Post by Anton on Aug 16, 2023 5:27:22 GMT -5
Below is my final solution to this hunt 26th August 2023.
Firstly, I don’t think the PLACE IN ORDER letters have a correlation to the image/stanza they’re printed on, I take these as just a hint to tell us to arrange the information correctly to make sense of the directions. I would start with the stanza:
Your Quest draws nearer
So don’t get to smart.
In order to retrieve,
You must first construct.
-This could suggest a need to first unscramble the letters hidden in the images and borders, as well as the map with the states etc "in order to retrieve" the golden apple.
I agree that the 8 states are a reference to the 8 states touching the great lakes, that suggests to me that our final location should be near a lake of some sort. Reeds Lake that is next to Manhattan Park is a strong contender; (I will explain as we go regarding these locations) In the story there’s a picture with an Indian on a horse, the bottom left corner has long black strokes that look like reeds, which is further confirmation in my opinion.
The PINE TREES also comes into use as part of the solve later, as does the CASSIOPEIA decryption.
The next stanza that I believe helps is the ALTO one:
Although the Sun rises in the East
Low lands will have frost
Tomorrow is another day
Over and over again
Here would suggest an area to the east (of Grand Rapids), “rising” to the west like the sun. It helps that the word ALTO is spelled out.
Looking at this stanza tells us more info:
Chose a city, then proceed to this rhyme,
Miss Muffet’s meal didn’t cost a dime.
Travel 3 leagues plus 2/3's more west,
Before you decide to exit and rest.
To be honest, I’d already decided on Grand Rapids being the appropriate city due to recent confirmation from finding the author who resides there.
Head west for 11 miles on the freeway before we decide to then exit off.
If your clock stops,
Watch someone elses.
Hands are helpful,
But a shovel works best.
If the journey starts on the free-whey close to Alto, that would be exit 52, combining that with 11 miles deduced from the “3 leagues west” makes 11:52, as is noted on the clock in this image.
“Hands are helpful, but a shovel works best” sounds like digging will be involved later.
Now we’re on Cascade Road on the map/Atlas after getting off the freeway:
Some stars at night,
Rest on the horizon.
Be very quiet or
you might wake one up.
I have two interpretations for this stanza; the first has been discussed on the forum, the constellation of Draco can be seen in the night sky which in Greek mythology represents a dragon guarding golden apples, this constellation also includes the northern ecliptic pole strongly suggesting north.
The other interpretation I found (which probably isn’t the correct one!) is: the constellation of Perseus in Greek mythology depicts Perseus cutting off the head of Medusa as she sleeps, which in my mind meant “head north”, however it can’t be seen in the night sky image so…regardless, we’re going northward(ish) along Cascade Rd. Which lands us at Manhattan Park.
I too believe Manhattan Park is the final area, firstly because of Manhattan being the centre of New York-the big apple, secondly because it’s right next to Reeds Lake, which taken from the 8 states hint makes sense. As well as the reeds in the image as mentioned previously, another clue.
In your quest,
Do not rest long.
Your hunt ends,
Where your return begins.
If this is the correct destination, then this stanza could apply. The point where Manhattan Park lies on google maps is almost a perfect equal distance from two entrances back onto the freeway (to Alto), one to the north, and the other from where we’ve just been.
So once the treasure is collected, it’s a straight shot back onto the freeway. I’m not sure if this makes sense but in my head it’s logical.
Seek a presage
to give you a clue.
Three are 2’s and
Two are 3’s.
At both entrances to Manhattan Park are signs that say:
“City (2) of (1) East (1) Grand (1) Rapids (2)
A (1) better (2) place (1) to (1) live (1)
Manhattan (3) Recreational (5) Area (3)
Three are 2’s and two are 3’s can be found by counting the syllables from the words on the sign.
-In the story when the grandad gets the injured Indian brave on his horse after being beaten up, he says he needs to get him back to the Sioux settlement that is about 16 miles away. If you start at Alto & take the freeway to Manhattan Park, its 16 miles exactly!
Now we’re in the park:
Graviety is important,
So don’t treat it lightly.
A car has two headlights,
Discard the two dimist.
The first line “gravity is important” directs me towards something involving gravity, “so don’t treat it lightly” is stressing the importance of this, coupled with the image of ladders and apples fallen from the trees; this hints towards the sledding hill in the park…Either that or it’s basically telling us that the golden apple has fallen off the tree, which may work better as I believe its buried.
The second two lines are instructions to remove the two dimmest stars from the constellation CASSIOPEIA, which is a “W” shape, that would leave us with a “V” shaped arrangement (like the tusks of a walrus).
