It was the Winter Carnival Hunt of 2001, the 50th anniversary of the hunt. Big events were planned for this momentous occasion: Snow Sculptures at Como, ice sculptures at Rice Park, the parades, and of course the Treasure Hunt. A film crew from New York was even in town to begin the process of making a documentary of the Carnival. As usual, I had gotten my Winter Carnival button early in January, registered it by mail, and prepared myself for a two-week marathon of "hunting"!

Early in the process, clue 5 made it clear that this year's treasure would be hidden in a "Dove" brand product. I searched the stores for "Dove" any and everything. Dove candy bars, Dove ice cream bars, and Dove soap. The obvious choice was the box of soap, because it was white. After buying a few bars for practice, I was headed home to try an experiment. First I let our dog sniff the box, and then I planted it in the front yard. I set her loose and sure enough, she ran to the "treasured box of Dove" dug it up and proudly returned it to me. I was so proud; I called my parents and family to watch the amazing feat. The 2nd time, she wasn't so successful. She quickly found the box and proceeded to rip it to shreds. So much for that idea!

Saturday night, my husband insisted on taking me out to dinner for my birthday. Appeasing my passion for the Winter Carnival, he brought me downtown St. Paul, to eat, walk through Rice Park and enjoy the Carnival atmosphere. I had a wonderful time, but I was preoccupied with the notion of needing to get home, dress for the weather, and be back to the Press for the next clue.

By Sunday's 7th clue, I was sure that Como Park was THE place. When you "mix Cocoa and Mocha", of course you get "Como". After getting the morning clue at the Pioneer Press, two friends, my dog Angel, and I were off to the park. With lights and shovels in our hand, we started some random digging. A stranger asked our thoughts. This young man gave more meaning to our hunt. When we shared our ideas, he showed us his 1st edition of Steve Worthman's St. Paul Parks a Treasure Hunter's Guide. Unlike my 2nd edition of the book, his had a street running into the section of park next to the area where we had been looking. It confirmed our thoughts of Saturday's clue about Memory lane. I quickly moved my digging to this new nearby area. It was dark, the Camo Crew was being filmed right behind our digging area and I needed some sleep. Back home for a few winks.

I woke Sunday morning, on my birthday and I had the day set aside to hunt! Early that morning, my dad brought me to an empty Como park. I had that feeling! I knew this was the place! My dad, my mentor, and a long time hunter himself, wasn't quite as convinced as I was. He didn't last long, before leaving me alone at Como Park. Nothing could be a better way to celebrate ones birthday. It was a beautiful winter day with lots of snow for digging. As the afternoon wore on, the crowd continued to grow! I saw old friends, dug with fellow hunters, and even met some new friends. Those I'll never forget were some past finders. My heart pounded as I listened to their stories and even got to hold the object that the coveted treasure had been hidden in. I met Maureen Hursey and her brother, Steve Doyle who found the treasure. He had the "Old Navy" Sock in his pocket and gave me the honor of touching it! I was down the hill from them in Cherokee Park in 1998, when they picked up the medallion. They introduced me to the 1969 finder, Bill Gralish and his friends. He let me view his scrapbook of many hunts, with the picture of his medallion, found on the Interstate 35 Bridge. My day was complete when they all sang "Happy Birthday" to me and offered me a hotdog from their fire pit. I called my mom from the park to tell her about my new hunting friends, who had made my birthday unforgettable! Back downtown for Monday morning's clue 9 I went, with another friend. The "vanished tracks in the snow" clue gave me certainty that I had been looking in the correct spot. My friend wasn't nearly as sure. She left me, drove around, came back and tried convincing me that it may be by the ball fields. I was discouraged. I headed home to warm up, get some sleep, and be prepared for a full day of looking the next morning.

This is where the REAL story begins:

Early Monday morning, I got my kids off to school, packed myself a lunch, kissed my husband "Good Bye" and headed back to Como park. I parked behind Steve Doyle, waved "Good Morning" and with shovel in hand, headed for "my spot". I saw a man with a pitchfork type tool. I said, "That's a good spot". He assured me that there's still a lot of snow to be dug. I walked a few feet from him, lined myself up with the trolley golf course, the slide, and the old bridge, found an area of virgin snow, and that's where I began to dig. Again, by myself, I was enjoying a beautiful morning. I had planned to meet the friend from Saturday later that morning. After about 10 minutes of digging I came upon a Dove soapbox that was taped up. I dropped to my knees and thought, "This could be it!" With shaking hands I opened one end and dumped out an Iron Man sock. Clue 5, again! This was the one clue that didn't fit "A man of steel cannot be real". Could this be the real thing? I quickly put the box in my pocket, grabbed my shovel and headed for the car. I thought I would be inconspicuous, but my pale face, pounding heart, the tears in my eyes, and my shaking knees may have given me away. A young women walking in the park asked me if I was OK. I looked at her and stated, "I think I found it!" She looked back at me like I may have been crazy!

I knew she

a) didn't care
b)didn't believe me
c) thought I was a crazy lady
or
d) all of the above

So, I had to let her know that I wasn't crazy. I turned to the others in the park and yelled at the top of my lungs, "I think I found it!" I saw fellow hunters set their tools in the snow and run towards me. I heard Maureen holler "Way to go Cathi!" After that, I don't remember how I got to my car, but fellow finder, Dave Jotblad was at my side telling me I was all right. He cautioned me not to let anyone hold it, and he got me into my car. I looked up and a crowd had arrived. They wanted to see it, but I hadn't yet seen it! What if it wasn't the real thing? I rolled down my window and said I wasn't sure if I had actually found it. I took the box and sock out of my pocket, poured it in my hand, and turned the sock upside down! There it was! The beautiful, shiny acrylic medallion was in my hand. I have never held anything so precious or beautiful!!! Others asked to see it! I got out of the car, held it proudly for all to see and even photograph. I called my husband to tell him the news. He asked if I was by myself. I assured him that I was with lots of friends. He asked if I was safe. Of course I was. Then he gave me instructions not to promise anything to anyone, we'd owe taxes on the money. Bah Hum Bug! Next, with a sheet of past clues, my registered button, and the coveted medallion aboard, I was ready to drive to the Pioneer Press building. I had strangers offer to drive me. For some odd reason they didn't think I was of sound body or mind to drive myself. I assured them I was fine. I drove away, honking in jubilation. I had to stop just before leaving the park to call our daughter who was my co-hunter all her life. She was in Missouri, away at college. Next I called the friend who had steered me astray the night before, and finally called Betty, the friend who was to meet me at the park. I headed straight downtown to the Press. I had one quarter, just enough to park at a meter. I parked, got my clues, button, and medallion and walked in the door only to find myself in the wrong building! Yikes, I was on the wrong block. I guess I wasn't thinking clearly. I got back in the car, drove to the correct block, parked at a meter with 12 minutes left on it and ran in the building. The press had beaten me there. The documentary crew met me with cameras and mikes. I was SUPER excited to share my story and newly found treasure! That's my grand medallion story, and I'm sticking to it! Good luck editing this Jesse. I couldn't leave a thing out.

I LOVED every minute of that hunt, and I will continue the beloved search every year!