It's time for the Medallion Hunt! The first clue will appear on PioneerPlanet just after midnight Saturday, Jan. 22. Come back here to compare notes with other treasure seekers, but be certain you read the rules on the Planet's Winter Carnival page.
Treasure Hunti…
Leaning on your digging tool and taking a break, while talking clues with other treasure hunters, is the thing that keeps us coming back every year.
It's much more fun to share your ideas with other hunters and participate in the community feeling of it all, than to just keep to yourself and become a "grim digger".
The comradarie, the atmosphere, the festival nature of it all is unmatched --especially late at night.
It's not about the prize money. All but one of us are doing it for free each year anyway.
Thank you, Sir. I've been missing being here, Mr. Med Hunter. Ittiz good to be BOCK! <g>
Hay, I've this idea... Whatchew guys think???
Well, like you know, how every year The Re-Hash Bash is ALWAYS held in the Park where The Med's been found????
Well, DUH!
Why don't we decided NOW where to have The Re-Hash Bash??? And there you go! We've the Park ACED where The Med will be!
Geez! Don't know why we didn't think o'this sooner! Guess sometimes we just can't see The Med for the snow. (Tho that doesn't look to be a prob this year... <g>)
Gotta run. Gotta subscribe to a GREAT gnuspaper...
It looks like the Pre-hunt bash will be held at Patrick McGovern's on Saturday the 22nd starting around 7:00PM and going until about midnight or so I imagine. Anyone is welcome to stop by. Rumor has it the food is good albeit slow, but we have all night. There may be some activities, but mostly I imagine it will be a lot of speculation and trading of hunting stories. Oh, and feel free to bring me birthday presents (though my birthday is actually the day before) hehe. Is there anything else anyone wants to know?
Hey Jake, man, I'm getting the itch too. . . Bruce, I'll see you tomorrow at 6:30 a.m. We'll see whose treasure hunting reference binders are better!!!
Did anyone go out to Conway over the summer. I am wondering how shredded up the grounds were? If it was bad I think they would have to go for a bigger park
this time, with another 10,000 on the line. I agree, Phalen has been a while. But let us not forget, sometimes that doesn't matter. Hope to see you guys at the
Pre-hunt Bash. Patrick McGovern's eh? That's downtown St. Paul correct. Or at least close.
Patrick McGovern's is a bar AND a restaurant correct? The point is I have yet to hit the big 21. In fact it happens over the dig. Yep, you guessed it. I will be out
How long have you hunted? I was at Conway several times this year, it actually wasn't as bad as I thought, my buddy, who lives up the road, said that 2 days after
the hunt they were putting seed all around the park.
McGovern's is a bar AND restaurant so anyone can go in. You just need ID to order alcohol. As for Phalen, it was mentioned last year that it is unlikely it will ever be there for two reasons: One, its not open 24 hours like most other parks. That is to say, they really do cut off access to it, at least the main roads in. Two, with half of it being in Maplewood there may be problems with the city of Maplewood who apparently has said they never want to see the Medallion in their city ever again. My guess for this year is something bigger than Conway, but still not quite a major park. Perhaps even the Capitol Mall. Give Jesse something to see as he looks out his window.
Hey there fellow hunters. All I have to say is be careful out there... last year I ended up in the hospital with a broken elbow... a little too excited at the top of a flight of icy steps at a St. Paul park ... not even the right one. Missed out on the rest of the digging... my hunting buddy had to go it alone. Recommendation: do not hunt after even the slightest bit of alcohol consumption... even if you and your buddy have got it all figured out. Damn I love the hunt!!
Yea, Jake I am also 20. I have been hunting hard these last three years while at school. However I have been up digging around (nothing too serious) with my parents since I was about ten or so. I got the bug when I was young now I can't stop. Heard we were supposed to get snow tonight. Yahoo!! Now if it stays until the hunt begins.
Mr. Allison, you bring up some good points about Phalen. Here are some counter points to consider. It's been a long time since Maplewood got all bent out of shape about getting their park all torn up. For the most part, there is a whole new administration in Maplewood. I agree that the medallion won't be hidden IN Maplewood, but for the reasons above, I think they would still consider the St. Paul portion of Phalen and take their chances with any spill over into Maplewood. Especially if the first clue or two limits the search to St. Paul. As for the limited hours of the park, you can still walk into the grounds and around the lake in the middle of the night and there is a fair amount of street parking close by. I'm not sure I've ever correctly predicted the right park prior to the hunt - so bottom line is you are probably right!
As for the new hunting rule change/addition about having the clipping of the new clue with you for an extra $2500 - is this designed to give the poor souls standing in line outside the newspaper at midnight a little more incentive to do just that (which I've done a number of times), rather than resort to staying comfy and warm waiting for the clue via internet (which I've also done a number of times)?
