Can't remember where I left off on clues, but I know I missed one or two. So, here the last three:
5. Go to the place, it's no disgrace, Where the girls shall be happy to dance Don't look in the rough, but if you want the stuff You may have to get dirt on your pants
6. Take your bow, don't aim low, Be steady on your feet Take a stand with your fiery band And prepare for the coming defeat
7. Still up a creek? Here's where to peek, Though be wary to avoid a wet drop This is no foolin' - monster fish are schoolin' Not far from the wintry crop.
I'm really starting to lean toward Phalen. Wintery Crop could be the ice blocks they harvested from Lake Phalen for the ice palace. And nearby, there's a giant fish mural (monster fish).
8. Tilt at a windmill, hunt till a standstill A plump pitcher may hold you at bay Look it's quite likely not far from old lakely "What a bunch of malarkey!" you say
Clue 9 Go take a risk, we threw the disk where it seems you're far from succeedin' unless you are blind, the treasure you'll find Among plants that are unfit for weedin'.
Game, set, match. It's at Phalen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clue 10 what could be bolder than killing a soldier a crime both evil and grim accused of the deed but soon after freed so we name a park after him.
A big fat nothing in the new info department. Edward Phelen(sic) was the settler that Phalen was named after. He was accused of killing a soldier, the first accused murderer in St Paul.
This will just bring in more people who were still (foolishly) in other parks.
PHELAN, EDWARD - Phelan was born in Londonderry, Ireland in 1811, and worked as a laborer until he enlisted in the US Army at the age of 24. He was 6'2½" tall, with a fair complexion and a marvelous physique. He was, however, reported to be of a less than a marvelous disposition. He was supposed to have led a lawless and criminal life before his enlistment. He and William Evans were discharged from Fort Snelling at the same time in 1838, and John Hays was expecting his discharge two months later. Hays wanted to settle near his comrades, so he made an arrangement with Phelan wherein Phelan would make a claim for him, and build a cabin for the two men to share, with Hays furnishing the money to Phelan for these purchases. Phelan did make the claim, but his attempts at a cabin were less than elegant and remained unfinished when Hays joined him the following Spring. Neighbors reported that the two men were not very compatable and fought constantly that Summer.
About the middle of September, 1839, Hays mysteriously disappeared. He was missed for several days, and Phelan gave evasive answers to questions by neighbors. When word of the disappearence reached Fort Snelling, where Hays was very popular, Major Taliaferro, the Indian Agent, inquired of his contacts among the Native American community if they had seen Hays. On September 27th, Wabsheedah called at the Fort to report that his sons had found the body of Hays in the river at Carver's Cave. Phelan was arrested for the murder, tried, and served six months in the territorial prison at Prairie du Chien, when a dying Indian confessed to the crime, and Phelan was released.
Returning to his St. Paul claim, which he still insisted he owned, he threatened Vital Guerin, who had taken over the land, saying that he would physically remove him if he did not leave of his own accord. Guerin, a small man, called on a number of his voyageur friends to protect him, and Phelan was warned to leave Guerin alone, or they would come after him. Phalen took the matter to Justice of the Peace Joseph Brown who ruled that his absence for the six months he was serving in prison invalidated his claim. Realizing that he was going to get to further in the matter, Phelan let it drop.
Phelan took up a claim at the falls of Phelan's Creek, selling it in 1844, and making another claim on what was then known as "Prospect Hill", the ridge on the upper side of Phelan's Creek just north of where the West Wisconsin Railway used to cross it. This is the area known as Arlington Heights today. Selling that, he made yet another claim to the east of the others, probably as far as Trout Brook, where he lived until 1849. In the Spring of 1850, he again ran afoul of the law, and was indicted for perjury by the first Grand Jury to ever sit in Ramsey County. When the Sheriff went to arrest him, it was found that he had fled to California with Eben Weld and others. Shortly thereafter, it was reported that he had behaved so violently toward his traveling companions that they had been forced to kill him in self defense. [WM71-3, 90-1, 145-6]
Dude!! Remember when, via e-mail yesterday, I said my gut was looking at the north end of Phalen(e-mail attached)? Tonight's clue pinpointed the exactspot I was thinking of! I'm so f-ing jacked. I was out there for about 2 hours. This thing is gonna be hard to find. But, since I figured out the location before they gave out the giveaway clue, everything else is gravy. Yay! Yay!
