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Wednesday, February 07, 2007
The Riddler strikes again!
Wyoming Riddler kicks off hunt
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
By Barton Deiters
The Grand Rapids Press
WYOMING -- For lots of people, November means hunting. But it's not deer or even mourning doves Joe Cramer has on his mind -- it's the annual hunt for treasure he orchestrates under the guise of The Wyoming Riddler.
Thousands of people worldwide have played the game which begins today as it has for 26 years -- with a riddle today and a clue per month until the treasure is claimed.
"I have to be constantly on guard so as not to become too predictable," Cramer said. "It did take me quite some time to settle on this year's spot."
Cramer, a Wyoming car and boat detailer and bicyclist, developed the riddle as a way to keep his mind sharp after surviving accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in 1980.
He releases clues that allow puzzlers to find an oval metal medallion somewhere in the greater Grand Rapids area. The contest started with a few dozen people but has grown to include about 40,000 people from around the world.
The puzzle can be solved by using a map of the Grand Rapids area to decipher the clues. That has been the method used by people from as far away as South Africa and London.
Cramer said people tried to get early information on the riddle, but he remained mum.
He said the game is as fun for him as it is for the people who look for the medallion. The medallion is returned to Cramer in exchange for a treasure-trove of silver items -- including silver dollar coins -- but the fun is in the hunt, not the treasure, he says.
"I feel selfish at times (because) there are so many people that tell me how much they enjoy reading about it and participating," Cramer said.
The medallion is on property accessible 24 hours a day by the public and is within walking distance of a bus stop.
This year's riddle: "I had to stop my bicycle, however from where I could see they were fixed, and right. Don't go any farther, I didn't. Whatever you do, don't look by Aquinas College. It's not there! I really mean it! Now bring it to me."
The December clue: "Now that you see it's in Kentwood, and you know you must use that approach to find it, well then you can see how it's fixed. Right?"
The January clue: "A ways East of the blessed tree, North of four for good reason and close to what I viewed as a well-planted corn field."
The February clue: "You can't solve it in French. English brings you closer. All those woods are simply confusing. The fixes must be right."
Final Update: The medallion was found attached to a power pole at the corner of Griggs Rd and Observatory Dr. This is just east of Calvin College and is just inside the city of Kentwood.
Edited on: Sunday, February 18, 2007 10:26 AM EST
Categories: The Riddler
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