This year’s Spike hunters gravitated toward Irish Avenue Park on Saturday in their search for gold. The 10 clues were described by Hugo resident and Spike-Finder Darin Ostertag as “much harder than I expected.” Thank goodness he took that forestry class in college.
Where was Spike? Read on.
The first three clues provided background for participants in the Hunt for the Golden Spike. They are always published ahead in The Citizen’s edition preceding Good Neighbor Days.
Clue #4 suggested that “No park’s too small to be dismissed” — conversely, no park is too large, either. Irish Avenue Park is the largest of Hugo’s parks, at 125 acres in size.
Clue #5 intimated that “Landmarks are few and far between,” hinting that the park is secluded in nature; it also included a reference to the circular path in the park (“sunwise” and “widdershins” are antiquated terms meaning “clockwise” and “counter-clockwise,” respectively). Irish Avenue is the only city park to contain a circular walking or riding path of any significant size.
Clue #6 referred to the rural nature of the park (“This playground of Nature’s creation”) and threw in a few visual clues. “Ogres climb from the bog below” was a reference to two huge, gnarly trees hunched over a wetland (headed sunwise on the path) and the “granite turtle” referred to a turtle-like, flat-bottomed rock that appeared to be climbing an adjacent rock (even further sunwise). In a park consisting of mostly grass, trees and swamp, these were natural features that were noticeable.
Clue #7’s “others have quarried” phrase referred to Irish Avenue Park’s former history as a gravel pit. Hugo residents who read The Citizen and follow the local news would likely know this. Searchers were also warned to bring bug spray and to avoid the lower ground — no sense in getting muddy!
Clue #8 made reference to the welcome sign along Irish Avenue and three natural gas line warning signs along the path to the “southern slopes” where Spike was hidden. The gas line was installed years ago to connect to a temporary asphalt plant at the pit. This clue also referred to the excellent view of the “aerial,” or cell phone tower north of the park boundary, from Spike’s hiding place. And, for good measure, the clue refers to the “luck” of the Irish. (Okay, it’s a long shot.)
Clue #9 revealed the identity of the park and suggested searchers locate a pine cone-shaped tree from which to sight a line toward the emergency “siren” (Ulysses was the hero of the Odyssey who wanted to hear the Sirens’ song) and swing an angle to the right to find Spike’s hiding place.
Clue #10 specified that angle as 40 degrees in width, naming Spike’s hiding place near a “berried tree.” Ostertag said he spotted a small red cedar tree — a species of juniper — which he knows produces tiny blue berries (and this tree was no exception; the berries were visible). Spike was about five paces southeast of the tree, lying in the grass.
We again thank our sponsors for supporting the 2014 Hunt for the Golden Spike: The City of Hugo and its Parks Commission; Key Automotive, 14797 Forest Blvd. N., Hugo; Ideal Credit Union (formerly PCU), 14750 Victor Hugo Blvd. N., Hugo; Lake Area Mortgage, 14602 Everton Ave. N., Hugo; St. Croix Saddlery, 5525 141st St. N., Hugo; Wise Guys Pizza, 7095 20th Ave. S., Centerville; Hawaiian Tan, 14643 Mercantile Dr. N., Hugo; and Kelly's Korner Bar, 7098 Centerville Road, Centerville.
Copyright 2014 Hugo Citizen/PressPubs.