1993 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 3:06 PM

Found in Hidden Falls Park by Tom Opatz, Dan Opatz, Mark Nicklawske, and Phil Sinn, four veteran hunters that gathered up the white diaper that held the medallion at about 12:15 a.m. amidst hundreds of others. Two of the men were recent fathers so that angle was played up in the next day's paper. Cellular phones were mentioned as a useful technological tool for the first time.

Hunt Information

Dates

Scheduled Dates

Sunday, January 31, 1993

Find Date

Wednesday, February 10, 1993

Finders

Name

Tom Opatz

Name

Dan Opatz

Name

Phil Sinn

Name

Mark Nicklawske

Prize

Maximum Prize

$5,000

Awarded Prize

$5,000

Location

General Location

Hidden Falls Park

Pinpointed Location

Between the bike path and the entrance road downhill from the North entrance

Concealer

Concealed in a baby diaper

44.9056, -93.1902

Clues

Clue 1

Published Date

Saturday, January 30, 1993, 6:00 PM

This is the start of something big,
It's a really fun beginning.
Our treasure hunt is under way,
And it's cash that you'll be winning.

The official meaning of the clue.

Start of something big refers to Itasca Avenue overlooking Hidden Falls Park and the Mississippi River. Lake Itasca is the birthplace of the Mississippi.

Our Thoughts

A useful first clue,

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Sunday, January 31, 1993, 6:00 PM

The treasure is hiding
In our capital city.
Get out there and find it,
And you'll be sitting pretty.

The official meaning of the clue.

This narrows the search to St. Paul.

Clue Rating

Clue 3

Published Date

Monday, February 1, 1993, 6:00 PM

With clues that are truly poetic
And rhythm that really swings,
We bring this hint that will help you
Get right to the bottom of things.

The medallion you seek
Is surrounded by white.
We hope these few words
Will shed some light.

The official meaning of the clue.

Getting to the bottom of things and surrounded by white means the medallion is tucked away in a new diaper and hidden in the snow.

Our Thoughts

This is a rare early two-verse clue. Generally, they are reserved for the double-digit clues, 10 through 12. This is just an interesting aside that may be the link to why there are now 12 clues instead of 11. You might also get something vaguely baby-oriented from the word "swings." Another interpretation, given by Marcia Brass, equates "poetic" with Longfellow, a poet and a street near the park; further, she believed "rhythm that really swings" meant a song, which related to the fact that Longfellow wrote "Song of Hiawatha." A stretch? Somebody still needs to answer for 1996's "can-do affair."

Clue Rating

Clue 4

Published Date

Tuesday, February 2, 1993, 6:00 PM

Wheels by the millions
Have turned near our spot.
But it's pretty and placid
'Cause a freeway it's not.

The official meaning of the clue.

Wheels refers to the trucks built at the nearby Ford plant.

Clue Rating

Clue 5

Published Date

Wednesday, February 3, 1993, 6:00 PM

Not far from the place
Where the treasure does sit,
Walkers and joggers
Try to stay fit.

The official meaning of the clue.

A bike and pedestrian path borders the park on Mississippi River Boulevard.

Clue Rating

Clue 6

Published Date

Thursday, February 4, 1993, 6:00 PM

You can see them
If you look up high.
Some perfect circles
Are in the sky.

The official meaning of the clue.

The circles are orange aviation warning balls on power lines over the Mississippi River.

Our Thoughts

Controversially difficult, these balls are a fair way down river from where the medallion was hidden.

Clue Rating

Clue 7

Published Date

Friday, February 5, 1993, 6:00 PM

Lots of places to picnic
When the weather's finally warm.
And even when it's raining,
You'll be protected from the storm.

The official meaning of the clue.

There are tables and shelters in the park.

Our Thoughts

As is the case in most parks.

Clue Rating

Clue 8

Published Date

Saturday, February 6, 1993, 6:00 PM

H2O can be found
And to be quite precise,
Sometimes it's water
And sometimes it's ice.

The official meaning of the clue.

The Mississippi River flows by the park.

Our Thoughts

It's late in the game for the inevitable water clue (a staple of many hunts).

Clue Rating

Clue 9

Published Date

Sunday, February 7, 1993, 6:00 PM

Lots of gates spell trouble
On the tricky political scene.
But some of them can be helpful,
If only you use your bean.

The official meaning of the clue.

Helpful gates are the North Gate and South Gate entrances to Hidden Falls Park.

Clue Rating

Clue 10

Published Date

Monday, February 8, 1993, 6:00 PM

Think of fast rushing water
That's not in your view,
And the lucky treasure finder
Might well be you.

If our treasure
Is what you're after,
You can have fun
And a little laughter.

The official meaning of the clue.

The fast rushing water that's not in your view refers to Hidden Falls. The little laughter can be considered as a mini-ha-ha. Minnehaha Park is directly across the river.

Clue Rating

Clue 11

Published Date

Tuesday, February 9, 1993, 6:00 PM

Hidden Falls Park
Is where it resides.
It's east of two arrows,
Not too many strides.

The official meaning of the clue.

This names the park and pinpoints the location of the medallion east of a pair of prominent arrow signs indicating traffic turns.

Clue Rating