<doing snoopy happy dance>
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2004 12:54:13 -0800 (PST) From: "Pete"
<millennigern2000@yahoo.com> Add to Address Book Subject: RE: ripped from the invitational thread To: "afc"
Kool-aid wipes out thirst for you, oh yeah!
afc wrote: go with your gut, man! Or your kool-aid detector. -----Original Message----- From: Pete [mailto:millennigern2000@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 2:44 PM To: afc Subject: Re: ripped from the invitational thread
Haven't looked since this morning. Kinda makes sense, but I still feel that it's further north.
afc wrote: Clue # 8 "windmill/standstill" = wheellock parkway "plump pitcher will hold you at bay" = Johnson Parkway for Walter Johnson, Hall of Fame Pitcher for the Washington Senators (the team that ultimately became the Twins). The first letters of the first words of each line can be rearranged to spell "Walt". I think this is saying head down Wheelock but don't go past Johnson Parkway.
Clue #9 "plants unfit for weedin" = IVY, Hyacinth, Magnolia, Jessamine, Rose are all street names in the area where Wheelock and Johnson meet.
Sorry if this is old news. I've been too busy to slog the last couple days.
Between Wheelock and Ivy lane there is a perfect grassy park area where the little puck is probably lying right now. I know where I'm looking tonight!
This almost makes sense to me, dude. Didn't know if you had seen it.
It was freakin' madness out there. These pics don't do it justice. All those little lights you see are flashlights or lanterns. There wsa probably close to 1000 people there.
Unaware of the history of the clues, I thought they all would point to a specific location if deciphered correctly. Thus I put together a reasonable decipher of the clues with that thought in mind, thinking that if you were smart enough you wouldn't have to dig up 25% of Ramsey county to find it. After it wasn't where I thought it was, it occured to me to look at past clues and figure out if this was the case in past years, here is what I came up with:
Clue 1: They tell you it is in a park in Ramsey county. Translation "you have 24 hours to clear 5000 acres of snow" - in other words, the only one who could find it is the commander of the Minnesota national guard.
Clue 2: They give you a worthless clue as to what object it is hidden in, this year the clue was "green". Why did they even give out more clues? A green object in a park in Ramsey county - even Ray Charles could find that one...
Clue 3-4: Either extremely obscure or obvious references to the park it is in. Rain man couldn't figure out the obscure ones and even when they hand out the name of the park, you still need to shovel 50 acres to find it. Might as well get a job driving a snowplow a night. Much higher opportunity cost.
Clue 5-6: Sight line clues like "you can see a radio tower from the location". Thank god!! I can take off my scuba gear and stop combing over the bottom of the lake now!! At this point, you have a better chance of finding Osama (betcha that's the first time you've heard that one, you can insert "WMD" instead if you like that better).
Clue 7-9: Vague area clues like "look high" or "tread softly" that can be spinned into pointing out the location after the fact. "Look high" could mean the north side of the park or it's up in a tree. But, In this example "look high" means the medallion is laying next to the burned out pothead on that bench over there.
Clue 10: They spell out the name of the park for the fifteen people that think it is somewhere else....wouldn't want them to miss out on the fun!!
Clue 11: Eureka!! They narrow it down to a specific 10 acre region for you. Don't worry about shoveling it out because you'll have 50,000 co-shovelers to help you. Your odds of actually being the one to find it aren't good, but there better than yesterday when you were looking in a different time zone.
Clue 12: Here is where they hand out maps, GPS coordinates, and send a monkey with a blinking red light on it's head to the treasure spot. I would suggest wearing football pads, a bulletproof vest, an archaic weapon like a spear or a trebuchet, and then wear make-up like Mel Gibson in braveheart. Seriously, you don't want to be the guy that had his hands on the prize and then lost it after Grandma Martha wacked you on the back of the head and stole it away.....
Clue #12 You will be nifty if you remember fifty The number that leads to the zone You should be in Phalen. Stop the regalin'. And go to a bridge made of stone.
It's down Phalen Drive, and should you arrive Across the street from the golf clubhouse, observe: The pastry you'll find by leaving the old palace behind Cross the bridge, on the path, make the curve.
All your hunting hours lead to a sign for wildflowers Across the path from a picnic table. Table and sign form a line, with which you must align Head up the hill if you're able.
