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2010 Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt

Submitted by ares on
ares

with a half-cocked head, i went back and re-read

your post -- it made me ponder

the arbors so neat, even those near a seat

how a half a tree happens, i wonder.

ok, that one wasn't the greatest work i've done today, but this palinajoe is.
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 10:07 AM Permalink
green

I disagree. I liked it.

All we need to do is go sit on one o'those dead people benchs and wait for the spy hawk tonite.

Should be a piece o'cake.
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 10:12 AM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

Less than 2 hours until the 12th clue. This is now officially the longest Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt ever!
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 1:10 PM Permalink
Clue Master

ya know there's a reason its called CoNo.
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 1:58 PM Permalink
jakeinge

Let us not pretend for this hunt must end

Your Comophobia must now be faced

Hurry up and jog to land near the frog

You'll have to step up to have this hunt aced

To bring in the dough add up as you go

Use a left hand to count and keep steady

Don't throw out your bsck searching every crack

Just ones that haven't been probed already

If that is not enough, call up our bluff

Searching YOUTUBE will give you the right clip

Huhhuhhuh we say, it shows you the way

Capturing Jake,s medallion hiding trip

That is clue 12 good luck!
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 2:59 PM Permalink
Clue Master

TC Sue found it! Way to go on your first find Sue
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 3:07 PM Permalink
ThoseMedallingKids

Crap. It was in a black pouch? I know where it is I'm pretty sure. The black pouch should be a bit exposed I'm thinking.
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 3:08 PM Permalink
ThoseMedallingKids

Woohoo, congrats to Sue! Was Pedro there too?
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 3:10 PM Permalink
Eags

Congrats, Sue!!!!!
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 3:15 PM Permalink
Clue Master

We all had to look in that same spot a bunch of times. apparently not good enough. Great job Sue!
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 3:27 PM Permalink
East Side Digger

Congrats TC sounds like it was a fun hunt.
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 3:38 PM Permalink
green

Way to go, girlfriend!!!!!!!!!!! We were all overe it last night!!!! I told you the 21 was the columns and rafters!!!!! And the path... and the fly eating frog!

I am so giggley for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I got clues right!!!!!!!!!!!!

My first Mock Hunt and I got clues right!!!!!!!
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 3:52 PM Permalink
green

So... I wasn't 100% correct on the 21. But I was close!

Kids, Pedro was in on the find. He is being returned home and then I guess there's a doin's at Gabes.

Otay. When's the next hunt?
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 4:06 PM Permalink
Terry

Congratulations Sue!

And Allison, again your clues were great. I wish I had had the time to participate this year. I always enjoy your hunts.
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 5:17 PM Permalink
mrmnmikey

Sues right hand is on the crack it was in, in the picture.
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 5:33 PM Permalink
mrmnmikey

Fun hunt. Thank AW and everyone else I saw out there! Fun times, good friends, and beautiful weather.
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 5:34 PM Permalink
green

Mikey! Can you believe it?! We were looking on the wrong side last night! Sssoooo close!

Good for Chesty. She had a feel for where it was, furshure, and got it right today.

Thanks for the xplination of pic and where it was found.
Tue, 03/23/2010 - 6:14 PM Permalink
mrmnmikey

Your welcome Green. You were close!
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 2:20 AM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

I just realized I never posted the explanations here:

Clue #1

Embark if you dare, and donÂ’t quickly scare

Oh, in this hunt youÂ’ll have something to fear

Essential to the prize are some unblinking eyes

Teeter not if your resolve is sincere

This is but clue one and when it is done

You may choose to smack your head and gasp “Duh”

Though snow may be gone the hunt will go on

And you will still have to search huhhuhhuh

The theme of the hunt is fear which is of course a reference to a common Treasure Hunting malady- Comophobia. Also, the first syllable of each line (Em, Oh, Ess, Tee) represents a homonym for M-O-S-T, another reference to Como which has played host to the Winter Carnival Medallion more than any other park. The “unblinking eyes” is a reference to a statue, in this case the frog of the frog pond as the treasure is hidden within the frog’s line of sight. The second part of the hunt refers to a video of the hiding of the medallion that was uploaded to YouTube under the title of “huhhuhhuh”.

Clue #2

Should you turn back? No, just one way to go

Your map will help you to see your way through.

Yes this truth is stark, go look in a park.

But donÂ’t stray too far from the patch of blue

The “one way” refers to the one way street Nason Pl. on the back side of the search area. “See your way through” is a reference to the glass of the Conservatory nearby. The patch of blue is the frog pond which does indeed show as blue on many maps of the park.

Clue #3

Round and round you go, who is in the know?

