My Phalen thought on this clue is that it does refer to James J. Hill. He was in fact a coal guy who moved to St. Paul and then started up a railroad, the Great Northern. His path would have been the railways (though I think that is also a hint to a current day path). Math is neither good nor bad, so I'm thinking in this case good math means "profitable", which his railroad was. He at one point tried to buy the Northern Pacific railroad but then had to give it up because of anti-trust laws, though he still mostly controlled it. So in that sense, the Northern Pacific "fell short of Hill". But what once was the Northern Pacific railway is now the Bruce Vento Trail. Of course this answer could also apply to BVNS and Swede Hollow and maybe Mounds. But it definitely goes by Phalen, right by where I think it is. I strongly suspect we will get a Bruce Vento clue tonight.
I wish the clues didn’t have me changing my mind every 5 seconds.
It could be JJH - and odds of a small downtown park may have never been higher. That said if it is a Hill reference I would guess they are talking about Walnut Street, which falls just short of the mansion- and past old St Luke’s Hospital to Irvine Park.
My initial read on this one is about Chris Coleman, who helped champion the renovation of the Sam Morgan Trail which runs by but does not reach Downtown up hill. The city commissioned a study to see how much a direct connection to the Vento Trail would cost (good math) but have not started the project. How this relates to other clues is beyond me.
At this point I just hope these aren’t all references to trash they littered on the ground again.
I am a reformed fairgrounds truther. It is definitely not in any county, and is only subordinate to the State of MN.
MN Stat. 37.01 says among other things “Any part of the State Fairgrounds which is within the boundaries of a city or other political subdivision of the state is detached from the city or political subdivision.”
I don't think the streetcar noodle was bupkis. It's still a cornerstone of my Phalen theory. I didn't post it here because it was your theory but you can if you like. I thought it sounded better than any other explanation for that clue that I have heard. David B. Allison
That made it easier. Thanks for the maps. I pulled up the 1924 map, however his railroads went by many of the parks. It did seem to knock out the far western ones however.
Nice seeing you tonight at Shamrocks. My kids are always impressed when they meet you. Changing back to IMP for park pool clue #9. Thanks. Gotta stick with my gut, even though the clues seem like they are fitting multiple places. Even wondering about Pig's Eye Regional Park!
Why would there be a clue about James J. Hill this late in the game if it's at Harriet Island? I don't see it. Unless Hill had some connection to Harriet Island or Dr. Justus Ohage, or the water clues.
If you take the James J Hill house our coal manwhose house (lay down roots) is on Summit Ave.overlooking the bluff or hill if you willYou align his house (His Path) and it over looks Eagle Street Park Plaza (very tiny)Upper Landing (That has been mentioned)ANDHARRIET ISLAND ! If its on Harriet Island, I'm just gonna laugh
David!!!!
How can we still be so unsettled with the park
I need another one of your famous emails with all the “typicals” or the thoughts on what the clue writer is trying to do here.
I feel like this is a new clue writer this year.......
I can’t remember when it has been this far into the hunt and I have still not been solid on the park that I think the puck is hidden.
What gives....
!?
I guess there is a case for Harriet Island with clue 8. But the rest of the clues, iffy, maybe, uhhh sorta. But definitely 8 for sure!Water is Grand (Mississippi) what could be Grander than the mighty?Up above and lower still referring to the WATER (Harriet Island used to flood all the time)rubber boot (past treasure reference)Bower - it could mean absolutely nothing but a word to sorta rhyme with lowerIn the past I have read way too deep into the clues thinking that every single thing meant something, and to find out later, the whole 4 line clue only had one tidbit in it. So sometimes a clue points to one thing only. But as for #8, I think Harriet fits, now as for 1-7 the more I look, you were right to throw down something on Harriet, It could happen! It was there in the 70's I remember, I was a kid, first park I ever went to to look for a medalion, was at one time about 5 feet from it. Heard them yelling, was like Oh so close!
Funny, l had picked Harriet the other day because no one had it picked on Park picks and l had no chance on my favorites. I however looked at the clues today and it also works with most of the clues. Now the rubber boots is ironic. It is a throw the dice hunt.
handlinrose@... (secretrose)
Checked
3 minutes 16 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.