Capture The Flag — May 2024 (LXI)

TCTreasure

FLAG #1

It pays to go where flowers grow,
Along the river valley—
Down by the water, make like an otter
To notch the first hunt tally.

On the aftermath of a bygone path
West of the rusty old rail,
Look for a bag with the Bruggink flag,
By a tree near a fork in the trail.

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FLAG #2

Building up steam, a winding stream
Will guide you to the next flag.
In order to farm the lucky charm,
Hitchhike and make the snag!

Stick out your thumb, and then, therefrom—
Commence your treasure search,
On dead man's curve, try not to swerve
While investigating the birch.

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FLAG #3

With a zig and a zag, the Starflake flag—
The third entry in our stunt—
Was sent on a trip down the Mississip'
For a genuine treasure Hundt!

Tame the cascades with spinning blades
And harness the awesome power;
A lovely view will give you a clue
As to the location to scour.

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FLAG #4

A line of swine could help define—
In Pig's Eye there's a lot;
Inasmuch, by going Dutch,
You could determine the spot.

Over the bump, in a broken stump,
Discover your objective—
Along the partition, an acquisition
Awaits the quickest detective!

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FLAG #5

Explore an idyllic and picturesque hillock
At the base of a crooked tree
To find a banner with scholarly manner—
It's central (to a degree).

To claim this jewel, go back to school;
Within the park you'll glean
The timeworn dates on fossil plates
Of Guttersen, Cady, and Green.

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FLAG #6

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FLAG #7

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CLUE EXPLANATIONS

The first flag—designed by Ross Bruggink—was hidden at Lilydale Regional Park. Its location was suggested by the phrases "where flowers grow," "Along the river valley," "Down by the water," "On the aftermath of a bygone path," "West of the rusty old rail," and "By a tree near a fork in the trail."
The second flag—designed by Sarah Agaton Howes—was hidden at Horseshoe Bend on Wheelock Parkway. Its location was suggested by the phrases "a winding stream," "the lucky charm," "Hitchhike and make the snag," "Stick out your thumb," "On dead man's curve," "try not to swerve," and "investigating the birch."
The third flag—designed by Brandon Hundt—was hidden at the Ford Dam Overlook on Mississippi River Boulevard. Its location was suggested by the phrases "down the Mississip'," "Tame the cascades with spinning blades," "harness the awesome power," and "A lovely view."
The fourth flag—designed by John Muller—was hidden at Hamline & Hague Park. Its location was suggested by the phrases "A line of swine," "Pig's Eye," "there's a lot," "going Dutch," "Over the bump," "in a broken stump," and "Along the partition."
The fifth flag—designed by Todd and Peter Pitman—was hidden at College Park. Its location was suggested by the phrases. "an idyllic and picturesque hillock," "At the base of a crooked tree," "scholarly manner," "central (to a degree)," "go back to school," and "Within the park you'll glean / The timeworn dates on fossil plates / Of Guttersen, Cady, and Green."
The sixth flag—designed by Andrew Prekker—was hidden at Shadow Falls Park. Its location was "inspired by the shape of our state" (a simplified, pentagonal outline of the state of Minnesota is formed by hiding spots of the first six flags; the seventh was hidden near the center of that shape) as well as the words "shade" and "Umbrage."
The seventh flag—compiled by Ted Kaye, with Brian Cham and Tyler & Jenae Michaletz—was hidden at Aldine Park, in a locked utility box attached to a light pole. Its location, near the center of the shape formed by the hiding spots of the first six flags, was suggested by the final word of the clue: "denial"—which is an anagram for "Aldine." The combination for the lock was suggested by the first line of the clue: "1858."

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