Locals and visitors alike know that Richmond is really a popular destination for American history enthusiasts. Racing fans flock for the area twice a year to take big events with the Richmond International Speedway, and other summer concerts and festivals keep everybody entertained. For hobbyists interested in letterboxing, Richmond is rich with several the opportunity to add timeless souvenirs for your collection, and memories to treasure.A Brief Letterboxing PrimerFor the advantages of readers new to this centuries-old practice of "treasure hunting," letterboxing is comparable on the "geocaching" trend gaining popularity among GPS users. Letterboxing has its origins inside mid 19th century in England, where secret boxes storing letters as well as other communications were happened upon or hunted. Visitors would depart something in turn. In recent years, enthusiasts will hide letterboxes (usually a plastic, sealed container) containing plastic stamps along with a guestbook in various places outdoors, and hunters uses the stamp because of their own notebooks, while stamping the letterbox book to allow the dog owner realize it has been found. An Internet hunt for popular letterbox sites Letterboxing and Atlasquest will yield countless such boxes hidden all over the world.Letterboxing in RichmondOne will get several letterboxes inside metropolitan Richmond area, in urban and rural locales. Traditionally, a hunter will check Internet sites for clues on finding the boxes - some may give precise directions, although some may present a puzzle to decode as a way attain the goal. For mid-century letterbox of what to anticipate in Richmond letterboxes, here are a few select ones intended for search:
An Irish Lass in Hollywood - hidden within the Hollywood Cemetery
The Siren's Song - hidden around the campus of the University of Richmond
Deep Run School - hidden near Short Pump Park
The Carillon - hidden near a war monument
Slippery Rock - hidden in Deep Run Park
Rules of LetterboxingSome things to remember when going on a letterboxing expedition:
Make sure you've got directions at hand. You won't have to have a compass unless trying to find a challenging box, but it is good to print the directions from the letterboxing websites and that means you avoid getting lost.
Be discreet if you find a letterbox. Some letterboxes hidden in parks and landmarks could possibly be removed by staff or stolen, so if you look for a box be careful by using it and ensure it really is hidden in which you thought it was, so others can discover it later.
Plan your route. There could possibly be a number of different letterboxes hidden inside a few miles of each other. Do your research and you will come up with a whole day of the search.
Have fun! Letterboxing with your kids is really a great way to encourage their orienteering skills.