The Amazing Race 35: A Sunset, Seattle Scramble - Ep. 12 Season Finale Blog Party

 

Yes, we're at the season finale. Although I have my random blog pool pick still in there as well as an outright personal favorite team apart from the pool, any of the three teams remaining winning this would be fine. All three teams are likable and have really done their best ... with no arguing or nastiness. Kudos to all three!

I will be live-blogging and updating this post constantly as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real blog party is in the comments. I hope to see you there!

Lifeguard SueGee has once again updated the blog pool and here's where we stand going into tonight's show:

Greg & John -- Brent McKee, Jackie, Judi Sweeney

Joel & Garrett -- ChicMc, Ethan, Willie J, Jasonuwp

Rob & Corey -- marthalight, PDX Granny, Sharon N

Are you ready? Let's GO! 

Skipping through the Previously On bits!

Rob/Corey get the clue that directs them to fly to Seattle, Washington. The next clue will be at the base of the Space Needle. The three teams are on the same flight.

The teams are RUNNING to their vehicles at the airport. At least with the Space Needle so tall, it's easy to find. They have to walk around the rim of the Space Needle for the next clue. Only one member of a team has to go alone. Rob/Corey are first. Corey is doing the walking! He finds a clue leading him to a man and the glass center. John up next.

Rob/Corey have the next clue - Seattle Scramble - Grunge, roadie. Grab, acrobatic. Glass, blow glass. 

John/Greg are at the glass blowing to earn a piece of the next clue. Rob/Corey arrive at Grab. Corey finishes it. Rob's turn. Oh, not so good! Joel/Garrett are at the glass blowing with John/Greg .... both teams are having problems.

Joel/Garrett finish the glass blowing first! They have taken over first place. Rob finally got his knees on the bar but didn't have enough momentum for the other person to catch him. Wait! Next try he did it!

Joel/Garrett heading to Grunge. John/Greg finish Glass and head to Grunge. Grunge has them working as a roadie for a band. Set up the stage for their band. Corey/Rob are also heading to Grunge.

Now all three teams are at Grunge. Joel/Garrett are so close to being done. They finish and the band Smokey Brights comes out and um ... plays. They have to do Grab, then be done with the Scramble.

Rob/Corey finish Grunge and the Black Tones play. Argh ... my blog pool team John/Greg are way behind on Grunge. Finally got it and they are on their way to Grab.

Rob/Corey are at Glass. Garrett is having problems with the trapeze. Joel finally does the Grab right. Then Garrett! They are in the lead. The clue parts end up being a plane with an address in Kenmore, Washington. Meanwhile, the brothers are doing well on Grab, Corey/Rob not so much in Glass. Ah, Rob/Corey finish Glass!

Joel/Garrett get the final clue first. Roadblocks and Detours on kayaks, teams must put in chronological order. Uh-oh ... Rob/Corey seem lost on the way. All three teams are at the kayaks now. Joel/Garrett are SO close to being done but can't figure out why they are not passing the check.

Greg/John finish first and get the clue to head to the Pit Stop. Joel/Garrett make it through now, too.

Pit Stop order

1. Greg/John - my blog pool pick team WIN THE AMAZING RACE 35!

2. Joel/Garrett

3. Rob/Corey

This has been such a good season. 

The Amazing Race 35: We're Finding Our Pot of Gold - Ep. 11 Blog Party

 

Yikes! Tonight is the penultimate episode of the season! Yeah, a fancy-schmancy way of saying that next week is the season finale.

I will be live-blogging and updating this post constantly as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real blog party is in the comments. I hope to see you there!

Lifeguard SueGee has once again updated the blog pool and here's where we stand going into tonight's show:

Greg & John -- Brent McKee, Jackie, Judi Sweeney

Joel & Garrett -- ChicMc, Ethan, Willie J, Jasonuwp

Rob & Corey -- marthalight, PDX Granny, Sharon N

Steve & Anna Leigh -- David, Donna in FL, Glenn Allen

Are you ready? Let's GO! 

