2007 Stats

Well, that is it for our first year of letterboxing. Final tally for the year 2007.

We have found 24 letterboxes, and attempted 3 letterboxes. I have yet to plant any, but I am not that artistic of a person. Everywhere I go know, I look for potential places to hide letterboxes. My favorite stamp this year has to be the "Tucked in Tight" stamp found in Virginia Beach. That was probably also my favorite location. It was fun to try and be very stealthy while looking for that stamp.

"Just Another Cheesy Halloween Series" by Schizokeet

Annandale, Virginia

Finds: 23
Attempts: 3

This was a cute little park over in Annandale. Not good for strollers, but both boys hiked the whole thing! We missed box #1 and box #2 - started looking for them too late. But we did find box #3, which stated there was also a bonus box. So we attempted it and thought we found it, but actually turned out to be box #1. Turns out the park is one circle so we were right back where we started from. Using our new box #1, we were then able to find box #2. Never did find the bonus box though.

"Way To Go" series by The Golden Seven

Fairfax, Virginia

Finds: 20
Attempts: 3


Again, I am so glad that I have taken up this hobby, because I am really getting to know Northern Virginia better. There are parks EVERYWHERE. And nice ones too. The trails in this park are stroller friendly. Too bad the boys aren't with me. But finally.....a letterboxing friendly park! There were benches to sit on and stamp. Definitely the most comfortable I've been. Too bad I had to run back to the car when I found the first box because I did not have any writing implements with me. I will definitely make sure that I have something with me at all times in the future.

"Count Dracubox" by Paper Trail

Fairfax, Virginia

Finds: 18
Attempts: 3

I guess that since there is such a large number of townhouse developments in the area, some people need to have an area in which to garden. We found this little park right off of Braddock Road. Not really a park per se, but lots of gardening plots. I briefly thought it might be kind of fun to look into for next summer. But then quickly thought against it. We barely take care of plants in our own yard. We're certainly not going to haul out butts somewhere else to water and weed plants.

Need to be careful where we bring the stroller on the letterbox hunts. This was definitely NOT stroller friendly. Fortunately, Benjamin is big enough to walk some now. And this was a short enough walk. And the end result was pleasing enough for him to have made it worth his while.

"Midsummer Solstice" by Paper Trail

Annandale, Virginia

Finds: 17
Attempts: 3


So far, this has to be one of my favorite searches. It is a beautiful day to go letterboxing. (We are finding great places to go walking.) The recommendation on this one was spot on - not a good place for a stroller. But it did give me lots of good exercise.

Started at the Audrey Moore rec center and then followed a bike path for a while before heading into the woods and then back around.

"Grant's Superhero Adventure" by Katie A.

Burke, Virginia

Finds: 16
Attempts: 3

What a great day we had! I LOVE Burke Lake Park. It has something for everyone to enjoy. There is a train, playgrounds, a frisbee golf course, a regular golf course, an ice cream store, fishing, boat rentals, and more. Check it out at the following link: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelake/

We started out in the parking lot near the boat house. After a stroll past the frisbee golf course, we stopped and had fun watching the ducks at a little portion that stuck out into the lake. It amazed me how close to the trail this first box was hidden, yet completely out of the way. As we continued, I was amazed to see the huge number of people who were out enjoying the day. Walkers, runners, bikers, strollers, dog walkers. Everyone was out! There is a wonderful trail, which I assume goes all the way around the lake. It's not too bad for a stroller either. A jogger would probably be a better choice though because there are areas that have more roots and rocks and such.

Very cool series of stamps. This was one that the boys enjoyed doing too. It was a decent walk, but not too too long.

"Haiku by Basho 1 & 2" by John

Springfield, VA

Finds: 13
Attempts: 2 & 3


ATTEMPT!!!

I cannot understand why we can't find this. They were found very recently. But there is absolutely NO sign of them anywhere. Niether one. Oh well.

I took this little adventure with just Benjamin. It is a beautiful late summer evening. We headed out with the stroller. Now I understand the sign at the top of the hill telling people to dismount their bicycles. It was difficult to control a stroller going down as well. Benjamin enjoyed meeting some doggies on this walk.

"Stratford Hall" by Silver Eagle

Springfield, Virginia

Finds: 13
Attempts: 1


ATTEMPT!!!

Darn. The first letterbox we have not found. I am very disappointed. I am absolutely sure we were in the right spot too. I even had Michael reading the directions, but to no avail.

The upside is, we had a lovely family walk at Lake Accotink today. Looked at the beach, took a walk on the path, went out of the park into a lovely neighborhood bordering the park. Back on the trail we headed back to the playground where the boys had a lot of fun.

"Poor Pup" by The Three Dectectives

Springfield, Virginia

Finds: 13


Quite a workout I got today finding the two boxes.

"Green Box" by The Three Detectives

Springfield, Virginia

Finds: 12

Wow! There is something to be said for letterboxing alone. I can definitely cover more distance quickly - and I don't need to worry about paved paths for a stroller. Today's hike was quite long - easily 2+ miles roundtrip. For the first time, I had some reservations about traipsing around in the woods. Not only did I come across a man walking in the woods (who for a moment got me a little suspicious, but I finally realized he was just out walking too), but there was also an electrical storm brewing. I actually did quite a bit of jogging getting to this letterbox.

I was surprised actually at how far I had to go for this one. And then when I found it, it seems like there might have been an easier and quicker way to get to it. Even in the car. (That's me....always looking for the short cut.)

"Wrong Leaf Micro" by

West Hartford, Connecticut

Finds: 11


Wow! Our first out of state letterbox! (See, I told you it's a great hobby - you can even do this when you go away on trips!)

