This is the 30th in a series on Six Questions with Searchers of The Thrill of the Chase Treasure Hunt by Forrest Fenn. Questions are asked and then answered by those who are enjoying Forrest’s dare!  Thanks to all who are participating.  They truly are special.

Read other TTOTC Searcher Questions/Answers

Six Questions with Joel:

1)When did you first hear and learn about the Treasure Hunt?

I live in Minnesota, quite a distance from Santa Fe. In the Spring of 2017, I was part of a planning committee for a golf work outing. The event was supposed to be a “Pirate” theme, and we were brainstorming ideas. I suggested to the group we do some sort of treasure hunt, to which one of the other participants chimed in and said, “Oh yeah, it could be like that guy out west who hid that treasure.” He couldn’t remember the guy’s name, and I had no idea what he was talking about, so I started googling. That was the first I learned about Forrest Fenn. I learned about the poem, got it stuck in my head, ordered the book, then more books, then google earth, and then I found myself falling down a deep hole having tea with a time-obsessed talking rabbit…

2)What inspired you to become involved and begin searching?

When I was a child, I would spend my free time searching for treasures in the attic of my parent’s house. It was a very old house, with hidden walls inside the attic closets. There were no real “treasures” to be found there, but they sure seemed like it to me at the time. The thrill and experience of doing that never really left me, although it seemed hidden for a while. The poem and chase re-ignited that yearning for adventure somewhere deep inside my soul.

3)What is your most favorite part about the Treasure Hunt so far?

I know so much about my search area I think people think I may be from there. I reconnected with a friend from college who lives in my search area. We have spent time getting to know each other better and share what is going on in our lives with each other. I have gone on searches with my wife and children, and my father.

On one trip, my father and I were on our way out to our search area and my wife called – she had been in a car accident. We had to turn around and drive about 9 hours to where she was visiting family. She and the kids were all okay, but to take my mind off the stress of the situation I kept asking my dad about this childhood, growing up in Brooklyn, NY in the 40’s and 50’s.

We talked about family members, and his memories and experiences. Things I had never heard before. He and I grew quite a bit closer on that trip and I will always treasure his recounting of those stories and the fact we got to spend that time together — even though we didn’t get to go search for the treasure!

4)What is your least favorite part about the Treasure Hunt so far?

That I have too little time to spend out boots on the ground! Also, there are some people that seem to miss the fact that part of Forrest’s goal was to help people value each other as people, and get along better. He has so many stories about this, yet there are some people in the search community who would do well to re-read those portions of Forrest’s writings.

5)What is the best or most unique thing you found while searching for Forrest Fenn’s treasure chest?

Multiple friendships with searchers who I would never had met! There are too many to name, and several hundred of them participate regularly in a facebook group I started called “The Thrill of the Chase – a Forrest Fenn Community.” 

Also, every email I get back from Forrest I want to print off and frame. Is that weird?

6) What more would you like to say?

I would only want to close with my favorite saying regarding the chase:

“The chase is what you make it, so make it something GREAT!”

Thanks so much Joel! I never tire of hearing answers to these Six Questions about the Chase. They prove in so many different ways how treasures are found by each of us during the Chase.  Yes, it hasn’t been Forrest’s Treasure Chest, but it has still been treasure.

So glad your family were all ok in the accident, and how wonderful of a time to spend and learn of your Dad.  You can’t put a price on those things.

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

48 Comments

  5. Great answers Joel! I too am glad your wife and kids were okay, and happy for that time shared with your father. My favorite part is your tagline!
    “The chase is what you make it, so make it something GREAT!”
    Amen to that!!!

    Jdiggins

          1. Hello, Sammy.

            My one good eye still has that just-woke-up haze going on. It was a long work week.

            But a brief perusal of Jenny’s site revealed a new topic which I hadn’t seen before about Christopher Columbus’ secret coded signature.

            I Love that stuff!

            I don’t know if that’s what you are referring to specifically…but that’s what caught my one good eye…so far.

            JC1117

    1. Jumpin’ ship like a rat are ye ya scallywag. Probably find ye at the pub playin’ cards, drinkin’ rum and chasin’ after wenches. What’s a cap’n to do? Keep it up and you’re gonna be in the same boat as that other bloke, you know, the one with one good eye.
      Aye.

      CaptainJack

      1. Ahoy Captainjack, you have reminded me that Forrest & Peggy’s first home was in Mexico Beach fl/Tyndall AF base…the heart of gulf coast sunken treasures and Pirate legends.

        Those photos of Peggy fishing caused me to pause. I would have traded the pole for a metal detector and spent the days beachcombing for pieces of 8. Who cares if the oleanders in the yard are trimmed or what’s for dinner!😵 😵

        Stade

        1. Forget the pieces of 8 me bucco. A gold dubloon that’s 225 years old would go for well over $5M today at auction. Get yer scuba gear and learn t’ dive. Hoist the anchor and set sail me hearties. To Davis Jones locker we be goin. We can look for the Fenn treasure later. Aye.

          CaptainJack

              1. To my knowledge, Mr. Fenn owns the SLP and can do with it as he pleases. I believe he has a Title Deed…but don’t quote me on that…just what I’ve derived thei osmosis. But if I own something, I generally do what I wish with it and let the chips fall where they may…life’s too short to be caught in another’s web.

                tomtom

  12. Enjoyed your answers Joel! I too try to find the blessings in times of stress – amazing what happens each tine im successful in that endeavor.

    I’m heading out for my very last ttotc botg. I will treasure this one more than all the rest.

    Twingem

  13. Joel,
    Thanks for your answers. I can tell by reading them that you truly understand the true meaning of “the thrill of the chase”…. time with family is priceless…. I’ve made 28 trips to the Rocky Mountains and every step I’ve taken my father (74 yrs old) has also taken. Memories in those trips are what the chase is about…. if I never see that “look” on his face of gazing upon the treasure , then that’s ok, I feel I’ve already found it…
    Treasure your time with family Joel and treasure your chase….. thanks again for your answers, I think they are perfect…. until next time.. see ya my friend

    Focused

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