First Annual Christmas Treasure Hunt at #GridIron

Fourteen (14) towering redwoods and two (2) FNGs overcame well-founded objections from moms and posted at #GridIron for the First Annual Christmas Treasure Hunt. The weather left much to be desired, the temperature hovering around 37F and rain falling relentlessly. Johnsonville took Q, and this is how the Treasure Hunt went:

CHRISTMAS EVE THANG:
Warmup (24x ssh, 24x don quiotes, 10x mercans, 40x arm circles)

YHC informed the pax that earlier that morning, he had spotted and apprehended a wary Christmas elf. The elf told YHC that a stash of cupcakes was hidden somewhere in the AO. The elf could not tell YHC where the cupcakes were hidden, but said there was a clue somewhere near an old wooden bridge.

The pax mosied to the wooden bridge leading to the beach volleyball courts and were thrilled to find a clue. After some exercises, that clue led to another, which (after some exercises) led to another, etc. The following was the succession of clues and exercises:

Clue #1: Do 10 squats together in perfect cadence to reveal Clue #1
This bridge is here to cross the wet lands; maybe you should look amongst the white sands. (mosey to volleyball court)

Clue #2: See who can bear crawl and crab walk the farthest across the sands to reveal Clue #2
Rudolf’s nose glows red like a jewel, but the next clue is near an old house made for school. (mosey to old schoolhouse)

Clue #3: Do 10 burpees on your own, then reveal Clue #3
You may dance, and you may strut, but you should go check a nearby small hut (mosey to park shelter)

Clue #4: Step up on the benches 100 times each to reveal Clue #4
Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen, a swing-set is where I like to hide tricks-in (mosey to playground)

Clue #5: Plank sequence; repeat to reveal Clue #5
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen, check around bin folks put trash in (mosey to trash bin adjacent to parking lot)

Clue #6: Dance in cadence like crazy hillbillies, then reveal Clue #6
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all, to the 50 yard line of the field for football (mosey to center of football field)

Clue #7: Bunny hop across the field; lunge back to reveal Clue #7
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, look up at the place where runners pass by (mosey up to track)

Clue #8: Run around the track 1 time to reveal Clue #8
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound, but you should check ‘neath the bleachers inside the round. (mosey to bleachers on far side of track)

Clue #9: Do 20 crabcakes in cadence to reveal Clue #9
St. Nick is chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, a flagpole may help mark a clue for yourself (mosey to center flagpole in front of school)

Clue #10: Do 40 mercans on your own resting when necessary
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night, check the bushes nearby for cupcakes delight

While 2.0’s dined on cupcakes, the dads did a mercan ladder from 10 down to 1.
Mosey to VSF for COT with Earthworm speaking about the symbolic meaning of candy canes and Attila taking us out.

MOLESKIN:

It is hard to imagine worse weather for this kind of event. I am glad folks came out. I hope everyone had fun and took a long, warm shower afterward.

A number of funny things happened. While setting up the clues in the morning darkness, Earthworm lost clue #6. Fortunately, one of the 2.0s found clue #6 while in route to find clue #4. YHC was able to step away and set clue #6, thus preserving the Treasure Hunt’s unbroken chain.

While doing hillbillies, YHC’s 13 year old daughter, Snolfin, appeared slightly embarresed by YHC’s dancing style. I am a pretty sensative guy, so it may just have been my imagination….

While running the track to reveal to reveal clue #8, Emmy Lou Hoo spotted clue #9 beneath the bleachers. She dutifully retrieved clue #9 and brought it back to clue #8’s home base. Fortunately, we were able to gloss over that break in the chain.

After completing the Treasure Hunt, which covered much of our large AO, Earthworm realized that he had lost his keys somewhere along the way. The PAX split up to form search parties. Fortunately, the keys were located on the site of the bearcrawls/crabwalks near beach volleyball.

Thank you for permitting me to lead this morning. Have a blessed and merry Christmas! Respectfully, Johnsonville

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17