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Is there any discussion of this hunt on your allison wonderland site? 

Clue #2

Even with all the time you’ve got, a picnic this pursuit is not.

We’ve picked a rather rustic spot that doesn’t evoke the city.

You’re not going to need a ball, no vendors there as we recall.

Really, mostly nothing at all, but with snow the hills are pretty.

Clue #1

From all throughout our realm we call treasure hunters home to St. Paul

To invite you each, one and all to seek our golden can of beer.

On public land is where it hides. Let city limits be your guides.

Prepare to take a lot of strides if you’re going to walk from here.

 

And thus St. Paul Brewing extends this invite to our darling friends

Where your hunting success depends on finding water of three kinds.

There’s a happy end to this tale if you stay off the beaten trail.

Articles provide some detail, but not the ones that cover finds.

The Hunt for the Golden Beer Can kicked off last night at St. Paul Brewing with much fanfare. The Golden Beer Can is hidden on public property in St. Paul (not named Indian Mounds or Como Zoo/Conservatory). Here is Clue #1:

Greetings everyone!

I know you don't often hear from me before the holidays, but there is some news that's too urgent to wait for after New Year's. The PP will be doing their usual Medallion Hunt again this year. And the Winter Carnival has me once again running the Scavenger Hunts. But the Winter Carnival is also doing a new hunt this year in conjunction with St. Paul Brewing. It's called the Hunt for the Golden Beer Can. This is a standard hunt in the sense that a "golden" beer can will be hidden on public land in St. Paul and clues will be put out to slowly reveal its location. But it is also different in that the clues will only come out on Tuesday and Thursday and the hunt will last for up to 5 weeks. The first clue will actually come out on Tuesday, January 2nd and Clue 10 would be February 1st. The prize is also unique. If you have a Winter Carnival button, you will win a free beer every day for a year at St. Paul Brewing (or the cash equivalent towards other food and drink). And if you can show a button from last year, you can also win a $100 gift card to Can Can Wonderland every month for a year. 

The clues will be released at 6pm at St. Paul Brewery (in the old Hamms Brewery building) every Tuesday and Thursday until the hunt is over. I suspect they will show up elsewhere as well. If you haven't guessed by now, I am also involved in organizing this hunt and I think it will prove to be a very interesting one. I also think it will recapture some of the community spirit of the hunt that seems lost in recent years. St. Paul Brewing is going to be making an event out of every clue release with door prizes. Hang out at the Brewery for some pizza and Winter CarnivAle while you wait for the clue (or while you try to decipher it after it comes out). But don't get too comfortable because they are bringing back the line to get the latest clue! Although the line will be indoors. They will also be donating a $1 back to the Winter Carnival for every pint of Winter CarnivAle that is purchased on clue days.

So I recommend paying attention, and of course I'll remind you when clues are coming out. Feel free to discuss them here even, though of course I won't be commenting on this hunt. I will still comment on that other hunt though as time permits. So I look forward to chatting with you all more in the coming months!

David Allison

I was posting quickly before to make sure everyone knew it was found, but now let me take a moment to truly congratulate Steven Sanftner on the find. They were tricky clues meant to keep people off balance and certainly not everyone got to the right park, so good job on getting past the red herrings. And then the medallion was hidden in a block of ice that I put in a snowbank, which after all of the melting and refreezing was no easy task to dig out, especially on a cold windy morning like this. So I would say this was definitely an earned victory. Steven was a registered hunter and wins the $350. And thanks also to everyone else who participated and helped support the hunt. Until next time!



On Friday, March 17, 2023 at 09:16:09 AM CDT, Allison Wonderland via groups.io <allisonwondrland@...> wrote:

It looks like the Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt medallion has been found! It was found around 9am by Steven Sanftner at Stonebridge Oval with Ben Fischer looking on (though he was actually partnered with Matt Littlefield and Ed Brodie.)

Clue #1

Research is the key to learn history

So go search online to expand your ken.

