"Letterboxing is an outdoor hobby that combines elements of orienteering, art, and puzzle solving. Letterboxers hide small, weatherproof boxes in publicly-accessible places (like parks) and distribute clues to finding the box in printed catalogs, on one of several web sites, or by word of mouth. Individual letterboxes usually contain a notebook and a rubber stamp. Finders make an imprint of the letterbox's stamp, either on their personal notebook or on a postcard, and leave an impression of their personal stamp on the letterbox's "visitors' book" or "logbook" — as proof of having found the box and letting subsequent letterboxers see who have visited. Many letterboxers keep careful track of their "find count". (source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letterboxing)
A few Letterboxing resources:
http://www.atlasquest.com
http://www.letterboxing.org
A few Geocaching resources:
http://www.geocaching.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocaching
I've been an avid letterboxer and unofficial recruiter to the hobby for over 5 years. I frequently carry my letterboxing journal and personal stamp with me and if I'm in a new area, I always like to find a letterbox. I love spending time outdoors and exploring places I've never been. I also love a good treasure hunt!
Geocaching is a similar hobby, but I can't tell you much about it because I've never tried it. I would love to hear about it, though.
Any other letterboxers or geocachers out there?
~cara