The Thrill of the Chase Treasure Hunt and Six Questions with Seannm

This is the sixteenth 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!

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Six Questions with Seannm

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

I first heard of the “The Thrill of the Chase” while reading about the Saddle Ridge Hoard. And as I am originally from that area, the find intrigued me. A “click bait”, associated with the story, mentioned Forrest Fenn and his “secreted cache”, I clicked; Hence forth and forevermore, I have been consumed. That was in late April of 2015.

 

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

Growing up, my father always spoke of a secreted “time capsule” that he had hidden somewhere behind my grandmother’s home in the San Rafael Ca. foothills, sometime in his mid teens. The cache supposedly concealed, in its care, treasured toys of his youth. His story always inspired me, and I had constantly asked him if we could go searching for it, but he always had an excuse not to.

As I got older I began to question if his story, or any story of hidden treasures, were in fact real, or just fables to amuse the minds and imaginations of our youth. I was slowly losing the optimism of my childhood. When I lost my father in 2013, due to complications of stage 3 COP and pneumonia, I believed I had forever lost the opportunity to answer that question. So when I read Forrest Fenn’s story, it sparked in me, a burning desire to answer it for myself.

 

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

The many unique destinations that this adventure has led me to that I might not have ventured to otherwise. Like one rainy afternoon, along Sunlight Creek, in it’s name sake basin, enjoying the mist of an amazing waterfall, and hearing the thunder roll though the canyon, as if Chief Joseph himself was welcoming me there. Or the early morning drive into Yellowstone National Park in late April with snow still on the ground. Only to find out that after, an eight hundred plus mile drive, the area I wanted to search up Rabbit Creek, was cordoned off due to bear activity. Well, this guy went in anyways, “brave and in the wood”, and had a close encounter with a “smoking” Bison. (I don’t recommend this by the way)

 

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

Individuals inability to manage conflicting discourse. It seems just about everyone answers this question differently by saying that they hate the fighting in the chase. But I am of the opinion that debate, even when heated, can be rewarding and mind opening, not only about the matter at hand, but oneself as well. However, it seems now-a-days that most like to position themselves into like-minded groups and live entirely within that cozy bubble, never allowing anyone in with a difference of opinion (Just check your social media groups, and our media outlets). It seems our society finds it much easier to just label, marginalize, and ostracize anyone who differs, whether in opinion or otherwise. How one can rationally expect to expand themselves by living this way is beyond me, and maybe the answer is clear, they don’t. I mean what ever happened to “sticks and stones” people?

 

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

I re-discovered that long lost imaginative thirteen year old within myself, the one who now, once again, looks at the world around him with wonder and amazement. And as I now look down upon my two youngest children, I realize that the true gift Forrest has given me, is the realization that I have a great opportunity and responsibility to pass onto them that sense of wonder and belief in things their eyes cannot yet see.

 

6) What more would you like to say?

Forrest Fenn has been quoted somewhere as asking “Why do you want to know where it is?” My response to Forrest is:

Sir, I don’t want to know where it is, I want to discover where it is.

Have fun all, and stay safe. And again, thank you Jenny and your staff for all you do.

Seannm

 

 

Powerful and thought-provoking answers, Seannm!  Thanks for sharing them!  I always love to learn the different circumstances which bring people to the Chase.  I am finding it is those with the deepest and heartfelt reasons are the ones who continue to search….. no matter what or how long it’ll take.   It’s wonderful to be part of this amazing community of seekers!

Thanks to all for visiting MW and being part of the adventures!