Forrest Fenn, author, "The Thrill of the Chase"
Air Dates: November 3-5, 2012
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This week's guest on REPORT FROM SANTA FE is
Forrest Fenn, author of “The Thrill of the Chase: a
Memoir,” as well as “The Secrets of San Lazaro Pueblo,”
“Teepee Smoke,” “The Beat of the Drum and the Whoop of the Dance,” and “Historic American Indian Dolls.”
The memoir includes the true story about his secret
treasure, along with an outrageous dare. “Unlock the clues
that are scattered among these pages and you can go home
with a bronze chest that is so full of gold and precious
jewelry that it's almost too heavy for one person to
carry,” challenges Fenn, adding that the book is dedicated
to anyone who has known the thrill of the chase. Forrest
Fenn describes the 11th century treasure chest and the
magnificent jewels and gold that he has hidden in the
mountains north of Santa Fe, and offers clues for
treasure-seekers.
Fenn has spent most of his eighty years in similar
pursuits of passion, and now wants others to share in the
thrill of that chase. That's why he concealed the cache.
All that will be needed are the clues, some resolve, a
little imagination and luck.
Last month, Fenn (along with author Slim Randles) was
awarded the 2012 “Rounders Award” by the New Mexico
Department of Agriculture for “Individuals who have lived,
promoted, or articulated the Western Way of Life." This
award, named for the classic novel by Max Evans "The
Rounders" (later made into a movie and a television
series), was first awarded to Evans himself.
Other recipients have included historian Marc Simmons,
recording artist Michael Martin Murphey, and artist
Pablita Velarde. Forrest wrote to Max Evans about
receiving the award, "I'm not sure I deserve the Rounders
Award, but then I had cancer and I didn't deserve that
either..."
For many years, Fenn was the owner of one of Santa Fe’s
finest art galleries, the Fenn Gallery. After retiring
from the Air Force in 1970, Fenn built the art gallery in
Santa Fe that he and his wife ran for 17 years. Even
though Forrest had never studied art, and at the time had
never owned a painting, the Fenn Gallery became known as
one of Santa Fe’s finest art galleries, with a collection
that ran the gamut from Native American artifacts to world
class oil paintings by Nicholai Fechin and other masters.
Since retiring again in 1988, Fenn’s energies have been
directed toward excavation of a large Indian pueblo, and
writing books about art and exploration. Fenn is a gifted
storyteller who believes that the “story” about a painting
or an object, can often be as important as the thing
itself.