Clue Explanations

Clue Explanations-

Whenever I begin searching for a possible hiding spot, I scan for things that are simply part of the background to a less discerning eye.  They are my "bread crumbs," disguised or camouflaged for the hunter to find.  Laying out this hunt I noted the bird houses standing alone in the middle of fields along McNaughton Drive; the tree with no branches in the center of the turnaround at the end of it; the park bench facing into the woods near the closest trail, and the lead trail itself, full of erosion and washouts.

Besides such directional references, I often create conceptual ones. Taking an aerial view of the park, the end of the drive appears to be near its center.  With a number of trails fanning out from it, I visualized it as a virtual clock face by which I could use "time" to guide the Hunter to the chosen path.  With all this in mind, here are my explanations:

 #1
Thirty years of composing clues
Hard to believe it's so
Is it time to call it quits
Which way will I choose to go.

Pepsi has been so good to us
Going to be there when you know
I envision houses standing
Lined up all in a row.

Explanation:  "time" is for my virtual clock which becomes a key reference
"Pepsi" and "going to be there" hints at the Pepsi bottle placed near the hiding spot.
"Houses standing nearby", are the bird houses in a number of fields as you approach the hiding area, which as you go from field to field appear "lined up in a row".

#2
A multiplicity of colors
Punctuate the scene
Your virtual numeric devices
It applies when you know what I mean.

It's part curiosities and oddities
There's an implicit faith in my nature
An outlook born in research
A study in my nomenclature.

Explanation:  "multiplicity of colors" is an area overview, with green, brown, red (in the nature signs), and lake and various tree trunk colors.  There are also multiple places to enter the Park or get to it.

"Virtual numeric devices" is the clock reference again.
"Curiosities and oddities" point to the huge tree trunk in the turnaround area with no limbs or leaves, and the park bench that faces into the woods rather than the open park space.
"Nature" is a veiled reference to the open outdoors. "Research" and "study" instruct the hunter that this may require additional homework and examination.  "Nomenclature" tells hunters that I use a different language- that of double and hidden meanings.

#3
Some things stare you in the face
Leading you here or there
But I found it said nothing
Alone in a world without care

In life you find you have to figure it out
But at times we need instruction
Sources that are there to help us
Think and aid in deduction

Explanation:  "stare you in the face" relates to the round silver-dollar sized market on the tree closest to the spot; the brown directional sign pointing toward the location; and another reference to a clock "face".  (I also worded it that way in case the temporary closing of Route 98 on the west side lasted longer than planned.  It was only closed two days.  There was another way to go "Leading you here or there".)  That clue also referred to all the geographical markers with arrows indicating direction; the fork in the trail near the hiding spot and again the number of ways to enter the park.  The last two lines in the first verse relate to the marker with no further coordinates or instruction.  The whole second verse is a discussion of those same directional signs used in the GPS brown markers all over the park.

#4
If you look you'll find combinations
A centerpiece of this year
Time after time it will be there
Look down its pretty clear

When you get it I'll hand it to you
From there you may find direction
Think of an aspiring flyer
Who fails on final selection

Explanation:  "find combinations, a centerpiece of this year."  Route 98, the only direct way to get to the location, when combined adds up to 17, as in 2017.  Two trails near the hiding place "combine". "Time after time" refers to a clock face again, and "looking down its pretty clear" helps visualize the clock face from above. "Hand" is for clock hands.  "Find direction" are the GPS markers.  "Aspiring flyer who misses out on final selection" is a metaphor for "wash out" which is the very obvious erosion on the one direct path from the circular turnaround.

#5
Like an aging sentinel
A beacon along the way
Others reach out in welcome
While he stands alone from the fray.

A face full of shadows
Nowhere left to turn
Guidance to a new beginning
And a view of little to discern

Explanation:  "aging sentinel" is the large, tree trunk with no branches.  It is very obvious when you look at the grassy area in the circular drive.  "Others reach out" are the trees behind it. "Stand alone" again describes the tree trunk.  "Face full of shadows" tells you "Five O'clock" which is the virtual location of the entry path if looking down on the turnaround as a simulated clock face.  "Nowhere left to turn" is the end of the road into the park. "Guidance" leads to the path.  "Little to discern" is the bench looking into the woods.  There is plenty of open space behind it, but it faces close to the woods.

#6

Examine closely and you might find

A place known for its teens

An exercise in interpretation

It's different than it seems.

So enjoy the rest of your weekend

Keep going until the end.

Form a team of detectives,

Or a gathering of family and friends.

Explanation: "a place known for its teens" are the baskets on the Disc Golf course.  Those in the teens are near the spot.  "Exercise" refers to McNaughton Park's hiking trails.

"Different than it seems" relates back to the "teen" reference indicating that the clue was referring to numbers and not a group of young people. "Keep going until the end" is the end of McNaughton Rd.  "Team" relates to Disc Golf, and "gathering of family and friends" relates to the picnic areas in the park.

Clue 7

The no's know what you should know,

Part of the rules that are the same.

A progression prominently posted,

Like the sign that bears its name.

  

Expand you mind, seek other ways.

I'm not ready to point the way yet.

You'll tread softly as you get closer,

Realizing you can't see the sun set.

Explanation:  There is a sign "prominently posted" with rules prefaced by "no".  They are the "rules" for users of the park and is routed in wood like the park's entry sign- "the sign that bears its name".

"Expand you mind" hints as to a large area or park: "point" is for the arrow on one of the GPS signs near the main trail head.  "Tread softly" means you are walking on a quiet surface- in this case land- rather than pavement or another hard surface.  Since the medallion was hidden in the woods, "you can't see the sun set."

This eliminates many open spaces you'll find in the park.

 Clue 8

Back to work my hunting friends,

Time to look down and map it out.

Seek the center of a virtual clock.

There is a place to turn about.

By quitting time you'll need your space.

Think of what lies still and see what fits.

On your journey lies a bird in a triangle,

It's the law and they've registered it.

Explanation:  The first verse was written to help hunters visualize the general location.  Looking at a map, the circular turn around at the end of McNaughton Dr. serves as the center of a clock face.  In Clue 5, "face full of shadows" denotes 5 o'clock.  The main trail would be close to 5 o'clock on such a clock face.  That also is "quitting time".  "Lies still" is ""still waters" for Lakes Butterfield and Zuercher.  "Bird in triangle" is the Illinois Registered Reserve sign along the trail which announces that it's the "law" and registered.

 There you have it.  The challenge always lies in "dosage".  How much detail do you give and when?  Medallion Hunters are good, dedicated and undeniably thorough.  That fact resonates with me as I mentally construct my approach and begin to write.  With a large park like McNaughton, I chose the "clock" concept because I knew it would be a difficult challenge and eliminate any hint that would be exclusive to that type of park.  Likewise, when we get to later clues, I need to make it easier but avoid making it too obvious to the last possible moment.  I felt from the beginning that this hunt would require some work- both physical and intellectual.  It proved to be just that.

Congratulations Kendall, Seth and Todd on a job well done.  Thank you everyone for being a part of it.

Gary Gillis

Cluemeister