Search for The Beacon Star

by TxTH

When Randy Pischel released his armchair treasure hunt called “The Beacon Star” (Available on Amazon), I was already knee deep in other projects. However, I couldn’t resist the challenge he laid out for us and I have been working on it sporadically since its release. I have been partially successful in solving some things in the book and am completely clueless about others.

However, at this time my other projects are calling me back and I have chosen to release what I believe are some of the solutions to the 10 riddles in the book. I actually feel pretty good about all ten and I am not asking you to agree or disagree with me. I am simply putting them out here for you to decide on your own if they have any merit in your opinion. Needless to say, this article contains spoilers so read on at your own peril.

I am going to address the numbers on the riddles first. (Some people call them poems which makes sense as well.) There are two sets of numbers – one set is binary and the other decimal. The binary numbers actually number the riddles in the order they appear in the book. I took the decimal numbers to be the order we should place the solutions to the riddles. So I am going to discuss the riddles in the decimal format order.

The numbers are of course the Fibonacci sequence of 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and 55. The Fibonacci sequence is found by simply starting with 1 and then the next number is calculated by adding the two numbers prior to it.  Since it starts with only one number 1, then the second number is 1 also, since you have to add two numbers and there is only one here.

For the rest of the sequence you can now see how the numbers are derived by adding the previous two numbers. Also, I want to mention at this point that there are errors in these pages that I believe are placed intentionally by Randy in spelling and omissions. I will not make them part of this article as that is another layer of the puzzle that stands apart from this.

I am also not interested in the numbers on the bricks around the puzzles for the same reason. I am just interested in finding the locations and getting the solutions. What are the solutions? I believe they are words from monuments and plaques found around the Denver area. I think you will see how my ideas detail why Denver is the only possible location for these solutions. More on that later.

Okay, so let’s get started with number 1. There are two number 1’s but I think Randy made it clear which one goes first. That is the one on page56. Why? You will see.

It says:

Cityscapes and mountianscapes, rivers, and the trails.

Winding paths and hillsides, a compass with no tales.

In sun or shade you can sit and watch people going by.

The river’s edge and the city’s edge spread open to the sky.

All of this and more sits at the serpant’s end.

The bigger of the two is where I want this one to end.

After looking around on Google maps and at pictures on the web I came up with Commons Park located at the intersection of 16^th Street and Little Raven Street In this park you have the winding trails, cityscapes, the water’s edge and you can definitely sit in shade or sun to watch people go by. More importantly you can see the “compass with no tales” and the “serpant”.

You can clearly see “the bigger end” of the serpant in the image below.

Now, the reason I believe this is the first riddle in order is because there is no monument or plaque here with any kind of inscription. Is he saying maybe we should put our solution in reverse  – from 55 to 1 so the solution ends here?  Is this the area where the object we are looking for is hidden?

So now we can move on to the other number 1 and that is located on page 28. It says:

Columbus ever pointing but which way to go?

Down the beaten war path and the bronco busta show.

If you reach the halls of knowledge then you’ve gone too far.

Return back to the arches where pillars are.

Across the promenade two kings exchange a stare.

Words are written twice but only read once there.

As many people have already discovered this leads you to Civic Center Park. Following the directions you walk south from the Columbus monument past the Bronco Buster and Warpath monuments. When you reach the Library located across the street turn around so you are facing the right direction and retrace your steps until you pass through the arcs of the Greek Amphitheater and are standing on the stage. As you look across the “promenade” you will see two statues of male lions (King of the Beasts) staring at each other.

Under both of these lion statues is an identical plaque that reads: “MAN SHOULD HAVE THE HEART OF A LION TO DO THE THINGS HE LOVES AND THAT OTHER PEOPLE LOVE. MONEY PRODUCES NO GREATNESS, BUT MAN DOES. THE HEARTS OF MEN OF COURAGE PRODUCE BEAUTIFUL IDEAS AND JOY FOR ALL.” So now we have the first “solution”.

The next riddle is number 2 located on page 50. It says:

Beneath the dome of gold do go,

Then head down the stairs long and steep. To the obelisk below,

Where five seals we do keep.

The first eight you’ll read and then, Take a knee and shed a tear.

Dedicated to great men,

Whose memories do linger here.

This refers to the Colorado State Capitol building and the Veterans Memorial located in Lincoln Memorial Park down at the bottom of all of the steps on the west side of the building. Read eight lines of the inscription.

“DEDICATED BY THE PEOPLE OF COLORADO IN GRATITUDE AND RESPECT FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE PROUDLY SERVED AND SACRIFICED IN OUR NATIONS ARMED FORCES.” Solution 2.

Riddle 3 is located on page 44. It says:

Of the many things you’ll climb, Mountains, stairs, and history.

On the crumbling stones you’ll find, The beginnings of a mystery.