Skipping through the Previously On segment and we see Ashlie and Todd Philiminated once again.

Teams are heading to Dublin, Ireland. They each get a phone and can book the trip through the Expedia app. Once in Ireland, they have to drive and then "take the plunge." All are on the same flight.

Okay, we're in Dublin. Home to U2, teams will take a dip in the chilly Irish Sea. The water is very cold. The cars are manual transmissions. Rob knows how to drive standard but points out it's on the opposite side. Greg mentions the same, claims it's not natural.

Already, Anana Leigh is at Steve about going the wrong way.

Rob/Corey get the clue first after the plunge -- drive to the "Gaiety (sp) Theatre" to get the next clue. The three teams are done with the plunge and Steve/Anna Leigh just got there. Steve is having problems in the cold water.

Greg/John got someone to Google directions. Steve is still having problems on land with Anna Leigh shouting at him. They are following Greg/John.

Roadblock - Who wants to get their steps in? Riverdance! Rob/Corey get to it first. Corey has to do it as he is due a Roadblock. 

Uh-oh - Greg/John seem to be a bit off. Anna Leigh and Steve are no longer following them. Joel/Garrett just got to the Roadblock. Steve has to do the Roadblock. John/Greg finally arrive to the Roadblock.

Corey makes it through the Roadblock Riverdance first! Drive to Croke Park to receive your next clue at the top of the stadium. Now John finished Riverdance. Steve and Joel are having problems with the Riverdance. Steve made through. There! Joel made it through on his next try!

Roadblock - Who got the swing? Ancient game of hurling. Fastest field sport. Corey has to do it as he is still behind on Roadblocks. Greg/John arrive there. Corey finishes. Drive to Toner's Yard. Pub's literary scholars. Memorize and recite quotes from James Joyce.

Anna Leigh and Steve are lost again. Greg/John finish the hurling Roadblock. Now Joel/Garrett finished hurling as Anna Leigh and Steve arrive. Steve did the hurling in one try!

Rob and Corey finish the quotes at the pub and are on their way to the Pit Stop -- Saint Patrick's Cathedral.

Pit Stop Order

1. Rob/Corey - Won a trip for two to Fiji

2. Greg/John

3. Joel/Garrett

4. Steve/Anna Leigh - Philiminated

The Amazing Race 35: Everyone Loves a Comeback Story - Ep. 10 Blog Party

I will be live-blogging and updating this post constantly as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real blog party is in the comments. I hope to see you there!

Lifeguard SueGee has once again updated the blog pool and here's where we stand going into tonight's show:

Ashlie & Todd -- Dr Celine, NanaintheNW, SueGee

Greg & John -- Brent McKee, Jackie, Judi Sweeney

Joel & Garrett -- ChicMc, Ethan, Willie J, Jasonuwp

Rob & Corey -- marthalight, PDX Granny, Sharon N

Steve & Anna Leigh -- David, Donna in FL, Glenn Allen

Are you ready? Let's GO! 

Greg/John get the clue to fly 1000 miles north to Stockholm, Sweden. Once again, it's a bunching point and they will all start out even in Sweden. Heh. Todd looked up the location where they're heading and found out it's skydiving.

Teams are racing for taxis. They are instructed to take a number for a special introduction to Sweden when they get to their destination. Corey/Rob have to use their Express Pass this leg or lose it -- it must be used by the 10th leg.

ACK! Greg/John ran past the numbers! Garrett/Joel got Number One. Then Steve/Anna Leigh get Two. Greg/John 3. Corey/Rob 5?

The teams load into a plane. They will skydive with a partner. Joel first. Then Garrett. Steve, then Anna Leigh. Greg, then John. Todd first and Ashlie is panicking. Rob and Corey last.

