A reverse Six Questions! George Ward, of The Secret Podcast decided to ask Jenny Kile of Mysterious Writings Six Questions. As many know, Jenny has been asking Six Questions to others over the last decade. The tables have now been turned.
George Ward is a leader in the armchair treasure hunt community. He manages 12Treasures.com which has the latest, and most thorough information concerning the armchair treasure hunt, The Secret. This hunt for 12 buried casques was released in 1982 by Byron Preiss. 9 of the casques remain to be found (as of this writing).
Enjoy the following reverse Six Questions with Jenny!
- #1) People fall in love with armchair treasure hunts at different ages. When did you discover armchair treasure hunts and what drew you into them?
I have always enjoyed puzzles and games. So when, in 2005, my sister mentioned a book which contained clues to 12 tokens hidden across the US, I was all for checking it out. That book was A Treasure’s Trove by Michael Stadther. It was the first I ever heard of something called an armchair treasure hunt. And although it was fun, and we came close to finding a token to claim a jeweled creature in that hunt, it wasn’t until later in the year, with the release of a hunt called Maranatha, that I became fully charmed by the hobby.
Maranatha, although terminating before the prize was rewarded and ending with a bit of a scandal, involved a real-life mystery. Even today, questions still surround Rennes le Chateau, the hunt’s main topic. It’s Da Vinci Code, Knight Templar, hidden messages, secret societies, lost treasure stuff. You got to love it!
Around this same time, I also worked on a hunt called Menagerie.
These two, Maranatha and Menagerie, were very dissimilar types of hunts. Each drew me in for different reasons. I was attracted to Maranatha because of its actual historical aspects, research, and mystery. Menagerie got me with its puzzling nature and riddles.
I enjoyed both types.
Unlike what I feel most people think, I wasn’t drawn to the hobby because I love codes and ciphers. I really don’t. I love mystery, games, puzzles, research, and discovery. If a hunt involves codes, uh, ok. But if it involves a clever twisting of words with hidden clues, logical paths, secret meanings, enchanting story, and riddling fun, I’d like that better.
That’s one of the reasons I’ve been diving into solo gaming, and puzzle books. Which I’ll be sharing lots more of these things on MW, in addition to armchair treasure hunts. I’ve been enjoying the leisure of working the mind, while not getting involved in the race for a treasure. Treasure is wonderful, but exploring and enjoying the journey for fun itself, is just as great – if not better.
- #2) At times your website has been described as the New York times of armchair treasure hunts. It is referenced in magazines, news articles, radio and television programs, and is linked on countless websites and message boards. It also hosts a community forum. Allowing fans of all different types of puzzles and treasure hunts to come together, collaborate, and make friends. This seems like a huge labor of love with very little reward. What keeps you going?
My belief in the importance of The Quest – and inspiring others to take one up.
In my book, The Ultimate Guide to Armchair Treasure Hunts, is the quote: “There are five important things for living a successful and fulfilling life: never stop dreaming, never stop believing, never give up, never stop trying, and never stop learning.”
I mentioned I believe armchair treasure hunts can trigger a person to live by those five important things. When diving into a hunt – those five things -dreaming, believing, persistence, perseverance, and learning – are key to solving a puzzle.
They are key whether it’s the puzzle of an armchair treasure hunt book or it’s the puzzle of life.
I believe doing one can help with doing the other. So if the site can inspire others to take up a Quest, where their experiences and habits might help them on the journey of life a little bit more – that is treasure to me.
One cautionary word on treasure hunting though: Never forget life takes priority and treasure hunting is just a hobby.
- #3) You seem to take a lot of family trips. Adventure seems important to you. Sometimes during these trips you hide a small treasure chest fill of simple prizes. What exactly are these hidden treasures, and why did you start hiding them?
Whenever I find a coin on the ground, or some other lost, unique, or interesting item, it makes me smile. I’d like to think that if someone finds one of the hidden treasures – it would make them smile. It is for just that.
Initially I was hiding some larger treasure chests filled with an array of things, but because they were randomly placed, to be found by anyone passing by, they might not have always gone over very well.
I imagined a mother watching her child picking up one of the chests to open and her freaking out – thinking it was something dangerous or unclean. I wouldn’t blame her. Times are crazy.
So, lately, I’ve just been placing $1 Innovation or Presidential coins some place. I still love the concept: Hide a Treasure – Share a Smile.
I had created TheTreasureChestProject where others could post things they were hiding, and the smiles found. It was a lot of fun for all. But I feel the site and idea need revamped. I’ll get to it eventually.
