Challenge Nation

Week 4 (October 30-November 5): Some of my friends competed in the Challenge Nation - Austin race last year. For whatever reason, I wasn't able to join them. Challenge Nation happens all over the U.S., and it is a scavenger hunt completed Amazing Race style. You are given a list of clues at the beginning, and your team must run around Austin (or take a bus - no other transportation allowed) taking pictures to document that your team has answered the clue/prompt. I was excited to join the team this year, as I have been wanting to do more fun things around the city. This was a great way to get some exercise, explore Austin, and have some fun. 

Unfortunately, I do not have the clue sheet with me so I will attempt to re-tell what some of the clues were. 

Waiting for Derek to bring the list of clues/prompts

Something about the Bard and all the world's a stage, but this time they weren't looking for a theater stage. Find the stage and rock out. So we headed to Shakespeare's and rocked out on the stage.

Find a person on the street wearing a sports jersey that wasn't of a Texas team. We ran into a guy from San Francisco who happened to be wearing a 49ers jersey.

Find a person with an out-of-state driver's license and form the shape of the state with your hands. What, you can't tell that is Pennsylvania?

An old truck is parked in front of this historic building on 6th Street. The clue went on about something archway and holey. This was a trick clue. Most teams took a picture of the old truck in front of the Driskill Hotel. However, you had to go inside and find this cow statue filled with holes.

Get a dog to shake your hand. This was a friendly dog... he wanted me to stay and play longer.

Take a picture with an Occupy Austin protester/sign at City Hall.

Something about someone's "first wife" being a Fender guitar, which led us to the Stevie Ray Vaughn monument at Auditorium Shores.

Something about the Austin version of the New York icon. We thought we were being cute zooming in on the capitol. Apparently there is a big version actually on the grounds. Oops. 

Oh, but the best comment was made when solving this clue:

Paul: "We have to find the Eiffel Tower."

Me: "Um, that's not in New York." 

Find the victim of Paul Cullen, which was Treaty Oak located in Treaty Oak Park.

Something about Austin being home to bats, but this one can be found year round in Austin.

Find B. Porter's place, stand on the patio and form the most obvious letter. This ended up being the O.Henry House Museum.

And we're done... looking all cute in our super hero t-shirts!

Tips for those considering competing in their local Challenge Nation race:

• Brush up a little on your city's facts/monuments
• When you first get your clues, spend some time solving them and writing down where they are located so you can map out a route instead of running around like crazy
• Make sure your phone battery doesn't suck. Or if you know it sucks, make sure someone else on your team has a phone
• Don't eat a cheeseburger and fries 30 minutes before the race begins