The Allison Wonderland

David, Will you be doing the Winter Carnival Scavenger Hunts again this year? Or will you have more time to devote to the PP Treasure Hunt? Any park pick pool coming out soon? Where's the snow? Happy New Year to all! And Good Luck to all treasure hunters this year! Stay safe...and warm! Bob

The Golden Beer Can Hunt is back for another year!

 

This official Winter Carnival event will start on Tuesday, January 7th and this year clues will be released three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday! The prizes this year are once again a beer a day for year, as well as a private party at Can Can Wonderland! You do need a Winter Carnival button to claim those prizes. However claiming the glory of finding it and keeping the golden beer can is free! (disclaimer, it's not actually made of gold).

 

It will once again be hidden on public property in St. Paul (so not in or around the brewery!) Clues will be released at the brewery and the next day online. While waiting for the clue to come out, you're invited to hang out and enjoy this year's Winter Carnivale and/or some food. I was just there the other day and had a patty melt and fries, both of which were amazing (good work to their new chef!)

 

St. Paul Brewing is located in the Historic Hamm's Brewery on the south side of Minnehaha Ave., just west of Arcade.

Clue #1

Just wanted to say today is the day

That marks our return to Wonderland

My coin is hidden and you are bidden

To find it and get it back in my hand.

 

The place that is key is where one can see

A feature from before 1909

Others came later, some of ‘em greater

St. Paul did owe much to make their design.

 

The first paragraph is just introducing the hunt, though one could take “return” to mean a repeat park. There are several park features that predate 1909, though the one I meant in particular here was the Mannheimer memorial from 1906. Other “greater” features came later like the Conservatory and the Lakeside Pavilion. And of course St. Paul had to post a pretty large bond to establish the park. But the big clue here was taking one word from each line: see-0-‘em-owe to spell C-O-M-O.

 

Clue #2

You might see a duck, less likely a buck.

I would say seek out something else with wings.

You might feel regal, but keep it legal

Or else you’ll be going around in rings.

 

Henrik Ibsen, the playwright whose bust was near the treasure, had a play called “The Wild Duck”. It also refers to the adjacent pond where one might see a duck. “buck-I” refers to the plaque on a tree identifying the buckeye trees there. The treasure was between the bust and the plaque. The thing with wings referred to the Butterfly Lot with a monarch (regal) butterfly being an example. Going around in rings referred to the turnaround in the butterfly lot, the labyrinth, and the Schiffman Fountain turnaround which are all in a row near the treasure.

 

Clue #3

It’s time to play ball the umpires did call

Way back when the field was filled with players

You can still play here, but not there my dear.

That diamond is now filled with purveyors.

This could refer to either Lexington Stadium, suggesting Lexington Ave. or Midway Stadium suggesting Midway Parkway. Both stadiums are gone now with businesses occupying their former land and both streets lead you to Como Park where you can find some nearby ball fields that do still exist.

 

Clue #4

It might help a smidge if you spot a bridge

From the path that leads you to the treasure.

And I’d say one needs to avoid the weeds

As the burrs will not bring any pleasure.

 

From the hiding spot you can see the footbridge going over the lily pond. There is also a path right in front of the hiding spot. This also tells you to avoid hunting in the burr-filled brush nearby because who needs to get covered in those during a hunt?

 

Clue #5

It is well known that you play alone

As there is really only one finder.

There's no time to waste, reserve is misplaced

A stock of patience is just a winder.

 

This clue was more of a puzzle. The game you play alone is Solitare. One particular version is called Canfield where you have three piles of cards, the stock, the waste, and the reserve. Canfield Ave. runs into the west side of the park, but is roughly in line with where the treasure is hidden. Being a “winder” is a reference to the labyrinth where you follow a winding path within the circle.

 

Clue #6

You know it’s not here, and yet it sits near,

A clear edge marking where you should not go.

Once a comfy spot, now a depressed plot,

Covered with scattered holes when there’s no snow.

 

This clue is talking about the nearby golf course. You know it’s not on the golf course, but it is fairly near the treasure. A fence marks a clear boundary. Cosy (“comfy”) Lake used to be there, but since it dried up, it’s now just low lying (“depressed”) land. And of course a golf course is covered in holes (18 of them!) though you can’t see them when there is snow.

 

Clue #7

There on the estate you will find a gate

That is not in the spot where it began.

Cross over the road, well before the toad,

A space unshaded by trees you should scan.

 

This refers to the Gates Ajar where the iron gate itself originally came from the Crosby estate. And even then, the Gates Ajar are not in the same place they were first put. Starting from there, take the bridge across Lexington and follow that path to the Lily Pond, well before you’d get to the Frog Pond. And then the hiding spot was in an area that could technically fall into shade at a certain time of the day, but was not directly under a tree.

