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I apologize as I have been quite busy getting ready for the Winter Carnival (remember, the reason for the season! lol) and also sick on and off since Christmas. But I guess time is up as Clue 1 is out! So yes, we will do what we always do here although I will probably remain a bit distracted.

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I vote here!

"I always get to where I am going, by walking away from where I have been" ~Winnie the Pooh. ​

Hi David,
Will you be posting on here for the upcoming Treasure Hunt, or does everyone get their info from the PP Treasure Hunt Facebook page now?

Clue #1

Having kept our pact, it’s my turn to act.

Following a hunt unprecedented.

Since I sat idly, while Jake grinned snidely

Maybe now you are disoriented?

 

So my hunt begins just as the snow thins.

Thus other hiding methods I’ve employed.

Go study the lawn, watch your step thereon.

As some grass is a thing best to avoid.

 

Since it was at College Park there were some collegiate references here such as “ACT”, “SAT”, and “study”. “Unprecedented referred to the fact this park has not been used before in either the Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt or the Pioneer Press Medallion Hunt. To “orient” something literally means to face it to the east. So being disoriented would suggest looking in a western park. “The lawn” in question is an area on the St. Paul U of M campus called “The Lawn”. If you study an arial map you will see it has two sidewalks that come together to form an arrow that points right at nearby College Park. But The Lawn is not where the treasure is. Nor is it in the grass at College Park.

 

Clue #2

If you go wander both to and yonder

You might find a bench good for relaxing.

Or if you’re brain-fried, let faith be a guide,

As analyzing these clues is taxing.

 

This is letting you know that the park has benches, which are a fairly prominent feature at College Park. It is also next to a church named St. Matthew’s. Matthew had been a tax collector prior to becoming an apostle.

 

Clue #3

When the ground is slick the trip will be quick

To the icy bottom from up on top.

Or in a warmer time the kids can still climb

And use a slide to make a lesser drop.

 

This is referring to the topology of the park where kids can slide down into the park in the winter. It also alludes to the playground which has a slide.

 

Clue #4

A neighborly park with plenty of bark

Is a scenic spot for hunters to meet.

When looking map-wise, questioning the size,

You won’t see it on both sides of a street.

 

This park is not only a neighborhood park, it literally has next door neighbors that share the block with it. The bark refers to the many trees in the park. The last part of the clue just tells you the park is confined to one block.

 

Clue #5

An old bearded man came here with a plan

To beautify every city shoreline.

He did some streets too, land around the zoo,

Now my coin’s in a park of his design.

 

Horace Cleveland and his beard moved to MN when he was 72 to work for the city of Minneapolis designing parks and parkways. The city of St. Paul got him to work for them too where he designed four of our major parks including Como. But he also designed the neighborhood of St. Anthony Park where College Park is located. Cleveland is also a street very nearby.

 

Clue #6

Maybe bring a treat, there’s nowhere to eat,

And not a single restaurant in sight.

Better come for sports where scouting reports

Say only balls that bounce will be alright.

 

This clue alludes to the fact that there are no picnic tables in the park, nor can you see any restaurants from the park. There are tennis courts and basketball courts which both involve bouncing a ball. But there are no baseball or football fields, where you typically don’t bounce the ball. It also hints that the area with the courts will be better than the rest of the park in your search.

 

Clue #7

The street corner’s light, sufficiently bright,

Is about the only thing with power.

Hunting in the day seems a better way,

But you might find you have only an hour.

 

This is telling you that it’s a largely rustic park with the street lights being the only electric thing in the park. It also subtly hints at the fact that the park has only one true street corner (another corner is private homes and the other two corners have a trail on one side, not a street). Also, one of the street lights is very near the treasure and has a 1 hour parking sign on it.

 

Clue #8

You think you’ve done well, but how can you tell?

Is it possible that you’ve all been pwned?

You should find a park that’s within a park,

And has three guys who are forever stoned.

 

“Done well” is an allusion to “Doswell”, a street that borders the park. College Park is within St. Anthony Park. The park also has three large boulders each dedicated to a different man, thus leaving them forever “stoned”.