From Mummy Ridge to Pike’s Peak, Many things were written fast.

But in time’s shadow is where to sneak, To read this clue’s explosive past.

This is in Cranmer Park located at E. 3^rd Avenue and Bellaire St. In this park, the highest point in Denver, you have a great view of the mountains. In fact you can see from Mummy Ridge to Pike’s Peak! There is an area of the park called Sundial Plaza. It is here where the crumbling rock detailed the skyline in a large mosaic. This area was completely redone last year and I am sure to Randy’s relief they put everything back much as it was before except the rock is no longer crumbling. The important part is the sundial where we are to sneak into times shadow to read. There is a block with an inscription about the sundial being replaced once before because vandals blew it up with dynamite in 1965.

The inscription reads:

“ERECTED IN 1941. THE ORIGINAL SUNDIAL ADDED DISTINCTION TO A BEAUTIFUL CITY. IT STANDS AGAIN REPLACED BY THE PEOPLE OF DENVER IN COOPERATION WITH THE DENVER JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS A TESTAMENT OF THEIR BELIEF IN THE BEAUTY OF THIS CITY. (MARCH 21, 1966)” – Solution 3. I enclosed the date in parentheses because even though it is on the inscription, I do not believe it was meant to be part of the solution. I could be wrong.

Riddle number 5 is located on page 60. It says:

Remember horrors, if you can. Of the worst deeds done by man. Walk the star with weary feet,

So past mistakes dare not repeat. Buried deep a tribute lies, But only dig there with your eyes.

This refers to the Holocaust Memorial at Babi Yar Park located at E. Yale Avenue and S. Havana Street.

The star is designed as a place to walk and meditate. At the point of the star at the bottom is an inscription which reads: “BELOW THIS MARKER IS LOCATED A CAPSULE CONTAINING EARTH FROM BABI YAR RAVINE KIEV, UKRAINE, U.S.S.R. PRESENTED TO THE BABI YAR PARK FOUNDATION BY COLORADO SENATOR JOHN R. BERMINGHAM”

Riddle number 8 is located on page 36 and reads:

Cross Simms and Kipling, Car, Allison, Wadsworth and then Sheridan.

Near beer and water, cars and bend, A pretty place is where you’ll end.

The place where this one calls home. But back up and telephone,

Crossing all of those streets, traveling on Colfax (Highway 40), you will arrive close to downtown Denver in the vicinity of Mile High Stadium. This is what I think the riddle means:

Near beer (Coors Stadium) and water (Island Kingdom Water Park or the Downtown Aquarium, both next to Elitch Gardens)

cars (Pepsi Center parking lots all have Toyota car names attached) and bend (Crescent Park just west of Elitch Gardens)

Here it gets interesting and made more sense once someone pointed out the punctuation of the last two lines indicates possibly they should be swapped.  Knowing that, if you continue beyond the Pepsi Center you will arrive at the entrance to the Denver Performing Arts complex – a pretty place.

If you “back up and telephone, the place where this one calls home”, you arrive across the street at the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph building, home of “THE MOUNTAIN STATES TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY” (the solution is the sign on the building).

That brings us to riddle number 13. This one is located on page 12 and reads:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind.

Look this acquaintance in the eye, On the second step you find.

This refers to the statue of Robert Burns located in City Park located at E. 23^rd Avenue and York Street.

On the second step it says: “A POET PEASANT BORN, WHO MORE OF FAME’S IMMORTAL DOWER UNTO HIS COUNTRY BRINGS, THAN ALL HER KINGS.”

Riddle 21 is found on page 20. This one probably has more people puzzled than any of the others. We all settled in on the MLK Jr. statue in City Park trying to figure out how to relate it to MLK Sr. Where did their paths cross? First off, since these are “poems” it says “sowed” and “bowed”. If they rhyme then we are talking about someone that plays a string instrument with a bow like a violin or cello. Then I realized that Jr. and Sr. didn’t have to be from the same family and that is when it all came together.

First the riddle:

Junior was passionate about the things he dreampt. (Obviously MLK Jr)

Senior was reaping what he sowed. (Our gentlemen was playing music and teaching children how to play the violin) One was very vocal and said things he meant. (MLK Jr.)

One touched many people as he bowed.(He was famous in his time) With your back towards the mountains, (Facing east – very important!) where there paths did cross. (MLK Jr. Drive and Gilpen Drive (the home of our gentleman) intersect.) Read between the names and in the notes.

Greatness comes in many forms and sometimes it’s our loss,

So heed the words surrounded by quotes.

The man we were looking for is George Morrison Sr. He was a classical violinist and because of his race was not allowed to be in the Denver Symphony. He formed a jazz group that was very well known in the “Five Corners” area of Denver. There is a park named after him located at MLK Drive and Gilpen Street. On the south side of that intersection in the park there is a monument made of half of a violin.