 

Clue #8

To find the right mark, first drive to the park,

And then you will have to park on the drive.

But check out the view! Does this road go through?

Have we traveled back to 2005?

 

This refers to the Butterfly parking lot which is located on Kaufman Drive. But if you look up the Butterfly Lot on Google Street View, and go down to the end of it, you’ll see the option to keep going forward. If you do, it’s like going through a time portal to 2007 (which probably wasn’t much different from 2005 which rhymed with “drive”) when Kaufman Dr. was actually a street that went all the way through to Lexington. The “time portal” is pretty close to where the treasure was.

 

Clue #9

The men of the park are still in the dark

As they are looking in the wrong place.

If the hunting swarm wishes to get warm,

Must be ninety plus degrees for this chase.

 

This refers to the statues of Schiller and Ibsen, neither of which are looking at the treasure, so you can eliminate those areas to the south and west. The “90 plus degrees” referred not to angles, but to arcs. The bush that the treasure was hidden under was one of four in a semi-circle (180 degree) arc.

 

Clue #10

If you still don’t know to which park to go

Circle back to the hunt in twenty ten

Many a path there, but look for one where

You can take it and then cross it again.

 

The 2010 Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt was also at Como. “Circle back” suggests the semi circle of bushes in back of the bench. There are many paths near the treasure, but the only intersection where you can fully cross it in both directions (i.e. a four way intersection) is the one nearest the treasure.

 

Clue #11

Let’s not be just smart, you also need heart

If you have hopes of getting the treasure

Lest you be a blob sitting on the job.

You ought to look back just for good measure.

 

“Heart” references the “HART” graffiti on a piece of concrete next to the hiding spot. “Sitting on the job” refers to the bench in front of the treasure (there are only two in the immediate area), which is why you should “look back”. Also, the first letter of each line spells LILY to make sure you head towards the Lily Pond.

 

Clue #12

To avoid FOMO, head out to Como

And park yourself in the butterfly lot.

A little beyond the dry lily pond

Behind a bench a bush sits on the plot.

 

This just tells you to go to the Butterfly lot in Como Park. Then on the far end of the Lily Pond is a bench with four bushes in a semi-circle behind it. The treasure is under one of those bushes.

The treasure was found just a little bit ago by Nicholas Casci while searching on his lunch break. It was found in a brown fabric bag under a bush and obscured by leaves. Specifically it was on the south end of the Lily Pond under one of the four bushes behind the bench there. He is a first time finder for the Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt and will win the $250 prize. Congratulations!

As far as I know the treasure is still out there. Will it be for much longer? Here is the new clue.   Clue #10 If you still don’t know to which park to go Circle back to the hunt in twenty ten Many a path there, but look for one where You can take it and then cross it again.   Here are the previous clues.   Clue #9 The men of the park are still in the dark As they are looking in the wrong place. If the hunting swarm wishes to get warm, Must be ninety plus degrees for this chase.   Clue #8 To impose your mark, first drive to the park, And then you will have to park on the drive. But check out the view! Does this road go through? Have we traveled back to 2005?   Clue #7 There on the estate you will find a gate That is not in the spot where it began. Cross over the road, well before the toad, A space unshaded by trees you should scan.   Clue #6 You know it’s not here, and yet it sits near, A clear edge marking where you should not go. Once a comfy spot, now a depressed plot, Covered with scattered holes when there’s no snow.    Clue #5 It is well known that you play alone As there is really only one finder. There's no time to waste, reserve is misplaced A stock of patience is just a winder.   Clue #4 It might help a smidge if you spot a bridge From the path that leads you to the treasure. And I’d say one needs to avoid the weeds As the burrs will not bring any pleasure.   Clue #3 It’s time to play ball the umpires did call Way back when the field was filled with players You can still play here, but not there my dear. That diamond is now filled with purveyors.   Clue #2 You might see a duck, less likely a buck. I would say seek out something else with wings. You might feel regal, but keep it legal Or else you’ll be going around in rings.   Clue #1 Just wanted to say today is the day That marks our return to Wonderland My coin is hidden and you are bidden To find it and get it back in my hand.   The place that is key is where one can see A feature from before 1909 Others came later, some of ‘em greater St. Paul did owe much to make their design.