 

Clue #9

Two streets adjacent, but not subjacent,

Lead all the way to the city’s border.

The third you can’t see. Can I afford three?

Yet it’s the fourth that’s highest in order.

 

Doswell and Carter both border the park, but are above most of the park and thus not subjacent (implying the park is something of a valley). If you follow those streets west, they basically touch the border of St. Paul. The third street, Chelmsford (“a ford”), shows on Google maps but isn’t really there. The fourth street, Raymond, is the one closest to the treasure. Also a hint to look “high” as the treasure is both off the ground and on the highest land in the park.

 

Clue #10

Searching high and low, but which way to go?

The answer will be to keep your head up.

You ought to refrain going down the drain

And this might be easy as a lay-up.

 

Another reference to the terrain of the park. Keeping your head up suggests to look off the ground and to look on the high ground of the park. Stay away from the area with the big drainage structure. Instead the treasure is found very near one of the basketball nets.

 

Clue #11

If feeling foiled and a bit roiled,

Then maybe seek the treasure by degrees.

Be ever on guard for this test is hard,

But a well-done lunge can make it a breeze.

 

“Foil”, “On guard”, and “lunge” are all fencing terms, indicating that the treasure is hidden on a fence. “Degrees” and “test” should clear up the park for any remaining doubters.

 

Clue #12

Time to graduate and go seize your fate.

Raymond will prove a great mentor to you.

Things are looking up, take hold of the cup,

Tearing down fences is the thing to do.

 

“Graduate” again implies College Park. Raymond is the street along which the treasure lies. One should look up and take ahold of the cup-like cap sitting on the fence that holds the medallion.

The Allison Wonderland medallion has been found! It was found at College Park around 7:30pm I believe by Steven Sanftner. It was hidden on a fence post on the fence around the basketball court along Raymond Ave. Steven was registered and will receive the full prize.

Here is the new clue:   Clue #6 Maybe bring a treat, there’s nowhere to eat, And not a single restaurant in sight. Best to come for sports where scouting reports Say only balls that bounce will be alright.   And the previous clues:   Clue #5 An old bearded man came here with a plan To beautify every city shoreline. He did some streets too, land around the zoo, Now my coin’s in a park of his design.   Clue #4 A neighborly park with plenty of bark Is a scenic spot for hunters to meet. When looking map-wise, questioning the size, You won’t see it on both sides of a street.   Clue #3 When the ground is slick the trip will be quick To the icy bottom from up on top. In a warmer time the kids can still climb And use sand to bring their slide to a stop.   Clue #2 If you go wander both to and yonder You might find a bench good for relaxing. Or if you’re brain-fried, let faith be a guide, As analyzing these clues is taxing.   Clue #1 Having kept our pact, it’s my turn to act. Following a hunt unprecedented. Since I sat idly, while Jake grinned snidely Maybe now you are disoriented?   So my hunt begins just as the snow thins. Thus other hiding methods I’ve employed. Go study the lawn, watch your step thereon. As some grass is a thing best to avoid.

Here is the new clue:   Clue #5 An old bearded man came here with a plan To beautify every city shoreline. He did some streets too, land around the zoo, Now my coin’s in a park of his design.   And the previous clues:   Clue #4 A neighborly park with plenty of bark Is a scenic spot for hunters to meet. When looking map-wise, questioning the size, You won’t see it on both sides of a street.   Clue #3 When the ground is slick the trip will be quick To the icy bottom from up on top. In a warmer time the kids can still climb And use sand to bring their slide to a stop.   Clue #2 If you go wander both to and yonder You might find a bench good for relaxing. Or if you’re brain-fried, let faith be a guide, As analyzing these clues is taxing.   Clue #1 Having kept our pact, it’s my turn to act. Following a hunt unprecedented. Since I sat idly, while Jake grinned snidely Maybe now you are disoriented?   So my hunt begins just as the snow thins. Thus other hiding methods I’ve employed. Go study the lawn, watch your step thereon. As some grass is a thing best to avoid.

