The Allison Wonderland

So four years ago Jake and I made a bet. I said that Trump ran for office just for the publicity and didn't really want to do the job. Consequently we bet that Trump would not finish his term. While we can debate the reasons why I was wrong, the fact is in the end I was and Jake won the bet. That bet was that he would get to write the clues for this year's AW hunt, but that we wouldn't tell anyone. And so that was the case.   But having done that, I still want to do the real Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt. Which means all of you get a bonus hunt! That means if you registered for the first hunt, you are automatically registered for the second hunt at no additional cost. This hunt will also have a $250 prize which a registered hunter will win. If you didn't register the first time, you can still register for this one.  Or if you're not a joiner, but you still happen to find it, you'll still get $100.   We'll start the next one on March 17th with all of the same rules applying as before (just substitute March for any mention of February).   I'm a little disappointed that no one seemed to notice the difference in writing style, but hopefully you all had fun. The feedback I got (prior to the explanations anyway) was that you guys seemed to enjoy Jake's hunt. But I really am writing the clues for this next one and no, there is no secret message in this announcement.

Clue #0
Just as the PP hunt ends, it's time to talk about the The Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt. 

As always, it has a certain fluidity to it. 

Kind of like when the PP Medallion was found after Clue 5 a few years back, I started mine the next day. 

Even April has played host some years going the other way. 

In this year's PP hunt things were on the shorter side. 

Since it would also be nice to actually have reliable snow for once, I'm going to start mine a bit earlier this year.  

Wednesday, February 17th will be the kick off day, going through the end of February. 

Remember, you'll be looking for the Allison Wonderland medallion. 

It will be in a park in St. Paul. 

The medallion will not be hidden indoors, underground, on a body of water, up a tree, near a steep hillside, inside anything electrical, or     anywhere else that is ruled out by the PP or would make you wonder if searching there is a bad idea. 

If you wish to participate, there are two ways you can do so. 

Number one, you can pay $10 to be a registered hunter and win the whole prize which should be at least $250.00. 

Get registered by sending it to me via Paypal at allisonwondrland@... or email me at that same address if you want to make another     arrangement. 

The other way to participate is as an unregistered hunter and if you find it you will get $100. 

However much is left from the registrations will get donated to another hunt in that case.

Every clue will get posted at 5:00pm. 

Clues will appear on The Allison Wonderland Group, the Cooler Crew Treasure Hunt Group on Facebook, and the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt     Group on Facebook. 

Likely they will get cross posted to other groups too. 

Until the medallion is found, contact the cluewriter at your own risk it's not my job to help you. 

Evidently we won't be having a kickoff party this year, though we could maybe do a zoom if people want.

So anyway, that's the plan and let me know if you have any questions.
 

1.

It’s the White Rabbit Quest - At my behest

Let’s renew our treasure hunt banner

Go out and have fun - he won’t be outdone

And remember it’s just her manner

Renew our treasure hunt banner references the fact that I decided to use a previous hiding location. He won’t be outdone references just her manner, which anagrams to Arthur M Jensen, who found the very first Pioneer Press treasure chest at this location.

2. 

Back in school, I thought physics was cool

The rabbit saw the route to the dough

The classes were rough, with equations tough

To Finish first seek a two to ten ratio

Arthur Jensen discovered the treasure chest on February 1st, 1952 at 2:10pm. The mention of physics is a vague reference to time. 

3. 

Chuck died that year, but don’t load your Tears

One of his men arrived at the scene

When the hunt seems odd, don’t Ax the sod

Neal took over and kept things clean

This intentionally difficult clue references three St. Paul police chiefs. Charles J Tierney, who died in 1952, and the fact that an officer gave the 1952 winner a ride, Neal McMahon, who took over for Tierney, and Todd Axtell, who is the current chief.

4. 

Boreas’ treasure’s brought great pleasure

To thousands does his royalty send

Fifteen hides that preceded finds

To park just look for the end

Refers to Lexington Parkway, which runs through parks that have been the locations of 15 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunts. Lexington also now dead ends as it reaches Highland Park. 

5. 

