The Monkey and a plywood violin

[lizzytysh]

Well, I recognized the t-shirt as being a t-shirt, but regarding the boots and the Red Wings and any possible implications, I would be lost, anyway... so why comment that I saw them, but they meant nothing to me ? At least I can draw some kind of connection between a wine opener and Fred in bed, with water on the table... not necessarily where he's at, but maybe how he's feeling .


Always concerned for your welfare, Fred,
Auntie Lizzy

[findingtime]

Forum puzzle solvers: I downloaded and blew up the Minneapolis hotel room picture and I am certain the item next to the water bottle is actually two items: The plywood violin and the bow. For whatever help that provides. I have no idea about the tee shirt on the bed or anything about the Red Wing picture clues. I look forward to learning the solution(s).

[lizzytysh]

Y'know what? I think you're right! And he is empty-armed, empty-handed, and looking longingly to the right of that water bottle . Poor Fred... don't worry, dear... no one's going to take it or harm it... and it'll be right there in the morning when you wake. I'm telling you, I'm expecting Fred to just get up any day now and really start talking to us... he's gotten so REAL! Surely he lives and breathes just like we do, right??


Auntie Lizzy
[I don't mean to be talking behind your back, Fred... ]

[MaryB]

I went back and looked at both pictures. I think Fred is asking us if we can figure out the answers to the questions based on the second photo. The only thing I might add to my guesses is possibly,
Leanne and her family.

Fred, you look sooooo cuddly in that bed - no cage for you, huh ? I told you they'd do right by you ! Life on the road can be grueling , so it's nice to know you are getting your beauty rest . Have you been spending quality time with Moose? Hope to see you soon!

Loving regards,
Mary

[Kanga]

Oh I love this thread - I so hope Fred comes to Europe this summer - I want to meet him in Weybridge.

I agree with Frisco - I think Hattie visited this man http://www.kortier.com/ about her harp - which she holds close to her heart.

[Kanga]

I don't like to say this but I think we have a case of mistaken identity with Fred's friend.

I dont think he is a moose I think he is a reindeer In Finland there are lots of reindeer but no moose. Reindeer have branchier antlers. I don't think he is Rudolph because he doesn't have a red nose - but perhaps he is one of Santa's other reindeer

[lizzytysh]

If Moose is Reindeer, at least he's not having to fly around in that cold, cold sky for awhile... traveling in style with beds and such; the memories will keep him warm come Christmas... 'less of course Leonard is still on tour; then Santa will just have to get a fly-in.


~ Lizzy

[MaryB]

Oh I love this thread - I so hope Fred comes to Europe this summer - I want to meet him in Weybridge.

I agree with Frisco - I think Hattie visited this man http://www.kortier.com/ about her harp - which she holds close to her heart.

Oh Kanga,
Now that you've repeated what Marsha originally wrote, I think she's got it! Marsha, this makes all the sense in the world! Dang, now you get the prize , but that's okay, we still get visits from Fred and his buddy Moose (reindeer ) .

Best regards,
Mary

[findingtime]

Here's what I think. The hotel bed picture contains a clue about Fred the Monkey's human helper on the tour. The Lollapolooza shirt must have some significance. Is there anyone in the band who has performed at Lollapolooza? I know it is still unknown whether the helper is a member of the band or the crew, but the tee shirt on the bed may be a clue to the big puzzle.

I suspect the Red Wing picture is a standalone puzzle -- though solving it may get us closer to knowing who Fred's human helper is. Remember, in the hotel photo posting, Fred says: I do have some more photos and another game for you. Now let me see if the internet gods will smile upon me!

The Red Wing picture. Despite the great connection between "close to their heart" and the way Hattie's harp is held, I don't think Duluth is the answer.

The Red Wing picture explicitly states: "I went on a road trip to this little town near Minneapolis yesterday to help a member of the band with something very close to their heart. What town was it? What is the thing that is close to the band member's heart? Who is the band member? And no, I am not talking about the well made boots and shoes that are made in this town, although one member of the traveling party did purchase a new pair of boots (just like the one pictured)."

Duluth is about 150 miles from Minneapolis. I would not consider that "near Minneapolis." Red Wing is "a little town near Minneapolis." Red Wing shoes is based in Red Wing, MN. and Burnside (the name of the Red Wing plant pictured) is a part of Red Wing, MN as the towns of Red Wing and Burnside Township merged in 1971. Whatever was done, with Fred accompanying, seems to have taken place in Red Wing ("this [as in the pictured] little town near Minneapolis" and "I am not talking about the well made boots and shoes that are made in this town.") Does anyone know if Bob's wife Leanne has family in Red Wing? If that is true, it would tend to make Eskimo's solution the most likely of those proposed.

Of course, if there is a Red Wing plant in Duluth and it is named the Burnside Plant, that would change everything.

Still waiting to hear the correct solution.

Good fun! Thanks a lot, Fred and friends on the tour. Wish I was with you.

[MarieM]

Here is a recent article (April 29, 2009) about Bob and Leanne, but I don't think it helps much with the clues.

http://www.ajwnews.com/archives/1858

[brightnow]

Ok, continuing with the line of thought started by frisco and kanga, maybe it was Hattie and she went to Red Wing for a harp:
http://www.stoneyend.com/stoneyindex.html

Remember the picture of Fred and Moose watching sound check? What instrument is right behind them? -- Hattie's harp! could that have been an early clue?

[ladydi]

Ah brightnow...you too have excellent sleuthing abilities! Who would have thought that hand-crafted harps were created in Red Wing, MN?! The mystery deepens....now we just have to find out where Colonel Mustard was...

So many possibilities

[Eskimo]

If that is true, it would tend to make Eskimo's solution the most likely of those proposed.

....I am still working on the reform school angle.....but the harp idea is making a lot of sense....

[friscogrl]

Brightnow, it would make sense to go to a harp maker in Redwing! I think you may be right about that and Redwing featured prominently in the second picture. Hopefully we'll hear from Fred soon!

Frisco

[findingtime]

Brightnow: Brilliant! You have to have come to the right answer. I guess we'll know for sure pretty soon.

And who was the clever one who figured out the "close to their [now we know it's "her"] heart" and harp connection? That was pure genius.

So, does that put anyone closer to figuring out who Fred's human cohort is (or cohorts are)?