This picture is of the east side of the monument. I could not find a picture of the west side that we need on the internet. I finally obtained a picture by contacting someone I did not know in Denver and they graciously sent me a picture of the other side. I did not ask him for permission to use the picture so I will not post it. The west side looks very similar to this side but the “words surrounded by the quotes” are: “I SHALL ONLY PASS THIS WAY BUT ONCE. I’LL DO THE BEST I CAN BY BEING A USEFUL SERVANT TO MY FELLOW MAN” Solution to 21.

Riddle number 34 can be found on page 74. It reads:

A famous place that needs no clue. Just go there like you always do.

On the ground in front of three, Take your pen and bend a knee. Then take a walk, enjoy the best, Where many men were laid to rest.

At first I thought this was possibly referring to a cemetery because of the “men were laid to rest”. But then Jenny Kile mentioned somewhere that it could refer to a hotel. Looking at luxury hotels (“enjoy the best”) she came across The Brown Palace Hotel in downtown Denver. I found what “On the ground in front of three, take your pen and bend a knee” was all about.

Located in front of the main three steps is the logo of the hotel: THE BROWN PALACE HOTEL AND SPA. (Solution)

Riddle 55 is located on page 68 and reads:

Once horses and oxen traveled this trail, Now covered with tarmac and fences and rail.

It’s old and forgotten and covered with dust, Surrounded by commerce and Between death and Denver this monument stands,

But just read it between the two narrow bands.

This refers to the Smokey Hill Trail and the Pioneer Monument located at Colfax and N. Broadway (just north of the Civic Center Park in front of the capitol building)

The inscription reads: “HERE WAS THE END OF THE FAMOUS SMOKY HILL TRAIL IMMIGRANT AND STAGE ROAD EXTENDING FROM THE MISSOURI RIVER TO DENVER TRAVERSED BY PIONEERS IN 1858. SURVEYED BY W.G. RUSSELL IN 1860. ROUTE OF THE BUTTERFIELD’S OVERLAND DESPATCH AND WELLS-FARGO EXPRESS. THE TRAIL TOOK ITS HUMAN TOLL- DEATH BY THIRST AND INDIAN RAIDS.” (Solution 55) (You can see the two narrow bands)

So there you have what I believe are the 10 locations being sought with the 10 riddles of The Beacon Star. I was brief on some of them because there was not really a lot to say. I hope this sheds some light on your search and if you think you have a better location then by all means you are probably right. All of this is simply my opinion and you are certainly entitled to yours. So now, what are you going to do with this information? How are you going to use the following:

MAN SHOULD HAVE THE HEART OF A LION TO DO THE THINGS HE LOVES AND THAT OTHER PEOPLE LOVE. MONEY PRODUCES NO GREATNESS, BUT MAN DOES. THE HEARTS OF MEN OF COURAGE PRODUCE BEAUTIFUL IDEAS AND JOY FOR ALL. DEDICATED BY THE PEOPLE OF COLORADO IN GRATITUDE AND RESPECT FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE PROUDLY SERVED AND SACRIFICED IN OUR NATIONS ARMED FORCES. ERECTED IN 1941. THE ORIGINAL SUNDIAL ADDED DISTINCTION TO A BEAUTIFUL CITY. IT STANDS AGAIN REPLACED BY THE PEOPLE OF DENVER IN COOPERATION WITH THE DENVER JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS A TESTAMENT OF THEIR BELIEF IN THE BEAUTY OF THIS CITY. (MARCH 21, 1966) BELOW THIS MARKER IS LOCATED A CAPSULE CONTAINING EARTH FROM BABI YAR RAVINE KIEV, UKRAINE, U.S.S.R. PRESENTED TO THE BABI YAR PARK FOUNDATION BY COLORADO SENATOR JOHN R. BERMINGHAM THE MOUNTAIN STATES TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY A POET PEASANT BORN, WHO MORE OF FAME’S IMMORTAL DOWER UNTO HIS COUNTRY BRINGS, THAN ALL HER KINGS. I SHALL ONLY PASS THIS WAY BUT ONCE. I’LL DO THE BEST I CAN BY BEING A USEFUL SERVANT TO MY FELLOW MAN THE BROWN PALACE HOTEL AND SPA HERE WAS THE END OF THE FAMOUS SMOKY HILL TRAIL IMMIGRANT AND STAGE ROAD EXTENDING FROM THE MISSOURI RIVER TO DENVER TRAVERSED BY PIONEERS IN 1858. SURVEYED BY W.G. RUSSELL IN 1860. ROUTE OF THE BUTTERFIELD’S OVERLAND DESPATCH AND WELLS-FARGO EXPRESS. THE TRAIL TOOK ITS HUMAN TOLL- DEATH BY THIRST AND INDIAN RAIDS.

Good luck to all! TxTH

ABOVE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY TxTH

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