Fifty large paces, you're off to the races From the path to some tumbledown woods. If you stay on the line, on a side-hill you'll find Under fallen trees, a green donut, with the goods.
Inside this confection lies plastic perfection But remember, to keep the hunt credible. The hunt's heart and soul is inside the donut's hole It's valuable - but definitely not edible!
When the clue was released, the place went crazy. I decided not to go, and I'm glad I did. Friends are coming back now and saying it was incredibly scary and dangerous. 1000-2000 people congregated in a small location. People were pushed, kicked, hit and whacked with shovels and other tools.
I have it on fairly good authority that it's been found, and somebody is on their way to turn it in. I guess we'll see in the morning.
This can't end anywhere good. When they start having riots at the Medallion Hunt, it's days will be numbered. (Just so I can say I told you so in about 5 years) People are devolving, methinks.
And you're not out there? It will be slow now, won't it? Or will the whole ravening horde stay there for hours, skipping work until somebody finally finds it?
Here are this year's clues and the explanation for each clue:
Clue #1 Say it ain't so, Clueless Joe, And all who prattle and bark. Stop yer clue-bashin', if treasure's your passion, Go you look in an area park.
Explanation: A playful counter-rip on people who ripped last year's clues, who were ably led by a popular, winter carnival-connected columnist. This clue says the treasure is in an "area park.'' This differs from the usual "city park'' clue, because Phalen is both a city park and part of the county regional park system.
Clue #2 Jughead has spoken, look for the token We'll make it worth your while Like Archie, you seek an object this week As green as the Emerald Isle.
Explanation: In homage to the Archie & Friends comic (No. 78), which was based on the Pioneer Press Treasure hunt, we hid the medallion in an actual, real donut with gooey green icing. In the comic version, the searchers were supposed to find a plastic green donut. They found it among books in a library. Token suggests nearby Arcade Street, and isle refers to island in the park.
Clue #3 "Help me!" you say. "Any time. Any day. It's neither here nor there." A quite clever device, but beware false advice. Prank? Perhaps. All is fair.
Explanation: Take the first word in each line, put them together, and it reads, "Help it's a prank," which refers to our prankish ploy of borrowing the green donut from the Archie & Friends comic book. More importantly, it's an anagram - clever device - for "It's Phalen Park."
Clue #4 East Side, West Side, take your honey for a ride To a stony and sandy place Come one, come all, ever following the bouncing ball To the swift belongs the race.
Explanation: Stony and sandy place refers to all the Depression-era stonework and the beach on Phalen Lake and the sand traps at Phalen's golf course. The medallion is on the West Side of Phalen Lake, and the park is in St. Paul's East Side. Bouncing ball refers to the nearby green handball courts, and ride to the road and bike paths by the lake.
Clue #5 Go to the place, it's no disgrace, Where the girls shall be happy to dance Don't look in the rough, but if you want the stuff You may have to get dirt on your pants.
Explanation: The place is the Bible, which is quoted on the old stone monument dedicated to the conservation corps in Phalen. "The girls shall be happy to dance" refers to the beginning of Jeremiah 31:13, the later lines of which are inscribed on the monument. "Shall" hints the Bible reference. The rough line warns hunters away from nearby Phalen and Keller golf courses. Dirt on pants hints that the medallion is on the ground.
Clue #6 Take your bow, don't aim low, Be steady on your feet Take a stand with your fiery band And prepare for the coming defeat
Explanation: Street clues and topographical hints. "Don't aim low" refers to medallion's location just down from a ridge and "stand" to the trees where the medallion is hidden. Band, bow and stand suggests Sherwood Forest of Robin Hood and his merry band, which in turn leads you to Sherwood Avenue near the park. The park is one of few to have an archery range. Coming defeat suggests failin' - the aural equivalent of Phalen.
Clue #7 Still up a creek? Here's where to peek, Though be wary to avoid a wet drop This is no foolin' - monster fish are schoolin' Not far from the wintry crop.
Explanation: Creek refers to nearby Phalen Creek. Wet drop warns hunters away from the recently open water on Lake Phalen where ice castle blocks - the wintry crop - were harvested. Monster fish are on the mural on the side of the lakeside center. Phalen allows fishing.
Clue #8 Tilt at a windmill, hunt till a standstill A plump pitcher may hold you at bay Look it's quite likely not far from old lakely "What a bunch of malarkey!" you say.
