AR Leg 12: Mob Mentality

So today was the final leg that either got you into the final 3 to race on the final day or it did not. We made 2nd PLACE....okay maybe not. Here is now the day played out.

We started of the leg at the pool. Everyone thought we would have to get in the pool, but luckily we didn't. We were given a clue and a map. The map had 8 x's which indicated the location of puzzle pieces. There were 8 puzzle pieces total. There were a few puzzle pieces that were spread out and then there were several that were clumped together in their locations. Allison and I decided to head to the furthest place first and gather those puzzles pieces then head to the locations that were closer together. We worked with Chad and Charles to try and located all puzzle pieces. We got stuck on one piece for quite sometime and never could find it. We discovered after the putting the pieces that we did have together, that we could figure out the clue without it.

The clue had us using the interpretive signs around the lake to figure out where in the RFC we needed to go. Charles figured out that we needed to go where you'd find "chips and sweet tea". We know that was the RFC break room. So, me, Allison, Chad and Charles take off to the RFC. Now keep in mind Chad and Charles are way faster than us so we lost them when they went into the RFC. As we were approaching we saw several teams having to turn around. I have to admit I was a little nervous thinking that we had come to the wrong place. As it turns out they didn't know they were supposed to go to the break room, they just read RFC and headed there. We come  in the door and Domino tells us to keep on going that we are the 3rd team there and tells us we are on the right track. I was shocked and happy!!!

The next clue led us to the Aerobics room where we had to do some Salsa aerobics. I loved that part. :-) Once we were done with our Salsa lesson we had to either find a "stump" or a "fire hydrant" with our next clue. This is where I began to loose it a little. It seems that when we have to just wander around looking for a clue Allison and I don't do too well. We didn't know which one to look for. We decided to try and find the "stump" but we weren't very confident. We headed over to the picnic area as there a bunch of trees over there and I thought well maybe there were some stumps over there. If not then we were headed in the direction of the street where we needed to look for a hydrant so hopefully we'd find something. In the distance I noticed 2 stumps and thought I'd at least go check them out. I am so glad that I did....there was the clue!!! Whew...we lucked out!!!

The clue had us going to a rock bed near a drainage pipe and we had to search the rocks for our next clue. The clue was written on a rock...what we weren't really sure of was if it was written on top of the rock or if it was underneath a rock. As we are headed to the rock bed we notice the team that was in 1st. We were tired of running so we were walking at this point. The teamed asked us if we were done and we said "no". We weren't sure how far ahead of us they were, but we kept going our direction and they kept going in theirs. When we got to the rock bed we were the only ones there. Keep in mind we lost Chad and Charles again as they finished the Salsa aerobics before us and took off.

Now what we didn't know at this point was at the rock bed were were in 1st place. If we were on the real Amazing Race it would have "currently in 1st place" below our names. Love it. As we are searching, Chad and Charles come along. We decide to try and divide and conquer as there were TONS of rocks. No luck. The team that was in 1st that we passed earlier finally comes along and still nothing...with 6 people searching. Chad and Charles decide to head back to read the clue again to see if we need to look UNDER a rock or it will be written ON TOP of the rock. When they get back they let us know that the rest of the teams are now on our heels and are headed to the rock bed. SHOOT!!!!! We had such a great lead!! We are all together now with tons and tons of people searching these rocks. So frustrating.

Then it happens...I turn over a rock and I see..."TENNIS COURT 3". My heart starts pounding as I easily set the rock back down and pray that no one saw me. I slowly walk over to Allison and let her know that I found it. Then I proceed to let Charles know what it said. Next thing I know Charles starts running! And so does the rest of the MOB. SERIOUSLY???? These guys are way faster than me there is no way I can beat them in a foot race. So as we were running I hear Allison hollering my name and yelling for me to STOP!! As I do it was like a slow motion moment for me. I stop, I turn around to look at Allison and as I am turning I realize that the ENTIRE mob has stopped as well. It dawned on me that NO ONE knew where they were going...they were just running because Charles, Allison, and I  started running. Of course when we stopped Charles realized that Chad was not with us and they can't cross the finish line unless they are together. So, we make something up like, we were just kidding we didn't find it and we try to lure everyone back to the rock bed. We get back to the rock bed, we collect Chad and we decide to cut through the woods to try and fool them. Uh nope, that didn't work either. I hear someone on the street yell..."they are going that way". UGH they were killing me!

I was so very frustrated! Here I was the ONLY one that even saw the clue and these people were going to beat me to the pitstop and Charles, the person I told where the clue was, was leading them right to it. I was pretty upset as we were running...just ask Allison. As it turns out Charles tried to lead them astray and throw them off, but it just didn't work. We finally arrive at the pitstop team number 6!!! As we were running in though we lucked out. Domino had a fail safe in place. You had to tell him what the rock actually said. YES...I told him what it said....and woohoo team #2!!!! I was so pumped! We went from 10th to 2nd and made it into the final 3!! We were racing on the final day!  Then the bombshell...Domino asked me if we had all 8 puzzle pieces. Crap! We didn't...we only had 7 because we could not find the one to save our lives. Another fail safe. So in the end we get nothing and will like it!! Although I am bummed I am glad he had the fail safe's in and it is only fair the the teams that had them both be in the finals.

So, for me and Allison and Chad and Charles the race is over (they only had 7 puzzle pieces too), but congratulations to Ken and Eric, Angela and Lindsay, and Patti and Cynthia for being the top 3 that will race on the final day! GOOD JOB EVERYONE!!!!