Until then, I, and anyone else, can continue leaving coins for someone to find. I’m sure whoever finds them will smile. And that’s the real purpose.
- #4) I know asking someone like you this question is like asking a parent to pick their favorite child… What is your favorite hunt to personally work on?
The quest for the mysterious game of which the following quote by Sophocles refers to: ‘He moves his piece from the sacred line’. From within context of how Sophocles used the phrase, this proverb is believed to mean something like a ‘last ditch effort’. The player is in such danger of losing that, ‘he moves his piece from the sacred line’ to try and survive. Because of the reference, historians know the game existed, but what was it? It remains an enigma.
As an avid collector and researcher of games, it fascinates me. It’s wonderful to know there are mysteries still out there in this world. Actual mysteries. Although a few theories have been put forth for the lost game and its rules, evidence is lacking for any sort of confirmation. But is there some old text or other reference that might shine more light on what this mysterious game was? I’m looking.
But ok. You probably meant armchair treasure hunt. This is trickier to answer. Currently, I’m working on Storybook Games, and other projects, that are taking up a lot of my time. And the time I give to the hobby, I find myself covering, promoting, and writing about hunts, instead of actually working on them. Such the drawback with the success of MW.
Yet, as I’m writing about hunts, it must be said I am learning about them, thinking of ideas, and sometimes following those thoughts to see where they go. If just for a brief time. So in a way I work on them all – at least the ones I write about. The latest hunts being The Hope Chest, Cupid’s Arrow, and Best Riddles. Of course, The Secret Tribute: Hunt for the 13th Casque is always in the back of my mind. As well as…… yes, all of them. I have no favorites. I love them all in their different ways. (all can be found on the MW Forum)
- #5) What do you wish there was more of in the armchair treasure hunting community?
I realize the nature of a treasure hunt, with only one treasure to find and only one person able to claim it first, doesn’t do much to stimulate open discussions, but I love seeing friendly, sincere, encouraging engagement and sharing, within a hunt.
Although I’m sure we each might hold that ace up our sleeve, there are a few hunts I see open sharing in. Your hunt, The Secret Anniversary Hunt, for example, certainly seems to be thriving in sharing thoughts and ideas. It’s exciting to see.
Those entering the hobby get a chance to understand and learn how clues might be hidden, and then found, followed, or researched to reveal a piece to the overall puzzle.
I know new searchers are often lost at first. They may feel a bit overwhelmed, or less able than those more experienced. But when they can learn from a community who is sharing ideas on how to go about solving a puzzle, they might begin to realize they can do it too. It’s a puzzle. Only the creator knows what the answer is, and we are all just trying out ideas to see what works or not. Someone brand new could just as easily discover the answer as someone who has been at it for years.
To go back to question #1. This is also what drew me more into the hobby. Both Maranatha and Menagerie had active searchers discussing ideas and thoughts for how to solve the puzzles. I was relatively new to the hobby, just learning how and what armchair treasure hunts were. It was that sharing which kept me interested, helped me understand, and dive deeper.
Remembering back on this is why I created MW Puzzle Fun, the Codes and Ciphers series, and wrote my books, which are introductions to the hobby. I wanted to give those who were interested, but unsure, a place to start.
Actually, George, maybe you and I should team up and begin something like this? How about it?
- #6) Puzzles have brought a lot of joy into my life. I’ve been able to travel the country and meet some amazing new friends. We can’t all find treasures… but we can treasure the memories we make. What is one memory you have made that you treasure?
I’m not sure why I’m having such a difficult time answering this. Maybe because the moments I treasure are the little things – which don’t translate well into words or sharing a good story – they are merely felt in the heart. Remembered. Treasured. They’re not any specific adventure. They are times when my family (My husband, myself and our 4 kids) were together – when we were just out exploring, having fun, and enjoying life.
Plus, I recently lost my dad, and when thinking about memories I treasure, those with him are coming to mind. I must say my love for exploration started with my dad. He always encouraged us to get out and live life; to not be a spectator.
I laugh when I remember back to the one summer he assisted my brothers, sisters, and I on learning this. We were watching TV on a beautiful summer day, when my dad came into the room from being outside. He asked us a question – of which none of us heard. We were too busy watching TV to notice anything around us. He decided to get our attention by going behind the TV, unplugging the cord, lifting it up in front of us, and cutting off the end. We didn’t have TV for the rest of the summer. None of us missed it – we were busy living life.
So I suppose they are the memories I treasure– those times whenever we seized the day. No matter what we were doing. We were treasuring the adventure!
Thank you George for these Reverse Six Q’s! It was a lot of fun to answer them.