Northern Exposure

Krissey and her husband, Tom (aka Tom Terrific) journeyed up to the great state of Alaska for a little Non-Rev Challenge adventure.  Because we are doing this Non-Rev Challenge on a budget, Krissey and Tom scoured the internet for cheap hotels when Tom  had the great idea to check rates on the Army base right on the outskirts of Anchorage.  They agreed they couldn’t beat the low price of 39.00 for a room and grabbed it up! 


They got up bright and early to start their adventure in the cold mountain air (25 degrees), and as they drove to breakfast, they could see "Moose Crossing" signs every half mile.  Krissey said to Tom, “maybe we will see a moose!” at the exact time they rounded the bend and ....LOW AND BEHOLD!...there stood two moose friends by the side of the road!  She started jumping up and down in her seat screaming, “oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I just can’t believe this!”, and hurriedly grabbed her Non-Rev Challenge Tee-shirt from the backseat.  She quickly shoved the camera into Tom's hands, hopped out of the car, and captured this photo.

She was a bit frightened because, as us Bozoners know, moose are just about the most dangerous of wild animals.  This action by Krissey is akin to the Yellowstone tourists we hear about all summer long who get out of their vehicles to pet the bison with disastrous results! But Tom calmly and quickly snapped and photo, and Krissey dashed back into the car.   So while Megan and Caitlin "faked" their way through a moose photo (see blog post "A Big Points Trip"), Krissey actually GOT the photo and the points for our team.  No more wondering if this task is legit or not!


Riding the high of their success, Krissey and Tom proceeded into downtown Anchorage to complete Task #88--At the Bear & Raven Adventure Theatre (points earned:  15).  This is a small 35-seat theatre that show locally produced movies all about the great state of Alaska.

While Tom and Krissey enjoyed their trip to this non-contiguous US state, our teammate Candy headed to the other one.  Stay tuned...

Candy and Peggy = BIG POINTS!

Bozoners Candy and Peggy headed off for an East Coast adventure, and came home with stories to tell.  I'll do my best to capture their spirit in my words.

First stop:  Chicago.  They hit the town, and headed straight for the Skydeck of the Willis Tower, where they captured their photo standing on the glass ledge (Task #48, points earned:  14).  Peggy was quite smitten with the view and enjoyed looking DOWN and seeing the ground many stories below.  Candy was terrified, and wanted off as quickly as possible.

The next morning, they boarded a Delta Shuttle flight (Task #44, point value:  14) and flew to New York City.  Candy said that Delta agent Sally R. was quite the sport in assisting everyone.

When Peggy and Candy arrived in New York City, they were able to complete task #52 in no time flat--eating marshmallows in front of the GhostBusters Firehouse (better known as NYFD Hook and Ladder #8).  Candy said that New York Fire Fighters Bryan and Andrew were most helpful and most accommodating in their Non-Rev Challenge quest.  Points earned:  14.

Once their task was complete, Candy and Peggy headed to the airport to catch a flight to Boston. They easily completed Task #27 with the added bonus of it being a SUNRISE photo--With both the Trinity Church and John Hancock building in the photo (Point value:  14).

Candy told a great story of the photographer of this photo--a man named John Luray.  She said he was quite a character and wanted both Candy's and Peggy's advice regarding his new girlfriend.  As Candy said, "I think we have him straightened out."  Here's to you, John Luray!

Tomorrow's update:  Krissey's big adventure to ALASKA!

Tasks not worth anything, but SHOULD be!

With just a few minutes to write, I thought I'd highlight a few tasks that the Bozoners completed and yet these fine tasks earned us ZERO points!  These tasks were purely for fun, laughs, and the thrill of the Challenge!

1.  At a driving range

2.  Sleeping on a train

3.  Enjoying a picnic lunch at the deepest lake in the U.S. (Crater Lake)

4.  Using your Delta co-worker as a pull-up bar

5.  In front of the John Hancock building in downtown Chicago

6.  Gathering abandoned golf balls

7.  Searching an airport directory

8.  Asking for assistance about the Non-Rev Challenge from a Delta Platinum Medallion flyer (thanks Dave!)

A true travel update is coming soon.....

Mr. Allow Me

Task #30 had been eluding the Big Sky Bozoners since Day 1 of the Non-Rev Challenge.  The task description reads as follows:  "Taking cover from the rain with the help of Mr. 'Allow Me.'"  When you Google the words "Mr. Allow Me", you get all sorts of strange hits--song lyrics, websites of questionable taste, and pieces of famous speeches just to name a few.  Us Bozoners had pretty much resigned ourselves to the fact that we might not be able to solve this strange riddle.