There seems to be a continuing conversation about Phalen Park. Phalen Park is in St. Paul. Part of the lake is actually in Maplewood, but the park itself..and anywhere the treasure would be hidden is in St. Paul.
Maplewood's upset came from the use of Wakefield Park which is entirely in the city of Maplewood. The park was trashed and caused a great expense to Maplewood to replace and repair things there.
To think that the medallion could not be hidden in Phalen, is to close one's mind to all sorts of possibilities for available public land in St. Paul.
So...the first clue will either tell us it's within St. Paul boundaries or within Ramsey County on public land. If it's within Ramsey County, I would eliminate Wakefield or any other park in Maplewood because of the history. If it's within city limits, Phalen will remain in the running in my mind until it is eliminated by further clues.
That was a fun year. Partly because I had so much untouched ground to cover. I was out there before most. Its so much fun having areas that have not been touched. That was the old navy sock correct?
Your help is needed at Treasure Hunt Headquarters. I have added a bulletin board to site for you to share your thoughts, ideas and memories with fellow hunters. Also cast your vote in the user poll as to where you think the medallion will be hidden this year. The web site was built with the obsessed treasure hunters in mind, so stop on over and help build the site.
You gotta love the snow! Although it's supposed to warm up again this weekend. Somebody's got to tell Vulcanus Rex to cool it! He'll get his chance at the end of the carnival. For now, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
In the event there is no snow cover (*#@!*# Vulcanus Rex), what are the more likely places the little gem will be hid? In the thick bushes, tall grass and trees? At the bottom of a parking lot pile of plowed snow? Above ground? Surely not right out in the open. . .
Hey wc. Can't wait to get this thing started! I am 19 yrs old and I have been hunting since elementary school. I was a frequent visitor to the cooler last year. Good luck and I will be keeping in touch frequently. Birdie
Hey Birdie, I am at the U of M. I had to go out and shovel for work. The last time we were out it seemed like about 4 or 5 inches. Don't quote me on that though.
I imagine there's a good chance they will be hiding the medallion tonight. I was thinking though, if they really do just kind of drive by and toss the medallion out, wouldn't it make sense to look closer to the streets? But then again in Cherokee I don't think it was really all that close to a street.
I don't think that this year, if any, they will be just throwing it out. The way the weather has been on a rollercoaster lately they need to hide it as if there was not going to be any snow. The other day the news said that we have had a foot of snow already this year(not counting today) but there is only an inch left on the ground. This weekend is supposed to be warm again. Therefore, if they would be hiding it tonight, I think that I will still dig in a state of mind that it is hidden where the snow cover would not matter.
Allison Wonderland- I agree, I think there is a good possibility it is already hidden though. It is supposed to stop snowing soon, so i would imagine it was hidden earlier today, possibly this morning. Jett- I also agree with you, I can imagine that if the weather is supposed to get warm, it is hidden somewhere where it will be hidden even without snow. As anyone should, however, I am going into this with a completely open mind.
What makes you guys think that it is already hidden? I am just wondering, I don't mean anything negative. There is still a week and a half for it to be placed.
Part of the reason I believe it's hidden ahead of time is that it usually is found at ground level. Meaning right on top of the ground but below the snow.
Last year at Conway, where the medallion was hidden looked virtually undisturbed until the area was dug up some. Other years of deep snow would include the year it was at Newell attached to a broken 45 record. That was at ground level under what seemed like tons of snow. The one year it was at Wakefield in the spokes of a bicycle tire, that again was laying flat at ground/ice level under huge amounts of snow...undisturbed.
I know there are other years that some of you will remember that it was found only after some very lucky digging in the snow.
I particularly remember those years because we had dug so near where it was found very early in the hunt and could not find anywhere near those digging spots that the snow looked undisturbed.
Leaning on your digging tool and taking a break, while talking clues with other treasure hunters, is the thing that keeps us coming back every year.
It's much more fun to share your ideas with other hunters and participate in the community feeling of it all, than to just keep to yourself and become a "grim digger".
The comradarie, the atmosphere, the festival nature of it all is unmatched --especially late at night.
It's not about the prize money. All but one of us are doing it for free each year anyway.
I'm ready with my ear-muff...
Good Morning GREEN. Haven't seen you post in a while. You've been missed.
Thank you, Sir. I've been missing being here, Mr. Med Hunter. Ittiz good to be BOCK! <g>
Hay, I've this idea... Whatchew guys think???
Well, like you know, how every year The Re-Hash Bash is ALWAYS held in the Park where The Med's been found????
Well, DUH!
