Final Medallion Post

Clues, Pioneer Press Clue Writers explanations, and my responses. Enjoy!

Treasure Hunt clues explained
Here are the 12 clues our clue writers created for this year's medallion hunt along with explanations of their meanings.
Clue 1
You've joined the hunt for the regal runt
To prove searching does pay
Don't dig a hole or knock down a pole
And the golf course is out of play

Last year Jake took home the cake
With a clue a bit off level
This year we'll rinse off all our prints
Lest this hunt go to the devil

CW Explanation: We advise hunters not to dig or knock down anything, and to stay off golf courses. We refer to the hunter who found the medallion after the second clue last year, the fastest on record. He said he deduced "Cleveland" Avenue from the word "level," then followed our footprints to the prize. This year we vow to keep the hunt from going to the devil by making it more challenging and not leaving telltale footprints behind.

My Response: First off- let's try for some consistency in the explanations- #1. Wouldn't it make sense to have the WHOLE clue italicized instead of just the first stanza? It's called proof reading- I would like to think that newspapers do this…. #2. Last year Jake found the puck after THREE Clues. PP it's your hunt, your archives, I'd think that you would have done some fact checking- it took me two minutes to get this off your damn website (see below). Clue writer, I'd like to call YOU the devil- but I honestly think the devil is much more clever than you, and comparing you to him would be too much of a compliment.

St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN) - January 24, 2007 - B1 LocalTHAT WAS FAST WITH JUST 3 CLUES -- AND A LITTLE HELP -- DEDICATED HUNTER FINDS MEDALLION It was bound to happen. A dedicated -- some would say obsessed -- treasure hunter, Jake Ingebrigtson set a record for finding the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt medallion with fewer clues than anyone in the 56-year history of the event. The 27-year-old set out to find the medallion this year as he has for the past decade: cocksure and ready to dig. Months earlier, he'd scoped out Hidden Falls Regional Park, a wooded area tucked below the Ford plant on Mississippi River Boulevard....

Clue 2
The point of all this is so that you won't miss
Your big chance to grab all the cash
Now gather your guys and a gal who is wise
You'll have to do something quite rash

Explanation: This is a reference to the proximity of Point Douglas Road to Indian Mounds Park, where the medallion was hidden. "Guys and wise gal" refer indirectly to the Order of the Eastern Star, a male-and-female fraternal organization that is an offshoot of the Masons, and which planted a star-shaped "Matron's Grove" of trees at Indian Mounds Park. A "rash" often accompanies a burn -- an indirect allusion to Burns Avenue near the park.

My Response: If I remember correctly, fraternities and fraternal organizations ARE NOT known for their intelligence. Have you seen Animal House? Or heard rumors of what masons make people do for initiation? To roughly quote my friend Amy from a conversation yesterday- "Lock them naked in a coffin and make them drink bad gin." I would be a little bit more sold on their "wisdom" if George Bush wasn't a free mason (or as he would say Wisdomness). Next, I would have thought the CW would come up with something clever pointing us to Matrons Grove, but no one has ever heard of it anyhow so it doesn’t really matter…Lastly, I’ve been burned many times over the course of my life. I’ve been sunburned more times than I can count. I have burned my hand on a light bulb and gotten my arm stuck in a hot oven- but I have NEVER I repeat NEVER gotten a rash along with my burn. I have had heat rash before, but that isn't a BURN. Idiots.

Clue 3
We've scanned the county to hide our bounty
And keep you on your toes
It may sound risible, but our puck's invisible
Although it might just stick to your nose.

Explanation: Hunters must be on their toes because we've hid it in hilly territory which we scanned from the top of a hill in the park. "Invisible" and "stick to your nose" refers to the "invisible tape" box in which the medallion is hidden.
My Response: if you are standing on a hill- looking down, why would you need to stand on your toes??? The invisible tape thing is the most logical thing I've read so far- but I’m still angry.

Clue 4
How fun is the snow how far will we go
You really ought to go see
Get up for the mission and not just the wishin'
Get into the game - it's all free

Explanation: Pretty darn obscure: "Game" is a reference to Obbs Sports Bar across the street from the park. Really obscure: "Far" and "go" are a reference to Wells Fargo Place downtown, which is visible from Indian Mounds Park.

My Response: Obscure? You think???? Because I know that I INSTANTLY thought of Obbs Sports Bar, not to mention their FREE beverages. Wells Fargo- WTF, I could name 6 other parks that you can see the Wells Building from, not to mention I bet every other park in St. Paul is less than a mile from a branch.

