The Ruby

[Dezxman17]

Yesterday was my dig day. I hired a GPR tech to come out and scan the area. I had a particular spot in mind for him to check with a couple more choice spots. My first desired location did not get a reading. Although he said it could be the soil because there is a lot of clay in Texas soil. It got really interesting at my second location, with a really good reading. It was on the opposite side at the exact distance of measurement I got from the clues. What are the odds that at the precise measurement I am looking for, something is under the dirt. When he told me it was symmetrical my heart started beating pretty good. The confusing part is that it was metal. It was not very deep, not even a shovel blade deep. It was a solid plate with solid welding and a lip around the edge about an inch tall. It had holes in it spaced around seven inches apart. Something did not seem right so I did not pull it out of the ground. It looked like it could be an old storm drain cover. After a while with the fancy equipment and scanning the area we attracted some attention. I put everything back like new and could not complete my dig. I will go back soon after I regroup a little. Thinking that maybe this measurement was a reference for something else. Regardless I think I will go ahead and pull the metal plate up to see what is under it. I don't think he would put it under a metal plate, would he?

[Coinaster]

Dad Gummit Dez... Sorry....

[Dezxman17]

It has been eating at me all day. I am curious to know now if he buried it next to it. The Chicago casque was located next to some type of pipe or valve. I have to really look at it again. I also have another spot that has potential. I can go straight to them next time. We scanned the ground for about an hour. The technology is awesome. He knew the shape of it before we dug it up. He said the machine was 25,000 dollars. Had three large bicycle tires with a large screen up top. I feel I have the right spot, I just need to really pull up some ground next time. A major factor was people coming by to watch and me telling them we are looking for sprinklers and power lines. My GPR tech said we were testing out new equipment. I thought by picking a time when it is a hundred degrees there wouldn't be many people. I guess I'm not the only Texan use to the heat. Second attempt will be soon.

[Coinaster]

Dezxman17
When you go back will you utilize your Sub-Sonic people? You know I have expressed to you my desire to team with someone.... As I have indicated to you.... solving one of these is not as grand as solving numerous challenges.... And there are plenty still available.... My biggest dilemma is that since Fenn is over.... searching for a different treasure doesn't sit well with my significant other....

[Dezxman17]

I am sure in the future I could team up with someone. I am the type of person that needs to get to know somebody first before I get too involved. I am sure everyone here has seen my transition poem from Fenn to the Secret in Houston. I have both of those poems in my head and they just came together. Being a treasure hunter is not really a realistic investment of time and money. It is more of a passion and a dream. I started getting my significant other involved by explaining clues and showing pictures and now she shows more interest. I am quick to leave the house early with my metal detector and venture out. After finding a few cool things it gets addictive. So maybe after I am done with Houston you can help me with NOLA. I have that one down to the location, just not the exact spot. That seems to be my dilemma at the time.

[Dezxman17]

Here we go again. Second attempt happening very, very, soon. After taking some time to regroup I discovered that I was completely wrong. The effort I took led me to my new solve. I started over and looked at it with new eyes. I don't think I would have been able to figure this out without my failed boots on the ground attempt. I am happy now that Josh Gates didn't show up for the first attempt. If I had his cell number I would call him now. Now I understand why he thought these would be found sooner. I had a few unanswered questions about some of the clues that have now come to light. It is so funny that the solve I had before also matches up and was a legit conclusion. Rabbit holes, got to love them!

[Coinaster]

Here we go again. Second attempt happening very, very, soon. After taking some time to regroup I discovered that I was completely wrong. The effort I took led me to my new solve. I started over and looked at it with new eyes. I don't think I would have been able to figure this out without my failed boots on the ground attempt. I am happy now that Josh Gates didn't show up for the first attempt. If I had his cell number I would call him now. Now I understand why he thought these would be found sooner. I had a few unanswered questions about some of the clues that have now come to light. It is so funny that the solve I had before also matches up and was a legit conclusion. Rabbit holes, got to love them!

Good Luck...
Are you using your sounding friends?
If so..... I would love to have you check my coordinates...

After you search.... I will go public with my info, after I submit my solution to the Fair People via Byron Preiss Visual Publications, Inc....

