Talking About Letterboxing

About a week ago I received an email from We Make Words through my AQ email address. At first I assumed it was a message that they had found one of my boxes. Much to my surprise We Make Words turned out to be Carolyn Flynn - a reporter from the Albuquerque Journal. She was working on a story about letterboxing and wanted to talk with me about how I got started in letterboxing.

I didn't contact her at first because work was really busy and I was finding it hard to make time and I was worrying about exposing the letterboxes in the area. Then I decided if I didn't talk to her she would probably find someone else. So I called her and set up a time to meet. I also asked if I could invite Astro D along since she actually started letterboxing before I did. She was fine with that and we decided to meet this past Monday. And we decided to meet at my Los Vaqueros box in Albuquerque.

So we met at Elena Gallegos Picnic Area and talked a little in the parking area and then started up the trail to the box. She seemed very interested in letterboxing and asked us a ton of questions. She had a photographer with her and as we talked and looked for the box he took pictures. All in all I think it went well and hopefully we will have a nice article on letterboxing in the Albuquerque Journal sometime in February. I was glad that Astro D had come along - it made it a lot less stressful and she could help answer some of the questions. I had a lot of fun doing this interview and once the article comes out I will post a link to it.

A Teeny Tiny Stamp

The last time I was out letterboxing was in October. I was starting to have withdrawls and was wondering if there were any boxes that I could find that weren't completely buried in snow. There didn't seem to be any - until today - when Astro D called me and said she found a box listed on LbNA that was hidden in town. She wanted to know if I wanted to join her in finding this box - what a silly question. So we met at Jackalope (one of my favorite places). We located the area quickly and found the noted rock that was hiding the microbox. But we didn't get the box - we were waiting for rubberpeace to join us. Once she arrived we let her follow the clues and actually retrieve the box. We opened the little microbag and found the teeniest, tiniest stamp that I have ever found - it measured 1/4" by 1/2" - it was wonderful - I loved it. We found a table to sit at and stamp in, only problem was that it was in the shade and it was made of concrete. Talk about a cold stamping in session. I think rubberpeace made a comment that went something like this - "I don't think my butt will ever be the same." - did I mention it was cold. We then rehid the box and rubberpeace headed home (she needed to get packed - she is traveling to Oregon tomorrow). Astro D and I decided to head to P.D. Bean's for a cup of coffee and a little chat - although if you ask our significant others they would tell you that when Astro D and I get together for coffee it ends up being an all day thing. Anyway, we had fun and a nice chat. Now I want to letterbox more but there is nothing in Santa Fe that I can get now. So Thomas and I are planning a trip to Southern New Mexico for some letterboxing in Las Cruces and a trip to Bosque del Apache to see the birds.

A Mini-Meet of the Santa Fe Letterboxers

Today we had a little meet and greet in Santa Fe. We now have five active letterboxers living here and in December we decided to get together for lunch and get to know each other. So I met rubberpeace, High Desert Glider and Blind Smiley at 8:15 Early for lunch today. Unfortunately, we all missed Astro D - she was home with an awful toothache - so when she is all better we will just have to meet for lunch again. We had a great time talking about letterboxing and learning a little more about each other. Of course I already knew rubberpeace and it is always fun to get together with her - she always has great stories. I had met High Desert Glider once before - that was back in the summer - and it was great to see him again and learn a little more about him. And today was the first time I met Blind Smiley. The name had been popping up on boxes in the area and we all wondered who the new person was. Turns out he is a nice guy and really seems to be into letterboxing. The lunch turned out to be great and it looks like we are building our little letterboxing community here in Santa Fe. And to Astro D - we all hope you feel better soon.