Participants in the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt complained last year that the search wasn’t a challenge when the $10,000 medallion was found after just five clues.
You’ll hear no such complaints this year.
Ten clues into the contest, most people out hunting Tuesday had nothing but praise for the anonymous clue writer. The Pioneer Press has been hiding medallions and publishing cryptic clues since 1952, and the identity of the clue writer is a closely held secret unknown even to longtime newsroom employees.
“Thank you for the long hunt, getting everybody twisted,” Ryan Rehn said while hunting in Benson Prairie near Bald Eagle Lake. “Some people are still confused if it’s in St. Paul or White Bear Lake.”
Words for the #PPHunt clue writer
– Ryan Rehn at Bald Eagle Lake pic.twitter.com/vE0AkZnEWf— Jaime DeLage (@JaimeDeLage) February 2, 2016
This year, if hunters are complaining, it’s about the diabolical way the clue writer has pulled people from park to park with seemingly obvious clues that later appear to be red herrings.
After the first couple of clues, many people suspected the medallion would be on the West Side of St. Paul, near the Pioneer Press’ new offices in River Park Plaza. Perhaps Harriet Island or Prospect Park.
Suspicion later turned to Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, a park within sight of the newspaper office that satisfied keywords in clues 4 and 5. The sanctuary remained the busiest hunting grounds for several days.
Then odd references to dogs, pollywogs, arrows and marrow sent people searching in new directions.
Tuesday many were hunting near the northern edge of Ramsey County around Bald Eagle Lake and Otter Lake.
Matt and Katie Vaughn were among the people searching near the Bald Eagle Lake boat launch on Tuesday. A week ago they were at Prospect Park, a West Side playground high on the bluff, enticed by early clues hinting at a bird’s perch and gold prospecting.
“We’ve been to many different parks,” Katie Vaughn said while her husband dug near the lakeshore and new snow fell fast around them.
Jason Fischer sipped coffee in his car on North County Line Road trying to decide whether to poke around Benson Prairie or chase another hunch. He said he was out hunting for a couple of hours in the middle of the night and was a little tired.
He said he could think of some choice words for the clue writer but would only share generous ones for publication.
“Well played this year,” he said. “I’m still out here scratching my head a bit.”
Edgar Nacario congratulated the clue writer on bringing people together at so many different parks.
“I was a big complainer last year because I thought the clues were a little too warm,” he said. “This year, brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. I love it when the hunt continues and goes long.”
Steve Fischer and his sons were digging Tuesday afternoon in the thickening snow at Otter Lake Regional Park. Whoever the current writer is, Fischer said, he (or she) is doing a pretty good job with the clues.
“It’s down to the last two,” he said. “We think we’ve got the right park but we’re not sure where it is in the park. So, yeah, it was a challenge this year. I would encourage him to take the job next year.”
Words for the #PPHunt clue writer
– Steve Fischer and Elijah at Otter Lake Regional Park pic.twitter.com/HobOYdWpFI— Jaime DeLage (@JaimeDeLage) February 2, 2016
The Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt is presented by Fury Jeep. Clues are published in scrambled form at 10:30 p.m. at TwinCities.com/TreasureHunt, followed by the unscrambled clue at 11:30 p.m. The first print edition of the paper is available at Gabe’s by the Park, 991 N. Lexington Parkway in St. Paul, often a bit before 11:30 p.m.
Copyright 2016 Pioneer Press.