Until Caitlin's friend, Jonathan, came to town.

This is the same Jonathan that helped the solve the Bonus Point task of the inside-out umbrella sculpture in Seattle.

Jonathan settled in a did some digging.  And more digging.  Until finally his research yielded a viable hit--"Mr. Allow Me" is a sculpture in Portland, Oregon!  Clearly, he has proven to be a valuable asset to the Big Sky Bozoners.

Caitlin dashed off on her quest.  After much searching, success was found at Pioneer Square Park in downtown Portland.

With only 15 minutes worth of change for the parking meter, Caitlin and Mike (her boyfriend and honorary photographer for the day) scoured the park and were able to snap the Challenge photo before dashing back to the car to avoid a ticket (points earned:  10)

And they were off to the next photo destination!

Straight to the top

Going nowhere fast with her own boss, Caitlin decided to use a business trip to Atlanta to go straight to the top of the Delta corporate ladder.  Her mission?  To make a plea for funding and paid time off while participating in the Non-Rev Challenge.  First stop:  Gil West, Senior V.P. of Airport Customer Service.

Mr. West listened attentively, and was completely thrilled that Bozeman had a team participating in the Challenge.  Caitlin made her pitch for a generous travel budget for all Challenge participants, as well as 2 months off from work--PAID--in order to be able to complete the Challenge.  Mr. West suddenly lost interest, and referred Caitlin to Steve Gorman, Executive VP and C.O.O. of Delta Air Lines.

Mr. Gorman was COMPLETELY on board with Caitlin's ideas!  He agreed that Non-Rev challengers should not have to sleep in airports, but should sleep in decent hotels.  He felt a modest meal budget for challengers "isn't too much to ask for at all!"  He thought that two months off from work responsibilities "in order to complete the Challenge at a healthy pace" was an excellent idea.  After all, this IS a fundraiser for the United Way!  He agreed to work Caitlin's proposal into the budget for next year's Challenge.  At least, this is what Caitlin heard him say.  The music was awfully loud and he may have said something like "Get your hands off me!" but Caitlin is pretty sure he voiced his pledge of agreement and commitment of support.  Thanks Mr Gorman!  You're the best!

Riding the adrenalin high of a successfully accomplished mission, Caitlin hit the dance floor with her pal, Kathy (super awesome Delta agent from Tampa).

She can't wait to get home and tell her fellow Bozoners the good news!

California Adventure

Caitlin and Krissey BARELY made it onto the flight out of Seattle (whew!) and flew to Orange County to continue their mad quest for points.  Caitlin's sister, Alex, picked up the two Bozoners from the airport and whisked them off for a good night's sleep at her house.  This was uncharacteristic luxury for the Bozoners, who were able to sleep in a bed AND take a hot shower AND eat a good meal.  Saturday morning started early with a pre-printed agenda, maps, and directions.  With Alex as the chauffeur/photographer, Krissey as the navigator, and Caitlin just sitting the back seat checking stuff out, we were off.

First stop:  The 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.  We only had 3 quarters for the parking meter, so only had 45 minutes.  Time was of the essence!   We had solved the mystery location of this Bonus Point Photo (Task #91, point value:  23)

Next, we headed a few blocks toward the beach.  On the way, we were able to complete Task #17--"photo bombing" into the picture of unsuspecting people while they were trying to take a photo.  The man was none too pleased!  But how pleased were we?  We just earned 7 points!

We wandered across the street to the beach, where we were able to complete Task #19--burying a team member in the sand.  Points earned:  7.  Notice the lovely Santa Monica Pier in the background!

We raced back to the car to head to our next task.  Total time elapsed:  38 minutes!  Not bad for 3 tasks and 37 points!

We zipped down Wilshire Blvd to the La Brea Tar Pits (Task #26).  When Krissey pointed out the location to Caitlin, it was a very exciting moment!

We dashed in to take our photo.  The powerful tar aroma was something else!  Points earned:  14.

We left the Tar Pits, and dashed down Hollywood Blvd in search of our next task--at a Frank Lloyd Wright house.  We had quite a few to choose from in the LA area, but decided on Hollyhock House (Task #42, points earned:  14)

The architecture and grounds were really amazing.  We decided to knock to see if anyone would let us see the inside.

The caretaker/tour guide who answered said he was leading a tour group shortly so we couldn't come in.  Did that stop us from taking a peek?  Not on your life!