This tale of loot, should lead you to scoot

Near a road that many have traveled

Total finds plus one will lead to the fun

And have this important mystery unraveled

The Pioneer Press medallion has been hidden at Highland Park 6 times. 6+1=7, for 7th Street. Unraveled makes reference to the fact that to find the medallon you will have to unravel a giant yarn pouch. 

6. 

Mark, replot, respect how hunters get hot

Yet many others play mainly tin golf

It’s chatroom fun for both old and young

Just mix some letters to solve

I dislike anagrams, but decided to mix it up this year and use several. Mark replot anagrams to Mark Portel, respect how anagrams to Peter Schow, mainly tin golf anagrams to Longtin Family, and chatroom anagrams to Tom Roach. All are past winners of the PP hunt at Highland Park.

7. 

While under the snow, a golden glow

Might be present at a cloudless sunset

Take some direction for treasured perfection

And keep a close eye on the jets

The treasure is buried under the snow, and at a cloudless sunset the apartment building visible to the northeast has a golden glow. Direction refers to the fact the treasure is hidden on a point, and the mention of jets makes reference to the fact Highland Park is near the airport.

8. 

Treasure hunt fame is the name of our game

Past winners are brought to the front

Look south of the city, Ville-Marie so pretty

And the spirit is there to be won

Refers to the fact you need to look south of Montreal at a past hiding place

9.

Oyakawa, Scholes, and Kanno won gold

Stassforth won Silver with stories untold

The Daughter of the Baltic leads one to succeed

This moment in time is what you’ll need

References US Olympic swimmers who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. The treasure chest in 1952 was found near the current Highland Park swimming pool.

10. 

Clue number twelve from fifty two

Helps us spell out what to do

In case your domain is in the dark

Look east of the pool at Highland Park

Pretty self explanatory. 

11.

East of the pool is a single trail

Through the woods but don’t despair

At the end of the trail and to the left

You’ve cleared the point if you are deft

Leads you to the location of the treasure

12.

Highland Park will lead to the mark

At the site where it all began

Arthur was there and dug with care

He found it and became the man

Search by the pool and you’ll stay cool

East on a trail will get you hot

Left on a point an incline annoints 

The chest and it’s contents are sought

Gives the exact location of the treasure.

Well it didn't take long after Clue 9 came out but the medallion was FOUND! It was found by Todd Pittman, working with Josh Ellingson who found it in Highland Park on the site of the original 1952 Pioneer Press hiding spot. Todd was a registered hunter and thus wins the full $250 prize! Clue Explanations to come in a bit.

My apologies, there was a typo in the first line. It should read:
Oyakawa, Scholes, and Konno won gold

Here is the new clue:   Clue #9 Oyakawa, Scholes, and Kanno won gold Stassforth won Silver with stories untold The Daughter of the Baltic leads one to succeed This moment in time is what you’ll need   And here are the previous clues:   Clue #8 Treasure hunt fame is the name of our game Past winners are brought to the front Look south of the city, Ville-Marie so pretty And the spirit is there to be won    Clue #7 While under the snow, a golden glow Might be present at a cloudless sunset Take some direction for treasured perfection And keep a close eye on the jets   Clue #6 Mark, replot, respect how hunters get hot Yet many others play mainly tin golf It’s chatroom fun for both old and young Just mix some letters to solve   Clue #5 This tale of loot, should lead you to scoot Near a road that many have traveled Total finds plus one will lead to the fun And have this important mystery unraveled   Clue #4 Boreas’ treasure’s brought great pleasure To thousands does his royalty send Fifteen hides that preceded finds To park just look for the end   Clue #3 Chuck died that year, but don’t load your Tears One of his men arrived at the scene When the hunt seems odd, don’t Ax the sod Neal took over and kept things clean   Clue #2 Back in school, I thought physics was cool The rabbit saw the route to the dough The classes were rough, with equations tough To Finish first seek a two to ten ratio   Clue #1 It’s the White Rabbit Quest - At my behest Let’s renew our treasure hunt banner Go out and have fun - he won’t be outdone And remember it’s just her manner

I asked my daughter that same question tonight.. Haha

Oops, no. That was a line of text I lost when trying to copy and paste yesterday. Now I know where it went. Sorry about the confusion.

