2024 Mendota Days Hunt for the Dota Doubloon

Submitted by Administrator on Mon, 07/08/2024 - 10:53 AM

Hunt for the Dota Doubloon

Reward: $100 (and all the spoils!)

Engage in a hunt for the Dota Doubloon.

A treasure hunt for all to consume.

At 5pm July 12*, 2024-the hunt will commence.

Good luck to all and enjoy the event!

Mendota Days Doubloon Hunt Rules & Information:

⦁    The doubloon will be hidden within Mendota city limits. Stay out of the Heights!-
⦁    The doubloon will not be hidden in flower beds or gardens-
⦁    The doubloon will not be hidden more than 5ft off the ground-
⦁    Do not search on noted private property, gated areas, people's yards, or indoors-
⦁    Search, don't destroy! Please refrain from using tools in Mendota-
⦁    Failure to follow rules will result in termination of the hunt-

The hunt's clues with post on the Mendota Day's Facebook page at approximate times.

Clue schedule:

⦁     Clue 1-Friday, July 12* 5pm
⦁     Clue 2-Saturday, July 13* 10am
⦁     Clue 3-Saturday, July 13* 12pm
⦁     Clue 4-Saturday, July 13* 2pm
⦁     Clue 5-Saturday, July 13% 4pm
⦁     Clue 6-Saturday, July 13* 6pm
⦁     Clue 7-Sunday, July 14m 10am (if necessary)

Hunt Information

Dates

Scheduled Dates

Friday, July 12, 2024

Finders

Name

Kim Browning

Prize

Maximum Prize

$100

Awarded Prize

$100

Location

General Location

Big Rivers Regional Trail

Pinpointed Location

Behind Benson Metals

Concealer

In a Box Elder

44.887917, -93.15984

Clues

Clue 1

Published Date

Friday, July 12, 2024, 5:00 PM

Grab your crews, get ready for clues!
This year is one you don't want to miss.
Troops from other lands-bring plunder plans.
Begin the battle for treasured bliss.

Rhymes are written, doubloon is hidden.
To all locals: Use your advantage.
As you explore, no tools, we implore!
Our sacred Mdote is not to be ravaged.

The official meaning of the clue.

Basically this was just an intro and announcement that the doubloon was hidden. Its also offered a tip saying that there may be some gung-ho hunters visiting town in attempt to grab the doubloon. I did start the clue with the letter G to signify G street which is close to the hide.

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Saturday, July 13, 2024, 10:00 AM

Whether parade, music, or bar is your cigar,
Mendota has you covered for the day.
Enjoy the festivities in our little city.
Hunting the doubloon adds to the array.

The official meaning of the clue.

OR BAR was an anagram for ARBOR. There was a small metal arbor in the grass next to the hiding spot.

Clue Rating

Clue 3

Published Date

Saturday, July 13, 2024, 12:00 PM

Don't reach for gold, the box contains silver, Im told.
Let only diamond eyes lead you through town.
Don't rely on luck, if you wish to make the pluck.
No time to nickel and dime while you hang around.

The official meaning of the clue.

Gold, silver, lead, nickel are all metals. The doubloon was hidden behind the old Benson Metal warehouse. The doubloon was made of silver and had to diamond inlets that looked like eyes. Don't rely on luck was to say it is not in the immediate area of Lucky's 13. Hang was used to say the doubloon would be hanging.

Clue Rating

Clue 4

Published Date

Saturday, July 13, 2024, 2:00 PM

Been since an 1844 date, we incorporated into the state.
The post, the land, and everything under Mdote's sun.
Keys to the meticulous hide, within clues reside-
Discover the code-all shall become undone!

The official meaning of the clue.

The code was 1844. Take the 1st word of line 1, 8th word of line 2, 4th word of line 3, and the 4th word of line 4. It would give you Been, Sun, Meticulous, All. Which was to hint at (Ben son Met al). Incorporated was used for Benson Metal Inc. Post was used for post office reference which was not that far away. This was a tough one. Awesome job if you got it!!

Clue Rating

Clue 5

Published Date

Saturday, July 13, 2024, 4:00 PM

Use an eye, looking down from the sky.
Prepare as your world turns upside down!
If you figure this out, you'll have no doubt.
Within its sight the doubloon will be found.

The official meaning of the clue.

Graffiti on the back Benson metal was an exclamation point (!). Turn it upside down and it becomes an I (eye). You literally could walk a line from where you can see it to the branch it was hanging on.

Clue Rating

Clue 6

Published Date

Saturday, July 13, 2024, 6:00 PM

HanGing in a tree, near an arbor, behind the metal parlor.
Along the Great River that doesn't really flow.
The elder's rib "We don't like the cut of your jib!"
But what's in the box? They'd like to know.

The official meaning of the clue.

I capitalized the G to signify G street. Great River was the Big River Regional Trail. Elder and box was to give you that it was in a box elder tree. It was on the opposite side of the trail in line from the word 'JIB' grafittied on the back of Benson Metals.

Clue Rating

Bonus Clue

Published Date

Saturday, July 13, 2024, 6:43 PM

Maybe not a tree, sorry, but a branch is key.
Purtruding from the base, just a few feet from a River Great.
Find Jib's stamp and check a branch.
Colored like leaves, the box elder case awaits!

Clue Rating