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2017 Great Twin Cities Treasure Hunt

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Johannes's picture
Submitted by Johannes on Mon, 01/30/2017 - 21:34

INTRODUCTION

First off, let's congratulate the Wilms for last year's win,
And take a moment to acknowledge just how long it's been.
Keen to join us on hunt four? — Please register today!
Everyone who joins in early saves five bucks that way.

Now that winter's end is near, we're up to our old tricks:
Every day at noon from March fifteen through twenty-six,
We'll publish a new clue for you, and narrow down the spot,
So donate now, then go out, find the jewel, and claim the pot!

Explanation:
  • "First" is meant to suggest Fir Street, which defines the western border of Taylor Park, and terminates in a dead end at Highwood Preserve—the hiding spot for this hunt.
  • The first letter of each line in the introduction spells "FAKE NEWS," which is meant to warn hunters of the red herring in this hunt: The first letters in the the second through twelfth clues spell BRYN MAWR LUCE LINE SOFT BALL RAIL ROAD AREA LLRE DHER RING, or "Bryn Mawr, Luce Line, softball, railroad are all red herring."
 
Hunt information
Dates:
First Clue:Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Found on:Saturday, March 25, 2017
Finders:
NameHometown
Josh Ellingson Apple Valley
Amy Ellingson Apple Valley
Craig Heinen Bloomington
Prize:
Maximum Prize:$250
Awarded Prize:$250
Location:
General Location:Highwood Preserve at Taylor Park (St. Paul)
Exact Location:At the base of a lone tree in the west end of the park
Concealer:A small, black pouch hidden by bricks
Clues
Clue #1
Published on Wednesday, March 15, 2017
The fourth Great TC Treasure Hunt has finally begun!
Now let's review some simple rules before we start the fun:
Suffice it to say, don't dig, destroy, or search on private ground;
Now get out there and hit the bricks—there's treasure to be found!

It's not only true of the beautiful view, but the item for which you vie:
Deep and blue, in a sparkling hue, as water reflects the sky.
Eyes on the prize and ear to the ground, you're sure to hit a snag,
So trust your instincts, follow the clues, and this one's in the bag.
Explanation:

  • "hit the bricks" is meant to suggest a small pile of bricks at the base of a lone tree in the western part of Highwood Preserve, beneath which was hidden a small pouch, containing the official jewel.

  • "It's not only true of the beautiful view, but the item for which you vie: Deep and blue, in a sparkling hue, as water reflects the sky" is meant to suggest the views of Pig's Eye Lake and Downtown Saint Paul (and Minneapolis, on a clear day) near the hiding place, as well as the color of this year's sapphiric jewel.

  • "snag" is meant to suggest a solitary tree within the preserve, at the base of which the jewel was concealed.

  • "in the bag" is meant to suggest this hunt's MacGuffin—a small black pouch concealed by bricks at the base of a solitary tree.

  • The first letters of each line in the second stanza spell "IDES," which is meant to further alert hunters to the hunt's "FAKE NEWS" red herring, and to "beware the Ides of March"—the anniversary of the betrayal and assassination of Julius Caesar (and the date of the clue's publication), March 15th.

 
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Clue #2
Published on Thursday, March 16, 2017
Be on alert for wildlife as you traipse across the knoll:
Rabbits, birds, and squirrels would all be common on your stroll;
You might see deer or foxes out there playing in the woods,
None the wiser to our little game of find-the-goods.
Explanation:

  • "Rabbits, birds... squirrels... deer" and "foxes" are all animals you might see in the "woods" or on the grassy "knoll" that constitutes Highwood Preserve, which is home to much "wildlife."

 
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Clue #3
Published on Friday, March 17, 2017
Most of the snow has melted, so the spot should be revealed;
All you have to do is make your way across the field.
Where to look is up to you, but this might pare it down:
Red of brick and gold of grass, with earth of deepest brown.
Explanation:

  • "Red of brick and gold of grass, with earth of deepest brown" is meant to suggest the bricks that concealed the jewel, and the "field" behind Taylor Park that is home Highwood Preserve.