Explanation: All clues refer to names on the 1986 Ice Palace monument near the medallion site in Phalen Park. Tilt at a windmill is refers to "Don Quixote," the book about an errant knight who fights windmills by Miguel de Cervantes. Cervantes is a name on the monument as well as Plump, Pitcher, Likely, Lakely and Malarkey. "Old lakely" hints that we are talking about a name and suggests the lake.
Clue #9 Go take a risk, we threw the disk Where it seems you're far from succeedin' Unless you are blind, the treasure you'll find Among plants that are unfit for weedin'.
Explanation: Throwing the disk conjures ``frisbee,'' which leads to nearby Frisbie Street. Far from succeedin' would be again be "failin.'" Blind refers Helen Keller, whose last name is part of Phalen-Keller Regional Park. Not fit for weedin' puts you near the medallion hidden by a wildflower area.
Clue #10 What could be bolder than killing a soldier? A crime both evil and grim. Accused of the deed, but soon after freed So we name a park after him!
Explanation: Old settler Edward Phelan was accused of killing a soldier, but later freed. The creek and the park were named after him, and his name apparently had more than one spelling.
Clue #11 Who can measure the lust for the treasure Between lakes is a donut to own. Up and then down, not square but round, Look for the windows of stone.
Explanation: The donut is located between Round Lake and Phalen Lake. It is in hilly terrain. A nearby pump house had its windows closed with stone.
Clue #12 You will be nifty if you remember fifty The number that leads to the zone You should be in Phalen. Stop the regalin'. And go to a bridge made of stone.
It's down Phalen Drive, and should you arrive Across the street from the golf clubhouse, observe: The pastry you'll find by leaving the old palace behind Cross the bridge, on the path, make the curve.
All your hunting hours lead to a sign for wildflowers Across the path from a picnic table. Table and sign form a line, with which you must align Head up the hill if you're able.
Fifty large paces, you're off to the races From the path to some tumbledown woods. If you stay on the line, on a side-hill you'll find Under fallen trees, a green donut, with the goods.
Inside this confection lies plastic perfection But remember, to keep the hunt credible. The hunt's heart and soul is inside the donut's hole It's valuable - but definitely not edible!
Explanation: Gives directions to a stone bridge across Phalen Drive from the golf course club house. Puts hunters on the path and to a wildflower sign. Asks hunters to align themselves with the sign and a picnic table across the path. Says to go up the hill 50 large paces, staying on this line. On a side hill, under fallen-down woods, the green donut, with the medallion slipped into the donut hole, will be found. A clarifying note that the donut, sitting in snow and dirt and leaves, should not be eaten
Sigh.
<sips beer with Sparky as Frosti rushes around on his Quest>
I gotta' have this beer quick. Hate to pound and run, but I gotta' go hold Frosti's hat as he runs around on his quest. Hee!
Hmpftht. Men I swear.
Where's jenb?
But probably not tonight. I brought a six pack of a new beer I discovered called Bully! Porter from Boulevard Brewing in Kansas City. What you got?
All I got is some Negra Modelo.
Altho I would kill for a Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout.
<makes a mental note for next trip to Blue Max>
How much is shipping to Columbia, anywho?
Negra Modelo is plenty good for me, trade you one.
Actually I'm coming home for two weeks on Friday.
Much beer will be consumed during that time.
Woo and hoo. Have one on me!
Can't remember where I left off on clues, but I know I missed one or two. So, here the last three:
5.
Go to the place, it's no disgrace,
Where the girls shall be happy to dance
Don't look in the rough, but if you want the stuff
You may have to get dirt on your pants
6.
Take your bow, don't aim low,
Be steady on your feet
Take a stand with your fiery band
And prepare for the coming defeat
7.
Still up a creek? Here's where to peek,
Though be wary to avoid a wet drop
This is no foolin' - monster fish are schoolin'
Not far from the wintry crop.
I'm really starting to lean toward Phalen. Wintery Crop could be the ice blocks they harvested from Lake Phalen for the ice palace. And nearby, there's a giant fish mural (monster fish).
8.
Tilt at a windmill, hunt till a standstill
A plump pitcher may hold you at bay
Look it's quite likely not far from old lakely
"What a bunch of malarkey!" you say
Clue 9
Go take a risk, we threw the disk
where it seems you're far from succeedin'
unless you are blind, the treasure you'll find
Among plants that are unfit for weedin'.
