So congratulations to Elizabeth Rassier and her husband who called me at 3:32pm to say that they had found the Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt Treasure. They confirmed they were at Beaver Lake Park and correctly identified that it was found in some brown wrapping paper tied up with twine. From the main part of the park, it was on the trail going north. About where the trail turns and aligns with McKnight is where the treasure was. At the edge of the path there were a couple of divots and it was in one of those, covered with some leaves.
Here are the explanations:
Clue #1
Fighting for the crown? Well then head on down!
Urban culture knowledge? Not an asset.
The place you should be has many a tree
But the number one rule is don’t get wet!
Who fights for (on behalf of) the crown? A knight! This alludes to McKnight which runs right into the park on each side. “Head on down” alludes to the fact that the parking is elevated from the rest of the park, so you would be descending into the park. The park is in a strictly residential area with no businesses or restaurants nearby. Consequently there aren’t many “city” clues to offer. Also, “knowledge” contains the word “edge” which in turn alludes to Edgewater and the park being at the edge of the city. The treasure is hidden in an area with many trees. It is also very close to a marsh, so a warning to not look in or too near the water. That also suggests of course that the park does have water.
Clue #2
On the map you view, find a bit of blue
Once there, roam about - but best cross no street.
Looks like a good time where the park is prime,
Even if for now it is incomplete.
Another clue suggesting the park has water, as the lake is a major part of it. Not crossing a street suggests the park might be on the smaller side. Beaver Lake has a new playground in the main part of the park that looks like a lot of fun, but is not yet quite complete.
Clue #3
From the one, the drive is not less than five
Since there is no freeway to get you there.
As you go along, the trip may feel long
When you’ve no minutes or seconds to spare.
“The one” is the 1 that is visible on top of a downtown building. The park is more than a 5 minute drive from there and not near a freeway (but also more vaguely alluding to it being far from downtown). Also, longitudinal lines are measured in degrees, but then sometimes subdivided into hours, minutes, and seconds. The 93rd meridian passes along the eastern edge of Beaver Lake which would be 93 degrees, 0 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds.
Clue #4
The park it is at is not purely flat,
You want neither the highest point nor low.
Surveying the scene, easy to find green
But red’s the color to which you should go.
This is saying to find a park with at least a bit of elevation to it in parts. The treasure is not at street level (highest) but not on the water level either, as it was on a path elevated from the marsh. In the main part of the park there are benches encouraging you to “Be Green”, but the treasure isn’t in the main part of the park. You have to travel north on the trail until you see the red wood of the sumac plants.
Clue #5
The park has a lot, and yet you may not,
You might choose another way to enter.
As you roam around, checking out the ground,
Be sure to remain far from the center
The park does have a parking lot, but it’s possible you may not be able to use it due to the gate being closed. Thus you might park on the street and come down from there, or you could also hit the trail from McKnight and Maryland. The treasure is on the ground. The park has a lake in the middle and thus you do not want to search near the center.
Clue #6
No playing softball, there’s no room at all,
But you could certainly squeeze in a stroll.
Even though you could, I don’t think you should
Walk over water, or you won’t meet your goal.
There used to be a softball field here. Google maps and the park website suggest it is still there, but it has been replaced by a new playground and other things. There’s definitely a trail though, sometimes on just a narrow strip of land. There is also a dock that lets you walk out over the water, but the treasure was not near there.
Clue #7
There are trees that fell and critters who dwell.
As you search, make sure you avoid the ‘wood.
You could take a break, and fire up a steak
Even if it rains you still would be good.
There are fallen trees and wildlife near the treasure site. Also, if you put fallen trees and wildlife together, it may suggest a beaver. The ‘wood you should avoid is Maplewood as the trail sits right on the border and you should definitely avoid the branch that heads off into Maplewood. The park also has a picnic shelter with grills, but you would only want to do that while taking a break since it is not near the treasure.
Clue #8
In the event of more snow from above
The thornier this hunt is bound to get.