 
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Clue #4
Published on Saturday, March 18, 2017
Load your crew into the car and take them to the park;
Uniting with a team is a great way to find the mark:
Cheering for each other, telling jokes, outdoing pals,
Enjoying scenery and having fun with all the guys and gals.
Explanation:

  • "park" is meant to suggest searching in a park—in this case one adjacent to another.

  • "outdoing pals" anagrams to "Point Douglas" Road, which runs parallel to the western edge of the preserve.

  • "scenery" is meant to suggest the scenic nature of the park, and the views to the west.

 
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Clue #5
Published on Sunday, March 19, 2017
Lo and behold, you'll be on the gold if you can find safe harbor;
If not, look for a refuge of impressive, soaring arbor:
Needly pine and leafy oak all through the park, dispersing,
Each a guardian of the meadow through which you're traversing.
Explanation:

  • "Lo and behold" is a song by James Taylor, and is meant to suggest Taylor Park.

  • "safe harbor" and "refuge" are meant to suggest Highwood Preserve.

  • "soaring arbor" is meant to suggest high wood.

  • "pine" and "oak" are two of the more common species found in the preserve.

  • "park" and "meadow" are meant to reinforce looking near Taylor Park at Highwood Preserve (itself a "passive park," according to St. Paul Parks and Recreation).

  • "dispersing" anagrams to "Springside" Drive, which runs parallel to the southern edge of the preserve.

 
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Clue #6
Published on Monday, March 20, 2017
So here we are, the mid-way point; clue six of this year's quest.
Our treasure still has not been claimed; to this we can attest:
Find it in the town where leaders once agreed to strike.
The open spaces that you seek are not at all alike.
Explanation:

  • "agreed to strike" anagrams to "Oakridge Street," which runs parallel(-ish) to the northern edge of the preserve (Both cities have seen their share of labor disputes).

  • "The open spaces that you seek are not at all alike" is meant to suggest two parks, adjacent to each other (or at least in close proximity), that share few—if any—amenities: Taylor Park, with its paved path, playground, benches, and picnic tables, seems more civilized and intended for people, while Highwood Preserve is intended far more as a space for nature and wildlife.

 
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Clue #7
Published on Tuesday, March 21, 2017
"Believing is seeing" goes the saying, or is it the other way 'round?
At any rate, in this year's hunt, the adage may not be so sound.
Locally, this year we'll see another mayoral tussle,
Likely coming down to who can flex their political muscle.
Explanation:

  • "Believing is seeing" and "the adage may not be so sound" are meant as a further warning to the hunt's red herring.

  • "mayoral tussle" anagrams to "Samuel S. Taylor"—the namesake of Taylor Park (Both cities will vote for mayor this November).

 
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Clue #8
Published on Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Revel in the splendor as you overlook the basin,
And please forgive the craftsmanship of this amateur mason;
If you fancy yourself a disciple of the purple paisley geek,
Look out on the skyline when you claim the jewel you seek.
Explanation:

  • The "basin" in question here is Pig's Eye Lake, which can be seen from hiding place in Highwood Preserve.

  • "forgive the craftsmanship of this amateur mason" is meant to suggest the small pile of bricks that concealed the jewel.

  • "paisley geek" anagrams to "Pig's Eye Lake."

  • "Look out on the skyline" is meant to suggest the Downtown Saint Paul (and Minneapolis) skyline(s), visible throughout the preserve and from the hiding spot.

 
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Clue #9
Published on Thursday, March 23, 2017
Ring the changes as you go galumphing through the glade,
Out amongst the goldenrod and lily-leaved twayblade.
And if you've outfoxed our Jabberwocky, search for the first tree;
Don't hesitate! Your feet already know where they want you to be.
Explanation:

  • "Ring the changes" is meant to suggest hunters consider changing their approach (particularly if hung up on the first letters-based red herring), potentially toward anagramming.

  • "galumphing" and "Jabberwocky" are made up words from Lewis Carroll's poem; "Jabberwocky" itself is defined as "gibberish."