No reports of the treasure being found and so we move on to the next clue!   Clue #9 The men of the park are still in the dark As they are looking in the wrong place. If the hunting swarm wishes to get warm, Must be ninety plus degrees for this chase.   Here are the previous clues.   Clue #8 To impose your mark, first drive to the park, And then you will have to park on the drive. But check out the view! Does this road go through? Have we traveled back to 2005?   Clue #7 There on the estate you will find a gate That is not in the spot where it began. Cross over the road, well before the toad, A space unshaded by trees you should scan.   Clue #6 You know it’s not here, and yet it sits near, A clear edge marking where you should not go. Once a comfy spot, now a depressed plot, Covered with scattered holes when there’s no snow.    Clue #5 It is well known that you play alone As there is really only one finder. There's no time to waste, reserve is misplaced A stock of patience is just a winder.   Clue #4 It might help a smidge if you spot a bridge From the path that leads you to the treasure. And I’d say one needs to avoid the weeds As the burrs will not bring any pleasure.   Clue #3 It’s time to play ball the umpires did call Way back when the field was filled with players You can still play here, but not there my dear. That diamond is now filled with purveyors.   Clue #2 You might see a duck, less likely a buck. I would say seek out something else with wings. You might feel regal, but keep it legal Or else you’ll be going around in rings.   Clue #1 Just wanted to say today is the day That marks our return to Wonderland My coin is hidden and you are bidden To find it and get it back in my hand.   The place that is key is where one can see A feature from before 1909 Others came later, some of ‘em greater St. Paul did owe much to make their design.

From reports I'm hearing, it sounds like a fair number of people are out there hunting. Are they getting close? Well, there are no reports of a finding yet, so we press on with the next clue. Let's hope for a good hunting weekend!   Clue #8 To impose your mark, first drive to the park, And then you will have to park on the drive. But check out the view! Does this road go through? Have we traveled back to 2005?   Here are the previous clues.   Clue #7 There on the estate you will find a gate That is not in the spot where it began. Cross over the road, well before the toad, A space unshaded by trees you should scan.   Clue #6 You know it’s not here, and yet it sits near, A clear edge marking where you should not go. Once a comfy spot, now a depressed plot, Covered with scattered holes when there’s no snow.    Clue #5 It is well known that you play alone As there is really only one finder. There's no time to waste, reserve is misplaced A stock of patience is just a winder.   Clue #4 It might help a smidge if you spot a bridge From the path that leads you to the treasure. And I’d say one needs to avoid the weeds As the burrs will not bring any pleasure.   Clue #3 It’s time to play ball the umpires did call Way back when the field was filled with players You can still play here, but not there my dear. That diamond is now filled with purveyors.   Clue #2 You might see a duck, less likely a buck. I would say seek out something else with wings. You might feel regal, but keep it legal Or else you’ll be going around in rings.   Clue #1 Just wanted to say today is the day That marks our return to Wonderland My coin is hidden and you are bidden To find it and get it back in my hand.   The place that is key is where one can see A feature from before 1909 Others came later, some of ‘em greater St. Paul did owe much to make their design.

Bonus "clue"   Looking at the clue again and a map, I realize there might be some ambiguity around what is unshaded. So take the clue to mean that it is not in a wooded area or directly under a tree.

We've made it to the back half of the hunt! Here is the latest clue:   Clue #7 There on the estate you will find a gate That is not in the spot where it began. Cross over the road, well before the toad, A space unshaded by trees you should scan.   Here are the previous clues.   Clue #6 You know it’s not here, and yet it sits near, A clear edge marking where you should not go. Once a comfy spot, now a depressed plot, Covered with scattered holes when there’s no snow.    Clue #5 It is well known that you play alone As there is really only one finder. There's no time to waste, reserve is misplaced A stock of patience is just a winder.   Clue #4 It might help a smidge if you spot a bridge From the path that leads you to the treasure. And I’d say one needs to avoid the weeds As the burrs will not bring any pleasure.   Clue #3 It’s time to play ball the umpires did call Way back when the field was filled with players You can still play here, but not there my dear. That diamond is now filled with purveyors.   Clue #2 You might see a duck, less likely a buck. I would say seek out something else with wings. You might feel regal, but keep it legal Or else you’ll be going around in rings.   Clue #1 Just wanted to say today is the day That marks our return to Wonderland My coin is hidden and you are bidden To find it and get it back in my hand.   The place that is key is where one can see A feature from before 1909 Others came later, some of ‘em greater St. Paul did owe much to make their design.

Clue #6 You know it’s not here, and yet it sits near, A clear edge marking where you should not go. Once a comfy spot, now a depressed plot, Covered with scattered holes when there’s no snow.   Here are the previous clues.   Clue #5 It is well known that you play alone As there is really only one finder. There's no time to waste, reserve is misplaced A stock of patience is just a winder.   Clue #4 It might help a smidge if you spot a bridge From the path that leads you to the treasure. And I’d say one needs to avoid the weeds As the burrs will not bring any pleasure.   Clue #3 It’s time to play ball the umpires did call Way back when the field was filled with players You can still play here, but not there my dear. That diamond is now filled with purveyors.   Clue #2 You might see a duck, less likely a buck. I would say seek out something else with wings. You might feel regal, but keep it legal Or else you’ll be going around in rings.   Clue #1 Just wanted to say today is the day That marks our return to Wonderland My coin is hidden and you are bidden To find it and get it back in my hand.   The place that is key is where one can see A feature from before 1909 Others came later, some of ‘em greater St. Paul did owe much to make their design.

