One of the big debates around the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt on Tuesday was over the meaning of “pure gold you will pan” in Clue 2.
Was it a hint to look at Prospect Park, the small West Side playground overlooking downtown St. Paul? Or at Harriet Island, where the playground includes a little gold-panning sluice?
Or was it actually a clue about how the medallion was disguised?
Some veteran hunters said they thought the medallion might be wrapped up in a Pan-O-Gold bread bag or a Gold Medal flour bag.
But that didn’t stop them from searching in Prospect Park and Harriet Island, two of the busiest hunting grounds on Tuesday.
Troy Sjostrand said he was one of the handful digging in Prospect Park because it was in view of the new Pioneer Press offices at 10 River Park Plaza, which works with the Clue 3 line, “From the top of her perch you may want to search.”
More people were sifting through the snow at Harriet Island, which not only has the gold-panning sluice but also a riverboat-shaped play area, which satisfies the Clue 3 line about “a playground that’s fit to roam.”
Barb Handlin said she spent time searching around the Harriet Island playground Monday and Tuesday.
“I think it’s here,” she said while tracking week-old footprints that might belong to whoever hid the medallion. “But it’s probably too obvious.”
The Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt is presented with Fury Jeep. Whoever finds the medallion could win up to $10,000 if they also have printed copies of all the clues and a St. Paul Winter Carnival button registered by Jan. 22. Find clues, contest rules and links to discussion groups at PioneerPress.com/TreasureHunt.
Copyright 2016 Pioneer Press.