Another creature besides the rabbit.

Before you head out maybe think about

Adding a cyber bit to your habit

The “Round and round” refers to the nearby carousel. The other creature in the know is again a reference to the frog statue in the frog pond. The reference to “cyber” is again encouraging you to think about searching for the video online.

Clue #4

Looking for a fright? ItÂ’s quiet at night

Trees loom large on the edge of open space

If treasure you seek, you may want to peek

On grounds where you can search more than one place

This clue describes the landscape a bit with its open areas and tall trees. It also makes reference to Aida Place and Nason Place, two of the streets around the search area.

Clue #5

YouÂ’re all still alive at clue number five

Though names of the dead are found all around.

It wonÂ’t be a breeze if weak in the knees

Back to the start might be advice profound

The names of the dead refers to the many memorials in the immediate area. Having trouble if weak in the knees is an allusion to the fact the treasure was hidden on a flight of steps. Going back to the start alludes to the idea that novice treasure hunters always start at the Frog Pond.

Clue #6

Ghosts of the past from the elite caste

Of triumphant hunters linger nearby

But that exact spot, the treasure is not,

Yet to cross the road is to go awry.

In 1980 the treasure was found in the same search area, though down by the Schiller statue.
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 8:21 AM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

Clue #7

On a summer day, youÂ’ll hear music play

But for now only the wind whistles by

People on the go moving to and fro

Not far is a place to stay high and dry.

The music you might hear would come from the nearby carousel. There are also many people walking by there in the summer or any time the park is busy. The place that is high and dry refers to the area at the top of the steps above the Frog Pond where the pergola is.

Clue #8

Hear hungry grumbles as Neptune tumbles

He looks to be tipsie, blind and confused

YouÂ’ll see his crown looking up, not down

Nearby youÂ’ll find the treasure is reclused.

The hungry grumbles would come from the zoo area which is not too far away. “Neptune tumbling” is implying a waterfall as Neptune is the god of the sea. “Tipsie” is spelled incorrectly. If you take that spelling and remove the I’s (blind) and rearrange the rest (confused) the resulting letters spell “step” which is where the treasure was hidden. The “crown” is a reference to the pergola which looks rather crown-like.

Clue #9

With waters opaque, this park has a lake

But youÂ’d be best off to search somewhere dry

Though poetic prose is written in rows

Columns will tell where the treasure is nigh

This clue narrows down the search to a park with a lake, though the treasure was not on the lake. It also is meant to suggest the Frog Pond as it is a place that is currently dry, having been drained for the winter. The columns in question are the pillars holding up the pergola.

Clue #10

If the mire and muck just make you think “Yuck”

Then I fear the truth is sure to displease

If big juicy flies make you appetize

You will surely find the treasure with ease.

This elaborates on the fact that the treasure is hidden with some dirt. The juicy flies should lead one unmistakably to the Frog Pond area.

Clue #11

To get this hunt done count to twenty one

YouÂ’d best not worry about staying clean

Twixt Heaven and hell, itÂ’s so hard to tell

Perhaps itÂ’s better to stay in between

If Heaven is up and Hell is down, this clue is telling you the treasure is somewhere in between, which is to say itÂ’s partway up the steps. If you were to count 21 posts in the railing, the treasure would lie right below it in a crevice covered with dirt.

Clue #12

Let us not pretend for this hunt must end.

Your Comophobia must now be faced.

Hurry up and jog to land near the frog

YouÂ’ll have to step up to have this hunt aced

To bring in the dough add up as you go

Use a left hand to count and keep steady

DonÂ’t throw out your back searching every crack

Just ones that havenÂ’t been probed already

If thatÂ’s not enough, call up our bluff.

Searching YouTube will give you the right clip

Huhhuhhuh we say, it shows you the way

Capturing JakeÂ’s medallion hiding trip

This clue tells you it is definitely Como Park in the area of the frog Pond. “Step up” refers to climbing the steps from the pond to the landing that overlooks the pond. Counting up is reference to the previous clue that says you must count to 21. Keeping yourself steady alludes to the railing on your left when climbing as the posts of the railing are what you are counting. Directly beneath the 21st post in the railing on the left hand side of the step is a crevice in the steps within which the treasure was hidden, covered with a bit of dirt. The last part of the clue gives more detail on how to find the video of the hiding on YouTube which might also help guide one to the right spot.
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 8:21 AM Permalink
green

Really good clues Allison! Very creative. I got quite a few. Many though were brilliant and "DUH!" moments for me. Very fun.

