2003 Off-Season Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt

Submitted by Allison Wonderland on Wed, 02/29/2012 - 2:49 PM

AW put together this off-season hunt, having only written nine clues before it was found. Regman found it at Hidden Falls Park, at the top of the stairs by the Falls end of the park, near sort of a balcony overlooking the falls.

Hunt Information

Dates

Scheduled Dates

Saturday, November 1, 2003

Find Date

Sunday, November 9, 2003

Finders

Name

Regman

Hometown

Saint Paul

Location

General Location

Hidden Falls Park

Pinpointed Location

Near the overlook above the falls

Concealer

In a pair of tealight candles that had the wax removed

44.9098, -93.192

Clues

Clue 1

Published Date

Friday, October 31, 2003, 6:00 PM

Well since the hunters all came, let's begin one more game
You should stick to St. Paul parks to make this hunt shorter.
And if it should be your aim, to be in the gallery of fame
You need to locate the region using a scent and a quarter.

The official meaning of the clue.

The "quarter" referred to the fact that the treasure was hidden in Zone 1 of 4, 1/4, a quarter. Hidden Falls is the only park with 4 zones, so this could have given you both the park, and the zone (or "region") it was in. Once in Zone 1, an "ascent" [a scent] would take you up the stairs to the "gallery" where the treasure was hidden.

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Saturday, November 1, 2003, 6:00 PM

There's no need to drivel, Americans should be civil,
Even if they've been known in the past to get cranky.
Look up, don't shrivel. Pick one side, don't swivel.
And between the two, it's best to align with the Yankee.

The official meaning of the clue.

Hidden Falls has two parts, divided into north and south. This clue refers to the American Civil War which was fought between the North and the South. Looking for a park with a distinct North and South could have led you to Hidden Falls. And between the two, the treasure was in the North, just as the Yankees were the North in the Civil War. Also, "Look up" alludes to the fact that the treasure is hidden on high ground.

Clue Rating

Clue 3

Published Date

Sunday, November 2, 2003, 6:00 PM

It's true that fall has now fell, so the weather does tell,
And you'll see it confirmed by the many bare trees.
But if you want to excel and find where the coin doth dwell
Look for something at a fairly consistent forty-five degrees.

The official meaning of the clue.

This clue refers to the many trees in the park as well as the large winding stairway that led up to the treasure spot. Stairways are usually at about a 45 degree angle.

Clue Rating

Clue 4

Published Date

Monday, November 3, 2003, 6:00 PM

The quirky Aquarius you'll find all around us.
While the bullish Taurus is always underfoot.
The wandering Sagittarius is encircled thus,
And the stinging Scorpio is nearby at the root.

The official meaning of the clue.

Each of these signs represents a different element. Aquarius is an AIR sign (despite what many people think), just as air is all around us. Taurus is an earth sign as earth is beneath our feet. Sagittarius is a fire sign, and being encircled refers to the nearby fire rings. Scorpio is a water sign referring to the stream nearby and that you could see it's root (source), the falls, just below the hiding spot.

Clue Rating

Clue 5

Published Date

Tuesday, November 4, 2003, 6:00 PM

When times were tough, poor men were rough,
And there wasn't a job anywhere in the land,
We refused to slough. President Roosevelt took a puff,
And came up with a way to lend a helping hand.

The official meaning of the clue.

Much of the area of the park around the hiding spot was built up by the WPA during the Roosevelt administration, a program that put poor people to work building public projects. The first letter in each phrase spells out WPA-WPA.

Clue Rating

Clue 6

Published Date

Wednesday, November 5, 2003, 6:00 PM

So you think it'd be neat if I were to give you a street?
And then you say finding the park would be no sweat?
Well get out of your seat, and be fast on your feet,
Because for street clues this is the only one you'll get.

The official meaning of the clue.

This doesn't actually give you a street name. But what one might infer from this being the only street clue is that there is only one street bordering the park to give a clue about, which should narrow it down considerably. It also alludes to the running/biking paths that run alongside the road at the edge of the park.

Clue Rating

Clue 7

Published Date

Thursday, November 6, 2003, 6:00 PM

If you arrive after dark, there may be nowhere to park,
But that won't keep a stout hunter away from the treasure.
Did you overlook your mark before following the arc?
Well then walk down the trail to search at your leisure.

The official meaning of the clue.

This clue refers to the scenic overlook at the top of the park. From there, if you follow the arc of the walking path, there is a trail that leads down a bit to the gallery where the treasure was. It also refers to the fact that the parking lot is gated off at night.

Clue Rating

Clue 8

Published Date

Friday, November 7, 2003, 6:00 PM

There's a person of fame, or so they could eventually claim
But to you their later career is hardly worth a thing.
To win at this game, you need only guess the name
Of the person who was known at birth as Leslie King.

The official meaning of the clue.

Gerald Ford, the former president, was originally born Leslie L. King Jr. and then had his name changed when he was 2. The Ford plant is very near the hiding spot.

Clue Rating

Clue 9

Published Date

Saturday, November 8, 2003, 6:00 PM

You won't need to swim, but the hiding spot is dim
So to be sure that this hunt isn't more than you can handle,
Try not to get grim, but the wick you'll need to trim
As the most useful thing in finding the treasure is a candle.

The official meaning of the clue.

This refers to the park being dark at night and the fact that the treasure was hidden in two tealights pressed together. And I didn't actually write any more clues. If I had, there probably would have been one more specifically mentioning stairs, one naming the park, and one telling you where to look exactly.

Clue Rating