Teams have to travel on foot to a boat dock then board a boat to an island in Sweden's Archipelago for their next clue. Garrett and Joel are currently in the lead.

Their clue box on an island has people dancing around a Maypole. Roadblock - Who wants to party? Complete a large flower wreath to attach to a Maypole, once completed, then dance.

Rob/Corey use their Express Pass and are directed to the Royal Dramatic Theater. Teams have to search for a violinist for the next clue.

Anna Leigh finishes her wreath first and they're headed to the next clue. Uh-oh, Rob/Corey can't find the main entrance. Anna Leigh/Steve are in there looking. They get to the violinist first. The clue directs them to travel by subway to the next clue where they will face a Detour.

Anna Leigh/Steve almost got on a bus instead of the subway, but Corey/Rob saved them. Now both teams are looking for the subway. They find it and are traveling together. Greg/John are finishing up the Maypole. Garrett finishes his wreath. Todd/Ashlie are in the last place at this time.

Greg/John get the clue for the subway. Garrett/Joel arrive looking for the violinist.

Detour - Recycling revolution going on! Importing trash from other countries. SORT and separate one family's trash. OR ... Nobel prizes serve three menus by memory three course dinners.

Anna Leigh/Steve and Rob/Corey continue to work together to Sort at the Detour. The signs are all in Swedish, so ....! Greg/John choose to Serve. Heh. Greg studied French for years and the dishes are in French in the kitchen. Todd/Ashlie are running in last place and Ashlie is bummed.

Rob/Corey and Anna Leigh/Steve finish the Detour and head to the next clue. Greg/John finish Serve and are also heading to that clue. Garrett/Joel finish the Sort. Ashlie/Todd just arrive at Sort.

The clue directs them to the Pit Stop. Now the lead three teams are traveling together with Garrett/Joel not far behind. Uh-oh ... teams are lost!

Pit Stop Order

1. Garrett/Joel - Won trip to the Galapagos Islands

2. Greg/John

3. Corey/Rob

4. Anna Leigh/Steve

5. Todd/Ashlie -- Philiminated

 

The Amazing Race 35: In the Belly of the Earth - Ep. 9 Blog Party

 

I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving! 

I will be live-blogging and updating this post constantly as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real blog party is in the comments. I hope to see you there!

Lifeguard SueGee has once again updated the blog pool and here's where we stand going into tonight's show:

Ashlie & Todd -- Dr Celine, NanaintheNW, SueGee

Greg & John -- Brent McKee, Jackie, Judi Sweeney

Joel & Garrett -- ChicMc, Ethan, Willie J, Jasonuwp

Robbin & Chelsea -- Indiana Jane, KelseyNY, MikesGirl

Rob & Corey -- marthalight, PDX Granny, Sharon N

Steve & Anna Leigh -- David, Donna in FL, Glenn Allen

Are you ready? Let's GO!

Teams are remaining in Slovenia. On foot to Congress (?) Square for their next clue.

Roadblock - Wooden kitchenware. Sellers attach to backpack and make a delivery, so do the teams (or one member of the team, that is). 

John finishes first, gets the next clue and heads back to Greg. Drive to a network of caves where legend has it the dragons live. Descend down into a cave to find the next clue. Todd finishes it next and heads back to Ashlie. Then Corey gets it done. Uh-oh. Chelsea didn't load up two pieces on the backpack and has to go back for them. Both Garrett/Joel and Steve/Anna Leigh made it through. Now Robbin and Chelsea are through.

Greg/John make it first to the caves. Then Rob and Corey. The clue has them go further into the cave, find pieces of a dragon, put it together to get the next clue from the dragon keeper. Robbin/Chelsea continue to make errors and drive by the entrance to the caves.

Greg/John finish the dragon and get a clue to drive to the Fonda Fish Farm where they will get the clue to a Detour. Anna Leigh/Steve, then Garrett/Joel finish the dragons.

