forrest fenn's treasure chestMister Forrest Fenn Treasure Man,

You have said in the past that your poem is straight forward with no subterfuge. Recently, comments on Jenny’s site have suggested you might leave physical decoys near the treasure to confuse searchers. Might we expect such if one of us is lucky to be that close to your trove one day?  Thank you Randy L.

 

No Randy, my mind doesn’t work like that. f

 

 

 

Best of luck with all that you seek.  Always Treasure the Adventure!

116 Comments

  1. merci merci me on a wednesday!

    I’ve done it tired and now i’m week

    the ty that binds

    2 00

    Arcite white squartz and Palamon

    it only strengthens my resolve

    now.. I recently took a closer look at the Pxxxx..

    and what I found was the PIC.. I mean the PIX.. oh whatever, you know what i mean

    it’s all on page 11.. err.. I mean 146

    4 wheel drive.. seven seeded smiles

    what? is there something in my teeth???

  2. Decoys would be subterfuge. I believe the reason it’s still out there all these years is simply because we’ve all been outsmarted. We keep confusing the signs and misinterpret the hints. It’s all part of the most ingenious treasure hunt of our time. Forrest truly created a masterpiece.

    Dampened Myth
    1. there may be some confusion and misinterpretation.. which on it’s own is merely helpful experience.. on the other hand.. we all know what a long full life f embodies to date.. he’s full of A LOT of fizz.. even if we are correct with some interpretations.. those fizzes will add up.. and there is critical mass involved there.. but even then, he merely switches to another flavor!

      1. I like how you worded that HappyThoth.

        “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…”

        A time to rest from solving…and a “time to strengthen your re-solve”.

        A time to be coy…and a time to de-coy.

        It truly is a Master’s Peace.

        Just one question…

        Why is it that Forrest must go in there alone? That doesn’t make sense to me.

        JC1117
  3. What is a physical decoy? It gives the impression of a duck floating on water ! I don’t think it will be multiple choice, door no.1 door no. 2 or door number 3. What door holds the real treasure chest, All the other chests you see are decoys. I sure am glad Forrest doesn’t think like that!

    WoodyBogg
  4. i know i tend let the floodgates open.. I will try to not do that this time.. at least not here (or outside my six questions).. but I do have one more thought before I do my best to tear myself away.. and I do believe it to be relevant in and out of space/time.. and here 😉

    watching the current news.. and I’ll put it this way..
    the nice thing about sharing ice cold beers..
    when you take it in the can down.. and sit with the ale..
    one finds that we’re alum-ni..

    f was specific to say he is ok with lickings (think warm.. not hot or cold)
    there will be a sting.. but it should be a very localized one..
    neither hand should need to broaden the theater..

    if we all remember the school that we are all alum-ni to, then we should always be able to share a beer together.. whatever our leanings

    respectfully yours,
    Cheshire

    🙂

  5. The phyical items aren’t decoys. You just have to understand them. Like a teapot would be a kettle, or an empty grapette bottle is a reservoir. Gloves are a covering, layers. Not decoys; important items!

    John edo
  6. Thanks Randy L., Jenny and Mister Forrest Fenn Treasure Man,
    I could have left that fine collec-tion of titles alone or left them out all together, in hindsight though, I’m glad I left them all in. And in my mind that’s the attraction of a well placed decoy or two…I’ll leave it at that?

    1. Perhaps the decoy lies within the interpretation. Any JVC pattern with proper spread and runway will create a fine attraction. But if your camo is out of sync you’ll just be butting heads with the wind. Thumbing through a few old books reminded me of the importance of dressing the edges, while often over looked, these subtle differences do much more than just add a little character.

  7. My attempt to see if my solve works out is coming soon! Difficult (very) but not impossible. We shall see how fine the line is between those two factors.

    Thanks ff, Jenny & all of the interesting personalities here!