So let’s get it wrapped, and get that pin mapped.
Stringing this along might make you upset.
“In the event of” is a clue for “Case” which is a street on the southern side of the park. “Thornier” suggests “Rose” on the northern side. Together they frame the park. The clue also reiterates the treasure is on the ground and hints that it is wrapped in something (brown paper) and tied up with string.
Clue #9
Now don’t get too lax, let’s aim for the max!
Because there’s really not that much dry ground.
That’s not a surprise to those who are wise,
Given the fact there are four lakes around.
This clue is just a street name dump to get people to the park. “Lax” is a clue for Lacrosse and “aim” for “Ames”. The four lakes are Beaver Lake (the lake itself or several streets with that name on the east side), Lakewood, Lake, and Nokomis.
Clue #10
Looking high and wide, the same on each side,
You may spot that something is missing here.
You might also see the guardians three
Whispering the treasure will soon be near.
On the path on the way to the treasure there is a square (same height and width on each side) missing from the pavement. The three guardians are three posts on the side of the path that hold up a bit of a ledge and maybe help people keep from accidentally stepping over it. You will also pass those on the way to the treasure from the main part of the park.
Clue #11
Dam, so that’s the park? Were you in the dark?
Maybe you were on the edge of success.
There’s something to learn when things take a turn,
Or maybe you just go for a recess.
“Dam” suggests “Beaver”. Edge again suggests Edgewater and being on the edge of the city, as well as the treasure being on the edge of the pathway. The treasure is located where the path has a bend in it and it is hidden in a little recess at the path’s edge.
Clue #12
Left it at Beaver so go retrieve her
Take the path north and go until it bends.
There a fallen tree shows the place to be.
Under the path’s edge is where this all ends.
Nothing to explain here really. Just telling you where to go.
Here is the new clue:
Clue #7
There are trees that fell and critters who dwell.
As you search, make sure you avoid the ‘wood.
You could take a break, and fire up a steak
Even if it rains you still would be good.
And the previous clues:
Clue #6
No playing softball, there’s no room at all,
But you could certainly squeeze in a stroll.
Even though you could, I don’t think you should
Walk over water, or you won’t meet your goal.
Clue #5
The park has a lot, and yet you may not,
You might choose another way to enter.
As you roam around, checking out the ground,
Be sure to remain far from the center
Clue #4
The park it is at is not purely flat,
You want neither the highest point nor low.
Surveying the scene, easy to find green
But red’s the color to which you should go.
Clue #3
From the one, the drive is not less than five
Since there is no freeway to get you there.
As you go along, the trip may feel long
When you’ve no minutes or seconds to spare.
Clue #2
On the map you view, find a bit of blue
Once there, roam about - but best cross no street.
Looks like a good time where the park is prime,
Even if for now it is incomplete.
Clue #1
Fighting for the crown? Well then head on down!
Urban culture knowledge? Not an asset.
The place you should be has many a tree
But the number one rule is don’t get wet!
Here is the new clue:
Clue #6
No playing softball, there’s no room at all,
But you could certainly squeeze in a stroll.
Even though you could, I don’t think you should
Walk over water, or you won’t meet your goal.
And the previous clues:
Clue #5
The park has a lot, and yet you may not,
You might choose another way to enter.
As you roam around, checking out the ground,
Be sure to remain far from the center
Clue #4
The park it is at is not purely flat,
You want neither the highest point nor low.
Surveying the scene, easy to find green
But red’s the color to which you should go.
Clue #3
From the one, the drive is not less than five
Since there is no freeway to get you there.
As you go along, the trip may feel long
When you’ve no minutes or seconds to spare.
Clue #2
On the map you view, find a bit of blue
Once there, roam about - but best cross no street.
Looks like a good time where the park is prime,
Even if for now it is incomplete.
Clue #1
Fighting for the crown? Well then head on down!
Urban culture knowledge? Not an asset.
The place you should be has many a tree
But the number one rule is don’t get wet!
