked down and winked in cheerful collusion... We found ourselves cheering and clapping..it was without precedent and the single most significant sight and sense of the skies I have ever experienced....... I hear some folk have seen it dozens of time...now I know why.....It was a wonderful and ecstatic few minutes...and the sense of relief ..simple and happy relief when the sun and warmth and sound returned...then we could all breathe again.....we danced about whooping and yelling like teenagers... As to any special stamps ?...Sorry....They are no more..all gone ...Like the eclipse...they are best seen live...No TV rerun can even begin to capture them.... So if you want to see e-stamps...come visit with me in Africa in 2001 for the next time it happens......I will be there..the guy in the funny purple suit ! See you there Graham Howard, The Moorland Wizard...
I've been so busy this week that I haven't had a chance to let you know that I finally had a chance to get out and find my first box last weekend! And what a thrill it was! I stumbled across one of the letterbox sites a few weeks ago, and have been collecting my tools, and trying to get some time to go searching since then. Many thanks to the Drew Clan, the clues for the Cherry Blossom box were excellent -- I plan to return to that area this spring when the blossoms should be in bloom. It really is lovely down there. Marisa
Note left at the Freestone Letterbox, our "hardest" one, with three fingerprints, from two adults and one tiny baby: "November, 1999. We found your letterbox by accident, and thought we'd write you a poem:
Between these rocks We found this box And on the cards We stamp our thumbs Because the card is too small for our bums."
Jay, On December 31, I headed up Lantern Hill with a friend just in time to see the Norwich, Mystic, and Westerly New Years fireworks displays. It was a crystal clear evening with all the stars out. Unfortunately, Foxwoods lights didn't even flicker with the beginning of the new year. We stamped up in Tribal Nation on January 1, 2000 after relaxing and enjoying our thermos of hot chocolate. Congrats on your 100th box, Resolution, and thank you for putting out so many wonderful boxes. Sarah EMS Manager
Hi Jay! Sad news on your Cherry Blossoms box. We went out for the weekend, to hunt your five boxes, among others. We went out to Hains Point, and began the hunt for your box. The area on the other side of the fence has been cleared out. Completely flattened, with a huge pile of dead trees and stones they seem to be removing. There was also a large hole in the fence, where the brush was spilling over. I don't know if it was just luck, but your box was just sitting in the middle of the paved footpath that ran along the fence. We had an idea where the box should have gone, but as they were in the middle of clearing out the area, we thought it would be pointless to pick up some stones to rehide the box. We figured we were lucky enough to find the box, so we took it home with us. I knew if we left it, no one would be finding it. Would you like me to send it to you, or just bring it to the gathering in the spring? There are a couple of stamps already in it. It was intact and everything. Which was surprising, considering it was sitting in the open. Whichever you'd prefer, let me know. All your other boxes were great, though. :) Kimberly, in NJ
Jay - I'd be happy to put the Cherry Blossom box back once the bushes grow back this Spring. I was worried when I saw it because everything had been entirely cut down and cleared out around it. It was only covered with leaves, but once things start growing again, it should be safe until next winter. What do you think? Marisa
Good friends, Today I walked on my seven week old new knee around the childrens trail with my husband Andy. In the school room Lost and Found basket we found a black pack containing your letterbox " Milestone". The carrying string is frayed and we thought perhaps you had lost it from the back of a bicycle, so we took it home. Let me know how I can get this back to the family Drew. An appointment at the parking lot would work or I could pack it and mail it to you, or? I'm hoping the basket wasn't your hiding place for the "Milestone". A thought that occured to me a few minutes ago, in which case I would return it to the basket. Let me know what you would like me to do. Wow, your fiftieth. That's really impressive. By summer I expect to be able to hunt for some of them! Best wishes, Marianne Pf.
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