Game, set, match. It's at Phalen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, I'll bite. Why?
If you're far from succeedin', wouldn't you be failin'????
Nancy is going out hunting at 10 this morning!!
And I thought she was the sane one in the family.
Heh. Heh heh.
Well, I guess that is one good way to interpret the clue.
Best of luck to the missus.
I also think the "It's Phalen Park" anagram in clue #3 was a giveaway too.
Also, and this is just my thought, do you think that the "coming defeat" in clue #6 could be a failure?
OK, neither here nor there. Border between ST Paul & Maplewood is Larpenter Ave, which bisects Phalen. I believe it's on or near this line.
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=b3dMeep_0Tpb51ws3NgJFSkvKgJho1m23w--&csz=st.+paul%2C+mn&country=us
There's been some noodling about Frisbie (like it's a road) - true?
There is a frisbe street, but it ends to the east of the park, never actually runs into it.
There's also supposed to be a Clover Cir or Court or something (Emerald Isle?) that intersects with Frisbie, but that one's not on my map.
Clue 10
what could be bolder than killing a soldier
a crime both evil and grim
accused of the deed but soon after freed
so we name a park after him.
A big fat nothing in the new info department. Edward Phelen(sic) was the settler that Phalen was named after. He was accused of killing a soldier, the first accused murderer in St Paul.
This will just bring in more people who were still (foolishly) in other parks.
Full story, for you history geeks:
PHELAN, EDWARD - Phelan was born in Londonderry, Ireland in 1811, and worked as a laborer until he enlisted in the US Army at the age of 24. He was 6'2½" tall, with a fair complexion and a marvelous physique. He was, however, reported to be of a less than a marvelous disposition. He was supposed to have led a lawless and criminal life before his enlistment. He and William Evans were discharged from Fort Snelling at the same time in 1838, and John Hays was expecting his discharge two months later.
Hays wanted to settle near his comrades, so he made an arrangement with Phelan wherein Phelan would make a claim for him, and build a cabin for the two men to share, with Hays furnishing the money to Phelan for these purchases. Phelan did make the claim, but his attempts at a cabin were less than elegant and remained unfinished when Hays joined him the following Spring. Neighbors reported that the two men were not very compatable and fought constantly that Summer.
About the middle of September, 1839, Hays mysteriously disappeared. He was missed for several days, and Phelan gave evasive answers to questions by neighbors. When word of the disappearence reached Fort Snelling, where Hays was very popular, Major Taliaferro, the Indian Agent, inquired of his contacts among the Native American community if they had seen Hays. On September 27th, Wabsheedah called at the Fort to report that his sons had found the body of Hays in the river at Carver's Cave. Phelan was arrested for the murder, tried, and served six months in the territorial prison at Prairie du Chien, when a dying Indian confessed to the crime, and Phelan was released.
Returning to his St. Paul claim, which he still insisted he owned, he threatened Vital Guerin, who had taken over the land, saying that he would physically remove him if he did not leave of his own accord. Guerin, a small man, called on a number of his voyageur friends to protect him, and Phelan was warned to leave Guerin alone, or they would come after him. Phalen took the matter to Justice of the Peace Joseph Brown who ruled that his absence for the six months he was serving in prison invalidated his claim. Realizing that he was going to get to further in the matter, Phelan let it drop.
Phelan took up a claim at the falls of Phelan's Creek, selling it in 1844, and making another claim on what was then known as "Prospect Hill", the ridge on the upper side of Phelan's Creek just north of where the West Wisconsin Railway used to cross it. This is the area known as Arlington Heights today. Selling that, he made yet another claim to the east of the others, probably as far as Trout Brook, where he lived until 1849. In the Spring of 1850, he again ran afoul of the law, and was indicted for perjury by the first Grand Jury to ever sit in Ramsey County. When the Sheriff went to arrest him, it was found that he had fled to California with Eben Weld and others. Shortly thereafter, it was reported that he had behaved so violently toward his traveling companions that they had been forced to kill him in self defense. [WM71-3, 90-1, 145-6]
Nice guy. Who, I wonder, found it neccessary to name a park after him?
Maybe he was tight with the governor.
Dude!!
Remember when, via e-mail yesterday, I said my gut was looking at the north end of Phalen(e-mail attached)? Tonight's clue pinpointed the exactspot I was thinking of! I'm so f-ing jacked. I was out there for about 2 hours. This thing is gonna be hard to find. But, since I figured out the location before they gave out the giveaway clue, everything else is gravy. Yay! Yay!
