Clue #1
Posted: Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007

Welcome ice and snow and temperatures low
There’s no time for cold feet!
For searchers’ pleasure we’ve parked the treasure
Where nature lovers each other greet

…here we go…

So what do we think? Historically there are usually 3 pieces of information clue #1 can provide, in my humble opinion:

1. It’s in a park!
2. A small abstract piece of information that may be of relevance in regards to any facet of the hunt.
3. Nods, winks, and low-blows to the hunting community.

Item 1 is usually always declared, and always implied. There are always conspiracy theorists that always catch if it doesn’t state that it’s in a park and push the angle until it’s been deadened by the later clues. Since it hasn’t been hidden outside of a park since 1989 at the State Capitol, Most rational thought (mine included) directs people to believe that it’s always in a park. There is supporting evidence of a burden that the 1989 Capitol Hunt caused due to the lack of accommodations the grounds provided, and the recent years’ escalation of the hunt’s popularity since that time has increased the number of people searching for the medallion by a large order of magnitude. Also, the last time before 1989 the medallion was located outside of a park was in the ancient times of 1969, at 35E and Victoria. Still, one should never say never. This is not a closed minded competition.

Information provided from item 2 is usually not weighted heavily even if present in the first clue because of its vague nature, and the length of time [and number of clues] needed to qualify the information usually diminishes the value it has. However, for deep thinkers this is always a foundation that is relied upon, and information collected from Clue #1 should be neatly classified and stored for later reference.

Information provided from item 3 is usually for entertainment purposes, and there have been a number of chuckles sent my way from them, indeed.

Throughout the hunt I will be giving the Internet three things. One is my personal analysis of each clue, line by line if warranted. I tend to give quick thinking priority above overthinking a matter, and at times I may be very terse with my analysis until later clues allow me to “backfill” details from previous clues. We’ll see how well I can journal this progression as I usually have a clipboard with a mess on it as my thinktank. Two will be an aggregation of information from what I consider to be interesting or reliable sources. I’m of the discipline of thought that says this hunt is tough enough for a group of people, so whatever we can do and whenever we can improve each other’s hunt, let’s do so! (so please post your thoughts, too!)

This is a hats off to a long time hunting friend, Allison Wonderland, who always provides a reliable stream of knowledge and creativity.

I listen to Mr. Allison with a keen ear and everyone else who visits this site in search of the medallion should, too.

OK, so let’s take this hunt apart to the best of my ability.

Welcome ice and snow and temperatures low

Yes, yes, let’s run around in the cold!

Plausible info: none

There’s no time for cold feet!

Cold feet? There’s a documentary about the medallion hunt by that name that should be out or is close to release. I haven’t seen or researched the matter but I believe this is a strong nod in that documentary’s direction.

Plausible info: media reference

For searchers’ pleasure we’ve parked the treasure

“Parked” may be of some importance but we’ll need some firm help to improve this concept. Also may direct one to the ubiquitous it’s in a park!

Plausible info: orienteering, Terribly Obvious Location

Where nature lovers each other greet

… it’s in a park!

Plausible info: orienteering

For now I don’t feel the need to post any followup research. Let’s get the next clue out already! When it comes to crunch time, I won’t say I’m 100% reliable but I will tend have the clues up on this site as fast as any other. So if you want to do me the honor of jamming your reload button on my page, by all means…