Letterbox Tucson!

Geocaching is a very popular activity.  Participants use a GPS device or other techniques to find hidden containers around the world.  Some are even only accessible via scuba diving!  The containers are usually waterproof and contain a log book.  Many are larger so that participants an trade items and trinkets.

No GPS device?  Or don’t want to use one?  No problem!  Try letterboxing instead.

Letterboxing is similar in that you have to find a container that usually contains a logbook and a stamp.  Visitors can stamp the logbook with their own personalized stamp, and can also stamp their own book or letterbox record.  Like geocaching, some boxes might contain items or trinkets.

Here is the official Letterboxing North America website:  Letterboxing.org

According to their site, there are 149 letterboxes hidden in and around Tucson.  There are 8 listed in the downtown area.

There are sometimes maps or directions to find the letterboxes.  Sometimes there are just clues, like the one below for the letterbox named “Breathe!” located in downtown Tucson, placed by a user who identifies themselves as Parfum Sacre.

Take a deep breath.
Listen for mockingbirds.
Find the most peaceful spot on South Arizona Avenue.
Stand opposite, at the Palo Verde tree.
Take a deep breath.
Walk 15 steps, 30 degrees from magnetic North.
Take a deep breath.
See the two imperfections? That’s how the light gets in.

If you look at their site, you will probably be surprised to find there are letterboxes in areas you frequent often in and around Tucson.

Here are some pictures of a letterbox my family and I found in the Sagauro National Park a couple years ago before they stopped allowing it in the park.

There be a letterbox hidden here in the Tucson desert!

Digging up the box

The box

Inside the box

Checking out the contents

The stamp from the box

The log book from the box

Cooling off after the Letterbox Tucson Adventure

Do you letterbox?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 at 2:09 pm and is filed under humor/fun, Life, parenting/family, Tucson. Tags for this post: geocaching, letterboxing tucson, Tucson. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.