<doing snoopy happy dance>
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2004 12:54:13 -0800 (PST)
From: "Pete"
<millennigern2000@yahoo.com> Add to Address Book
Subject: RE: ripped from the invitational thread
To: "afc"
Kool-aid wipes out thirst for you, oh yeah!
afc wrote: go with your gut, man! Or your kool-aid detector.
-----Original Message-----
From: Pete [mailto:millennigern2000@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 2:44 PM
To: afc
Subject: Re: ripped from the invitational thread
Haven't looked since this morning. Kinda makes sense, but I still feel that it's further north.
afc wrote: Clue # 8 "windmill/standstill" = wheellock parkway
"plump pitcher will hold you at bay" = Johnson Parkway for
Walter Johnson, Hall of Fame Pitcher for the
Washington Senators (the team that ultimately
became the Twins). The first letters of the first
words of each line can be rearranged to spell "Walt".
I think this is saying head down Wheelock but don't
go past Johnson Parkway.
Clue #9 "plants unfit for weedin" = IVY, Hyacinth, Magnolia,
Jessamine, Rose are all street names in the area where
Wheelock and Johnson meet.
Sorry if this is old news. I've been too busy to slog the last couple days.
Between Wheelock and Ivy lane there is a perfect grassy park area where the
little puck is probably lying right now. I know where I'm looking tonight!
This almost makes sense to me, dude. Didn't know if you had seen it.
Oh, tonight's clue:
Clue 11
Who can measure the lust for the treasure
between lakes is a donut to own
up and then down, not square but round
look for the windows of stone
We're talking right here:
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?t=1&s=10&x=2476&y=24910&z=15&w=1
Here's the pumphouse that the 11th clue is referring to:
Note the windows of stone.
It was freakin' madness out there. These pics don't do it justice.
All those little lights you see are flashlights or lanterns. There wsa probably close to 1000 people there.
And there's barely and undug snow left. It all looks like this:
Met some friends:
And some more colorful friends:
Here's the spillway/waterfall. Without flash:
With flash:
And some stuff that may be unfit for weeding.
And here's the pumphouse in the summer:
OK, gotta try to get some sleep. :)
conga-rats on being right about the area, dude. Hope you've had nice refreshing sleep.
Fresh as a daisy!
You're a daisy if you do.
Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do...
Pilate: Hoo hoo hoo ho! The little wascal has spiwit.
Centurion: Has what sir?
Pilate: Spiwit!
Centurion: Yes, he did sir.
Pilate: No, no, spiwit, siw. Um, bwavahdo. A touch of dewwing-do!
Centurion: Oh. Ah, about eleven, sir.
You're loopier than me!
I didn't write this, but it's funny.
Unaware of the history of the clues, I thought they all would point to a specific location if deciphered correctly. Thus I put together a reasonable decipher of the clues with that thought in mind, thinking that if you were smart enough you wouldn't have to dig up 25% of Ramsey county to find it. After it wasn't where I thought it was, it occured to me to look at past clues and figure out if this was the case in past years, here is what I came up with:
Clue 1: They tell you it is in a park in Ramsey county. Translation "you have 24 hours to clear 5000 acres of snow" - in other words, the only one who could find it is the commander of the Minnesota national guard.
Clue 2: They give you a worthless clue as to what object it is hidden in, this year the clue was "green". Why did they even give out more clues? A green object in a park in Ramsey county - even Ray Charles could find that one...
Clue 3-4: Either extremely obscure or obvious references to the park it is in. Rain man couldn't figure out the obscure ones and even when they hand out the name of the park, you still need to shovel 50 acres to find it. Might as well get a job driving a snowplow a night. Much higher opportunity cost.
Clue 5-6: Sight line clues like "you can see a radio tower from the location". Thank god!! I can take off my scuba gear and stop combing over the bottom of the lake now!! At this point, you have a better chance of finding Osama (betcha that's the first time you've heard that one, you can insert "WMD" instead if you like that better).
Clue 7-9: Vague area clues like "look high" or "tread softly" that can be spinned into pointing out the location after the fact. "Look high" could mean the north side of the park or it's up in a tree. But, In this example "look high" means the medallion is laying next to the burned out pothead on that bench over there.
