At the end of March, I was invited to speak on Armchair Treasure Hunts at BloomCon for kids. There were 10 workshops, each about 40 minutes long, with groups of around 10 kids. The kids aged from 7-17 years.
Since I was planning on talking about The Tribute treasure hunt, I asked John and Kit if they would be willing to answer questions the kids might have on their treasure hunt.
It was an awesome time. The kids enjoyed hearing about all the different treasure hunts, and they had the following questions for John and Kit!
A huge thanks to John and Kit for answering them!
Enjoy!
1)Do you know Josh Gates?
JM: I do not know him but a friend of mine does.
KP: Not personally, but I hope to at some point. My father has met him and he has been in his studio, but unfortunately I was working that day.
2)How deep is your cask buried?
KP: Hmm.. Who says it’s buried?
JM: If it is, it would be no more than 3 to 3 and one half feet as those were the spec’s from the original hunt.
3)Can the cask be dug up now or is the ground frozen?
JM: The casque can be dug up anytime, with the right tools.
KP: If you free your mind, it can be dug up any time and any season.
4)Do you think your cask will stay buried for years like the others have?
JM: I hope so, but I bet there is one smart and clever person out there who is destined to find it.
KP: I can only hope so. The thing about this hunt is that the general locations and parks have been known for years, but the landscape has changed so drastically that digging is potentially out of the question. Hopefully it is in the ground for years to come but the location known; just to tease the hunters.
5)How much do you think the gemstones can be sold for?
JM: The Pink Tourmaline gem is worth $1500, the other gems have not been appraised, they are rough and uncut.
KP: Although there is a price on the gemstones, there is no price for the treasure. Anyone in their right mind would keep this and hold it close.
6)Do you really think a kid could solve your puzzle?
JM: Anyone can be a kid, even us adults, but your age is no limit to the power of your mind. I hope if anyone finds it, that it will be a kid!
KP: Absolutely. I always used to think that you had to be on the Earth for a little while longer so one could remember landmarks and what the landscape used to look like, as it has changed significantly. However, a child’s mind thinks so much more simplistically. Perhaps the adult eye over-complicates the image, leading to distracting clues or made up images. I think a kid has a greater shot than any adult with the right research and determination.
7)Can I keep the key if I find it?
JM: In order to get the gemstones and silver bars, you must turn in the key. You may keep one or the other.
KP: Absolutely not. To prove the treasure was found and to claim your prize, you must turn in the key in exchange for the gemstone.
8)What school subject will help the most to solve your puzzle?
JM: History, Art History, Literature, plus the first and 3rd “Indiana Jones” movies along with the entire “National Treasure” series.
KP: World history, easily. Although there is narrative behind the painting and the verse, it references figures, authors, and significant places and people throughout the world and over the lifespan of the United States.
9)Which is more important- the verse or the image?
JM: One is equally important to the other.
KP: That’s the beauty of this. Neither one is more important than the other. It’s like having milk with your oreos. They go hand in hand.
10)What made you choose the location it is buried in?
KP: Hahaha, you didn’t think I’d actually answer this question, did you?
JM: The Fair Folk told us!
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Best of luck with all that you seek! Always Treasure the Adventure!
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Love your eork, love the work thses guys are doing and love being part of the searching…thanks for all you do