"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!