The parking lot at Silverwood Park was at maximum capacity by 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29. Planned activities including the YMCA’S Unlock It! scavenger hunt and the Wim Hof Method Workshop (see next Northeaster) brought out a good number of folks to the park. “It feels normal and so good to have activities to get us outside of the house!” said Miranda Johnson, who was out with her family.
Steven Gagner, his partner Liz and their children were also out on the hunt. They learned about the Unlock It! activity through The Great Northern website. Unlock It! is a self-guided tour where participants use a map to follow clues and unlock letters that when unscrambled form a keyword. Prizes included Science Museum tickets and Vikings memorabilia. Unlock It! locations include parks throughout the Twin Cities, Zimmerman, and Hudson, Wisconsin.
Unlock It! wasn’t the only hunt happening Saturday morning. A recent clue from The Pioneer Press’ Annual Winter Treasure Hunt led a flood of medallion seekers to Silverwood for a chance to win $10,000.
“There was probably a handful of cars here a few days ago and now today they’re everywhere!” laughed Jean Johnson, who was chopping away at ice near a bench off one of the park’s trails. Johnson said the third clue led her to Silverwood Park. “I’ve been out here for three days now.”
Johnson stated she has participated in the medallion hunt for the last 14 years. Has she ever won? “No, but I’ve been very close … digging next to people who found it.” The hunt continues. The medallion was found in the morning of January 31 — at Silverwood.
Below: Jean Johnson chips away at ice hoping to find the hidden medallion and claim the $10,000 prize. Past medallions have been found encased in ice, potato chip bags, knitted socks, and tree trunks. Liz Tooper, Steven Gagner and family find the first clue on their Unlock It! Great Northern Festival scavenger hunt Saturday morning. (Photos by Mike Madison)
