The Golden Apple Tale Tribute by Martin Smith was released in January 2023. This book, available on Amazon, celebrates the release of the original The Golden Apple Tale published 40 years ago. In this 40th anniversary armchair treasure hunt, Martin has created a wonderful new and curious tale filled with clues. He continues the story of the first and offers another fantastic challenge and prize!
Let’s learn more about it! Enjoy the following Six Questions with Martin:
- 1Q) What attracted you to the original The Golden Apple Tale? And what then inspired you to create the Golden Apple Tale Tribute hunt?
When I saw that the PO Box address was in Grand Rapids, I started with the hunch that the hunt was centered there as well. And if it was, I thought I might have a chance to actually make some progress since I was a local and I wouldn’t have a lot of expenses related to travel. I worked on TGAT from time to time over the years and when I picked it up again in the summer of 2022, I realized it was the 40th anniversary. Since I tend to be better at hiding treasures than finding them, I thought it would be great to do a tribute hunt.
- 2Q) Please share how someone can get started in TGAT-Tribute. Is any knowledge or details of the original story needed to solve the tribute?
I’d say a working knowledge of the original hunt is necessary to some degree. So definitely start by getting familiar with Cam’s hunt if you aren’t already and then move on to mine. Like Cam’s hunt, my hunt is in the form of a self-published book which you can find on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YGYe8D
- 3Q) Are the clues found only in the Tribute’s story of The Golden Apple Tale (and not in the two additional tales by H.G. Wells included in the book) – or are clues to be found cover to cover?
The stories by H.G. Wells are in the public domain and I did not modify them in any way. There are no intentional clues in those stories. I chose them because they seemed very topical.
- 4Q) There are always searchers coming into the armchair treasure hunting hobby. Would you offer any advice on how they should get started in not only your hunt, but maybe others as well? Do you feel new searchers are at any disadvantage of solving your hunt? Would you say it is code heavy or difficult to solve?
Everybody brings their own strengths and weaknesses into this hobby. I’d suggest identifying those strengths and focusing on hunts that align with them. If you’re good with codes and ciphers, find hunts that you can easily crack. If you’re a better wordsmith, work on those types of hunts. I think my hunt is a great starter hunt for new searchers. In all honesty, I don’t think it’s that difficult. It is not very code heavy. It’s just a matter of putting all the clues together and finding the spot.
- 5Q) Is the final solution to the location of the Golden Apple case concise – in that once deduced by the clues in the book a searcher will know beyond doubt, and before traveling there to retrieve it. Can you share more about the treasure and what searchers are striving to unearth?
The solution points to a generally precise location. It will make sense when you’ve solved it, but you will need some observational skills at the location. The treasure itself is not going to make you rich, but I think it’s a fun tribute. The jewel case contains a 1 ounce pure silver round. The case itself is contained inside a red apple. I’ve included a medallion similar to the kind I use as The Grand Rapids Riddler. You’re looking for a plexiglass box that is 6 x 6 x 6 inches. That medallion can be redeemed for additional prizes which I will make known at a later date.
- 6Q) This Tribute isn’t your first treasure hunt of either side (creating or finding). What do you enjoy most about the hobby? And please share some about the Grand Rapids Riddler and all involved in those hunts.
I enjoy several things about this hobby. While I tend to remain behind the scenes quite often, I do enjoy the communities that form around different hunts and the larger treasure hunting community as a whole. I also like learning new things. And trying to solve a treasure hunt usually means doing a lot of researching and learning all sorts of history and geography. It keeps the mind sharp!
The Grand Rapids Riddler is a continuation of the Wyoming Riddler (Wyoming is a suburb of Grand Rapids). For over 30 years, Joe Cramer (the Wyoming Riddler) did a free, annual treasure hunt in the greater Grand Rapids area. After he retired, I decided to carry on the tradition as the Grand Rapids Riddler. Every November I release a riddle that will guide you to a specific location in the greater Grand Rapids area. At that location you’ll find a proxy item (a medallion) which you can redeem for the prize package (which always has some sort of silver and carbon monoxide detector in honor of Joe, who developed the riddles as a way to keep his mind sharp after surviving a serious case of carbon monoxide poisoning in 1978).
The Grand Rapids Riddler facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/grandrapidsriddler
The Grand Rapids Riddler website:
https://www.wyomingriddler.com/
The Golden Apple Tale Tribute Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thegoldenappletale
The Golden Apple Tale website:
https://www.thegoldenappletale.com/
Thanks!
Marty