Clue 5
There once was a clue that drove you-know-who
To threaten a heinous act
We'd use it again, but we're afraid of his pen
My friend, that's an unfortunate fact

Explanation: This is a reference to a certain newspaper columnist who freaked out several hunts ago. He took issue with a clue referring obliquely to the location of a French immersion school - which is now at Parkway School, not far from Indian Mounds Park. The Pioneer Press had a short article about a play at the school called "Kaposia,'' which debuted during this year's hunt. The play dealt with the Native American community that once thrived at Indian Mounds Park.

My Response: The French immersion school is midway between Phalen and Indian Mounds- if I were to use their logic- nothing is really that far from any of the clues. Which is probably what they were thinking when they sent us on a wild goose chase around St Paul. New Brighton isn't far from any of these parks, and is really close to say…Burnsville. K-A-P-O-S-I-A. As a South St. Paul girl- their explanation of this clue left me stumped. I did a little google research and found out that prior to living in SSP/WSP the Kaposia had been in St. Paul in a number of different locations. They lived near Lake Phalen, and below Mounds Park in a swamp. I could be wrong, or possibly the parent who wrote Kaposia was, but in our very next clue- the CW mentions who built the mounds- and it wasn't the Kaposia. By the way- the article about the play states that it is about Native American's who lived in MN- it mentions NOTHING about Mounds Park.
Clue 6
All ye who look should honor the book
As one who stood for hope
Much was built in the name of the kilt
Look sharp now and never mope

Explanation: Calling all history buffs: Edward Duffield Neill was the first to conduct excavations at Indian Mounds Park. He was a Presbyterian minister and educator ("ye," "honor the book") who had been a presidential aide to Abraham Lincoln. In Minnesota, he founded Macalester College and the House of Hope Presbyterian Church ("hope.") These are two St. Paul institutions that honor the Scottish traditions ("kilt.") The word "hope" also invokes the Hopewell Indians, the ancient tribe that built the mounds.

My Response: Umm, seriously? I don't even have a response to how completely asinine this clue is.

Clue 7
If you should go look high then low
One could see it from a bower
If it's your bent you might seek a tent
To protect in case of shower

Explanation: The tent refers to the Indians who lived on the site of Indian Mounds Park. "High then low" refers to the hilly terrain where the medallion is hidden.

My Response: Yes, Indians lived in tents. Yes, Indians lived on the site of Mounds Park. But they aren't there anymore- so if it rains, I guess I am shit out of luck. Thank god I spent time researching the multiple meanings of the word bower, it'll come in handy when I am trying to outsmart my word of the day calendar.

Take note of the wood and do what you should
To extract the prize for yourself
Build a bridge to your dreams as high as they seem
Leave nothing behind on the shelf

Explanation: Another reference to the woods in the area in which it is hidden and to the bridge that crosses Warner Road from Mounds Park. The "shelf" refers to the side of the hill where the medallion is hidden.

My Response: It is all so clear now!!! I tell you what though- if any bridge coming from Mounds Park is the bridge of my dreams, I really need to re-evaluate my life's goals.
Clue 8
Look at the buck to acquire good luckI
n finding the grail this year
Link a jar, a line, a star lawyer divine
While crying in your beer

Explanation: There are deer in Indian Mounds Park. Jar, line and star lawyer refer to the word "Mason,'' a reference to the Masonic memorial in Mounds Park. There is also a reference to the beverage enjoyed at Obbs sports bar.

My Response: Deer?!? DEER?!?!?! Not only are there deer in EVERY SINGLE PARK in St. Paul- but you probably can't look at the buck if there aren't any deer permanently chained down in the park. I have been to Mounds dozens of times over the last 20 years, during every time of day, and have NEVER, I repeat NEVER seen a deer. We got the Masons reference, but again- vagueness!!! I'm not even going to revisit the line which made me momentarily hate beer.

He won, then lost and the nation was tossed
Into strife that was far from civil
The point I'm making is yours for the taking
Believe me - not the message board drivel

Explanation: Another reference to Point Douglas Road, located near the park, which was named after Stephen A. Douglas, who defeated Abraham Lincoln in the 1858 U.S. Senate race but lost to him for the presidency two years later. The Civil War followed shortly after the election. We also refer to the many message boards purporting to know where the medallion was hidden.

My Response: I feel this is a clever and acceptable clue.