Some trees have leaves,
And some have needles.
At this point in time,
They all look like hay stacks.
This suggests that we’re looking at trees in a specific “time” of year, a season where the leaves are falling off; autumn/winter. (Along with the sledding hill this could fit nicely). There’s a hint here to PINE TREES too, as mentioned by the needles.
That with which
you’ve seen to be so,
Use as a map
In the rain, wind, or snow.
There’s a mention of terrible weather here, it further continues the theme of autumn/winter & trees…
When I read this initially, I interpreted it as possibly needing a magnifying glass, (as would have been used for 'sewing') but I now think it may mean 'sowing seeds', as we've seen the apple trees grown in the story, it makes sense.
To "use as a map" would mean to use the trees as landmarks; first locate the pine trees amongst the deciduous ones (particularly in autumn/winter when the leaves have fallen off surrounding trees, the pines would appear more prominent, quite like haystacks).
From the remainder,
Locate the Omphalos.
Man has two feet,
So look that far down.
With the remaining “V” shaped PINE TREES use a method of triangulation to locate the omphalos (centre point).
“Man has two feet, so look that far down” says to me: dig two feet down to the treasure. That paired with the shovel statement from a previous stanza strongly suggests that it’s buried.
Friends are caring,
But gossip will spread.
Don’t let it bother you,
or go to your head.
I interpret this to mean, “be humble”.
As the whole premise of the story shows us how people can be jealous, especially when it comes to treasures and wealth.
With all the information combined I think that there’s 3 PINE TREES in Manhattan Park, at the centre of these 3 trees is the dig site, dig 2 feet down and you should discover the golden apple.
There’s 5 PINE TREES at the west entrance to the park & 3 PINE TREES in the northeastern car park. The 5 trees at the west could potentially be too small, but the 3 in the middle of the northeastern car park are hefty, that’s the place I would choose.
There’s potential for more pine trees in the park, but I can’t find a further 3 together from my searches online & google maps.
If anyone out there would dig on my behalf as an equal partner, I would be very grateful, not to mention 50% reward for doing so!
As far as I’m concerned, I’ve only(possibly) solved half of this hunt, the rest is “boots on the ground”.
Please send me a message if you’re interested. Many thanks.
P.S. -I’m happy with this solution, but I wanted to put it out there for people to interpret for themselves.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
**UPDATED 26th August 2023**
-Anton
Firstly, I don’t think the PLACE IN ORDER letters have a correlation to the image/stanza they’re printed on, I take these as just a hint to tell us to arrange the information correctly to make sense of the directions. I would start with the stanza:
Your Quest draws nearer
So don’t get to smart.
In order to retrieve,
You must first construct.
-This could suggest a need to first unscramble the letters hidden in the images and borders, as well as the map with the states etc "in order to retrieve" the golden apple.
I agree that the 8 states are a reference to the 8 states touching the great lakes, that suggests to me that our final location should be near a lake of some sort. Reeds Lake that is next to Manhattan Park is a strong contender; (I will explain as we go regarding these locations) In the story there’s a picture with an Indian on a horse, the bottom left corner has long black strokes that look like reeds, which is further confirmation in my opinion.
The PINE TREES also comes into use as part of the solve later, as does the CASSIOPEIA decryption.
The next stanza that I believe helps is the ALTO one:
Although the Sun rises in the East
Low lands will have frost
Tomorrow is another day
Over and over again
Here would suggest an area to the east (of Grand Rapids), “rising” to the west like the sun. It helps that the word ALTO is spelled out.
Looking at this stanza tells us more info:
Chose a city, then proceed to this rhyme,
Miss Muffet’s meal didn’t cost a dime.
Travel 3 leagues plus 2/3's more west,
Before you decide to exit and rest.
To be honest, I’d already decided on Grand Rapids being the appropriate city due to recent confirmation from finding the author who resides there.
Head west for 11 miles on the freeway before we decide to then exit off.
If your clock stops,
Watch someone elses.
Hands are helpful,
But a shovel works best.
If the journey starts on the free-whey close to Alto, that would be exit 52, combining that with 11 miles deduced from the “3 leagues west” makes 11:52, as is noted on the clock in this image.
“Hands are helpful, but a shovel works best” sounds like digging will be involved later.
Now we’re on Cascade Road on the map/Atlas after getting off the freeway:
Some stars at night,
Rest on the horizon.
Be very quiet or
you might wake one up.
I have two interpretations for this stanza; the first has been discussed on the forum, the constellation of Draco can be seen in the night sky which in Greek mythology represents a dragon guarding golden apples, this constellation also includes the northern ecliptic pole strongly suggesting north.