The words “And the previous clues:” in Clue #6  is part of the clue, right? 

Here is the new clue:   Clue #8 Treasure hunt fame is the name of our game Past winners are brought to the front Look south of the city, Ville-Marie so pretty And the spirit is there to be won    And here are the previous clues:   Clue #7 While under the snow, a golden glow Might be present at a cloudless sunset Take some direction for treasured perfection And keep a close eye on the jets   Clue #6 Mark, replot, respect how hunters get hot Yet many others play mainly tin golf It’s chatroom fun for both old and young Just mix some letters to solve And the previous clues:   Clue #5 This tale of loot, should lead you to scoot Near a road that many have traveled Total finds plus one will lead to the fun And have this important mystery unraveled   Clue #4 Boreas’ treasure’s brought great pleasure To thousands does his royalty send Fifteen hides that preceded finds To park just look for the end   Clue #3 Chuck died that year, but don’t load your Tears One of his men arrived at the scene When the hunt seems odd, don’t Ax the sod Neal took over and kept things clean   Clue #2 Back in school, I thought physics was cool The rabbit saw the route to the dough The classes were rough, with equations tough To Finish first seek a two to ten ratio   Clue #1 It’s the White Rabbit Quest - At my behest Let’s renew our treasure hunt banner Go out and have fun - he won’t be outdone And remember it’s just her manner

Here is the new clue:   Clue #7 While under the snow, a golden glow Might be present at a cloudless sunset Take some direction for treasured perfection And keep a close eye on the jets   And here are the previous clues:   Clue #6 Mark, replot, respect how hunters get hot Yet many others play mainly tin golf It’s chatroom fun for both old and young Just mix some letters to solve And the previous clues:   Clue #5 This tale of loot, should lead you to scoot Near a road that many have traveled Total finds plus one will lead to the fun And have this important mystery unraveled   Clue #4 Boreas’ treasure’s brought great pleasure To thousands does his royalty send Fifteen hides that preceded finds To park just look for the end   Clue #3 Chuck died that year, but don’t load your Tears One of his men arrived at the scene When the hunt seems odd, don’t Ax the sod Neal took over and kept things clean   Clue #2 Back in school, I thought physics was cool The rabbit saw the route to the dough The classes were rough, with equations tough To Finish first seek a two to ten ratio   Clue #1 It’s the White Rabbit Quest - At my behest Let’s renew our treasure hunt banner Go out and have fun - he won’t be outdone And remember it’s just her manner

Here is the new clue:  
Clue #6
Mark, replot, respect how hunters get hot Yet many others play mainly tin golf It’s chatroom fun for both old and young Just mix some letters to solve And the previous clues:  
Clue #5 This tale of loot, should lead you to scoot Near a road that many have traveled Total finds plus one will lead to the fun And have this important mystery unraveled   Clue #4 Boreas’ treasure’s brought great pleasure To thousands does his royalty send Fifteen hides that preceded finds To park just look for the end   Clue #3 Chuck died that year, but don’t load your Tears One of his men arrived at the scene When the hunt seems odd, don’t Ax the sod Neal took over and kept things clean   Clue #2 Back in school, I thought physics was cool The rabbit saw the route to the dough The classes were rough, with equations tough To Finish first seek a two to ten ratio   Clue #1 It’s the White Rabbit Quest - At my behest Let’s renew our treasure hunt banner Go out and have fun - he won’t be outdone And remember it’s just her manner

Medical emergencies have been resolved. We now resume our normal programming.

Here is the new clue:   Clue #5 This tale of loot, should lead you to scoot Near a road that many have traveled Total finds plus one will lead to the fun And have this important mystery unraveled   And the previous clues:   Clue #4 Boreas’ treasure’s brought great pleasure To thousands does his royalty send Fifteen hides that preceded finds To park just look for the end   Clue #3 Chuck died that year, but don’t load your Tears One of his men arrived at the scene When the hunt seems odd, don’t Ax the sod Neal took over and kept things clean   Clue #2 Back in school, I thought physics was cool The rabbit saw the route to the dough The classes were rough, with equations tough To Finish first seek a two to ten ratio   Clue #1 It’s the White Rabbit Quest - At my behest Let’s renew our treasure hunt banner Go out and have fun - he won’t be outdone And remember it’s just her manner

Yes I agree the first time will have kinks to work out. I only wanted to point out that by having the whole hunt come down to a tie breaker, it then becomes about the tie breaker and not the hunt.