Clue 10: They spell out the name of the park for the fifteen people that think it is somewhere else....wouldn't want them to miss out on the fun!!
Clue 11: Eureka!! They narrow it down to a specific 10 acre region for you. Don't worry about shoveling it out because you'll have 50,000 co-shovelers to help you. Your odds of actually being the one to find it aren't good, but there better than yesterday when you were looking in a different time zone.
Clue 12: Here is where they hand out maps, GPS coordinates, and send a monkey with a blinking red light on it's head to the treasure spot. I would suggest wearing football pads, a bulletproof vest, an archaic weapon like a spear or a trebuchet, and then wear make-up like Mel Gibson in braveheart. Seriously, you don't want to be the guy that had his hands on the prize and then lost it after Grandma Martha wacked you on the back of the head and stole it away.....
Clue #12
You will be nifty if you remember fifty
The number that leads to the zone
You should be in Phalen. Stop the regalin'.
And go to a bridge made of stone.
It's down Phalen Drive, and should you arrive
Across the street from the golf clubhouse, observe:
The pastry you'll find by leaving the old palace behind
Cross the bridge, on the path, make the curve.
All your hunting hours lead to a sign for wildflowers
Across the path from a picnic table.
Table and sign form a line, with which you must align
Head up the hill if you're able.
Fifty large paces, you're off to the races
From the path to some tumbledown woods.
If you stay on the line, on a side-hill you'll find
Under fallen trees, a green donut, with the goods.
Inside this confection lies plastic perfection
But remember, to keep the hunt credible.
The hunt's heart and soul is inside the donut's hole
It's valuable - but definitely not edible!
When the clue was released, the place went crazy. I decided not to go, and I'm glad I did. Friends are coming back now and saying it was incredibly scary and dangerous. 1000-2000 people congregated in a small location. People were pushed, kicked, hit and whacked with shovels and other tools.
I have it on fairly good authority that it's been found, and somebody is on their way to turn it in. I guess we'll see in the morning.
Freakin' madness.
This can't end anywhere good. When they start having riots at the Medallion Hunt, it's days will be numbered. (Just so I can say I told you so in about 5 years) People are devolving, methinks.
As of 7:30 am, the medallion has not been found.
And you're not out there? It will be slow now, won't it? Or will the whole ravening horde stay there for hours, skipping work until somebody finally finds it?
It looked slow when I drove by this morning. But I could see people out there looking.
For everybody else (all two of you), it's been found. Here's the story and clue explanations.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/7882454.htm
Here are this year's clues and the explanation for each clue:
Clue #1
Say it ain't so, Clueless Joe,
And all who prattle and bark.
Stop yer clue-bashin', if treasure's your passion,
Go you look in an area park.
Explanation: A playful counter-rip on people who ripped last year's
clues, who were ably led by a popular, winter carnival-connected
columnist. This clue says the treasure is in an "area park.'' This
differs from the usual "city park'' clue, because Phalen is both a
city park and part of the county regional park system.
Clue #2
Jughead has spoken, look for the token
We'll make it worth your while
Like Archie, you seek an object this week
As green as the Emerald Isle.
Explanation: In homage to the Archie & Friends comic (No. 78), which
was based on the Pioneer Press Treasure hunt, we hid the medallion in
an actual, real donut with gooey green icing. In the comic version,
the searchers were supposed to find a plastic green donut. They found
it among books in a library. Token suggests nearby Arcade Street, and
isle refers to island in the park.
Clue #3
"Help me!" you say. "Any time. Any day.
It's neither here nor there."
A quite clever device, but beware false advice.
Prank? Perhaps. All is fair.
Explanation: Take the first word in each line, put them together, and
it reads, "Help it's a prank," which refers to our prankish ploy of
borrowing the green donut from the Archie & Friends comic book. More
importantly, it's an anagram - clever device - for "It's Phalen Park."
Clue #4
East Side, West Side, take your honey for a ride
To a stony and sandy place
Come one, come all, ever following the bouncing ball
To the swift belongs the race.
Explanation: Stony and sandy place refers to all the Depression-era
stonework and the beach on Phalen Lake and the sand traps at Phalen's
golf course. The medallion is on the West Side of Phalen Lake, and
the park is in St. Paul's East Side. Bouncing ball refers to the
nearby green handball courts, and ride to the road and bike paths by
the lake.
