2024 Great TC Treasure Hunt

“We’re back again—” in a park we’ve visited before; “Excited to try something new” with our clues—in that not only is this the first Great TC Treasure Hunt designed for a 10-day schedule, but that, per the proceeding lines (“That being said, let us retread— / We've got some 'splaining to do…”), we would be attempting to “retread” last year’s clues, and their explanations, for this year’s hunt. The remainder of the intro reiterates the concept

“A leafy zone conceals the stone,” “nix and reverse the Cluewriter's curse,” and “stay out of Linden Hills!” This was intended to suggest pairing each of this year’s clues to last year’s first ten clues, in reverse order—to find the jewel (or “stone”) in an overgrown patch of weeds.

“Even though one year ago / We made everybody mad, / Disrupting the game was not our aim— / Johannes says: ‘My bad.’” and “To tame our beast—west to east— / Winnow the wheat from the chaff; / Look to the past—first to last— / And cut the field in half!.” They were intended to reinforce this hunt’s connection to last year’s, while narrowing the field of locations to home in on Saint Paul (the “Last City of the East”) and eliminate Minneapolis (the “First City of the West”).

“With a lovely view of a lake or two / Just a holler from the goods— / The hiding place is an oaken base... / Or are they cottonwoods?” This was again intended to reinforce cross-referencing this year’s clues against last years (in which a cottonwood tree was confused for an oak), and to suggest searching for the jewel at the base of a tree in wooded parkland with two or more lakes.

“Cut for sign through brush and vine / ’Til barb and thorn are skewered; / Another case of species invasive— / Scourge of the parkland steward!” This was intended to suggest searching for the jewel in an area that has volunteer-based management of invasive species and native plant communities.

“At a tranquil location for relaxation— / Oasis of calm in our midst, / Follow the path that splits in half / For a Shyamalan-worthy twist!” This was intended to reinforce reversing last year’s clues to pair them with this year’s—and to suggest searching for the jewel in a quiet, tranquil space with a single, primary path cutting it roughly in half.

“The purpose we serve is to throw you a curve, / So curves are what we throw,” and “Round the bend in a hunt 'til the end—It was seventy years ago!” This was intended to suggest searching for the jewel in an area down the tracks from a station along the historic Como-Harriet Streetcar line (which originally operated from 1898 to 1954) and just uphill from a bridge, along a curving route.

“When logic disputed the roads as routed, / The neighbors were still on the fence— / But City Hall listened; routes were rechristened— / And now the streets (mostly) make sense!”, which was intended to suggest searching for the jewel near a roadway renamed to share its designation with a nearby park.

“Attending class is a good way to pass— / Putting you right near the prize, / Where a sizable sign might help define / The direction in which it lies.” This was intended to suggest searching for the jewel on woodland near an area with a plaque related to education.

“a trek through trees,” “The refuge is for the birds,” and “grounds of play.” This was intended to suggest searching for the jewel in an area with a nearby playground and bird sanctuary, while also suggesting that the area surrounding the treasure was forested.

“Concealed from shore, on the forest floor” and “Muggle the cache in stewardly fashion— / On a path to the great, glass bubble!” This was intended to suggest searching for the jewel in an area with nearby lakeshore related to a steward of the outdoors, and that the jewel was hidden on the ground.