cartoon of Mount Rushmore

Puzzle 1 Mount Rushmore 

repeating pattern of small keyholes with a larger keyhole in the center

Armed with a rather sassy letter from one Hortense Q. Geizkragen, you step off the plane at Rapid City Regional Airport. Your mission, assigned by Puzzle Society HQ, is to track down the letter writer’s alleged trove of treasures before the Quizzical League can get their scheming paws on it.

If said treasure actually exists. You’re even a bit skeptical that “Hortense Q. Geizkragen” is real, but you didn’t see any other clues, words, or names slipped in there (unless “TENSEQG” means something you don’t know about), so you had no choice but to grit your teeth and move on with your day.

On your way out of baggage claim, you see a tall man in a beige peacoat holding a sign with your name spelled in Braille on it. A bit obvious, all things considered, so you approach quickly and push his hand down and out of sight.

“It’s yours, yet others use it more than you?” you murmur, speaking the code phrase.

The peacoat man pauses for a moment, then extends his hand with a smile. “Teddy Rocket,” he chirps.

He was supposed to say, “Name,” and not his name in response to your prompt, but maybe such a slip-up is not that surprising. Taking him in, you realize that the peacoat is by far the most dignified part of your new, HQ-assigned partner. Apart from it, his general vibe is 60 percent frazzled, 30 percent bumbling, and 10 percent sweaty.

“We should get to the Six Grandfathers,” you announce, looking to get this mission over as quickly as possible. Your job is to find those presidents, grab the puzzle, and get this over with.

“Beat ya to it,” Teddy says, drawing a crumpled silver-lined envelope from his coat. A sibling to the silver envelope from Ms. Geizkragen in your own pocket. He opens it and removes the letter within. Your eyebrows raise slightly as you look at the handwriting.

The Everglades are home to sugar fields, rice paddies, and vegetable farms.

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decorative golden divider featuring the number 1 in a flag

When I complete my law enforcement training, I want to be a sheriff or deputy.

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decorative golden divider featuring the number 2 in a flag

To stay cool, I'd get a fan or air conditioner for this hot, stuffy apartment.

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decorative golden divider featuring the number 3 in a flag

On laundry day, I'm always washing tons of sheets, pillow cases, towels, and rags.

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decorative golden divider featuring the number 4 in a flag

Meowing cats don't disturb us half as much as barking dogs.

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decorative golden divider featuring the number 5 in a flag

If I lived in a suburb, I'd enjoy having a front lawn to run around and picnic on.

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decorative golden divider featuring the number 6 in a flag

An intrepid runner with a wooden leg ran the Tulsa marathon in less than five hours.

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decorative golden divider featuring the number 7 in a flag

I don't like finding fabric lint on my plush sweaters and pleated slacks.

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decorative golden divider featuring the number 8 in a flag

Public art erases barriers between creators, audiences, and communities.

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decorative golden divider featuring the number 9 in a flag

Jumping over a hundred kangaroos, Evel the daredevil thrilled the eager Aussie crowd.

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decorative golden divider featuring the number 10 in a flag

In the Alps, grand yodels echo over the snowy mountains, peaks, and valleys.

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decorative golden divider featuring the number 11 in a flag

The creator of Mount Rushmore could be called a:

Need a Hint?

Puzzle hunts like this are meant to be challenging and solved with a group of puzzlers. Before you take a hint below, we encourage you to reach out to friends. See if the extra brain power can help unlock some of the mysteries.

But if you simply can’t take it anymore, no judgment. Hint away!