Treasure Hunt

Pirate Jim's Clue #1

Year 37 of the hunt has passed the starting gate. Hope you're ready to hunt... so don't be late. If you find it this year you'll be hailed as a hero, don't go out where the 8 is followed by a 0.

Explanation: This 37th year of the hunt was no different that the first 36. Clue #1 eliminates the part of the city out by the interstate.

Bonus Clue #1

Welcome to the 2024 Hunt – It’s Fun!

Explanation: A welcome along with the first indication that the medallion was hidden close to something that was fun to do.

Pirate Jim's Clue #2

For 36 years the medallion has always been found, this year it won't be next to the ground. It's to be found in a place not easily seen, you'll find it is surrounded by plenty of green. 

Explanation: The medallion was a couple of feet off the ground in the tree and was surrounded by the green pine needles along with all the green grass in the park.

Bonus Clue #2

Medallion got wet in Monday’s rain. 

Explanation: Indication it was out in the elements and not underneath anything like a building.

Pirate Jim's Clue #3

It's hard to become a treasure hunter, that's what they say. Lessons must be learned, that's the only way. You must not dig or climb, that's the rule. When you find the medallion, you might need a tool. 

Explanation: The first two lines talk about lessons. In this case the swim lessons that are given at the FAC in Mincks Park. The tool needed would be a scissors as the medallion was tied to the tree with some fishing line.

Bonus Clue #3

Right angles to a horizontal plane.

Explanation: This is the definition of “vertical”. The tree is vertical to the ground.

Pirate Jim's Clue #4

The Olympics start today in Paris, Oh what a sight. The medallion was hidden in the dark of the night. Standing around are many things, The area has less than the number of Olympic rings.

Explanation: The many things standing around are the many trees in the park. There are five Olympic rings. Mincks Park has three roundabouts, which are two less than the Olympic rings.

Bonus Clue #4

Talking and walking.

Explanation: Two activities that can be found daily on the paths in Mincks Park.

Pirate Jim's Clue #5

There’s never been any reason why you can’t be the one, To find the medallion and enjoy all the fun. There’s lots to learn in this 37th year, Pirate Jim says to look not in but out there.

Explanation: The key phrase in the first line is “Never been any reason” which was a hit by one of Pirate Jim’s favorite bands Head East. Mincks Park is about the most eastern part of the city. Again, a mention of the fun to be had at the playground. The last line would be used later when the playground would be revealed. The tree was just outside the playground.

Bonus Clue #5

Add 60 to 39.

Explanation: When you combine the two numbers you get 6039. The sum of the first three years the medallion was hidden in Mincks Park. 2005, 2014, 2020.

Pirate Jim's Clue #6

Dogs don't like cats and cats don't like dogs way out west, somewhere an apple will help you figure out the rest. The hunt is progressing over these beautiful days, to get in to find it, you can approach in several ways. 

Explanation: Way out west the Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars are fierce rivals and their annual football game is The Apple Cup. Washington Avenue runs on the west side of the park. There are also several ways to enter Mincks Park.

Bonus Clue # 6

Nine is fine.

Explanation: There is a nine hole Frisbee golf course on Mincks Park.

Pirate Jim's Clue #7

There are presidents in play in this your treasure quest, Abraham says don't look to the west. There's also a connection to one with the initials Z.T., just figure out what it is and the rest might be easy.

Explanation: Abraham “Lincoln Ave” would eliminate any area to the west of Lincoln Avenue in York. The president with the initials Z.T. would be Zachary Taylor, the 12th president. 12th Street runs on the south side of Mincks Park.

Bonus Clue #7

Explanation: Presents are found under Christmas trees which traditionally are pine trees.

Pirate Jim's Clue #8 

Pirate Jim had a weird football dream in which he ran, after watching a horse throw a pass to Spiderman. He was pretty sure that he had it right, then all of a sudden a bird took off in flight.

Bonus Clue #8

Explanation: With the first two lines, football quarterback Peyton Manning was an Indianapolis Colt and then a Denver Bronco. Spiderman’s real name was Peter Parker, Combine those names with what would have been the 8th bonus clue; a sign “Stay In Your Lane” and you have Peyton Parker Lane playground which was the vicinity of the pine tree in which the medallion was hidden. The bird reference was another clue to being in a tree. In fact, one flew out of the tree when Pirate Jim was hiding the medallion.

The 2024 York Treasure Hunt Medallion has been found!

The medallion was fastened in a pine tree just to the northeast of the Peyton-Parker-Lane playground at Mincks Park. It was hidden about 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 21 and found by Stephanie and Ryder Hitz!