    Safe searching to all. 🙂

    TrailThumper
    1. military folk like to speak in cody.. is it their fault if they’re not understood?

      when et comes with a bigger vocabulary.. what will we pout about then?

      between Goofy and Pluto, it’s apparent that Goofy got a lot more licks.. but they both end up smiling in the end

      all I know is that the end is drawing nigh and I see King Tut in flywater.. katydid to and don’t ask me why

      🙂

  8. One February we met a nice couple at breakfast at the Mammoth Hotel who reminded me of friends back home- I remember that he talked about mountain lion hunting in his home state- and later I saw them standing with a staff member by an educational placard near the big map room. They were discussing what wildlife they were likely to see at that time of year. The woman- who’s English was a little shaky- turned to me with an uncertain smile and said, “Wolves…eat you?”
    I said, “No, no- bears eat you. But they’re all asleep.”

    Madesquare
  9. If you’ve been in BOTGs, you know there are a lot of decoys: fallen logs on fallen logs, branching creeks from other creeks, rocks on top of rocks, waterfalls up/down other waterfalls, etc. Decoys here, ..decoys there. Decoys everywhere.

    When you find that it is not a decoy, you finally found it! Congratulations!

    DeerX5
  10. Physical decoys? Nope! Physical distractions (I.e. people, and not being f) perhaps! I wish we had more time! That’s what I believe this whole thing is about, among other parts that go into the whole equation of “The Thrill of the Chase”! Thank You Randy L. for the question, Mr. Fenn for the answer, and Ms. Kile for all that you do here!

    Thank you

    Chesney
  11. Sooooo……. to me….this begs the Question: How does Forrest’s mind think?
    Answer: Four Cards and a Joker!!!
    The decoys are NOT Physical but you better watch out in TTOTC and the Poem with how you interpret Words and other Hints!!!
    IMO
    Now, if we only knew which was which!!!

    The Lone Aspen
      1. Hmmmm…..Aces…..How About:
        It The Alone Title All Listen Tired Weak
        Whoops – that is toooooo many and maybe a few more…… How about a JOKER!!! =
        Quickly Down Have Been
        Oh Darn…. That’s two already
        I give up!!! And those are just in the Poem!!!
        IMO

        The Lone Aspen
    1. Be so unique and scary to know someone is riding in the wrong direction finally. Let me know when I can put my dogs up and enjoy the fire. I have a lot of family over and one may go but It is not like I get to be the ruler of my keep, shes the witch that controls my fate. My three brothers never hear at all and like it or not somebody has to chop wood, I won the job and wasn’t even asking to be hired.

  12. So let’s think about this, everyone please! Mr. Fenn has not helped me outside of the blogs, but I finally l feel that I can say openly several things. It’s not gonna be stumbled on, not gonna be something you can do on a Sunday afternoon or Spring Break. You might wanna take a flashlight and a sandwich. Okay, you got me, several is more than 2 , but not many more. It’s The Thrill of the Chase, not the reward.

    Chesney
  13. I agree, Afana. One person’s “lame” could be another’s instruction. Saw this on the THOR site.

    Originally posted by cj1066 View Post

    From the “Cup Half Full” POV:

    Randy, from the Urban Dictionary:

    Randy is a very sweet guy who stays true and faithful in a relationship.
    https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Randy

    Liu = LIU = Look It Up = Look (it) Up = Look Up

    Meaning, Don’t be fooled by the decoy near the blaze…

    Inohury
  14. My search history has been weirdly symmetrical. The first year I went twice, the second I didn’t go, the third twice, the fourth I didn’t, the fufth twice, and this is the sixth. I’ve gone twice with my family, twice with a partner, and twice solo. I’ve stayed in big hotels twice, a motel twice, and at Chico twice. Given a perfect storm of busy and broke, this might be another off year-

    Madesquare
    1. Two WWII vets always stick in my mind.
      One was involved in the invasion. He was a regular and my favorite bar, for a couple of beers a day. Nice fellow. His brother was too, and he’s the one who told us that “Pedro” had been there. But he never talked about it, never answered questions, just had a way of evading it in a friendly way. Super nice fellow.
      But one afternoon a small group of us explained to him that we didn’t want to glorify the thing, we just wanted to know what happened and what it was like. He opened up then and told us stories about the daily life in that invasion, he told us about how they built plows to get through the hedgerows before any of that was on TV. But he still stayed away from the bloodier parts, and wouldn’t talk about the city people along the way. Some stuff wasn’t for chit chat.