This letterbox was found in the parking lot of the UCONN West Hartford campus. Michael parked in the lot plenty of times. Too bad we didn't know about letterboxing back then. He may have even parked his car right in front of this tree. A HUGE oak, it has probably been here for a hundred years! The stamp looks like a birch or beech leaf. Hence - wrong leaf. Cute name.

It's too bad that I didn't print out directions for letterboxes at the Westmoor Park here in West Hartford because we spent about an hour there today. (There are at least three if I remember correctly.) I haven't been there since I was a little girl. The kids loved the animals. Ducks and geese and turkeys, and bunnies, and donkeys to name a few. And there were tons of swallows in the barn. Watching them gracefully swoop around was amazing!

"Napoleon Dynamite: Box #3 - Whatever I Feel Like, Gosh!" by The Golden Seven

Fairfax, Virginia

Finds: 10


Box #3 in the series. This one was further down the street. Headed into a park, and it was hidden underneath a bridge. Neat idea. I'll keep that in mind for when I plant some someday.

"Tucked in Tight" by X Marks the Spot

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Finds: 8


We were lucky enough to find a letterbox along the boardwalk at Virginia Beach. We rented a four-wheeled family "bike" and rode the length of the boardwalk and back. This letterbox was ingeniously hidden - a plastic box that actually looked like a utility box. I wasn't even sure if I was looking at the right thing. Fortunately, "X" did mark the spot, and that clinched it for me. (We even found a bonus stamp outside the Howard Johnson.

It was a perfect day to go on a bike ride. Although it was warm, there was a blustery wind which cooled us off and made the ride bearable. However, it did make the water very rough and too cold, and not much fun for swimming.

"Huntley Meadows Park: Frog Box" by Squirrel

Alexandria, Virginia

Finds: 7


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Today I had a nice mother's day surprise. My 3 boys brought me to Huntley Meadow's Park for a nice nature walk. This is a huge nature preserve with woods, meadows, and marshy areas.

"Ma's Artistic Box" by Family Man

Vienna, Virginia

Finds: 6


What a great little park! Two playgounds, basketball and tennis courts, soccer fields, and a PAVED trail. (VERY important information for a stroller-wielding letterboxing mom!) Unfortunately, the box was very wet. We'll have to let them know.

Benjamin had a lot of fun on the playground, crawling through tunnels, going across bouncy bridges, and down slides. He was so proud of himself! William had fun too -he made a new friend. Well, 2 actually if you count the stretchy lizard toy he found and brought home.

"Fallen Tree Trail"

Springfield, Virginia

Finds: 5


This was found in a little park, perfect for an easy hike, right in the middle of Springfield. I never would have known it was there. I swear, for such a populated area of the country, I never cease to be amazed by the number of green areas that there are.

This was William's first real hike - on a trail. He did so well (and even helped to water some plants - the natural way!):P This was no terrain for a stroller though. Benjamin had a nice relaxing ride in the backpack as we traversed streams and trails, and climbed over downed trees. I was almost worried that I wouldn't be able to find my way back. I was surprised at how far we travelled.

This letterboxing is a great hobby!!! It's inexpensive, and it provides great exercise! :)

A Light in the Darkness by EllBee

Luray, Virginia

Finds: 4


Our first letterbox away from home.

Luray Caverns is absolutely amazing! I could probably come back every year, and never get bored with seeing these amazing geological phenomena. We are on our way to a weekend at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia, and took a detour on the way to see the carverns. Benjamin rode on my back in the backpack and William walked/was carried for the 1 hour tour. Again, it is absolutely amazing!!! It makes you wonder how many more caves like this there might be that have yet to be discovered!

The stalactite organ was incredible - to think that music can be made with stactites. It was amazing. And the crystal lake was sooooo clear. You couldn't even tell that it was water. It looked exactly like you were looking down at stalagmites growing up. I could have explored for another hour down there and still been in awe.

After the tour, we took a little break down by the bus parking lot and had some snacks and drinks. A great cover-up for my clandestine operation. The box was easily found and stamped in. I'm having a hard time trying to determine what exactly it is a picture of though. Maybe stactites and stalagmites. Regardless, we were very pleased with our find.

"The Centennial of Baseball" by Postmystress

Mystery, Virginia

Rutherford Park

Annandale, Virginia

Finds: 3


Our 2nd letterbox today. This one was called a mystery letterbox. It had actual clues we had to figure out and then follow. But we found it. It was at a park somewhere in Northern Virginia. (I am not going to give the answer away on here, but let's just say it is quite close to home. It is a nice park, with a GREAT playground for William. Following the trail into the woods, you come across a wonderful stream there that was perfect for throwing stones into. Kids from neighboring houses were running through the footpaths in the woods. I know we will definitely be coming back to this park. And there should be another letterbox across the street. But we'll save that one for another day.

Deerlick by jem heist

Deerlick Park in Annandale, VA



Finds: 1

Just found our 1st letterbox. What a great article I found in Wonder Time magazine. Letterboxing - you look up clues on the computer, then go out and follow the directions to find the box with the stamp in it. What a perfect thing for a family to do together. It's free and it gets you outside moving! What is not to like about it. To find out more about it, check out the following link: www.lbna.org

So we found the little park right off Braddock Road. Put the little guy in the stroller and William walked along with us. Fortunately it wasn't too long of a walk. We ran into several people walking their dogs and passed a few trails that lead out of the park into the neighborhood. I was worried what with all the people passing by, that someone would come upon us while we were looking for the box. But it was easy to find and stamp and put back in place. We continued around the trail and came back out at the parking lot. This was easy, and not too long. I can totally see us doing this a lot!

I am extremely pleased to have discovered this pasttime. It gets us out of doors, and walking, and learning the area.