The Hunt goes on for another day. If the state goes into lockdown, the hunt will be suspended and more details will follow. Until then, have fun working on the clues. If you do venture out to hunt, remember to keep a distance from people and it's probably a good idea to wear gloves. Here is today's clue:
Clue #3
The Postal Service might make you nervous
But lots of letters are a useful aid.
How many needed if unimpeded?
Somewhere above forty you’ll have it made.
And the previous clues:
Clue #2
Find this bit of lore about forty-four,
By looking at pre-Columbian times.
An endearing site will help set you right
And give direction to these little rhymes.
Clue #1
Whether snow or no, this hunt is a go.
Fresh air and sunshine will do you much good.
To dodge the virus is most desirous
So wash your hands, not just because you should.
You should break your stride, and go catch a ride
To a place of numeric harmony.
Now Saint Paul’s a Twin, but the code to win
Is to call the place a solo city.
The hunt is now less than 24 hours away. The deed has been done and the Allison Wonderland medallion sleeps outdoors tonight. Who will find it this year? It's truly anyone's game as the field is open to everyone to participate with no registration fee. The clues will be tricky, but I assume many of you will have time on your hands to try and figure them out so have at it. A new clue will be released each day at 5pm, up to 12 clues. The hunt will go until someone finds it or I come to the inescapable conclusion that something has gone horribly wrong. Two things to keep in mind:
1. To add some danger to the hunt, I licked the medallion before hiding it. 2. Outside of the clues and the rules, never trust anything I tell you.
With what seems like everything in life getting cancelled, you were probably wondering what's going to happen with the AW Mock Hunt. Is that going to get cancelled too? The answer is NO! Treasure hunting is definitely not a contact sport. A lot of it is working from home anyway, trying to figure out the clues. And even if you do go out to the park to look for it, especially during a mock hunt, you're generally not close to other hunters. So there's no reason to think that treasure hunting poses a danger to anyone or violates social distancing. On the contrary, fresh air and sunshine are time-proven methods to fight off such illnesses. So we will begin the Mock Hunt this Wednesday as scheduled. Some of you might have heard the St. Paul Parks Dept. announce a closure, but they are only closing their buildings. They're not going to kick people out of public outdoor spaces (though I wouldn't be surprised if they were extra jumpy about people in the parks after hours).
But as I said, a couple of things will be different. First off, there will not be a kickoff party. At this point, I don't even know if Joseph's or any other restaurant will even be open. And even if there was a place to go, such a gathering is the kind of thing to avoid right now. Secondly, since a lot of people tend to pay their registrations at the kickoff, I'm going to change the prize structure for this hunt. I'm going to do away with the registrations for this event and make it free for everyone to participate. But given the associated lack of a cash influx, I'm also going to make the prize just $200. But now everyone who wants to participate can, while at the same time no one should feel obligated to do so if they'd rather not because they already invested money into it. Speaking of people who have already invested, a few people did already pay me a registration fee. I believe they were generally offered in the context of a broader donation, but if anyone who did pay would like their money back, just let me know.
Otherwise expect clues to come out at 5pm daily until either we hit 12 or it is found. It will be on public property in St. Paul. It will not be indoors, up a tree, on a roof, on a steep hillside, on top of ice or in a body of water (can't make any promises about puddles), inside of anything electrical, or anywhere else that would make you question if this might be a bad idea to look there. You do need to return the medallion to claim your prize.
We all get excited each year when the Pioneer Press's medallion hunt comes along. With its big prize and thousands of competitors, it can be quite a thrill. Perhaps a little less so when it expects you to know where a past team doctor for the MN Vikings used to live. But nevertheless we tend to be sad when it is over.