Letz do another!!!!!
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 9:27 AM Permalink
Clue Master

Great hunt AW!! Thanks

U2 Jake and fellow hunters
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 7:54 PM Permalink
mrmnmikey

I'm kicking myself for not looking harder... :crying:
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 1:18 PM Permalink
becksie

Yeah, I feel like a terrible noodler for not getting the 21 (taking the number literally)...not thinking that it can be 21 out of x (more than 21)! DUH!!! OTOH, I think many of us searched the crevices, including the one it was found in...just not well enough, I guess. Oh, and the cyber bit...kinda forgot about it with all the searching. WAY cool twist. AW & Jake...you guys did an awesome job on this hunt. Disappointed I didn't "get" all the clues and that I didn't find it, but LOVED the hunt and hanging out with all of the crew that were out looking. :smile:
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 1:54 PM Permalink
me2

omgoodness, I have 87 posts to read through ...

before I do I just wanted to say...

SUE!!!!.....

It was cool to see you take hold of the bars counting like a blind woman and reach right for it. (thats a compliment- very cool). See the "I"s in the smily face? right where real eyes are supposed to be -heh
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 2:51 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

Thanks for the compliments on the hunt. It's always a good sign when people read the explanations and think "Duh!" rather than "Huh?"
Fri, 03/26/2010 - 3:04 AM Permalink
ares

always! and it was a great hunt (as always), aw!

tc and i are planning the first "treasure chest booty call" we're not quite sure when yet, but there will be another hunt this year.
Fri, 03/26/2010 - 6:38 AM Permalink
Eags

Cool - what a great name for a hunt!
Fri, 03/26/2010 - 6:48 AM Permalink
Clue Master

Did you reply to Marie yet?
Fri, 03/26/2010 - 8:10 AM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

I replied privately and she replied to me that her post was meant to be funny, not taken seriously. So either that's true or I've been forgiven.
Fri, 03/26/2010 - 9:04 AM Permalink
Clue Master

I thought it was tongue in cheek funny as hell. She has a great way with words.
Fri, 03/26/2010 - 10:21 AM Permalink
Eags

To AW or anyone who may know:

I would love to work more puzzles like the qualifiers we did awhile back!

Are there websites (interactives are my favorite, but other formats are fine too) or magazines where these things can be found?

Is anyone planning to do more of these for the Cooler Crew?

Thanks!
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 8:19 AM Permalink
Eags

Thank you, Allison!
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 11:24 AM Permalink
Eags

All I am seeing is a photo of a man. I moved my mouse around on the page, but am not seeing anything to click on to get farther into the site.
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 11:26 AM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

That is the first puzzle. Look carefully at the caption at the bottom of the picture.
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 11:27 AM Permalink
Eags

Oh my!
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 12:05 PM Permalink
barefootguy

Where are we supposed to enter the answers on that riddle? Is it answer.html?
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 11:52 AM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

The first puzzle you answer by clicking on the correct spot. The rest of the puzzles have a space to type in your answer.
Tue, 04/06/2010 - 11:54 PM Permalink
Clue Master

#2

Wrong. You almost got it though. Try typing it differently.

Fun but it's tough. And it's something I know well. How far did you get?
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 4:17 AM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

I got to the end of the first section, though I cheated a bit by getting hints online.

When you type your answers, it has to be all lowercase with no spaces or puncuation.
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 6:49 AM Permalink
Clue Master

Thank you. That was a big help.

I thought I already tried that but I must have kept the space or added a period or something. Onward and upward
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 6:58 AM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

The 2011 Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt is coming soon. I know this because the deed is done...
Sun, 01/30/2011 - 11:03 PM Permalink
mrmnmikey

THE DEED IS DONE???

Mon, 01/31/2011 - 8:03 AM Permalink
ares

did you call soucheray and let him know that?
Mon, 01/31/2011 - 8:57 AM Permalink
Eags

Cool, AW.

When will the hunt be?

I hope to participate. Just starting my new job tomorrow, so I know where my focus will need to be M-F 9-5, and that I'll need enough sleep.
Mon, 01/31/2011 - 9:13 AM Permalink
me2

anyone escavate the tree at BC yet?
Mon, 01/31/2011 - 3:43 PM Permalink
Allison Wonderland

anyone escavate the tree at BC yet?

That's why I don't let Jake pick the hiding spots. :litesmile:

The hunt starts this Sunday with the first clue being released at the Rehash Bash. Then we're actually going to release the second clue just a few hours later, Sunday at 7pm and then 7pm everyday after that.

And yes, we hid it last night.
Mon, 01/31/2011 - 7:38 PM Permalink
Clue Master

I'm gonna be torn now. New clue or new doritos commercial?

HaHa
Mon, 01/31/2011 - 11:03 PM Permalink