Echoes you might chase, but you’ll find the place

If you can hit it three out of ten.

 

The biggest clue here is “search online” which alludes to the search engine “Bing”. That in turn should make you think “Crosby”. “History” and “echoes” suggest that a lot of the clues will allude to historical things that no longer exist. “Three out of ten” alludes to the 10 trees in the park. Only if counting from west to east can you clearly identify which one is the third one and that is where the treasure is. This clue only has 39 syllables instead of the usual 40 which alludes to the park being in line with 39th Ave. across the river. Finally, “research” is a bit of a confirmation hint for later in regard to Stanford Ct. as Stanford is a research university.

 

Clue #2

Finding treasure takes a tale of two lakes,

But searching on dry land it would behoove.

Don’t be a rover, searching all over,

Just be guided by water on the move.

 

The two lakes in this case are the two lakes that were on the Stonebridge estate. In fact, the treasure is hidden in what used to be Lake Elizabeth. But of course it is dry land now. “All over” was a hint to “Oliver” Crosby, owner of Stonebridge. The water on the move refers to both the nearby Mississippi River and Mississippi River Blvd. which had been the western border of Stonebridge.

 

Clue #3

The road of the king, an actual thing,

Makes its way across our city of saints

But from the road veer, don’t even stay near.

Being on the downtown side your hunt taints.

 

The road of the king is the Monarch Highway which in St. Paul runs all along 35E. This is telling you to be on the side of 35E that does not contain downtown which in this case means being on the west side, and actually quite far from the freeway. You could go further and realize that 35E is also the Avenue of the Saints, but only from downtown southwards. That would further restrict your hunt to the SW quadrant of the city. Additionally, St. Clair Ave. is nearby, and more obscurely, Stonebridge was built on land originally designated at St. John’s Woods.

 

Clue #4

Call this street by name, but it’s not the same,

Roads nearby have shifted over the years.

So pull out your map, I’ll give you this scrap,

Because they’re not being straight it appears.

 

This specifically refers to Mount Curv Blvd. which used to be called Montrose Blvd. But that was not the only change as several roads were added after the Stonebridge estate was subdivided. None of the roads in that area are straight except ironically for Mount Curv. Also, the first letter of each clue, C-R-S-B, suggests “Crosby”, the owner/builder of the Stonebridge estate.

 

Clue #5

You’ll find treasure soon when the clock strikes noon,

Maybe somewhere between two and three hours.

Or go back in time to a spot most prime

That was once home to some lovely flowers.

 

Near the park where Woodlawn and Stanford Ct. come together it looks like a triangle on the map. But if you use the satellite view, you’ll see a perfectly circular island with a lamp post in the middle. The post and/or its shadow make it look like a clock at noon. Using that as a guide, the treasure is located between 2:00 and 3:00 if you were to extend it out. Going back in time refers to the only way to visit Stonebridge, which was considered the prime estate in St. Paul and where they had many elaborate gardens.

 

Clue #6

It’s hard being green, having a new scene,

Leaving behind a beautiful abode.

It was quite a trick, moving brick by brick,

But now an old friend is just down the road.

 

This hints at the song “It’s Not Easy Being Green” famously sung by Kermit the Frog. That should get you thinking of the frog at Como’s Frog Pond. It was moved there from the Stonebridge estate as was the gate at Midway and Hamline (which was taken apart and reassembled), and is now down the road from the frog pond.

 

Clue #7

So perhaps this clue feels out of the blue

But there’s a cardinal point to be had.

You won’t be golden while you’re beholden,

It will just feel like you’re an undergrad.

 

“Undergrad” is actually a clue suggesting that the treasure is “under” (or rather south of) University Ave. It’s also a key to the rest of the clue which refers to college mascots. Wellesley, Stanford, and Berkely are all nearby street names whose mascots are “The Blue”, “The Cardinals”, and “The Golden Bears” respectively.

 

Clue #8

This year took a pass on hiding in grass

Because there wasn’t any to be seen.