The other interpretation I found (which probably isn’t the correct one!) is: the constellation of Perseus in Greek mythology depicts Perseus cutting off the head of Medusa as she sleeps, which in my mind meant “head north”, however it can’t be seen in the night sky image so…regardless, we’re going northward(ish) along Cascade Rd. Which lands us at Manhattan Park.
I too believe Manhattan Park is the final area, firstly because of Manhattan being the centre of New York-the big apple, secondly because it’s right next to Reeds Lake, which taken from the 8 states hint makes sense. As well as the reeds in the image as mentioned previously, another clue.
In your quest,
Do not rest long.
Your hunt ends,
Where your return begins.
If this is the correct destination, then this stanza could apply. The point where Manhattan Park lies on google maps is almost a perfect equal distance from two entrances back onto the freeway (to Alto), one to the north, and the other from where we’ve just been.
So once the treasure is collected, it’s a straight shot back onto the freeway. I’m not sure if this makes sense but in my head it’s logical.
Seek a presage
to give you a clue.
Three are 2’s and
Two are 3’s.
At both entrances to Manhattan Park are signs that say:
“City (2) of (1) East (1) Grand (1) Rapids (2)
A (1) better (2) place (1) to (1) live (1)
Manhattan (3) Recreational (5) Area (3)
Three are 2’s and two are 3’s can be found by counting the syllables from the words on the sign.
-In the story when the grandad gets the injured Indian brave on his horse after being beaten up, he says he needs to get him back to the Sioux settlement that is about 16 miles away. If you start at Alto & take the freeway to Manhattan Park, its 16 miles exactly!
Now we’re in the park:
Graviety is important,
So don’t treat it lightly.
A car has two headlights,
Discard the two dimist.
The first line “gravity is important” directs me towards something involving gravity, “so don’t treat it lightly” is stressing the importance of this, coupled with the image of ladders and apples fallen from the trees; this hints towards the sledding hill in the park…Either that or it’s basically telling us that the golden apple has fallen off the tree, which may work better as I believe its buried.
The second two lines are instructions to remove the two dimmest stars from the constellation CASSIOPEIA, which is a “W” shape, that would leave us with a “V” shaped arrangement (like the tusks of a walrus).
Some trees have leaves,
And some have needles.
At this point in time,
They all look like hay stacks.
This suggests that we’re looking at trees in a specific “time” of year, a season where the leaves are falling off; autumn/winter. (Along with the sledding hill this could fit nicely). There’s a hint here to PINE TREES too, as mentioned by the needles.
That with which
you’ve seen to be so,
Use as a map
In the rain, wind, or snow.
There’s a mention of terrible weather here, it further continues the theme of autumn/winter & trees…
When I read this initially, I interpreted it as possibly needing a magnifying glass, (as would have been used for 'sewing') but I now think it may mean 'sowing seeds', as we've seen the apple trees grown in the story, it makes sense.
To "use as a map" would mean to use the trees as landmarks; first locate the pine trees amongst the deciduous ones (particularly in autumn/winter when the leaves have fallen off surrounding trees, the pines would appear more prominent, quite like haystacks).
From the remainder,
Locate the Omphalos.
Man has two feet,
So look that far down.
With the remaining “V” shaped PINE TREES use a method of triangulation to locate the omphalos (centre point).
“Man has two feet, so look that far down” says to me: dig two feet down to the treasure. That paired with the shovel statement from a previous stanza strongly suggests that it’s buried.
Friends are caring,
But gossip will spread.
Don’t let it bother you,
or go to your head.
I interpret this to mean, “be humble”.
As the whole premise of the story shows us how people can be jealous, especially when it comes to treasures and wealth.
With all the information combined I think that there’s 3 PINE TREES in Manhattan Park, at the centre of these 3 trees is the dig site, dig 2 feet down and you should discover the golden apple.
There’s 5 PINE TREES at the west entrance to the park & 3 PINE TREES in the northeastern car park. The 5 trees at the west could potentially be too small, but the 3 in the middle of the northeastern car park are hefty, that’s the place I would choose.
There’s potential for more pine trees in the park, but I can’t find a further 3 together from my searches online & google maps.
If anyone out there would dig on my behalf as an equal partner, I would be very grateful, not to mention 50% reward for doing so!
As far as I’m concerned, I’ve only(possibly) solved half of this hunt, the rest is “boots on the ground”.
Please send me a message if you’re interested. Many thanks.
P.S. -I’m happy with this solution, but I wanted to put it out there for people to interpret for themselves.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
**UPDATED 26th August 2023**
-Anton