Why don't we decided NOW where to have The Re-Hash Bash??? And there you go! We've the Park ACED where The Med will be!
Geez! Don't know why we didn't think o'this sooner! Guess sometimes we just can't see The Med for the snow. (Tho that doesn't look to be a prob this year... <g>)
Gotta run. Gotta subscribe to a GREAT gnuspaper...
Otay. I've now taken care o'having my Clues delivered to my door.
COOLER!!!
Next step... Gotta order a book.
Ittiz "that" time again, and I R XCITED!!!
I am in computer science class. Where are you Scribe?
Jake, quit playing around and learn something!
:-)
::THX quits playing around and gets back to work.::
I am still in class, it doesn't get over until 11:50......
I'm just joking Jake! What are you learning today?
jack squat
I wish there was someone else here.
Sorry Jake! :-(
It looks like the Pre-hunt bash will be held at Patrick McGovern's on Saturday the 22nd starting around 7:00PM and going until about midnight or so I imagine. Anyone is welcome to stop by. Rumor has it the food is good albeit slow, but we have all night. There may be some activities, but mostly I imagine it will be a lot of speculation and trading of hunting stories. Oh, and feel free to bring me birthday presents (though my birthday is actually the day before) hehe. Is there anything else anyone wants to know?
I have an idea! Someone go throw a silver dollar in Como Park and i'll go dig for it....Is anyone else in with me?
Hey Jake, man, I'm getting the itch too. . . Bruce, I'll see you tomorrow at 6:30 a.m. We'll see whose treasure hunting reference binders are better!!!
I cannot wait for the fun to begin. Anyone have any pre-clue hunches?
It's been a while since Phalen has seen it . . . For what it's worth, that's my guess.
I have a few ideas, but the person hiding the coin may be lurking, so for now, i'm keeping that info to myself.....
I agree with you KB. Last year, they did a park it has never been in before. This year , I bet they change it up again.
Did anyone go out to Conway over the summer. I am wondering how shredded up the grounds were? If it was bad I think they would have to go for a bigger park
this time, with another 10,000 on the line. I agree, Phalen has been a while. But let us not forget, sometimes that doesn't matter. Hope to see you guys at the
Pre-hunt Bash. Patrick McGovern's eh? That's downtown St. Paul correct. Or at least close.
Patrick McGovern's is a bar AND a restaurant correct? The point is I have yet to hit the big 21. In fact it happens over the dig. Yep, you guessed it. I will be out
digging instead of partying.
Jett, you are 20 also?
How long have you hunted? I was at Conway several times this year, it actually wasn't as bad as I thought, my buddy, who lives up the road, said that 2 days after
the hunt they were putting seed all around the park.
I agree with you KB. Last year, they did a park it has never been in before. This year , I bet they change it up again.
McGovern's is a bar AND restaurant so anyone can go in. You just need ID to order alcohol. As for Phalen, it was mentioned last year that it is unlikely it will ever be there for two reasons: One, its not open 24 hours like most other parks. That is to say, they really do cut off access to it, at least the main roads in. Two, with half of it being in Maplewood there may be problems with the city of Maplewood who apparently has said they never want to see the Medallion in their city ever again. My guess for this year is something bigger than Conway, but still not quite a major park. Perhaps even the Capitol Mall. Give Jesse something to see as he looks out his window.
Hey there fellow hunters. All I have to say is be careful out there... last year I ended up in the hospital with a broken elbow... a little too excited at the top of a flight of icy steps at a St. Paul park ... not even the right one. Missed out on the rest of the digging... my hunting buddy had to go it alone. Recommendation: do not hunt after even the slightest bit of alcohol consumption... even if you and your buddy have got it all figured out. Damn I love the hunt!!
Yea, Jake I am also 20. I have been hunting hard these last three years while at school. However I have been up digging around (nothing too serious) with my parents since I was about ten or so. I got the bug when I was young now I can't stop. Heard we were supposed to get snow tonight. Yahoo!! Now if it stays until the hunt begins.
Mr. Allison, you bring up some good points about Phalen. Here are some counter points to consider. It's been a long time since Maplewood got all bent out of shape about getting their park all torn up. For the most part, there is a whole new administration in Maplewood. I agree that the medallion won't be hidden IN Maplewood, but for the reasons above, I think they would still consider the St. Paul portion of Phalen and take their chances with any spill over into Maplewood. Especially if the first clue or two limits the search to St. Paul. As for the limited hours of the park, you can still walk into the grounds and around the lake in the middle of the night and there is a fair amount of street parking close by. I'm not sure I've ever correctly predicted the right park prior to the hunt - so bottom line is you are probably right!