Instead all you’ll see, here and there a tree

Not exactly a yard you would call green.

 

On one level this clue is just describing the park which has nothing but grass (which you can’t see) and trees. On another level “yard” is suggesting a lawn, but one with trees instead of grass. That is to say a “Woodlawn”. Also hints a bit at there being houses nearby.

 

Clue #9

Everywhere you go there’s still tons of snow.

Some heavy lifting will be in order.

Need help to apply? Derek is your guy.

But you’ll want to stick close to the border.

 

This clue is alluding to Crosby’s business, American Hoist and Derrick which made machines for heavy lifting primarily. Also, the park is near the border of the city and the treasure was hidden on the edge of the park.

 

Clue #10

To locate the goods, search in St. John’s Woods

In the depths of Lake Elizabeth somewhere.

The treasure’s in ice, but let’s be precise,

There’s actually nothing but dry land there.

 

When Crosby bought the property that would become Stonebridge, it was at the time designated as “St. John’s Woods”. He built two artificial lakes on the property, one of which was called Lake Elizabeth after his wife. It was located just north of the mansion and Stonebridge Circle would be floating in it, though of course it is all dry land now. This clue also tells you the treasure was hidden in some ice.

 

Clue #11

A bridge that crumbled ‘cause people fumbled

Can still take you to where the treasure lies.

It is far too late to pass through the gate

But round about the mansion is the prize.

 

After Crosby’s death the estate crumbled both in the sense that the land was subdivided and in the sense that the mansion went for years not being kept up and was demolished in 1953. This was largely because the estate was sold to some real estate developers just as the depression hit and they weren’t able to follow through on their plans. But the idea of Stonebridge will still guide you to the treasure. And even though the gate is gone now, the treasure is located very close to where the mansion was.

 

Clue #12

The bridge made of stone will define the zone

You will want the elongated version.

Once there count each tree, you should stop at three,

The curb holds the end of this excursion

 

This is telling you it is at Stonebridge, “elongated” telling you it is the oval and not the nearby circle. It is hidden near the curb next to the third tree counting from the West.

It looks like the Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt medallion has been found! It was found around 9am by Steven Sanftner at Stonebridge Oval with Ben Fischer looking on (though he was actually partnered with Matt Littlefield and Ed Brodie.)

Here we are coming around the bend at Clue 9. Things have certainly taken a turn today as the rain turned into snow. But perhaps more importantly all that melting snow will be turning to ice and staying that way for the duration. That could certainly complicate search efforts. So perhaps a reminder is in order that the hunt doesn't end after Clue 12 comes out. It ends when it is found, even if that takes into April after everything has melted! Though I'm confident someone will get it before then.   Clue #9 Everywhere you go there’s still tons of snow. Some heavy lifting will be in order. Need help to apply? Derek is your guy. But you’ll want to stick close to the border.   And the previous clues:   Clue #8 This year took a pass on hiding in grass Because there wasn’t any to be seen. Instead all you’ll see, here and there a tree Not exactly a yard you would call green.   Clue #7 So perhaps this clue feels out of the blue But there’s a cardinal point to be had. You won’t be golden while you’re beholden, It will just feel like you’re an undergrad.   Clue #6 It’s hard being green, having a new scene, Leaving behind a beautiful abode. It was quite a trick, moving brick by brick, But now an old friend is just down the road.   Clue #5 You’ll find treasure soon when the clock strikes noon, Maybe somewhere between two and three hours. Or go back in time to a spot most prime That was once home to some lovely flowers.   Clue #4 Call this street by name, but it’s not the same, Roads nearby have shifted over the years. So pull out your map, I’ll give you this scrap, Because they’re not being straight it appears.   Clue #3 The road of the king, an actual thing, Makes its way across the city sainted. But from this way veer, the treasure’s not near, And the downtown side leaves your hunt tainted.   Clue #2 Finding treasure takes a tale of two lakes, But searching on dry land it would behoove. Don’t be a rover, searching all over, Just be guided by water on the move.   Clue #1 Research is the key to learn history So go search online to expand your ken. Echoes you might chase, but you’ll find the place If you can hit it three out of ten.