[Dezxman17]

Not sure if I know exactly what you mean by sounding friends. I also submitted my solution that I had wrong. I did get two responses. They said they can't confirm any solution is what they told me. I am going to try and use a friend to film some of the dig. Every second that goes by has me thinking somebody is going to beat me to it. I almost called into work today. I, without a doubt, know exactly where it is. He put it in a clever spot. Personally I can't believe that I have figured this out before anyone else. I totally missed an important clue. This is going to be fun. If I am wrong I will get on my knees and beg for forgiveness, and you all can tell me to shut the blank up. Josh Gates if you are reading this please call me, I sent you my number.

[Coinaster]

Not sure if I know exactly what you mean by sounding friends. I also submitted my solution that I had wrong. I did get two responses. They said they can't confirm any solution is what they told me. I am going to try and use a friend to film some of the dig. Every second that goes by has me thinking somebody is going to beat me to it. I almost called into work today. I, without a doubt, know exactly where it is. He put it in a clever spot. Personally I can't believe that I have figured this out before anyone else. I totally missed an important clue. This is going to be fun. If I am wrong I will get on my knees and beg for forgiveness, and you all can tell me to shut the blank up. Josh Gates if you are reading this please call me, I sent you my number.

You used an ultra sounding method to see underground on your last attempt! You know what.... Good luck.... I have no ulterior motives.... I am just after the solve... I was wanting to add to your possibilities... But forget it! You are A-typical Fennite.... I'll post what I know!

[Coinaster]

At this point in time we typically enter into solving this Houston - Ruby puzzle with a bit of history from prior failed solves.... We believe that after almost 40 years people must have been somewhat correct.... The only thing that I have found that is 100% accurate is that the 982 in the verse is actually the 982 Steam-engine that was displayed in Hermann Park in Houston, TX... It is no longer there and you have to access its location via old areal photos.... In conjunction with this might be the Friendship pavilion and other features of Hermann Park.....But this is where it ends....

Current thought is that the Glassell School of Art which is associated with the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston is "the fortress North, cold as glass" This is miss-information is because the Glassell School as a whole was founded in 1979 and was associated with the Museum of Art which was founded in 1924.... But the current school with tons of glass was opened in the 1990's years after the hiding of the casque... Why I ask? As people research this they find the School established date in 79 but they do not view pictures from that time.... This is not the "fortress north"... Preiss was a Historian..... Fortress north can only be the Alamo! Under seizure from the Mexican army led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna in 1836.... Why cold as glass? The mission never installed glass windows but were covered in cloth... and in February just prior to the seizure... there was 15 inches of snow on the ground and crippling temperatures... Temps that kept Bowie bedridden, where his life ended in the final moments of the battle... The Texians lost this battle but "remember the Alamo" has been a battle cry into modern day military action.... It is that fortress north......

[Dezxman17]

The Alamo is west so I don't understand how that could be north. Great info though. I will tell you soon what the fortress north is. I will say you are on the right track to solving the puzzles. Just have to keep digging. It does look somewhat like a fortress, your not gonna believe it!

[Coinaster]

The Alamo is west so I don't understand how that could be north. Great info though. I will tell you soon what the fortress north is. I will say you are on the right track to solving the puzzles. Just have to keep digging. It does look somewhat like a fortress, your not gonna believe it!

Yes absolutely....
But in a previous post I pointed out to you and others that the Rhinoceros in the painting is a symbol.... It is a "Rhino Totem".... Dang it .... a Rhino totem pole. It has been placed well outside the "grid" and as such is only a directive.... It is not the Rhino pit inside the zoo.... It simply means that.... what you see is not reality and you MUST LOOK CLOSELY..... There is no North, South, East, and West in this solution as far as the visual painting.... and until you dive into numerals and find coordinates.... your perception will be flawed unless you adjust.... As stated in the verse.... you must find the proper perspective and you must never lose sight of this perception.... I even delivered to you a photo of Sam Houston sitting on his horse pointing in a certain direction! The proper perspective!