In the meantime there are lots of other hunts that happen during the year all over the Twin Cities and even the state. Some are put on by various cities while others are done by some of our fellow hunters. But I have heard it said that the triple crown of treasure hunting is made up of the Pioneer Press Medallion Hunt, the White Bear Lake city hunt, and the Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt. Perhaps that is because this year will be the 20th year that it has been going on. And thus I would like to go ahead and announce the 2020 Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt. This is a 12 clue hunt with one clue per day. The treasure is a medallion about 2 inches across and half an inch think that will be hidden somewhere on public property in St. Paul. Your job is to decipher the clues and get to the medallion before any other hunter (or park worker!) does.
The medallion is not going to be anywhere that is ruled out by the PP Medallion Hunt (including Indian Mounds). It will also not be indoors, on a body of frozen (or open) water, on a steep hillside, on top of a building, up a tree, inside of anything electrical, nor anywhere else that might make you question if looking there is a good idea. Beyond that, you will have to follow the clues.
The first clue will be issued on Wednesday, March 18th at 5:00pm and each subsequent clue will also be posted at 5pm on this site. There will also be a kickoff party at Joseph's Grill that night starting at 6pm for anyone that would like to go (it's pasta bar night!)
If you would like to register for the hunt, you can do so by getting $10 to me before the release of the 4th clue. Paying me at the kickoff or sending it via Paypa to AllisonWondrland@... (remember to "send to a friend") would be the easiest though other methods can be arranged. Registering will make you eligible to win the full prize of $500 (as well as supporting the hunt). But in the spirit of "no purchase required" you can also participate for free and still win $100 if you find it. Registration fees beyond $100 in that case will get donated to another hunt. The winner must return the medallion to claim the prize money.
I think that covers except for this one last, but very important rule: Outside of the clues, never trust the cluewriter! Otherwise good luck!
Unfortunately I did not make it to the rehash bash. It did look like a good time on the Facebook page. Perhaps we can set up a different way for me to collect my fame and fortune. Lol
Thank you Joan Del Rio about my mother. I need to fly out to Colorado and say Good-by to my 98 year old mother who just went downhill fast this last week. I was looking forward to the Rehash Bash. It is a lot of fun to see the faces of people who are normally all wrapped up in their winter garb on the hunt. The food and prizes are also great. I will be sad to miss it. Enjoy!
Is there still a disc golf course at Como? There was one there in 2014. I saw Clue 10 scrambled, saw the words lover’s, gap, putts, and pitches and thought it meant the gates ajar and that disc golf course so went to bed thinking it was Como and it would go to Clue 12. Rude awakening this morning.
Secret rose, sorry to hear of your mother’s health issues. Safe travels. MNRose, come to the rehash. Actually it would be fun if everybody came. It’s a good time. Potluck. Camaraderie. Prizes. Usually the finder(s) come.
IMHO last year, 2019, at Long Lake was the best hunt in a long time. Some clues were less than obvious, but attainable with reasonable research. This year there were only a couple of explanations that I could call completely sensible. And I know clue writing is an art, am grateful for the hunt, and I won’t complain as long as it’s reasonable. It seems the only goal of some of this year’s clues was to mislead. That’s not fun. David, thanks for all of your work. The new site is great - feels/functions like the old Yahoo group. See you Sunday. To those not attending the Rehash ... see you next year!
How much thought did they really put into it...highland disc golf course is 9 holes, I've played this course often their explanation says something like between holes 13 and 14...
i read everything you said in the RICKY GREVAISE ACCENT…LOL..IT MADE SENCE TO ME…and so does my spelling…sorry about your DAD!
mt007ab@... (MIKE T.)
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28 minutes 3 seconds ago
The Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt is part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival every year. While the prize can only go to one winner, The Allison Wonderland is dedicated to the community spirit of treasure hunting. Here, not only will you find out about the Pre-Dig Gig, the Rehash Bash, and various other social events, but we also discuss the clues here in a team effort to decipher them (albeit not always successfully). This is a place to discuss ideas respectfully, report on what's happening "on the ground", and provide each other with useful information. This is a public group so expect that anything posted will be seen by everyone.