It looks like the hunt has survived one more day despite today's warm weather. Are people closing in on it? Hard to say as I don't know where many people are looking, but maybe! But for now the hunt is still on. Tomorrow we get rain and snow and then cold and wind after that. Maybe it will go the distance?   Clue #8 This year took a pass on hiding in grass Because there wasn’t any to be seen. Instead all you’ll see, here and there a tree Not exactly a yard you would call green.   And the previous clues:   Clue #7 So perhaps this clue feels out of the blue But there’s a cardinal point to be had. You won’t be golden while you’re beholden, It will just feel like you’re an undergrad.   Clue #6 It’s hard being green, having a new scene, Leaving behind a beautiful abode. It was quite a trick, moving brick by brick, But now an old friend is just down the road.   Clue #5 You’ll find treasure soon when the clock strikes noon, Maybe somewhere between two and three hours. Or go back in time to a spot most prime That was once home to some lovely flowers.   Clue #4 Call this street by name, but it’s not the same, Roads nearby have shifted over the years. So pull out your map, I’ll give you this scrap, Because they’re not being straight it appears.   Clue #3 The road of the king, an actual thing, Makes its way across the city sainted. But from this way veer, the treasure’s not near, And the downtown side leaves your hunt tainted.   Clue #2 Finding treasure takes a tale of two lakes, But searching on dry land it would behoove. Don’t be a rover, searching all over, Just be guided by water on the move.   Clue #1 Research is the key to learn history So go search online to expand your ken. Echoes you might chase, but you’ll find the place If you can hit it three out of ten.

Here we are now at Clue #7 and the hunt is still on. I've seen a few people say they believe they know where it is. Maybe they do. Maybe they have fallen for a red herring. Maybe they've gone off in their own direction from anything I intended. What I will say is if someone makes enough sense of the clues so far, they should be able to get right to it. But of course that is always a big if. Then again maybe it will be found tonight? It will be nice weather for a hunt tomorrow. After that, not as much. Now on to the new clue...   Clue #7 So perhaps this clue feels out of the blue But there’s a cardinal point to be had. You won’t be golden while you’re beholden, It will just feel like you’re an undergrad.   And the previous clues:   Clue #6 It’s hard being green, having a new scene, Leaving behind a beautiful abode. It was quite a trick, moving brick by brick, But now an old friend is just down the road.   Clue #5 You’ll find treasure soon when the clock strikes noon, Maybe somewhere between two and three hours. Or go back in time to a spot most prime That was once home to some lovely flowers.   Clue #4 Call this street by name, but it’s not the same, Roads nearby have shifted over the years. So pull out your map, I’ll give you this scrap, Because they’re not being straight it appears.   Clue #3 The road of the king, an actual thing, Makes its way across the city sainted. But from this way veer, the treasure’s not near, And the downtown side leaves your hunt tainted.   Clue #2 Finding treasure takes a tale of two lakes, But searching on dry land it would behoove. Don’t be a rover, searching all over, Just be guided by water on the move.   Clue #1 Research is the key to learn history So go search online to expand your ken. Echoes you might chase, but you’ll find the place If you can hit it three out of ten.

We're halfway through the clues now and still no report of a find so keep looking!   Clue #6 It’s hard being green, having a new scene, Leaving behind a beautiful abode. It was quite a trick, moving brick by brick, But now an old friend is just down the road.   And the previous clues:   Clue #5 You’ll find treasure soon when the clock strikes noon, Maybe somewhere between two and three hours. Or go back in time to a spot most prime That was once home to some lovely flowers.   Clue #4 Call this street by name, but it’s not the same, Roads nearby have shifted over the years. So pull out your map, I’ll give you this scrap, Because they’re not being straight it appears.   Clue #3 The road of the king, an actual thing, Makes its way across the city sainted. But from this way veer, the treasure’s not near, And the downtown side leaves your hunt tai   Clue #2 Finding treasure takes a tale of two lakes, But searching on dry land it would behoove. Don’t be a rover, searching all over, Just be guided by water on the move.   Clue #1 Research is the key to learn history So go search online to expand your ken. Echoes you might chase, but you’ll find the place If you can hit it three out of ten.

