Spartanburg Family Strikes Gold with Hidden Treasure
Spartanburg- In a quirky twist of fate, one family’s simple walking expedition turned into a million-dollar adventure. Melissa and Tyler Cheshire, along with their three children, stumbled upon a treasure worth $1.2 million on a hiking trail just outside downtown Spartanburg. The family had embarked on this intriguing hunt while engaging in the game portal, Treasure Game$.
Hunting for Treasures
The creator of the platform, Dirk Gibson, well-known for producing TV series such as the History Channel’s “Mountain Men,” conceptualized Treasure Game$ as a fun, exciting experience for participants. Through a series of clues and cryptic puzzles, players scanned areas across the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida in search of a genie lamp, the first game set in this region.
For Melissa Cheshire, leading her family’s five-day hunt and unearthing the treasure proved to be an adrenaline-fueled spectacle. The winning prize offered two possibilities: a sum of $1 million in cash or three wishes with an approximate value of $1.2 million. Naturally, with the caveat that they must devote one wish to someone else, the Cheshire family took the route of the three wishes.
Dreams Turned into Reality
They decided to splurge on a brand new five-bedroom home in South Carolina and a vacation condo in Orlando. Melissa intends to split the third wish between donating to the HER Foundation (a charity dedicated to combating the illness, Hyperemesis Gravidarum, that she was afflicted with) and gifting something precious to her mother.
“We were just watching all the money dwindle away,” Melissa confessed, explaining their financial troubles after relocating to South Carolina and Tyler’s subsequent loss of employment. “We didn’t know what we were going to do.”
The Big Discovery
Only keen players with significant location insights and savvy puzzle-solving skills could locate the treasure. Clues pointed to a specific radius, and the family traced the treasures to Spartanburg, not Greenville. A clue referring to a “one-eyed William” led them to Willy Taco on East Main Street. They then traced their path to the River Birch Trail and found the treasure near a walking bridge over Lawson Fork Creek.
Expansion Plans
Gibson plans to kickstart another treasure hunt soon across the same regions. The upcoming game, named Region 10, offers a hefty prize of $400,000. Players will need to subscribe for $8.99 to compete and stand a chance to win the treasure. They can also pay extra for additional clues, although a free trial option is available, but winning is impossible without a subscription.
Positively Impacting the Local Economy
According to Gibson, numerous players traveled to Spartanburg, which simultaneously brought increased revenue to the local community. Tourists frequented hotels, restaurants, and other businesses while engaging in the treasure hunt. Taking pride in a game that’s not purely reliant on chance, like the lottery, Gibson is passionate about spreading wealth through a skill-based game.
Conclusion
There’s certainly a pervasive air of excitement as more and more people discover tangible treasures and the enriching experience of dwelling in South Carolina. As for Melissa and Tyler Cheshire, their unconventional treasure-hunting journey signals a refreshing start as they celebrate their newfound fortune.
