Using Native Gods and Marvel Comics for the Solve

[npsbuilder]

I have been part of the search since last October and have seen discussions about what the correct thinking is for the correct solve.

We all have our own opinions, some stronger than others.  For me, I have taken numerous approaches with great solves and still no TC for me.

What if we take the approach using Native American Legends and Gods to start with and move from there to Marvel Universe for the "Characters" used in the poem?

For me, I have always thought that Cheyenne Mountain would play a role one way or another.  Using Native American Legends I came across one where a great Lizard Dragon drank all the waters of the inland sea until it became a great plain.  That Lizard Dragon is Cheyenne Mountain.  See link below for more details about this legend and about the next topic - Native god - Manitou.

web.archive.org/web/20150205043430/http://more.ppld.org:8080/SpecialCollections/Index/ArticleOrders/324300.pdf 

This is where Marvel Universe comes into play. Manitou and his enemy Ghost Rider - better known as Johnny Blaze. Link to Marvel Universe below to read more.

www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/manitou.htm 

This is where the next character comes into play - Carter Slade better known as Phantom Rider

www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/phantomridercarter.htm 

ANY THOUGHTS or comments about using this approach?
 

[zaphod73491]

Hi npsbuilder: with any approach, I try to assess the accessibility of the correct solution by the average person. In the past I have been very quick to poo-poo any ideas that critically hinge on what seems to me to be "specialized knowledge," since Forrest seems dead set against that being a requirement. So then it comes down to the question of what constitutes specialized knowledge? It's a bit like pornography: each person has their own definition of what should fall under that label. Some examples yield nearly universal agreement as to which basket is correct; others are much more contentious.

I'm adamant that if you have to pull out the O.E.D. to decipher a clue, you are barking up the wrong tree. Same goes for bible verses, foreign languages, cryptanalysis, Native American history, and a thousand other esoteric subjects. But other searchers are of just as strong an opinion that if you can find it quickly on Google or Wikipedia, then it's fair game. Elizabeth/E*/Lisa Cesari and E.C. Waters are obvious adherents of this philosophy.

The "specialized knowledge" spectrum is broad to be sure, so each searcher must decide where they fall and research accordingly. I will close with this caution: the better you are at spotting patterns, the more prone you will be to chasing red herrings. Forrest has provided millions of words of raw material; the John Nashes of the Chase can easily find confirmation of any location they fancy. Past armchair treasure hunts have shown that even when the correct solution is revealed, those tilting toward the most liberal interpretation of "specialized" will cling to their own solutions, believing they are more beautiful and pure than reality.

[heidini]

Somethings that people refer to as specialized knowledge might be considered just a normal day in someone else’s life. You have to consider the time that Forrest was born and what the country was like as he was growing up. Now reevaluate what you believe specialize knowledge is and isn’t.

[goldilocks]

It's true, specialized knowledge is subjective, as is most everything else in this Chase. Therein lies the dilemma. I've been sitting back and soaking it all in for years and have personally come to the conclusion that there must be solid confirmation within the poem. Picking and choosing words or letters to formulate a theory as opposed to using an actual systematic pattern or method to decode the words is futile. Way too many possibilities and room for bias. I continue to keep an open mind but notice my own ideas are often based on one word or theme and then I form a whole solve around it. I do not believe this is how we should be doing it at all, yet I also continue to do so. Was this Chase purposefully and masterfully designed to be open to interpretation, with a greater purpose in mind? I would say without a doubt. I think when the poem is solved this greater purpose will come to light, but maybe that's just my own bias talking. I can't tell you how many times I've said to myself and my search partner I'm done, I'm driving myself nuts, either this is unsolvable or I'm not smart enough. Why can't I give up and walk away? I think it's because I love it. I love learning and thinking, reading these posts and being challenged. I am not giving up until it is found. Bring on the rabbit holes, Native Gods, Marvel comics and all!

[heidini]

Well said Goldilocks. I feel the same way.

[npsbuilder]

Thank you to the 3 of you for your responses and well written thoughts about this approach.

This approach is definitely specialized knowledge for me but like heidini basically stated - we are living in a different time and what is specialized for 1 may not be for another.

This whole chase is specialized knowledge for me. I can say that my knowledge is much more broader now than before I started back when Hurricane Florence was making landfall last year.

6 hours after I read the poem for the 1st time I had a solve that still is in my top 3 solves.

This solve was done using what I already knew starting with and hoB and backing into WWWH. They both stood out to me obvious answers. The rest of my "road map" fell into place using general knowledge getting me to within a quarter mile of where the TC is. OF COURSE, THIS SOLVE MEANS NOTHING WITHOUT THE TC.

Another top 3 solve I have requires no knowledge of anything except to be able to read each line in the poem and see the map provide with it. Read each line individually starting with - Begin it where... and look directly to the right and see what matches. In this case is the Great Divide Basin - WWWH. Next is - Put in below... and do the same thing. Home of Brown is possibly Cheyenne. Do the same for each line till you end of basically just North of Santa Fe NM. This is where - If you've been wise... really comes into play and that's the tricky part. What is the BLAZE? Is it the 2323 Diamond address that keeps popping up in an East West line on Google Earth just North of SF that spans from Hermit Peak East of SF all the way to Jemez Springs West of SF. 2323 Diamond address isn't anywhere near this East West line. Or is the BLAZE the 2 Omegas at the end of the book which are coincidentally at the same East West line as the address out of place. The location of the Omegas and using the Historic Nomination Form (I downloaded from NPS) for National Park Service to use to decide if this property should be listed on the Historic Register. This form reads almost word for word for one of the 6 Questions Jenny had with Forrest (I think it was the one from either 2015 or 2016) where he answered 1st question and then expanded on it with follow up question 3 about himself and his experiences. To me ff was using this questioning as a very strong hint that sounded like his personal experiences that no one gave a second thought about except to those that have read the Nomination Form. Just so happens, the Nomination took me to the 2323 Diamond address that is out of place.

SORRY all for the long winded post and please understand that all above is from my thinking and experience for my solves and is just IMO (gotta follow the rules...;-) )

[zaphod73491]

It will probably be a bit demoralizing, but IMO the poem cannot be solved in less than 1000 hours of work and at least one (failed) BOTG trip. And it cannot be solved by anyone who does not own both TTOTC and TFTW.

[npsbuilder]

May 16, 2019 0:25:34 GMT -5 zaphod73491 said:

It will probably be a bit demoralizing, but IMO the poem cannot be solved in less than 1000 hours of work and at least one (failed) BOTG trip. And it cannot be solved by anyone who does not own both TTOTC and TFTW.

May be true zaphod.  I started this chase mid September of last year and estimate that I have well over 1500 hours and approaching 2000 hours digging into what could be the deeper meaning of the poem.  I have kept all options open and not staying focused on 1 geographic location in the Rockies.  Canada, Alaska, the South Pacific, Smokey Mountains and several other states IMO come into play possibly to understand the underlying meaning of the Chase.  Research and the books causes clutter and opens doors to way to many possibilities and red herrings.

Keeping it simple and hearing the words of the poem and basic knowledge of who ff is is all that is needed IMO.