  • "if you've outfoxed our Jabberwocky" is meant to suggest hunters disregard first letter-based red herrings in favor of anagrams.

  • "glade" is meant to reinforce searching Highwood Preserve—a large clearing south of Taylor Park.

  • "goldenrod and lily-leaved twayblade" are two common plant species that grow in Highwood Preserve.

  • "first tree" anagrams to "Fir Street," which defines the western border of Taylor Park, and terminates in a dead end at Highwood Preserve.

  • "Your feet already know where they want you to be" is based on the lyric "I guess my feet know where they want my to go" from the James Taylor song "Country Road," which could in turn be taken to suggest Brookline Avenue—a dirt road along the southern edge of Highwood Preserve.

 
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Clue #10
Published on Friday, March 24, 2017
At a loss for where to look? Don't know quite what to say?
Reappraise the hiding spot—so close, and yet so far away.
Edge your way toward the jewel; watch out for neighbor huts' glint;
Assess conflagration and precipitation if you still need a hint.
Explanation:

  • "so far away" could be taken to suggest the Carole King song of the same name, for which James Taylor recorded guitar.

  • "Edge" is meant to suggest searching in a park near the edge of town.

  • "neighbor huts' glint" anagrams to "Burlington Heights," the original name given to the Highwood Hills neighborhood.

  • "conflagration and precipitation" is meant to suggest the James Taylor song "Fire and Rain," and that hunters search Highwood Preserve at Taylor Park.

 
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Clue #11
Published on Saturday, March 25, 2017
Like a pest, that restless feeling's been preying on your mind,
Lurking in the forest, neighboring the borderline,
Reaching out like someone just an inch from whose grip hovered
Elusive treasure in the wild, still waiting, undiscovered.
Explanation:

  • "that restless feeling's been preying on your mind" is from the opening line of the song "Something's Wrong" by James Taylor.

  • "Lurking in the forest, neighboring the borderline" is meant to suggest the Saint Paul city limits, which are a stone's throw away from Taylor Park and Highwood Preserve.

  • "whose grip hovered" anagrams to "Highwood Preserve"—the jewel's hiding place.

 
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Clue #12
Depending on us to spell it out will lead to complications;
Hung up on Minneapolis? Your plan needs alterations.
Et tu, Brute?—If you feel betrayed, so sorry to confuse;
Remember to beware the Ides and watch out for fake news.

Run down the stairs from one park to the next, then up the lane;
If you're out of the woods and in the clear, head west across the plain.
Now head back to the drawing board if you want to claim the clams:
Go through the last eight clues to find and solve the anagrams.
Explanation:

  • "Depending on us to spell it out will lead to complications" is a reminder to hunters that relying on us to give away the exact location of the prize—even in twelve clues—would be a mistake.

  • "Your plan needs alterations" is meant to suggest finding a "tailor," and altering your hunt accordingly.

  • "Et tu, Brute?" is meant to suggest betrayal, while recalling the first clue's "IDES" warning.

  • "Remember to beware the Ides and watch out for fake news" reminds hunters of the warnings from both the introduction and the first clue.

  • "Run down the stairs from one park to the next, then up the lane" is meant to suggest taking the stairwell from Taylor Park into Highwood Preserve (one of its only access points).

  • "If you're out of the woods and in the clear, head west across the plain" is meant to suggest searching the western portion of the preserve, while referencing the title (and lyrics) of Taylor Swift's song "Out of the Woods."

  • "Go through the last eight clues to find and solve the anagrams." Those anagrams, each found at the end of the clue's third line, were:

    • Clue #4: "outdoing pals" = point douglas

    • Clue #5: "dispersing" = springside

    • Clue #6: "agreed to strike" = oakridge street

    • Clue #7: "mayoral tussle" = samuel s. taylor

    • Clue #8: "paisley geek" = pig's eye lake

    • Clue #9: "first tree" = fir street

    • Clue #10: "neighbor huts' glint" = burlington heights

    • Clue #11: "whose grip hovered" = highwood preserve


 
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