And so since looking at this perception.... If the Alamo is "north" (west).... then the San Jacinto Monument and Museum are "south" (east).... So before I jump in the direction of the San Jacinto Monument and its meaning.... I wish to show you this perspective in the painting.... I want you to notice the sand dunes at the top of the grid but in the middle of the painting.... If you have ever played golf....You know where I am going with this.. And if the golf course is not in your vision... well, adjust....

[Coinaster]

Next we jump to Friendship South in the verse.... Friendship south(east) is the San Jacinto Museum and Monument... It was built not only as a historical monument but also a museum to promote friendship with the French, the Spanish, Colonial immigrants, Texians, Mexico.... etc.... The final defeat of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his army was really a black eye to this new independent state.... Yes, all your textbook will inform you of this great moment in history... We wiped them out in 18 minutes.... Texts will point out how horrible it was for Santa Anna to pile up all of the dead bodies and burn them at the Alamo rather than giving them a proper burial... It was a catalyst for his ultimate defeat.... So what did we do? We killed over 600 men and left a lot of their bodies to rot where they died... Yes, to rot! The woman who owned this land protested regularly to Sam Houston.... So we built something to promote friendship and hide this embarrassment... As you enter the State of Texas today you will be greeted by signs welcoming you but these also promote this friendship meme by telling you to please drive friendly... We cannot hide from this anymore than we can hide from the atrocities of slavery....

And then we jump to the 982 Steam engine in Hermann Park..... Heck.... We could have started here....

[Dezxman17]

Well put together. And yes the golf course has always been in my sights. It is part of one of my solves. I noticed the crest are not natural in some spots.

[Coinaster]

Let us talk slavery for a moment relating to this painting and verse..... History surrounding slavery defines how this puzzle is solved.... It is hidden in the painting.... I know that this might be a touchy subject but please allow me to present what I have found before you judge.... This is really a wild twist so please bear with me....

In looking at the painting I wish to point out several things that people never discuss..... If I can direct your attention to the main tower.... Now this tower appears to be the physical feature of the circular drive around Sam Houston's monument as the orb atop, the Reflection Pond is the staff, and the base is the Pioneer Obelisk... Everyone believes that this is a direct correlation from park to the painting.... I have pointed out that the Rhino totem tells us otherwise.... Looking deeper into the painting one will find a purple cross in the middle of this reflection pond staff.... A purple cross is a symbol thru history that has been associated with nobility almost exclusively.... Kings, Queens, Prince and Princess'...

Now if you will look at the base of this painting tower you will see a music symbol.... It is the most common symbol for music and is a barred 8th note... Most feel that this note hides a 29 or a 20 or both and that might be true,,,, But I want you to look to the right of this symbol and find the date 1354..... This relates to the Islam looking character in the painting atop the water spout..... It is the accepted birth date of the 4th Sultan of the Turkish Ottoman Empire.... Bayezid.... This relates to the music symbol in his known nickname...."Yıldırım" which means, Lightening, Thunderbolt.....

"Thunderbolt and Lightning, very very frightening, ME" are the lyrics of Queen(purple Cross) and the Bohemian Rhapsody song.... Freddie Mercury was talking about himself in those lyrics.... You see he was born in Stone Town, In the Sultanate of Zanzibar..... (To save you time " Sultanate means ruled by a sultan").... But this area of the world has an ugly past..... It was the east coast of Africa and the main port for slave trade to China, India, Brazil and South America.... Very frightening indeed!

You see.... Preiss was giving us a history lesson... Slavery was a world wide problem.... We tend to focus on the atrocities of the south and civil war and he was showing Texas past dark eras.... but he showed us that it was world wide.... England wanted cheap cotton, corn and sugar to make clothing and rum..... which they sold to Africans for gold and slaves..... which were then sold to the Americas in trade for cheap cotton, corn and sugar..... A vicious cycle.... The triangular trade of slavery.... And our history books show that this took place from the West coast of Africa and the Gold Coast and the Congo....etc... Preiss was pointing out and showing us that this cycle was way worse.... It was global..... This puzzle tells us to learn from our shaded past but in relation to solving this puzzle .... we must utilize geometric triangulation to solve!

I promised you a wild twist..... I think I have delivered.... Hopefully I did so in good taste!