Detour - Scrape Off has them removing barnacles from two rings. Swap Out, use a kayak to swap out two mussels laden buoy ropes.

Robbin/Chelsea are finally at the caves. Ashlie and Todd are still there. But now they're gone just as the women approach the dragon.

Greg/John have already swapped out one buoy. Rob/Corey got there but started off without a buoy. Uh-oh. They took a buoy but left the mussels! Greg/John get the clue to drive to the next Pit Stop.

Rob/Corey decide to switch Detours as they cannot find the bag of mussels they left behind. Meanwhile, Anna Leigh/Steve finish the Scrape clue. Joel/Garrett are heading to the Pit Stop now, too.

Ashlie and Todd, after getting lost, make a mistake at Scrape and leave the chains behind when they get their kayak. They finish Scrape just as Robbin/Chelsea arrive at the Detour.

Pit Stop Order

1. Greg/John - Also won $5,000 each

2.Joel/Garrett

3. Steve/Anna Leigh

4. Rob/Corey

5. Ashlie/Todd

6. Robbin/Chelsea are Phiminated

The Amazing Race 35: A Planes, Trains and Automobiles Day - Ep. 8 Blog Party

 

I will be live-blogging and updating this post constantly as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real blog party is in the comments. I hope to see you there!

Lifeguard SueGee has once again updated the blog pool and here's where we stand going into tonight's show:

Ashlie & Todd -- Dr Celine, NanaintheNW, SueGee

Greg & John -- Brent McKee, Jackie, Judi Sweeney

Joel & Garrett -- ChicMc, Ethan, Willie J, Jasonuwp

Morgan & Lena -- Bizaro22, Debbie in FL, Krysta

Robbin & Chelsea -- Indiana Jane, KelseyNY, MikesGirl

Rob & Corey -- marthalight, PDX Granny, Sharon N

Steve & Anna Leigh -- David, Donna in FL, Glenn Allen

Are you ready? Let's GO!

Sitting through the Previously On segment. Teams will be leaving Germany and travel to the capital city of Slovenia, a first time TAR visit to the country. Teams will be taking part in an Expedia type journey.

Greg/John, first from the last leg go to pick up flight and train tickets. They get a 4pm flight when most, if not all, will be on a 7:30pm flight. 

Ashlie thinks Slovenia is where Dracula is from. Heh. They want to slow the boys (Greg/John) down. Teams are heading towards the airport, many hoping for standby on earlier flights. Greg/John have two teams with them on the early plane -- Rob/Corey and Ashlie/Todd got standby. The three teams have a train trip planned which should bring them to Slovenia by 1am. Uh-oh ... their transfer is going to be missed!

They go back to the Vienna station they had left. The other teams should be happy to see them. All the teams are now on the same train.

The capital city which I will not try to spell is gorgeous surrounded by mountains. Teams rush to get their cars to drive to the next clue. Garrett/Joel are at the clue box first. Expedia experience -- gliding - Roadblock Who wants a birds-eye view? Find a four-letter clue from the glider. Heh ... Todd cannot do the Roadblock due to height and weight restrictions. Rob went for Corey and Rob.

Four boats on the lake with numbers on them. Rob gets 1991. The question is what year did Slovenia gain its independence. Garrett thought it was old, got it wrong. Rob got it right with 1991. They have to drive to a Planica Nordic Center for the next clue. Ashlie got it right, too. John right also. Robbin, too!

Anna Leigh and Steve got lost and Anna Leigh is acting out. I feel sorry for her father. They finally find the glider planes just as Garrett finally gets a right answer there. Lena/Morgan still there, but now finish.

Ohhh! An Express pass is available at the Nordic Centre, climb 1100 steps to get it Steepest zipline down. Ashlie/Todd go for it and miss their marked entry. Rob/Corey come across the clue for the Express pass and go for it. Todd/Ashlie realize their mistake and try to catch up to Rob/Corey. Todd/Ashlie give up. Greg/John go for it as Rob/Corey are only halfway up. The brothers bail and gave up!