      The other was a man I worked with who was involved in liberating a couple of death camps.
      -Here’s where an old vow comes in.-
      He was a part timer, and old fellow who just wanted something to do in his rewtirement.
      One Memorial Day he brought in his pictures.
      They were of the death camps and the prisoners. Just like you see on TV or in magazines, emaciated and hollow eyes.
      Cy spoke about how they had to start them off on a special diet because they were so far gone their bodies couldn’t handle regular food.
      He talked about how the regular German soldiers surrendered, but the SS troops fought to the end. Even knowing they had no chance, they holed up in buildings and refused to give up.
      He talked about the death and the pits. They found very recent dead, meaning that the Nazis were killing them even as the American’s were coming, in a final act of depravity.
      He said that the American officers had to constantly go around and talk the men down because, to a man, they all wanted to just kill those Nazi prisoners for what they saw they had done.

      And then he said “I brought these pictures in today because people are forgetting. There is evil in the world, and we mustn’t ever forget that.”
      Then he said something that really hit home.
      “To this day, I can’t get the smell out of my nose.”

      Chip, if by some chance you happen to read this, I loved your old man too.

      Buckeye Bob
        1. Yeah, they usually don’t.
          My dad didn’t have much fighting to do in WWII. He was in the Army Air Corps in Asian, repairing plane tires and stuff. He was being taught to fly just before the war ended, had about 10 hours on his log.
          My oldest brother was in the Gulf War, a tank squad leader in the “End Run”, or “Hail Mary”, whatever it’s called.
          We were pretty nervous when it all started, and his first letter home to mom started off with “Mom, we made history today.” And they did, due to the technology and training we have they kicked *ss and pushed the line in a record number of miles.
          He was among the first into Basra and told us he saw the chemical missiles Saddam had ready, but the bad weather didn’t allow them to be used.
          It was planned, but you know, “Luck be a lady tonight.”

          Buckeye Bob
        2. [Watching People Die]

          Death. Dying. It’s a Hard Road to Live Through ..
          Some Learn to Talk It over Ice Cream Trucks ..
          Some to Express Their Inner Thoughts in Art ..
          Some Don’t ..

          The Great Pain of Recollection
          Usually is too much to overcome ..
          Or may take Decades ..
          Some Just Die with it..

          Brad

          Brad Hartliep
  15. I’ve learned to hone in on what forrest isn’t saying and I think the clue in this tidbit lies in the silence. I believe him when he says he’s not inclined to leave physical decoys but I also believe that he’s quite inclined to sprinkle in a few mental hurdles, for those lucky enough to be close enough to the solve, to contend with.

    double a
      1. The blaze. The final clue comes after that. He’s stated too many are focused on the blaze. I’m going in August to bring my 3 kids to see Yellowstone and then to search my spot. I really want my kids to be able to help retrieve it just to prove ff’s not lying about a kid being able to walk to it. But I am looking for a few more people to help me complete this journey. Bears and safety are my first two concerns especially with my kids. Let me know if you are interested by letting me know a little about yourself and your email. It is an amazing poem and I don’t know how he made it evolve but it does. All imho. Best of luck to all searching!!

        Jake
          1. Thank you B.B., I appreciate the positive thoughts. Not sure if I can trust a loca or not but would love to find other searchers that would like to really try and finish it with me. One exact, specific spot. Spent 2 years visiting it and learning how it works and all for this. If your brave and would like to go with, I’ll be where all the brave chiefs go. Early August. Reach out if you’d like. Hopefully I’ll be giving a bracelet to ff for his birthday.

            Jake
            1. Yeah, I meant local searchers. There’s people out there who’ve made more than a hundred trips, and plenty who’ve gone a lot.
              And it’s a chance for them to pick up new ideas, even if you’re wrong you might have an idea they can use themselves.
              Plus…ADVENTURE! And a new friend to boot (with).