Arlington Avenue used to be Phalen / Como ? King of The Hill is based on Arlen Texas, 310 Arlington puts you next to the community garden on the gateway trail. Just thinking out loud....
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We've made it to Day 5, which is farther than things went last year. Of course it helps to have snow and it helps when new snow keeps falling. There will be some more snow later this week but also some 40 degree days, so there will be a range of things to deal with. We ended up with nearly 30 registrations and probably some more unregistered people looking around as well, so we have a good competition this year. Good luck!

Clue #5 You’ll find treasure soon when the clock strikes noon, Maybe somewhere between two and three hours. Or go back in time to a spot most prime That was once home to some lovely flowers.   And the previous clues:   Clue #4 Call this street by name, but it’s not the same, Roads nearby have shifted over the years. So pull out your map, I’ll give you this scrap, Because they’re not being straight it appears.   Clue #3 The road of the king, an actual thing, Makes its way across the city sainted. But from this way veer, the treasure’s not near, And the downtown side leaves your hunt tai   Clue #2 Finding treasure takes a tale of two lakes, But searching on dry land it would behoove. Don’t be a rover, searching all over, Just be guided by water on the move.   Clue #1 Research is the key to learn history So go search online to expand your ken. Echoes you might chase, but you’ll find the place If you can hit it three out of ten.

Time for clue 4! Due to a last minute jump in registrations I will be bumping the prize up to $350.     Clue #4   Call this street by name, but it’s not the same,   Roads nearby have shifted over the years.   So pull out your map, I’ll give you this scrap,   Because they’re not being straight it appears.     And the previous clues:   Clue #3 The road of the king, an actual thing, Makes its way across the city sainted. But from this way veer, the treasure’s not near, And the downtown side leaves your hunt tai   Clue #2 Finding treasure takes a tale of two lakes, But searching on dry land it would behoove. Don’t be a rover, searching all over, Just be guided by water on the move.   Clue #1 Research is the key to learn history So go search online to expand your ken. Echoes you might chase, but you’ll find the place If you can hit it three out of ten. _._,_._,_

Welcome to Day 3 of the 2023 AW Mock Hunt! Just one day left to register though of course anyone can hunt and win a $100 prize if they find it. Some new snow yesterday and tomorrow may make it harder if it's hidden on the ground (or if you think it is). Of course it probably is, though it hasn't always been. You may just have to wait and see what the clues have to say about it.

Clue #3 The road of the king, an actual thing, Makes its way across the city sainted. But from this way veer, the treasure’s not near, And the downtown side leaves your hunt tainted.  
And the previous clues:

Clue #2 Finding treasure takes a tale of two lakes, But searching on dry land it would behoove. Don’t be a rover, searching all over, Just be guided by water on the move.

Clue #1 Research is the key to learn history So go search online to expand your ken. Echoes you might chase, but you’ll find the place If you can hit it three out of ten.

Welcome to Clue #2 of this year's Mock Hunt. We had a good kickoff event last night at Joseph's. We currently have about 20 people registered including several past finders of the AW Mock Hunt medallion including Jana, Jake, Steve S., Ed, Matt L., and Josh, as well as Jason who is finder-adjacent. Will one of them find it again? Will this be the year for someone new? We will find out! One rule clarification that I was reminded of last night. Any place that is ruled out in the PP Hunt will also be ruled out in this hunt (places like Como Zoo, Indian Mounds, golf courses, and such). So with all of that said, here is your next clue:

Clue #2 Finding treasure takes a tale of two lakes, But searching on dry land it would behoove. Don’t be a rover, searching all over, Just be guided by water on the move.
And the previous clue:

Clue #1 Research is the key to learn history So go search online to expand your ken. Echoes you might chase, but you’ll find the place If you can hit it three out of ten.  