Clue #5
The park has a lot, and yet you may not,
You might choose another way to enter.
As you roam around, checking out the ground,
Be sure to remain far from the center
And here are the previous clues:Clue #4
The park it is at is not purely flat,
You want neither the highest point nor low.
Surveying the scene, easy to find green
But red’s the color to which you should go.
Clue #3
From the one, the drive is not less than five
Since there is no freeway to get you there.
As you go along, the trip may feel long
When you’ve no minutes or seconds to spare.
Clue #2
On the map you view, find a bit of blue
Once there, roam about - but best cross no street.
Looks like a good time where the park is prime,
Even if for now it is incomplete.
Clue #1
Fighting for the crown? Well then head on down!
Urban culture knowledge? Not an asset.
The place you should be has many a tree
But the number one rule is don’t get wet!
Clue #4
The park it is at is not purely flat,
You want neither the highest point nor low.
Surveying the scene, easy to find green
But red’s the color to which you should go.
And the previous clues:
Clue #3
From the one, the drive is not less than five
Since there is no freeway to get you there.
As you go along, the trip may feel long
When you’ve no minutes or seconds to spare.
Clue #2
On the map you view, find a bit of blue
Once there, roam about - but best cross no street.
Looks like a good time where the park is prime,
Even if for now it is incomplete.
Clue #1
Fighting for the crown? Well then head on down!
Urban culture knowledge? Not an asset.
The place you should be has many a tree
But the number one rule is don’t get wet!
David B. Allison
Clue #3
From the one, the drive is not less than five
Since there is no freeway to get you there.
As you go along, the trip may feel long
When you’ve no minutes or seconds to spare.
And the previous clues:
Clue #2
On the map you view, find a bit of blue
Once there, roam about - but best cross no street.
Looks like a good time where the park is prime,
Even if for now it is incomplete.
Clue #1
Fighting for the crown? Well then head on down!
Urban culture knowledge? Not an asset.
The place you should be has many a tree
But the number one rule is don’t get wet!
It looks like another year without a Clue 1 find.
Clue #2
On the map you view, find a bit of blue
Once there, roam about - but best cross no street.
Looks like a good time where the park is prime,
Even if for now it is incomplete.
And the previous clue:
Clue #1
Fighting for the crown? Well then head on down!
Urban culture knowledge? Not an asset.
The place you should be has many a tree
But the number one rule is don’t get wet!
And so it begins again...
Clue #1
Fighting for the crown? Well then head on down!
Urban culture knowledge? Not an asset.
The place you should be has many a tree
But the number one rule is don’t get wet!
No registration needed. Just find the Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt coin somewhere on public property in St. Paul and turn it in to claim your $300 prize. Have fun! The treasure will not be in water, on a steep hillside, indoors, up a tree, on top of a building, inside of anything electrical or anywhere ruled out in the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt. Nothing needs to be destroyed in order to find it!
Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday. I hope you didn't give up treasure hunting for Lent because the Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt will be starting soon. Sticking with the Wednesday theme Clue 1 will come out on Wednesday, March 25th. As usual it will be hidden on public land in the city of St. Paul. We'll rule out all the places that the Pioneer Press ruled out and also specify upfront that it will not be hidden on or in water, on a steep hillside, indoors, on top of a building, on something you would have to climb, inside anything electrical, or anywhere else that seems like it might present a danger.
The prize this year will be $300. There is no entry fee. Anyone can find it and claim the prize. However, because I am promoting the Dracula 1897 game I designed and the Kickstarter campaign for it that begins May 3rd, you will have to consider that a sponsor and thus listen to me go on about that.
Clues will be posted daily at 5pm in this group and on Facebook until the medallion is found. If things go off the rails somehow I reserve the right to end the hunt as necessary.
This year marks the 25 year anniversary of the first (actual) Mock Hunt which coincidentally was in Linwood Park. Thanks to all the people who have hunted for it over the years and kept the tradition going!