Krissey and Caitlin then sat down and had a deep, philosophical discussion about where to go next in their travels on the Non-Rev Challenge.  The grounds of Hollyhock house were a perfect setting for such  conversations!

At this point of the morning, it was time to bid farewell to Krissey as we had to make sure she returned home to Bozeman for work.  Alex and Caitlin dropped her off at LAX, and bid her a fond farewell.

Caitlin and Alex jumped back in the car and set out to try to complete one last task before it was time for Caitlin to fly home.  The task was #8--sliding down a fire station pole.  The completion of this task was turning out to be quite a challenge because we could not find any two-story fire stations.  Finally, all the research by Caitlin's sister paid off!  Hello Long Beach Engine Company #8!

Alex and Caitlin peeked in the fire station window, only to find the fire truck was gone.  "Oh great!  They are out on a call!".  And then, this very kind voice said "Can I help you with something?"  It turns out one of the fire fighters, Gary, was just showing up (in fact, that is his grey suburban-like vehicle in front of the fire station).  Caitlin explained their challenge and Gary, very graciously, offered to help.  But before Caitlin was to complete her task, Gary said "don't you want to wear some of the fire fighting gear to make it more authentic?"  Do I EVER!!  Caitlin donned her "costume",

and slid down the pole.  Total points:  5.

Caitlin then flew home to Bozeman to plot and scheme the next Non-Rev Challenge trip.  A VERY BIG   thank you to Alexandra Jordan for taking such good care of the Bozoners.  We couldn't have done it without you!

Perfect for Walking

Early Friday morning, Krissey and Caitlin headed out, fully prepared for a busy weekend adventure!  The Non-Rev Challenge is over on November 1st, which leaves little time for dilly-dallying.  We had to make this weekend COUNT!  We flew from Bozeman to Salt Lake City, and arrived in time to try to catch an earlier flight to Seattle.  Krissey quickly called our co-worker in Bozeman, Linda, who worked some magic with our reservations and PRESTO!--we were cleared for an earlier flight!

We arrived in Seattle at 8:30am and took the LinkRail into downtown Seattle.  First stop:  Pike Street Market for breakfast.

We couldn't decide whether we wanted crab,

pastries,

or more pastries.

We finally decided on more pastries, and had a delicious breakfast in the Seattle sunshine (how often do you get to enjoy that!?) before getting down to business.

We were able to capture this Mystery Bonus Points Photo (Task #94, point value:  23, photo credit to Elizabeth who was walking by, minding her own business).  The location of this particular building with the inside-out umbrella sculpture had been eluding the Big Sky Bozoners for quite some time.  Thanks to the expert sleuthing of Caitlin's friend, Jonathan, location SOLVED!

We then set off for our final Seattle task of the day.  Since the weather was SOOOOOO beautiful, we decided to walk.  When we got to the Seattle Space Needle, we asked a Seattle city worker if we were headed in the right direction.  His name was Pat, and he look right at us and said, "You're planning on WALKING there?  It's pretty far!".  Now, Krissey and Caitlin had heard this same song and dance from our co-worker, Gus, who also warned us that this really wasn't walking distance.  Krissey and Caitlin dismissed these warnings, saying to each other "Who do these people think we are?  We're TOUGH!  We're STRONG! We can walk it!"  Besides, the day was perfect for walking.

So we set off, and started walking.

And kept walking....

More walking.....

Still walking......

Still walking.....

How long have we been walking?  Do you think we're almost there?

Now walking across a bridge....

WHY ARE WE STILL WALKING!!!!!????

Are you serious?  Now we have to walk up this steep hill????

Finally, exhausted and sweaty, we arrived at our destination:  The Fremont Troll (Task #28, point value: 14, photo credit to random tourist, Isadore, who looked refreshed and relaxed and CLEARLY did not walk to the Troll)  For the record, we are going to appeal to the Non-Rev Challenge judges that this task should be worth 10 times the amount for hardship alone.

Since we refused to walk any further, we researched catching the bus back to downtown Seattle.  We found a nearby bus stop and Krissey called the Customer Service number on the posted schedule.

A very helpful Customer Service agent, Phil, told us what to.  In approximately 5 minutes, we were on our way!  Thank you, Seattle public transportation!

Unfortunately, all of our walking delayed our departure out of Seattle to our next destination.  We arrived at the airport too late for our flight.  The next two departures were full, but Krissey and Caitlin held tight, crossed their fingers, and waited.....