Welcome to the 2023 Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt. You are looking for the Allison Wonderland Medallion which has been hidden on public property within the city limits of St. Paul. Clues will be release daily at 5pm until the medallion is found or we reach Clue 12. The hunt will go until the medallion is found or if circumstances dictate that it be called off. The finder will get $300 if they are a registered hunter or $100 if they are not. The medallion will not be located indoors, on top of a building, up a tree, on a steep hillside, on frozen (or in unfrozen) water, in anything electrical, or anywhere else that might make you question if looking there might be a bad idea. If you find the medallion, call or text the number on the medallion. You must return the medallion to get the prize, but you will get a souvenir medallion in return.

Now, onto the clue:

Clue #1

Research is the key to learn history

So go search online to expand your ken.

Echoes you might chase, but you’ll be on pace

If you can manage three out of ten.

Tonight is the start of the Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt! The first clue comes out at 5pm. Then at 6:30 we'll be gathering at Joseph's Grill in St. Paul just for fun if you'd like to join in. If you haven't registered yet, you have until the release of the 4th clue (Saturday at 5pm) to do so. You can use Paypal by sending it to allisonwondrland@..., paying me in person at Joseph's, or let me know if you need to make a different arrangement. Registering will get you the entire $300 prize if you find it. Otherwise you can still hunt for free and win $100 if you find it.

Good luck!

I just wanted to remind people that The Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt will be starting this Wednesday! We'll be having a kickoff at Joseph's Grill at 6:30pm if you want to come and enjoy their pasta bar or other fare. You can still register for the hunt by paying me there or via Paypal at allisonwondrland@... which can be done up through the release of the 4th clue next Saturday at 5pm. I think this hunt will be an interesting one.

February is almost at an end and the coming of March typically also means the coming of the Allison Wonderland Mock Hunt! This year we are going to kick it off on Wednesday, March 8th with Clue #1, potentially going through Sunday, March 19th when Clue #12 would come out. I'll be hiding the Allison Wonderland medallion somewhere on public property in St. Paul. Maybe it will be easy to find like last year or maybe with all of this snow you'll have to do some real digging. You never know. What you do know is that it will be outdoors, not up a tree, not on a steep hillside, not out on frozen water, not in anything electrical, not inside something you would have to break to get to, or hidden in any other way that would make you ask yourself, "Is this really a good idea?"    The prize is somewhat variable depending on registrations, but it will be a minimum of $300 for registered hunters. An unregistered hunter who turns it in will still get $100. The registration is $10 which can be paid via Paypal to AllisonWondrland@... or at our kickoff event. If neither of those work for you, let me know and we can figure something out.    The clues will come out once a day, every day at 5pm. I will be posting them on the Allison Wonderland group (https://groups.io/g/theallisonwonderland), The Cooler Crew Facebook group, and the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt Facebook group. Anyone can feel free to cross post them elsewhere if they wish.   We'll have the kickoff event at Joseph's Grill in St. Paul starting at 6:30pm on Wednesday, March 8th. There's no requirement to attend as it is just a social occasion, but they do have their pasta bar on Wednesday nights. It's also a chance to pay your registration fee.   The Mock Hunt was born back in 2000 as something to occupy treasure hunters between the Medallion Hunt and the Fitgers Bock Hunt (Medallion + Bock = Mock). The first one, in 2000, was merely a virtual hunt with hunters posting their guesses online. In 2001 the first actual hunt took place with a small treasure chest hidden at Linwood Park. Since then there have been some offseason hunts, one do-over, and a Jake hunt posing at the Mock Hunt, but this will be the 23rd official Mock Hunt. Will you be the 23rd Finder?