Clue #5
Go to the place, it's no disgrace,
Where the girls shall be happy to dance
Don't look in the rough, but if you want the stuff
You may have to get dirt on your pants.
Explanation: The place is the Bible, which is quoted on the old stone
monument dedicated to the conservation corps in Phalen. "The girls
shall be happy to dance" refers to the beginning of Jeremiah 31:13,
the later lines of which are inscribed on the monument. "Shall" hints
the Bible reference. The rough line warns hunters away from nearby
Phalen and Keller golf courses. Dirt on pants hints that the
medallion is on the ground.
Clue #6
Take your bow, don't aim low,
Be steady on your feet
Take a stand with your fiery band
And prepare for the coming defeat
Explanation: Street clues and topographical hints. "Don't aim low"
refers to medallion's location just down from a ridge and "stand" to
the trees where the medallion is hidden. Band, bow and stand suggests
Sherwood Forest of Robin Hood and his merry band, which in turn leads
you to Sherwood Avenue near the park. The park is one of few to have
an archery range. Coming defeat suggests failin' - the aural
equivalent of Phalen.
Clue #7
Still up a creek? Here's where to peek,
Though be wary to avoid a wet drop
This is no foolin' - monster fish are schoolin'
Not far from the wintry crop.
Explanation: Creek refers to nearby Phalen Creek. Wet drop warns
hunters away from the recently open water on Lake Phalen where ice
castle blocks - the wintry crop - were harvested. Monster fish are on
the mural on the side of the lakeside center. Phalen allows fishing.
Clue #8
Tilt at a windmill, hunt till a standstill
A plump pitcher may hold you at bay
Look it's quite likely not far from old lakely
"What a bunch of malarkey!" you say.
Explanation: All clues refer to names on the 1986 Ice Palace monument
near the medallion site in Phalen Park. Tilt at a windmill is refers
to "Don Quixote," the book about an errant knight who fights
windmills by Miguel de Cervantes. Cervantes is a name on the monument
as well as Plump, Pitcher, Likely, Lakely and Malarkey. "Old lakely"
hints that we are talking about a name and suggests the lake.
Clue #9
Go take a risk, we threw the disk
Where it seems you're far from succeedin'
Unless you are blind, the treasure you'll find
Among plants that are unfit for weedin'.
Explanation: Throwing the disk conjures ``frisbee,'' which leads to
nearby Frisbie Street. Far from succeedin' would be again
be "failin.'" Blind refers Helen Keller, whose last name is part of
Phalen-Keller Regional Park. Not fit for weedin' puts you near the
medallion hidden by a wildflower area.
Clue #10
What could be bolder than killing a soldier?
A crime both evil and grim.
Accused of the deed, but soon after freed
So we name a park after him!
Explanation: Old settler Edward Phelan was accused of killing a
soldier, but later freed. The creek and the park were named after
him, and his name apparently had more than one spelling.
Clue #11
Who can measure the lust for the treasure
Between lakes is a donut to own.
Up and then down, not square but round,
Look for the windows of stone.
Explanation: The donut is located between Round Lake and Phalen Lake.
It is in hilly terrain. A nearby pump house had its windows closed
with stone.
Clue #12
You will be nifty if you remember fifty
The number that leads to the zone
You should be in Phalen. Stop the regalin'.
And go to a bridge made of stone.
It's down Phalen Drive, and should you arrive
Across the street from the golf clubhouse, observe:
The pastry you'll find by leaving the old palace behind
Cross the bridge, on the path, make the curve.
All your hunting hours lead to a sign for wildflowers
Across the path from a picnic table.
Table and sign form a line, with which you must align
Head up the hill if you're able.
Fifty large paces, you're off to the races
From the path to some tumbledown woods.
If you stay on the line, on a side-hill you'll find
Under fallen trees, a green donut, with the goods.
Inside this confection lies plastic perfection
But remember, to keep the hunt credible.
The hunt's heart and soul is inside the donut's hole
It's valuable - but definitely not edible!
Explanation: Gives directions to a stone bridge across Phalen Drive
from the golf course club house. Puts hunters on the path and to a
wildflower sign. Asks hunters to align themselves with the sign and a
picnic table across the path. Says to go up the hill 50 large paces,
staying on this line. On a side hill, under fallen-down woods, the
green donut, with the medallion slipped into the donut hole, will be
found. A clarifying note that the donut, sitting in snow and dirt and
leaves, should not be eaten