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DannyDeVito
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A New Mexico multimillionaire wants you to get off the couch and go searching for hidden treasure.
Forrest Fenn, 82, believes too many Americans spend their free time watching TV or playing video games. He hopes the bounty he hid — a chest filled with millions of dollars in gold coins, diamonds and emeralds, among other gems — will prompt some to explore the outdoors.
"Get your kids out in the countryside, take them fishing and get them away from their little hand-held machines," he told TODAY.
Fenn hid the chest in a secret spot three years ago with two goals in mind: Getting people to fall in love with America's scenic trails and passing on what he calls the "thrill of the chase," something he has experienced over more than seven decades of hunting for rare objects.
"The Thrill of the Chase" is also the title of Fenn's self-published autobiography, which contains an unusual map to the treasure, . "Begin it where warm waters halt, and take it in the canyon down, not far, but too far to walk," reads part of the poem. (On Wednesday morning, Fenn's site crashed after TODAY featured his story.)
Santa Fe jeweler Marc Howard has gone searching for the treasure 20 times. "If you read the poem, you'll go, 'Oh my God, how am I gonna find it from this?" said Howard, who makes custom engagement rings. He plans to use the bounty for designing new jewels.
"What could a goldsmith want, but free rein with gold?"
More to read on Fenn:
Here is the poem for those to lazy to click the link :biggrin2:
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.
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.
From there it’s no place for the meek,
The end is drawing ever nigh;
There’ll be no paddle up your creek,
Just heavy loads and water high.
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.
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
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.
Forrest Fenn, 82, believes too many Americans spend their free time watching TV or playing video games. He hopes the bounty he hid — a chest filled with millions of dollars in gold coins, diamonds and emeralds, among other gems — will prompt some to explore the outdoors.
"Get your kids out in the countryside, take them fishing and get them away from their little hand-held machines," he told TODAY.
Fenn hid the chest in a secret spot three years ago with two goals in mind: Getting people to fall in love with America's scenic trails and passing on what he calls the "thrill of the chase," something he has experienced over more than seven decades of hunting for rare objects.
"The Thrill of the Chase" is also the title of Fenn's self-published autobiography, which contains an unusual map to the treasure, . "Begin it where warm waters halt, and take it in the canyon down, not far, but too far to walk," reads part of the poem. (On Wednesday morning, Fenn's site crashed after TODAY featured his story.)
Santa Fe jeweler Marc Howard has gone searching for the treasure 20 times. "If you read the poem, you'll go, 'Oh my God, how am I gonna find it from this?" said Howard, who makes custom engagement rings. He plans to use the bounty for designing new jewels.
"What could a goldsmith want, but free rein with gold?"
More to read on Fenn:
Here is the poem for those to lazy to click the link :biggrin2:
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.
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.
From there it’s no place for the meek,
The end is drawing ever nigh;
There’ll be no paddle up your creek,
Just heavy loads and water high.
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.
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
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.