We enjoyed learning new facts about Saint Paul history. Thank you for researching and writing the clues David, we appreciate all the time it must have taken you. it was a lot of fun and we're hoping it will be back next year.

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I had a blast with this— I did drop off once I realized I was statistically eliminated, but I still loved it.

The first time you do something it's bound to have some bumps and this turned out to be one of them. The thought was that if multiple teams were tied with a high score I thought it would be better if there was something they could do to earn the win rather than a random drawing. But it was also predicated on the idea that few if any teams would solve all 30 missions. You proved that to be a faulty assumption pretty quickly. Lol. Had no one solved them all, then anyone could have still won up to the end.
So yes, next year we will definitely try something else as a tie breaker. Right now I'm thinking of maybe deducting some points for wrong answers. I may also try to a GPS mission with a specific but not obvious point and the tiebreaker is the team closest to that spot. Or maybe I will think of something else. But now that I know that teams solving all 30 missions is more of a certainty, the tie breaker will definitely have to change.
I am a little surprised you thought the tiebreaker was obvious. I guess that place isn't as obscure as I thought.

I'm wondering if the scavenger hunt is going to be an annual event. It was a lot of fun, but as you can tell by this year's event, it was really a race to finish one clue, the tie breaker.

The reason Matt ( I believe that's the winner's name) only won 2 but didn't win all 3, was because he was a little too late to be the first one to finish the history hunt tie breaker. (I think he was 3rd)

Once you are first to solve the tie breaker, you can take your time to do the rest, because you've already won. I almost wish he had been first in that one as well. Then I would have known it was at least calculated and no one else would have had a chance.

We were the first to finish the history hunt, we completed it the first night. But because one team beat us to the "tie breaker" we lost.

I'm hoping if this is an annual event that the rules are changed. The tie breaker was so simple that whoever lives closest to the spot can get there first, so they win. The first half hour of the hunt determined the winner.

Please consider changing the rules for the way you win this contest in the future, to make it a little more fair for everyone. Thanks

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I know clue 4 was already posted but I’m wondering if I would be eligible for the extra cash if I registered now. 

As you may or may not know I wrote the clues for the new Scavenger Hunt event that the Winter Carnival had this year. We ran it through an app called Goosechase and it all worked out pretty well. However it was a unique thing and we can't reuse the clues next year. So even though you can no longer use the app to check your answers, I am attaching three PDF's that have all the clues for the three hunts (one focused on the parks, one on historical stuff, and one on fun things to do in town). All three were strictly St. Paul. And then I am attaching another three PDFs with the explanations. So maybe you can appoint someone to check your answers for you or maybe you'll come up with your best guess for each and then check them yourselves. That is all up to you. Feel free to use them with your friends or maybe as an event for work or a social group. But you're not allowed to charge money for it as the Winter Carnival maintains those rights.

Clue #4Boreas’ treasure’s brought great pleasure
To thousands does his royalty send
Fifteen hides that preceded finds
To park just look for the end



Texting this one from the hospital. Sorry about the poor formatting. 

Sorry, had a minor medical emergency in the family and lost track of time...   Here is the new clue:   Clue #3 Chuck died that year, but don’t load your Tears One of his men arrived at the scene When the hunt seems odd, don’t Ax the sod Neal took over and kept things clean   And the previous clue:   Clue #2 Back in school, I thought physics was cool The rabbit saw the route to the dough The classes were rough, with equations tough To Finish first seek a two to ten ratio   Clue #1 It’s the White Rabbit Quest - At my behest Let’s renew our treasure hunt banner Go out and have fun - he won’t be outdone And remember it’s just her manner