As for the new hunting rule change/addition about having the clipping of the new clue with you for an extra $2500 - is this designed to give the poor souls standing in line outside the newspaper at midnight a little more incentive to do just that (which I've done a number of times), rather than resort to staying comfy and warm waiting for the clue via internet (which I've also done a number of times)?
There seems to be a continuing conversation about Phalen Park. Phalen Park is in St. Paul. Part of the lake is actually in Maplewood, but the park itself..and anywhere the treasure would be hidden is in St. Paul.
Maplewood's upset came from the use of Wakefield Park which is entirely in the city of Maplewood. The park was trashed and caused a great expense to Maplewood to replace and repair things there.
To think that the medallion could not be hidden in Phalen, is to close one's mind to all sorts of possibilities for available public land in St. Paul.
So...the first clue will either tell us it's within St. Paul boundaries or within Ramsey County on public land. If it's within Ramsey County, I would eliminate Wakefield or any other park in Maplewood because of the history. If it's within city limits, Phalen will remain in the running in my mind until it is eliminated by further clues.
Help!!! I can't recall where the treasure was in '98, was it Cherokee?
Yup! It was Cherokee.
You must remember the dome mode, toing and froing, pyramids above the snow clues!
That was a fun year. Partly because I had so much untouched ground to cover. I was out there before most. Its so much fun having areas that have not been touched. That was the old navy sock correct?
Correct.
May the snow gods continue to look upon us with favor!!!
So how many people would still be doing this if the prize really was a sack of White Castle hamburgers? (I would, though I'd likely get more sleep)
For sliders, oh hellllll yeahhhhhh!!!
To me, it's not the money, it is the fame and the glory......
Help Wanted
Your help is needed at Treasure Hunt Headquarters. I have added a bulletin board to site for you to share your thoughts, ideas and memories with fellow hunters. Also cast your vote in the user poll as to where you think the medallion will be hidden this year. The web site was built with the obsessed treasure hunters in mind, so stop on over and help build the site.
You gotta love the snow! Although it's supposed to warm up again this weekend. Somebody's got to tell Vulcanus Rex to cool it! He'll get his chance at the end of the carnival. For now, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
In the event there is no snow cover (*#@!*# Vulcanus Rex), what are the more likely places the little gem will be hid? In the thick bushes, tall grass and trees? At the bottom of a parking lot pile of plowed snow? Above ground? Surely not right out in the open. . .
Hey wc. Can't wait to get this thing started! I am 19 yrs old and I have been hunting since elementary school. I was a frequent visitor to the cooler last year. Good luck and I will be keeping in touch frequently. Birdie
I am in Hibbing at college now, how much snow has landed in st paul today?
Hey Birdie, I am at the U of M. I had to go out and shovel for work. The last time we were out it seemed like about 4 or 5 inches. Don't quote me on that though.
I know that in 1977, the prize was hidden in a cigar box and was found on the ground in the open at Irvine Park.
I imagine there's a good chance they will be hiding the medallion tonight. I was thinking though, if they really do just kind of drive by and toss the medallion out, wouldn't it make sense to look closer to the streets? But then again in Cherokee I don't think it was really all that close to a street.
I don't think that this year, if any, they will be just throwing it out. The way the weather has been on a rollercoaster lately they need to hide it as if there was not going to be any snow. The other day the news said that we have had a foot of snow already this year(not counting today) but there is only an inch left on the ground. This weekend is supposed to be warm again. Therefore, if they would be hiding it tonight, I think that I will still dig in a state of mind that it is hidden where the snow cover would not matter.
Allison Wonderland- I agree, I think there is a good possibility it is already hidden though. It is supposed to stop snowing soon, so i would imagine it was hidden earlier today, possibly this morning. Jett- I also agree with you, I can imagine that if the weather is supposed to get warm, it is hidden somewhere where it will be hidden even without snow. As anyone should, however, I am going into this with a completely open mind.
What makes you guys think that it is already hidden? I am just wondering, I don't mean anything negative. There is still a week and a half for it to be placed.
Part of the reason I believe it's hidden ahead of time is that it usually is found at ground level. Meaning right on top of the ground but below the snow.
Last year at Conway, where the medallion was hidden looked virtually undisturbed until the area was dug up some. Other years of deep snow would include the year it was at Newell attached to a broken 45 record. That was at ground level under what seemed like tons of snow. The one year it was at Wakefield in the spokes of a bicycle tire, that again was laying flat at ground/ice level under huge amounts of snow...undisturbed.
I know there are other years that some of you will remember that it was found only after some very lucky digging in the snow.
I particularly remember those years because we had dug so near where it was found very early in the hunt and could not find anywhere near those digging spots that the snow looked undisturbed.
For that exact reason, so that the spot it is hidden in looks undisturbed.