              Buckeye Bob
  16. I think everyone is still being thrown off by his comments. He said he had a “gut feeling”… the finder will go in confidence and he has said following a hunch is worth nothing. The fact that the finder is waiting makes me believe his gut feeling is going from a maybe to a yes it will be retrieved. Just my opinion but just because his feeing is waivering it doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing or not the correct path. Just saying. And yes, I’ve sent him a pic and I intend to wait a bit longer before retrieving it

    Jake
  17. Whew! Made it! Thx Jenny!
    Thank Randy L and of course Mr Forrest Fenn Treasure Man!
    Jdiggins treasure gurl here…thinking this is just like the dam…discussing around the subject. Oh wait, straight forward…

    No Randy, my mind doesn’t work like that. f

    Nope, it sure don’t. 😉

    Jdiggins
    1. Is he not treasure man? I feel confused by all these comments. People make my name to mean things. I did not know my name mean the things you say.

      I am here on a work visa and I am amazed by the beauty of this man’s quest. I am sorry, but I don’t understand anything people are saying here. I shouldn’t have asked this question. Maybe I don’t understand this country.

      Randy Liu
      1. Randy,
        We are a confusing bunch. Please don’t take offense. We are happy you asked a question Forrest chose to answer. Dont feel bad, I don’t understand most on this page either!
        🙂
        Welcome to the chase!

        Jdiggins
      2. Ignore what the others are saying .. Every question gets picked apart for clues – including the name of the person asking the question – you are not the first .. you probably won’t be the last .. it’s been going like this for 4 years at least and probably longer .. some of them have been Brutal .. just let it roll off your back ..

        Those of you NOT FROM THE WEST who are used to acres of green grass and rivers with water in them:

        THIS IS NOT THE EAST. OR THE COAST > August will be a HOT month – 105 or higher everywhere below 5,000 feet – probably the Hottest we’ve seen – and ZERO HUMIDITY – your body is going to dry up – drink LOTS OF WATER every 15 minutes – it’s Broiling in Texas right now .. it’s probably broiling all across the West – I know in Arizona and Colorado and probably New Mexico too – I don’t know – I’m afraid to listen to the Weather Station .. All my Butterfly Plants are Wilting and I don’t think they’re going to last long enough to feed the Monarchs in September and October ..

        Your Desert Friendly Neighborhood Earth and Saguaro Ranger,

        Brad

        Brad Hartliep
  18. Thank you, Jenny, Randy L. and Mr. Fenn for the “Featured Question”. No physical decoys. Would the blaze be considered a lure, whether the correct one was identified? Nothing dangerous, and it almost sounds like it’s in the open, but could be wrong. As for the mind, is his simple or complex?

    pdenver
  19. Great question Pdenver…”Is ff’s Mind simple or complex?”

    Here is your answer… His brain’s form and function mirror ttotc poem. The fibers of ff’s brain form a 3-D grid which maps complexities in an exceptionally simple way.

    Mr. Fenn, if you are reading this, you know…that I know.

    Stade
    1. Pdenver et al…an additional comment to my description of ff’s Brain:
      Only a highly intelligent savant with a photographic memory, able to keep his split personality in check when it counts…could master the formation of ttotc poem. Of course this is my opinion – after 5 years of studying ff, everything he has written, and the videos posted for public consumption. He’s very good at appearing a simple southern gentlemen…ya right!

      Stade
  20. https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/salinger_time_mag_1961_1000px__130128171558.jpg

    Probably maybe the Time Magazine JD Salinger’s ‘Catcher In the Rye’ Landed On when Forrest Threw it in the Trash .. Within this edition is a story of the meeting between JD and Ernest Hemingway during WW2 .. Sept 1961 .. Forrest never says whether he met either, but JD is probably the more likely if he did .. The important connection is the Literary Overflow .. JD was influenced by Earnest. Forrest was influenced by JD ..

    Which modern literary author is going to be influenced by Forrest in the decades to come?

    [Even though we’ve inhabited the same Deserts and Mountains and interest in Military and Native American History and Culture in Arizona and New Mexico and Texas and Western Europe during WW2 over the last 42 years, I’ve never actually met him – so I guess I’m out. My Novel Screenplay Masterpieces will just have to go solo into the Wild Wild West, as they slowly collect dust in someone else’s attic closet, unknown to all save the Pink-hued Desert Rats ..]

    Brad Hartliep

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