Boxing with Mark & Sue
NEW LOCATION:
Matterhorn Inn, Route 100 in West Dover, VT.
Times: 10am to 11pm
Number of New Boxes to Premiere at the Event: 57!
This old fashioned gathering will celebrate the important role that
Vermont has played in the beginnings of letterboxing in the US. The
first (hand-carved) letterbox, Prayer Rock, was placed in Bristol, VT
by pioneers Erik and Susan Davis - who we affectionately call the
godfather and godmother of letterboxing. Another pioneer, Tom Cooch,
planted early boxes for the Davises to find back in the day in the
Randolph and Braintree area of central VT. The first letterboxing
gathering was held in Killington, VT in 1999 and was attended by the
Davises, Tom Cooch, and others. Also, Valley Quest, which predates
letterboxing, began in the upper CT River Valley of VT and NH and still
flourishes today.
Our event will have something for everyone! There will
be 57 new letterboxes to premiere at the event and the option to stay at
one of 3 B & B's Saturday evening after the following gathering
activities: a covered gathering area in the foothills of VT in the
shadow of Mount Snow, a catered BBQ picnic
and a bonfire to cap the day off.
While the event's activities are
scheduled just for Saturday, we invite you to come early or linger past
the event and enjoy all that Southern VT has to offer. There are 3 B
& B's involved that will offer nicely discounted rates for Saturday
night and a very low rate to come early and stay Friday night as well
with a Saturday evening booking. There are numerous camping options at
nearby State Parks for those so inclined. Also, for some of you in New
England, this could be a one day event but we encourage all of you to
come and stay to allow yourself the time to enjoy the many new boxes
that will premiere for this event as well as the activities planned for
the day at the gathering.
There will be a logbook-making demo in the morning when you arrive. Sarah Shippee, a local scrapbooker, has volunteered to set up a table with small kits to purchase to learn how to make custom logbooks for your letterboxes. Sarah is also making special, limited edition Back to Our Roots logbooks into which you can stamp all of the day's finds and exchanges. See below for pictures, descriptions and prices.
Rates for the 3 B & B's are located here: http://pineconeboxing.viviti.com/entries/general/rates-are-in-for-b-b-s-for-back-to-our-roots and rooms will be available even the night of the event. If you box all day and want to remain in the area because the night's festivities run late - or if you haven't gotten all of the event boxes, see Sue or myself and we'll direct you to Deb & John Bailey who will help you find one of the 3 inns at which to stay. The fun is planned to run quite late so if you think the day will be great - wait for the night!!!
NEW INFO: The Matterhorn Inn has agreed to offer our attendees 2 breakfast specials for those of you arriving early and not staying at a B & B that has included breakfast.
Continental breakfast - coffee or tea, juice, danish, fruit @ $4.50
Full Vermont Country Breakfast @ $9.99
Also - the Matterhorn has a liquor license so beer and wine will be available during the BBQ dinner and bonfire that follows from the rustic shack that is located next to the bonfire bit. Draft beer at $3 and $4 (limited choices) and wine at $4.50 and $6.00.
DON'T FORGET TO BRING AN ITEM FOR OUR RAFFLE - HELP US WITH SOME OF OUR COSTS. THANKS!
Ideas for raffle items might be hiking items, carving tools & media, logbooks, lock-n-lock containers, compass, backpack, hiking sticks, headlamps, your local state's letterboxing patch, etc.
Besides the 100 limited edition "Back to Our Roots" patches on sale for $3, we will also have Newboxers patches on sale for $3 each as well as "Just Get Out There & Box" wrist bands @ $5 each. A small assortment of remaining Bed & Boxing and Letterboxing Cruise patches will also be on hand @ $3 each. See Mark or Sue.
Special "Back to Our Roots" Commemorative Logbooks
designed and created by Sarah Shippee, West Dover, VT
Back to our Roots Commemorative Logbook A
48-page, hand-bound journal designed specifically for the "Back to Our Roots" weekend in southern Vermont's Deerfield Valley. Use this journal to record your letterboxing finds, both with stamps and photographs - photo corners are included for mounting pictures in the book. Includes a "Vermont" page marker with a self-tying closure integrated into the book's design. Price: $20.00.
Monkey journal
The cover design of this 48-page monkey journal includes birch bark, watercolor paper and vintage book pages. It is hand-bound and sized to fit in a small, rectangular bin. Buy more than one to use the next time you are planting letterboxes. Price: $5.00.
Questions & Answers
How do I register?
Visit the event page on Atlas Quest to reserve your spot. Respond with the pull down menu as to the number of people in your party. Then book your room at one of the 3 B & B's here. It's easy!
I'm new to letterboxing - is this an event for me? What about kids?
You betcha! You'll be greeted warmly and we'll help you in any way we can. This is a family event and we invite singles, couples and families alike.
Will there be just local Vermonters at the event?
No way - at last count, we have boxers from 14 states!
Are the boxes easy to find or the hikes long?
Sue & I have planted a very few drivebys (some are mysteries) but the average hike is about a mile to a mile and a half round trip. The longest hike is 4 miles round trip but it's worth it!
Will the boxes remain in place after the event?
Yes - all but 2 will remain in place.
Are the stamps all hand-carved?
Yes they are and carvers from many parts of the country are represented.
Is there any charge to attend the event?
No, there is no charge! That includes the Sundance Lodge, clue packet and even the bonfire! But we ask that you bring a raffle item to donate and that you purchase raffle tickets. There will also be a donation jar on one of the tables to help us with our expenses.
So all the good stuff happens on Saturday only?
No - not at all! If you are staying at one of the B & B's, you are invited to a Welcome Reception to be start at 8pm on Friday, June 19 at the Austin Hill Inn. The 3 B & B's and Sue & I are supplying finger foods like crackers & cheese, nachos & salsa, etc. There is no charge to you except you should bring your own bottle of your favorite drink. And be sure to have dinner before since these will be light snacks. This will be a great way to meet some of the other boxers before the event and maybe find a box or two.
What's for dinner on Saturday at the event?
The Deerfield Valley Rotary Club will be setting up a barbeque with hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, sides like salads and even a dessert. All items can be ordered a la carte from the menu as you wish and you will pay the cashier directly.
How about clues?
When you register at 10am, you will be given a clue packet of the new boxes for the event. You should print off any existing boxes before you leave home. You will also be provided a few trail maps and a map of the area. Your packet will contain a wealth of information and we encourage you to spend a few minutes with it before you head off to the trails.
What should I bring with me?
Your letterboxing supplies (logbook or order one of the special commemorative ones, your signature stamp, a compass, ink and/or markers), your water bottle, comfortable shoes or hiking boots preferably, hiking poles if you normally use them, bug spray, a hat and layers of clothing since VT mornings and evenings tend to get a little cool.
What's going on after dinner?
We'll have the raffle and enjoy the bonfire . . . .
Anything else you aren't telling us?
Oh baby - you betcha! Isn't that the best part? After all - this is a Pinecone Adventure!
© Pinecone Productions & Pinecone Adventures - "Have Fun & Just Get Out There & Box!!!"