Urban Dare Adventure Race

“Urban Dare is the race where smarts can beat speed. It’s part trivia, part photo hunt, part mental and physical challenges, and all fun.  Think of it as a 1-day Amazing Race.”  That paragraph from the Urban Dare Web site sums it up but I will add that Urban Dare also is a great team event and it’s coming to a city near you!

My sister, Abbie, her daughter, Ciara, my friend, Kesha and I rose to the challenge this past weekend. We registered online for the DC race, so on Saturday morning we arrived at McFadden’s bar in downtown DC, signed our paperwork and changed into our new Urban Dare T-shirts.

By noon, 93 teams were pawing at the sidewalk ready to start.  A few teams made the extra effort to wear costumes, which added to the fun. At the appointed hour, the organizers herded everyone to a nearby park, reviewed the rules and passed out a sheet of 11 clues and 1 photo challenge. 

We immediately used our phone-a-friend option and called our pal Eithne who was at home with her laptop. Between Eithne’s computer and a couple of smart phones we solved all our clues in short order. Then, Kesha secured her place as MVP by pulling out a DC map.  We spent a few extra minutes charting a course to take us to each clue’s destination with the least amount of wasted effort and we were off! 

Bring back any Muppet-y memories?

One clue took us to a statue that “was filmed and subsequently used in the opening title sequence of Sesame Street during the show’s 20^th season” (the huge sculpture of Albert Einstein on Constitution Ave.) where we secured a quick team photo.

Another clue took us to a park that “was originally the site of several natural springs. The government purchased the property and by 1832 had installed pipes to carry water to the White House.” This site turned out to be Franklin Square where we had to jump rope 5 times before continuing our journey.

All in all, we solved 11 clues, conned one very nice couple into re-enacting the famous WWII photo of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square, completed several dares and covered more than 6 miles on foot (public transportation is allowed but no taxis or bikes).

We finished 3:17:59, which put us in 35^th place. We were pleased to be in the top third-ish (especially because we had a few potty breaks and stopped at the Air and Space Museum for some freeze-dried ice cream) but were amazed to learn that the winning team completed the challenge in 1:18:45.

Urban Dare has 4 more cities scheduled for 2012 and 23 already on the list for 2013. To see when Urban Dare is coming to a city near you, check out their Web site.

Drag Queen Brunch

Recently, several members of the League of Adventurous Women went into Washington, DC for an unusual meal. My friend, Joanne, captured the experience.

What could be better than a mimosa brunch on a rainy Sunday morning? A Drag Queen mimosa brunch of course. On a rainy Sunday morning in April, Joan, Keisha, Eithne, Mary, Dawn and Karen headed to Perry’s in Adams Morgan for the weekly Sunday Drag Queen Brunch.

The company was good, the food was tasty and the show was a hoot. 4 Queens performed a variety of numbers. One of the performers was an MC/comedian who was quite funny. The rest performed song and dance numbers while moving through the crowd posing for pictures. Bring some singles if you want your picture taken with any of the Queens although the bar will gladly make change.

There are 2 seatings and it’s not a very big place so it is a good idea to get in line early.

Monster Trucks

Advance Auto Parts Monster Truck Jam in DC's Verizon Center

Mike (my husband): So, did you and the girls enjoy the Monster Truck Jam?

Me: WHAT?

Mike: I said, how was the Monster Truck Jam?

Me: YES, WE MADE IT ON TIME.  IT WAS A LOT MORE FUN THAN I EXPECTED!

Mike: I get the impression it was loud?

Me: THERE WERE SIX ENORMOUS TRUCKS AND EACH ONE HAD TIRES TALLER THAN ME. ALL OF THEM HAD THEMES LIKE BATMAN OR MONSTER MUTT OR ILLUMINATOR -- ILLUMINATOR'S CAR LIT UP.

Mike: Can you hear me?

Me: THEY STARTED OUT WITH A WHEELIE COMPETITION AND ONE OF THEM ALMOST FLIPPED OVER -- IT WAS EXCITING! THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY A FEW "RACES" THAT INCLUDED A JUMP. YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH AIR SOME OF THESE THINGS GET!

Mike: I guess we won't be going to a movie this evening.

Me: THE TRUCK JAM FINISHED WITH A FREE-STYLE COMPETITION.  IN BETWEEN, THEY HAD AN ATV RACE PITTING A MEN'S TEAM AGAINST A WOMEN'S TEAM, THEY ALSO HAD A "BATTLE" BETWEEN TRANSFORMER TRUCKS.  I'M TELLING YOU, IT WAS REALLY A LOT OF FUN!

Mike: Maybe I'll go with you next time.

Me: YOU SHOULD GO WITH US NEXT TIME. BUT WE'LL NEED TO TAKE EAR PLUGS. WE SAT IN THE HIGHEST SECTION OF THE ARENA AND IT WAS STILL SHOCKINGLY LOUD!

Advance Auto Parts Monster Truck Jam is coming to a city near you!  Click here for their schedule. 

Road Trip! Baltimore's HONfest

January is the perfect time to plan your adventurous new year.  My friend, Joanne hopes you'll take a trip to Baltimore's HONfest.

HONfest is a quirky 2 day “Bawlmer” street festival where beehives, bouffants and fluffy bedroom slippers abound. HONfest is the celebration of Hons, which is short for honey.  It is a term of endearment for the working women of Baltimore.

Joanne visits the Glamour Lounge

It was a hot and sticky Sunday morning when Barb, Eithne, Karen, Joanne, Michaelle and Sheryl were heading to 36^th street in the Hampden neighborhood in Baltimore, also known as “the boulevard.” It is the site of the annual HONfest. Although the day threatened rain, the intrepid League of Adventurous Women was not deterred. 

We got there early and visited a few shops and stalls for Hon accessories and memorabilia. Pink boas and cats eye glasses were in abundance. Then it was on to the Glamour Lounge where we got our beehives and bouffants on. Now we were in the mood. HONfest is like a block party open to the public. We mingled with locals and visitors alike, listening to music, people watching and enjoying a local delicacy, crab cakes.

The culmination of the weekend’s festivities is the crowning of Miss Hon during Bawlmer’s Best Hon Contest. It’s a hoot, complete with housecoats, spandex, fluffy slippers, sponge rollers and anything that represents blue collar Baltimore.

After the crowning we ducked into a local bar to cool off. This place was nothing special, no ferns, table clothes or menus. It was strictly beer out of a bottle and cheap wine is a plastic cup. We played a few games of pool, mingled with other HONfest goers and agreed that the day was worth the drive.

We made it back to the car just as a torrential rain broke out. Everyone agreed it was worth the trek to Baltimore.  I highly recommend it. 

HONfest 2012 is scheduled for June 9 and 10 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Ride a Unicycle

We've all had birthdays that marked a personal milestone. You know, one of those uncomfortable ages that cause one to reflect on life and wonder if it is going in the right direction.  CBS' Susan Spencer just achieved an "unmentionable birthday" and decided to celebrate by taking on a new challenge. Her present to herself? Learn to ride a unicycle! She was brave enough to record her effort and let it air on Sunday Morning.  Happy Birthday Susan!