I'm sure most of you chasers are familiar with the work and blog of Dal Neitzel. He has a very informative blog located at Thrill Of The Chase | Searching For Forrest Fenn's Treasure and you can find the specific blog page to which I will reference here: Part two?Interpreting the clues? | Thrill Of The Chase
If you go to that page you will see that I asked a question, and was treated pretty rudely about it. I'll post the back-and-forth text here, let me know what you think:
I initially posted:
“Why is everyone so sure that it is is New Mexico? I have never even heard New Mexico mentioned except for the line we all know, “In the Rocky Mountains NORTH of Santa Fe.” Is that all we are going on for the many, many people who believe it is for sure in NM? What about Treasure Falls in Colorado? Since Forrest, “knows it is wet,” is most certainly is in a stream (which I find unlikely because it would be very probably it could get swept away), or tucked neatly at the base of a water fall.“
And Mr. Neitzel responded:
William-
First off…no one is sure of anything until the chest is found. Second, Forrest has limited the chest’s hidey spot to 4 states. There are folks who believe it could be any one of those 4 states. All 4 have their advocates and at this point no one’s guess is any better than anyone else’s. Finally, it’s easy to rationalize looking just about anywhere in those 4 states. Name a place and someone can twist the clues to take them there. It’s all about interpretation, rationalization and personal opinion. I looked in NM when I first started the search 4.5 years ago. I have since moved elsewhere. Read some of what has been posted on this blog in the past 4 years by some very smart people who have done considerable thinking and you would not be asking such a question…you might have your own strong opinions but a person would be foolish to disregard completely what many others consider to be the most logical state for the chest to be resting in."
My response was:
"None of what you just said explains why it is, “considered to be the most logical state for the chest to be resting in.” And, if it is indeed the most logical state for the chest to be resting in, why would a person of your considerable knowledge have, “moved elsewhere,” in their search?”
He responded the following which I thought was a little hurtful:
"Your correct…not my job to explain things to you that are quite well covered on this blog. Do the research and you’ll find out why. I am not here to make life easier for you William. You should consider investing the time to find things out on your own rather than simply asking for an information hand-out.”
My final reply was this, although he will not "approve" the comment for the public to see it. I have tried three times. It seems he will just censor me and only allow his readers to read things from her perspective:
"That so embodies the opposite spirit of what Forrest Fenn holds dear when he wrote the memoirs and poems to lead us outside to nature and share, and enjoy the outdoors in a spirit of peace and quiet reflection. You have jumped to too many conclusions. I have read both “Too Far to Walk” & “Thrill of The Chase” multiple times and simply posed a question, curious as one who has done the research, why it seems a foregone conclusion that the chest resides in NM. I simply offered up an alternative suggested, such as Colorado. I also have no intention of ever searching for the chest. No one asked for a hand out…or even asked a question, other than “Why is that NM is heralded as the most logical searching point?” – I feel sorry for you, sir. You have truly misunderstood what it means to be an outdoorsman, a lover and sharer of the woods, and a respectable person. I recommend some deep reflection. I will not be returning to your site to read your reply, so type away in futility. I am deeply saddened for you and will pray for you, that you are the type of man so easily upset by an internet post. Forrest Fenn would truly be disappointed in you and your demeanor toward others simply discussing what he would want to be discussed. Goodbye, sir.”
If you go to that page you will see that I asked a question, and was treated pretty rudely about it. I'll post the back-and-forth text here, let me know what you think:
I initially posted:
“Why is everyone so sure that it is is New Mexico? I have never even heard New Mexico mentioned except for the line we all know, “In the Rocky Mountains NORTH of Santa Fe.” Is that all we are going on for the many, many people who believe it is for sure in NM? What about Treasure Falls in Colorado? Since Forrest, “knows it is wet,” is most certainly is in a stream (which I find unlikely because it would be very probably it could get swept away), or tucked neatly at the base of a water fall.“
And Mr. Neitzel responded:
William-
First off…no one is sure of anything until the chest is found. Second, Forrest has limited the chest’s hidey spot to 4 states. There are folks who believe it could be any one of those 4 states. All 4 have their advocates and at this point no one’s guess is any better than anyone else’s. Finally, it’s easy to rationalize looking just about anywhere in those 4 states. Name a place and someone can twist the clues to take them there. It’s all about interpretation, rationalization and personal opinion. I looked in NM when I first started the search 4.5 years ago. I have since moved elsewhere. Read some of what has been posted on this blog in the past 4 years by some very smart people who have done considerable thinking and you would not be asking such a question…you might have your own strong opinions but a person would be foolish to disregard completely what many others consider to be the most logical state for the chest to be resting in."
My response was:
"None of what you just said explains why it is, “considered to be the most logical state for the chest to be resting in.” And, if it is indeed the most logical state for the chest to be resting in, why would a person of your considerable knowledge have, “moved elsewhere,” in their search?”
He responded the following which I thought was a little hurtful:
"Your correct…not my job to explain things to you that are quite well covered on this blog. Do the research and you’ll find out why. I am not here to make life easier for you William. You should consider investing the time to find things out on your own rather than simply asking for an information hand-out.”
My final reply was this, although he will not "approve" the comment for the public to see it. I have tried three times. It seems he will just censor me and only allow his readers to read things from her perspective:
"That so embodies the opposite spirit of what Forrest Fenn holds dear when he wrote the memoirs and poems to lead us outside to nature and share, and enjoy the outdoors in a spirit of peace and quiet reflection. You have jumped to too many conclusions. I have read both “Too Far to Walk” & “Thrill of The Chase” multiple times and simply posed a question, curious as one who has done the research, why it seems a foregone conclusion that the chest resides in NM. I simply offered up an alternative suggested, such as Colorado. I also have no intention of ever searching for the chest. No one asked for a hand out…or even asked a question, other than “Why is that NM is heralded as the most logical searching point?” – I feel sorry for you, sir. You have truly misunderstood what it means to be an outdoorsman, a lover and sharer of the woods, and a respectable person. I recommend some deep reflection. I will not be returning to your site to read your reply, so type away in futility. I am deeply saddened for you and will pray for you, that you are the type of man so easily upset by an internet post. Forrest Fenn would truly be disappointed in you and your demeanor toward others simply discussing what he would want to be discussed. Goodbye, sir.”