Here is the new clue:   Clue #4 A neighborly park with plenty of bark Is a scenic spot for hunters to meet. When looking map-wise, questioning the size, You won’t see it on both sides of a street.   And the previous clues:   Clue #3 When the ground is slick the trip will be quick To the icy bottom from up on top. In a warmer time the kids can still climb And use sand to bring their slide to a stop.   Clue #2 If you go wander both to and yonder You might find a bench good for relaxing. Or if you’re brain-fried, let faith be a guide, As analyzing these clues is taxing.   Clue #1 Having kept our pact, it’s my turn to act. Following a hunt unprecedented. Since I sat idly, while Jake grinned snidely Maybe now you are disoriented?   So my hunt begins just as the snow thins. Thus other hiding methods I’ve employed. Go study the lawn, watch your step thereon. As some grass is a thing best to avoid.

Here is the new clue:   Clue #3 When the ground is slick the trip will be quick To the icy bottom from up on top. In a warmer time the kids can still climb And use sand to bring their slide to a stop.   And the previous clues:   Clue #2 If you go wander both to and yonder You might find a bench good for relaxing. Or if you’re brain-fried, let faith be a guide, As analyzing these clues is taxing.   Clue #1 Having kept our pact, it’s my turn to act. Following a hunt unprecedented. Since I sat idly, while Jake grinned snidely Maybe now you are disoriented?   So my hunt begins just as the snow thins. Thus other hiding methods I’ve employed. Go study the lawn, watch your step thereon. As some grass is a thing best to avoid.

Here is the new clue:   Clue #2 If you go wander both to and yonder You might find a bench good for relaxing. Or if you’re brain-fried, let faith be a guide,  As analyzing these clues is taxing.   And the previous clue:   Clue #1 Having kept our pact, it’s my turn to act. Following a hunt unprecedented. Since I sat idly, while Jake grinned snidely Maybe now you are disoriented?   So my hunt begins just as the snow thins. Thus other hiding methods I’ve employed. Go study the lawn, watch your step thereon. As some grass is a thing best to avoid.

The Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt (Take 2) is now officially underway. Up to 12 clues, one per day. The hunt goes until either the medallion is found or the hunt is considered FUBAR. If you were registered for the first one, you will also be registered for this one and are eligible for the full $250 prize.   Remember the medallion will not be hidden on a body of water, up a tree, on top of a building, inside anything electrical, indoors, inside anything electrical, on a steep incline, anywhere ruled out in the Pioneer Press hunt, or anywhere that should make you question if looking there is really a good idea.   Clue #1 Having kept our pact, it’s my turn to act. Following a hunt unprecedented. Since I sat idly, while Jake grinned snidely Maybe now you are disoriented?   So my hunt begins just as the snow thins. Thus other hiding methods I’ve employed. Go study the lawn, watch your step thereon. As some grass is a thing best to avoid.

Actually the titles were meant to give you a clue if I thought the clue itself was too obscure. I wasn't sure how hard the clues should be though I definitely underestimated people by thinking there was a possibility no team would solve all of them.
Spacing out the clues is a thought. The only downside would be if someone was available the first weekend but not the second for example.

I have a thought of how to make it last longer....what If all clues weren't released on the first day? Of possible eith the app, a timed release of say 5 clues each day? It could last for the whole festival and people could participate leisurely for most of it besides the day of the final clues.  Also, sometimes the titles of the clues gave away a lot, your clues would have been much harder without the titles I think. We had  a ton of fun and appreciate all the work you put into this! 

It would change things a bit but not fundamentally solve the problem. It would just mean the first team to solve all the missions would win and there would still be no chance for anyone else to win after that. This year it still would have been essentially over after 6 hours, we just would have had a different winner. And if no team had gotten them all, then no one would have gotten the tiebreaker either 
The goal is to make it so that people can take the whole 10 days and still have a shot at winning up to the last day, without it just being random.

David, I believe a simple solution is that the tie breaker cannot be done until you've solved all of the other clues. By doing this you also keep people from sweeping more than one category as well. 

Well played Jake and David!

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.