Teams must ski to the top before choosing a Detour. Greg/John first to the clue box. Field Work - collect fluff and store hay or House Work - create a home for a colony of bees. Ashlie is having all kinds of issues staying up on the skis.

Rob/Corey have the Express Pass! Oh, geez ... Anna Leigh and Steve are going for the Express Pass even though it says taken! Todd/Ashlie got done with the hay first. They are on their way to a skyscraper for the next clue -- climbing up a huge spiral staircase. Rob/Corey finish the hay. Then Greg/John.

Anna Leigh and Steve make it to the top and find out the Express Pass was taken. At least they get to take the zipline down. They go for building the bee houses while Garrett and Joel are still there. They finish and leave Anna Leigh and Steve behind. Garrett/Joel have to turn around and retrieve their notebook.

The Pit Stop is the Dragon Bridge. Todd/Ashlie and Greg/John are heading towards the Pit Stop.

Pit Stop Order:

1. Greg/John - Trip for two to a country in Africa

2. Todd/Ashlie 

3. Rob/Corey

4. Garrett/Joel

5. Robbin /Chelsea

6. Anna Leigh and Steve

7. Morgan/Lena -- Philiminated

The Amazing Race 35: Driving Head-On Into Scooters - Ep. 6 Blog Party

 

Tonight we will see what happens with the mandatory blind vote U-Turn. Eep!

I will be live-blogging and updating this post constantly as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real blog party is in the comments. I hope to see you there!

Lifeguard SueGee has once again updated the blog pool and here's where we stand going into tonight's show:

Ashlie & Todd -- Dr Celine, NanaintheNW, SueGee

Greg & John -- Brent McKee, Jackie, Judi Sweeney

Joel & Garrett -- ChicMc, Ethan, Willie J, Jasonuwp

Liam & Yeremi -- Andi, KathyB, monty924, Skyriverblue

Malaina & Andrea -- Cheryl in NC, CherylNY, Debbie

Morgan & Lena -- Bizaro22, Debbie in FL, Krysta

Robbin & Chelsea -- Indiana Jane, KelseyNY, MikesGirl

Rob & Corey -- marthalight, PDX Granny, Sharon N

Steve & Anna Leigh -- David, Donna in FL, Glenn Allen

Are you ready? Let's GO!

Sitting out Previously On ... of course.

The teams seem to be all over the map choosing teams for the mandatory U-Turn. They vote before heading out.

They have to go to a shoe store #32 and get their next clue. Hawa Mahal is where it is. Most Instagrammed building in India. Look into the windows with a telescoping monocular to look into the windows for the next clue. Steve and Anna Leigh get the clue. They have to travel on foot there.

Once there, they get a clue to choose an electric rickshaw driven by women. They have to help get it out of a jammed parking lot first.

They head to the Detour with the rickshaw, the votes are in. One team will have to do both tasks on the Detour. Anna Leigh and Steve see themselves on the U-Turn.

Detour - Bundles or Bricks. Decorative flowers bundle up variety of flowers, pack up in rickshaw, deliver two places, get receipts. Bricks have to pick up bricks, sand and gravel and get delivery receipt.

Greg and John are in 2nd place at the Detour. But, technically first place as Steve and Anna Leigh are U-Turned. Anna Leigh/Steve finish up the Bundles Detour quickly and are headed to the next one. Meanwhile other teams are still arriving at the monocular clue.

Uh-oh. Steve and Anna Leigh didn't hand in their Bundle receipts and have to go back to do it. 

Greg/John finish the Detour first and get their clue. Then Ashlie/Todd. The brothers Yeremi and Liam are lost.

Greg/John travel by rickshaw, pick a bolt of fabric and a clue. Rob/Corey are in 2nd place. Greg/John - Jaipur Mahal by rickshaw to get next clue.