The hunt continues! Here is your new clue...   Clue #5 It is well known that you play alone As there is really only one finder. There's no time to waste, reserve is misplaced A stock of patience is just a winder.   Here are the previous clues.   Clue #4 It might help a smidge if you spot a bridge From the path that leads you to the treasure. And I’d say one needs to avoid the weeds As the burrs will not bring any pleasure.   Clue #3 It’s time to play ball the umpires did call Way back when the field was filled with players You can still play here, but not there my dear. That diamond is now filled with purveyors.   Clue #2 You might see a duck, less likely a buck. I would say seek out something else with wings. You might feel regal, but keep it legal Or else you’ll be going around in rings.   Clue #1 Just wanted to say today is the day That marks our return to Wonderland My coin is hidden and you are bidden To find it and get it back in my hand.   The place that is key is where one can see A feature from before 1909 Others came later, some of ‘em greater St. Paul did owe much to make their design.

Here is the new clue. No word about it being found yet.   Clue #4 It might help a smidge if you spot a bridge From the path that leads you to the treasure. And I’d say one needs to avoid the weeds As the burrs will not bring any pleasure.   Here are the previous clues.   Clue #3 It’s time to play ball the umpires did call Way back when the field was filled with players You can still play here, but not there my dear. That diamond is now filled with purveyors.   Clue #2 You might see a duck, less likely a buck. I would say seek out something else with wings. You might feel regal, but keep it legal Or else you’ll be going around in rings.   Clue #1 Just wanted to say today is the day That marks our return to Wonderland My coin is hidden and you are bidden To find it and get it back in my hand.   The place that is key is where one can see A feature from before 1909 Others came later, some of ‘em greater St. Paul did owe much to make their design.

Here we go with Clue #3. But first, since we are doing the hunt for free this year, I'm going to interject a word from our "sponsor".

My lodge is doing a murder mystery fundraiser this spring. We've done them before at the James J Hill House and the Bakken Museum. This time we're going for a medieval storyline and a RenFest type atmosphere. So join us on May 4th starting at noon. We'll have a festival atmosphere going with games and entertainment. Get to know the more notable characters during the afternoon. And then partake in a dinnertime feast. There should be a lot of merriment. At least until someone gets murdered! You will need to help the Baron solve the murder and will get a chance to interview the suspects and witnesses. Will the real murderer face the consequences? And then after dinner stick around the campground if you like to enjoy the campfires and even camp overnight if so inclined. We definitely encourage people to come in costume! Tickets are $75 and include the murder mystery, a five course meal, camping overnight, and all of the other festivities! Read more about it and get your tickets at https://www.bradenlodge.org/murder

Clue #3

It’s time to play ball the umpires did call

Way back when that field was filled with players

You can still play here, but not there my dear.

That diamond is now filled with purveyors.

Highland

Clue #2

You might see a duck, less likely a buck.

I would say seek out something else with wings.

You might feel regal, but keep it legal

Or else you’ll be going around in rings.

Greetings everyone!

Spring seems to have arrived (if we even ever really had a winter) which means it is once again time for the Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt! In fact, it is starting today. As in right now! Clue 1 is below. This year is a little different in that there is not going to be any registration process. The prize is $250 and it will go to whoever returns the medallion to me (presumably the finder). As usual it is located in a park (or park like area) in St. Paul. It is not indoors, in water, up a tree, on a steep hill, on a building, inside anything electrical or anywhere else that might seem like a bad idea to search (which is subjective of course, but still usually a good guideline).

The clues will come out once a day at 5pm (the timing on clue 2 tomorrow might be a bit off though) with 12 clues total if needed.

Clue #1

Just wanted to say today is the day

That marks our return to Wonderland

My coin is hidden and you are bidden

To find it and get it back in my hand.

 

The place that is key is where one can see

A feature from before 1909

Others came later, some of ‘em greater

 

St. Paul did owe much to make their design.

 

Sorry that it took a while to get to this but I've been busy running the Winter Carnival Scavenger Hunts (it's not too late to join!). But we do have a winner in the Allison Wonderland Park Pool. Only three people put any bets on Bruce Vento Nature Center at all, and one definitely did it the earliest and the most and that was Cluemaster! So congratulations to Brad, you have won the $100 which I will get to you at the Rehash.

An ambulance pulled up to the homeless encampment across the street during the press conference.

Always thought it was a matter of time before they hid it there. It's a nice place for a walk, and lots of hiding places. Only thing I don't like about it is it's very secluded area and lighting isn't the greatest, so I don't know if I would hunt that area at night solo.

That’s stupid. Not even a park.