Clue 9
This name brings tears, elation and cheers
And occasionally even outrages
It sits on walls and rides the halls
And fills a dozen pages

Explanation: The name is "Johnson," filling 12 pages in the telephone book. Johnson Parkway ends at Indian Mounds Park. There is also a bench at the park ("sits") named for a Minnesota "Johnson."

My Response: Considering my boyfriend is a Johnson and he's made me cry, made me happy and we've toasted many times, this clue should have been blatantly obvious. But it is seriously lacking. Other than my personal experience, what part of the first three lines actually pertains to Johnson Pkwy? I like the dozen pages- it is very clever, but who uses the phone book anymore? It's called Dexonline.com.

The hills are alive and you'll have arrived
Refrain from the very injurious
Be bold and be brave but your skin you must save
What's off-limits should frankly be obvious

Explanation: Another reference to the hills and potentially dangerous terrain in the area where it is hidden; "brave" is an Indian term. The "frankly obvious" area that is off-limits is the area of the ancient mounds themselves.

My Response: Let me go on record and state that I don't really feel like Mounds is HILLY. Other than the mounds themselves, there are very long slopes- the park from west to east is on very different elevation- but for the most part, it is flat park and the cliff- if that is a hill then I guess I'll have to take your word for it.

Clue 10
Look for the sight you hope is just right
You're doubtful and you're torn
Make the rounds for what rhymes with grounds
And part of a rose with a horn

Through flames and flow this park where you'll go
Is the site of sacred relics
Stay away from these and the cliffs if you please
Or you'll be in a heckuva fix

Explanation: Both stanzas clearly point to "Mounds" park, rhyming with "grounds,'' and to the "horn" of a rose, referring to nearby Thorn Street. We tell people to stay away from "sacred relics" - the actual Indian mounds - and from the cliffs. "Flames" refer to Burns and "flow" to Etna, two streets near the park.

My Response: Dear Clue Writer, Up until this point, you have made us noodle that fraternities are known for their knowledge, that mounds park has deer, that the name Johnson brings tears, elation and cheers, and that the bridge of my dreams is built on an east side park. After putting me through all of that, you are finally going to reveal the location by RHYMING??? Again this proves that you have the mental capability of a 5 year old. Can anyone tell me what rhymes with HICK? By the way, this clue made me so incredibly angry AND crabby that I didn't talk to my boyfriend for 10 hours. Home wrecker!!!

Clue 11
(This clue, released in the early edition of the newspaper at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, led to the discovery of the medallion about midnight.)
Air and river sounds lead all to Mounds
Far from the graves take your entourage'
Twixt Burns and Thorn an icy pathway is born
Across Mounds from a gray house and tan garage

Hell no fury hath as those on the wrong path
Mounds and Warner form a woodsy perimeter
The path, not official, contains footprints beneficial
Some 300 trudges in - not a quest for a quitter

This trail you must follow goes down a narrow hollow
Under a fallen tree to an old rusted
here you must search for a hillside path perch
Wherein lies the center of fun

Explanation: These stanzas get the hunters into the area where the medallion is hidden in Indian Mounds Park. Between Burns and Thorn street, across Mounds Boulevard from a house-and-garage, begins an icy path worn by many footprints. It goes through a narrow hollow or creek bed, under a fallen tree, to an old rusted drum. We counted 300 steps from the street to the drum. We encourage hunters to look for a "hillside path perch" in this area -- on a hillside, near a path -- but we did not give the exact location.

My response: This clue tells me that A. you have not done this before, and B. you like to ruin people's lives. Show me in medallion history where clue #11 gives you the number of paces to the medallion. You don't give the exact location my ass. Were you getting bored with writing clues at this point? Jerks.

Clue 12
(This clue was scheduled to run in the newspaper on Thursday, Jan. 31)
Your blood will coagulate whilst you triangulate
From the drum at the heart of it all
A slope nearby you will espy
Fifty steps up the hill - careful, don't fall

Near a hollowed half-tree a fallen limb you will see
The cover for our precious goods
Across the path from the half-tree lift the limb and you'll see
There's gold in them thar' woods
Quick like a fox see the blue-and-white box
Away you casually sidleInside is the prize, two-domed and super-sized
Congratulations - you're our Minnesota Idol

Explanation: This identifies the exact spot where the medallion is located. It is close to a "hollowed half-tree" - a split trunk that is a marker for our treasure. Across the icy path from this half-tree are some dead limbs on the ground. The treasure is under one of them. It is in a blue-and-white box of 3M invisible tape. The marker tree is about 50 steps up the hill from the rusted drum.

Kari's Response: I can only thank god that I didn't have to read this piece of crap clue in the paper.