BYLINE: The call of a great story can lead writers to places they’d never expect—the bottom of a river, chasing elk in the dark, or, in my case, lying face down in a field of damp grass while someone whispers the plot of a rom-com in my ear.
INTRODUCTION: Seriously, Who Says “No” to a Treasure Hunt?
When I pitched the idea of writing about unconventional first date ideas, I expected to spend my evenings lurking in pottery studios or third-wheeling at ax-throwing bars. You know, low-stakes stuff. But one local couple emailed me with an alternative that sounded wild, borderline unhinged… and kind of incredible.
They’d met on a treasure hunt.
Not metaphorical treasure, by the way. Actual buried loot, à la Nicholas Cage in National Treasure. It involved puzzles and coded messages and a restless entrepreneur who had hidden thousands of dollars’ worth of valuables in the foothills outside Spokane. The couple explained all this while my jaw wobbled somewhere near the floor. “It’s perfect for your article,” they said.
And that’s how I ended up in a hand-me-down hunting vest, scribbling clues on the back of a gas station receipt, and startling a very unimpressed deer while chasing an adventure I wasn’t emotionally—or physically—prepared for.
SECTION ONE: The Setup (or, How Did I Get Here?)
The treasure hunt was no joke; it had rules and chat groups and a surprisingly fervent community. And like most date ideas that sound fun in theory, it turned into an absolute circus of poorly managed expectations and mid-hike calorie crashes. The couple assured me this was all part of the charm.
“You’ve got to embrace the chaos,” they told me when I asked why anyone would consider digging around in the dirt a reasonable first-date activity. “It fast-tracks the connection.”
If this sounds romantic to you, congratulations. You clearly have both patience and upper body strength—two things I quickly realized I do not.
My role that day evolved from “writer observing from the sidelines” to “confused participant flailing through brambles.” I tried to remain a professional narrator of the experience, but it’s hard to maintain journalistic objectivity when you’re eating trail mix off your palm to prevent fainting.
SECTION TWO: Lessons from the Field (Literally)
Still, as ridiculous as the treasure hunt got, I came away thinking the couple might be onto something. Turns out scouring the wilderness with someone checks a surprising number of relationship-building boxes. Here’s what I learned:
1. Shared Goals Are Underrated
The beauty of mapping out a treasure hunt—and life in general—is that it gives you a clear objective. Whether or not we found anything (spoiler: we did not), this couple was thriving because they mastered the give-and-take of teamwork. They laughed, argued, and then laughed even harder when the wind blew their map into oblivion.
What’s the dating takeaway? Shared projects build intimacy faster than another round of predictable small talk over appetizers. Next time someone asks what you’re looking for in a partner, maybe just say, “Someone I’d trust to solve a riddle in a crisis.”
2. Vulnerability Isn’t Always Pretty
Nothing humanizes a person faster than watching them fumble with a compass or take a slow-motion tumble into a patch of blackberry bushes. By hour three, our little group looked like exhausted contestants on a survival reality show. Our hair was tangled. Our clothes were covered in random vegetation. Some of us (me) were laughing hysterically from sheer fatigue.
And yet, the couple’s comfort with looking ridiculous spoke volumes about why they actually worked. If you want to bond faster, throw yourself into a situation where neither of you can save face. There’s something wildly freeing about knowing someone’s seen you at your sweatiest and still wants to hang out afterward.
3. Laughter Really Is the Best Lubricant (For Awkwardness)
At one point, we realized we’d spent ten minutes enthusiastically digging in what turned out to be an old fire pit. Was the effort pointless? Absolutely. Was it hilarious? Also, yes.
Navigating humor together—especially the spontaneous, slapstick variety—has a special way of breaking down walls. I couldn’t help but think about my own past dates, where humor became the saving grace for awkward silences or embarrassing spills. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about rolling with the absurd.
SECTION THREE: The Aftermath and Reflection
We ended the day muddy, starving, and empty-handed—but I wasn’t mad about it. Writing this kind of piece, I usually find myself sitting across from couples trying too hard to define “success” as the length or milestones of their relationship. But this treasure-hunting duo offered something entirely different: an accidental philosophy about living in the moment.
There’s something deeply romantic about leaning into the surprising chaos of an ordinary Saturday, turning it into a bonding experience that sticks. It reminded me that relationships, at their best, are just ongoing treasure hunts—filled with excitement, missteps, and the rare, sparkling gem.
Though my legs ached and my editors were probably expecting a much less unhinged draft, I learned that the weird and wacky adventures are the ones that linger in your mind. Oversharing trail snacks by a stream while collectively admitting you have no idea what the instructions mean? That’s connection. And maybe it’s worth chasing more often.
CONCLUSION: Would I Recommend It?
If someone invites you on a treasure hunt, say yes. Yes to the mud, to the mystery, to the slight possibility of tetanus. And even if you’re not treasure-crazed or naturally outdoorsy, reframe this as a life lesson: Try the weird thing. Prioritize laughter over appearances. Dig for unexpected gems, even if they turn out to be metaphorical.
And who knows? The next shovel-full of dirt might just hold something shiny—be it future riches or, at the very least, someone willing to share the compass when you’re utterly, completely lost.
