My intent was to blog the trip as it happened. Mountains don’t like electronic service much.
The poem… Forrest tells us there are 9 clues. Let’s go stanza by stanza and “discuss”. I’m also not going to divulge our interpretations specifically, but will mention thoughts we had.
As I have gone alone in there
And with my treasures bold,
I can keep my secret where,
And hint of riches new and old.
Ok…We know he went alone. No clues in this stanza to give the hunter any help. Forrest also tells us that the goods are HIDDEN somewhere in the mountains of Santa Fe. It’s important to listen to what he says as well as what he doesn’t say. “Hidden” and “buried” are different. Now,a very small hint…in an email from Forrest, he did tell me about the weather in the “rocky Mountain States”. Hope that helps. ;)
Begin it where warm waters halt
And take it in the canyon down,
Not far, but too far to walk.
Put in below the home of Brown.
VITAL stanza. Is “where warm waters halt” a reference to a specific town? general geographic area? Nailing down the specific starting point correctly and, In my opinion, the treasure almost finds itself.
“canyon down”? Craploads of canyons where we searched. Does “down” mean “elevation” or “south”?
“not far”? ”too far to walk”? Well. he made a couple trips with a total of 40-50 pounds. He was in his 70′s. Figure it out.
Below the “home of Brown”. AYE, THERE’S THE RUB!! Or…Mark’s Great Brown Whale. Again, “Brown has to be historically significant. A business name, or famous person doesn’t have the staying power if, in fact, Forrest would like this found thousands of years from now. Brown trout angle?? Not likely. Not specific enough. ”home of Brown almost needs to be a pinpoint location so the other clues work.
Home of Brown? Forrest says that he doesn’t care, and almost hopes the treasure isn’t found for thousands of years. ”Brown” almost has to be a known historical location, or a name very close to him. The former makes more sense when he says you can get to the goods with only the poem.
From there it’s no place for the meek,
The end is ever drawing nigh;
There’ll be no paddle up your creek,
Just heavy loads and water high.
“meek”? I played with ghost towns, perilous locales, town names…could be anything.
“No paddle up your creek”? I played with dry riverbeds, shallow streams, downstream locations
Heavy loads? We looked at powerlines, logging, mining, emotional “loads” etc.
Water high? waterfalls, high altitude lakes, rain, and word plays on all of these ideas.
If you’ve been wise and found the blaze,
Look quickly down, your quest to cease,
But tarry scant with marvel gaze,
Just take the chest and go in peace.
I’m confident there are no clues in this stanza. I’m not going to say why.
OK. Let’s count “clues”…
1 – warm waters halt
2 – canyon down
3 – not far, too far to walk (is this 2?)
4 – home of brown
5 – meek
6 – end drawing nigh (I don’t see this as a clue)
7 – no paddle
8 – heavy loads
9 – water high
So why is it that I must go
And leave my trove for all to seek?
The answers I already know,
I’ve done it tired and now I’m weak.
No clues here.
So hear me all and listen good,
Your effort will be worth the cold.
If you are brave and in the wood
I give you title to the gold.
No clues here, although “brave the cold” could be seen as one. I don’t think it is.
I’d LOVE to hear anyone’s thoughts.