Roadblock - Who likes to play with blocks? Must print nine peacocks with blocks. Greg/John finish first and must race to the Pit Stop.

Anna Leigh and Steve found out some of the teams who U-Turned them as they are at the Roadblock.

Pit Stop Order:

1. Greg/John - Also won trip for two to New Zealand

2. Rob/Corey

3. Joel/Garrett

4. Morgan/Lena

5. Todd/Ashlie

6. Malaina/Andrea

7. Steve/Anna Leigh

8. Robbin/Chelsea

9. Yeremi/Liam -- Last place, Philiminated

The Amazing Race 35: Yessir, the Pink City - Ep. 5 - Blog Party

 

I will be live-blogging and updating this post constantly as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real blog party is in the comments. I hope to see you there!

Lifeguard SueGee has graciously updated the blog pool and here's where we stand going into tonight's show:

Ashlie & Todd -- Dr Celine, NanaintheNW, SueGee

Greg & John -- Brent McKee, Jackie, Judi Sweeney

Joe & Ian -- Cookie Jar, Michelle, Pearl

Joel & Garrett -- ChicMc, Ethan, Willie J, Jasonuwp

Liam & Yeremi -- Andi, KathyB, monty924, Skyriverblue

Malaina & Andrea -- Cheryl in NC, CherylNY, Debbie

Morgan & Lena -- Bizaro22, Debbie in FL, Krysta

Robbin & Chelsea -- Indiana Jane, KelseyNY, MikesGirl

Rob & Corey -- marthalight, PDX Granny, Sharon N

Steve & Anna Leigh -- David, Donna in FL, Glenn Allen

Are you ready? Let's GO!

Skipping through the Previously On segment.

Robbin and Chelsea are the first to get the clue to fly to India. They are going to a city nicknamed the Pink City, Jaipur. All teams are on the same flight.

Once in Jaipur, the teams all race to marked taxis to head to the Amber Palace. Pick up a bundle of sugar cane, carry it up to somewhere to get the next clue. Since they were at a bunching point, anyone can get ahead on this one.

At the palace there is a walking band and elephant in costume, as well as painted. (That would never fly here.) Teams arrive and get their bundles of cane. 

Roadblock - Who is feeling balanced? Pots of water balanced on head following a choreographed routine.

That's my blog pool random pick team in last place! Wah! All the teams are having trouble with this one. Anna Leigh made it through! Greg and John moved up to second place!

Teams will have a Detour decision ahead of them at a place with all kinds of small staircases leading to the water. The stairs look like an Escher etching!

ACK CBS NEW SPECIAL REPORT! Mass shooter in Lewiston Maine. Maybe more than 20 killed.

Greg/John are working with Morgan/Lena to get to the Detour clue.

Detour - Puppet All Dolled Up, make two puppets and make them dance. The Big Picture, wear costumes and imitate art in a mural or large painting. Uh-oh. Corey and Rob are the only ones left at the Roadblock!

Most of the teams seem to be choosing to do the Big Picture. Corey FINALLY made it through the Roadblock! At the puppet station there are camels all dressed up like they did to the elephants. Some of the bulls/cows they passed on their way there looked malnourished. You can tell they are no longer in Kansas!

Anna Leigh and Steve get through Puppet Theater first, taking their rickshaw to the next Pit Stop. Greg/John get through the Big Picture and are on their way. Uh-oh, the sisters change tasks after being at Big Picture for two hours.

Pit Stop Order:

1. Anna Leigh/Steve - Won $3,000 each

Phil warns them that there is a Mandatory U-Turn vote ahead.

2. Greg/John

3. Joel/Garrett

4. Andrea/Malaina

5. Todd/Ashlie

6. Corey/Rob

7. Robbin/Chelsea

8. Liam/Yeremi

9. Lena/Morgan

10. Joe/Ian -- Philiminated 

Out of the blog pool -- Cookie Jar, Michelle, Pearl

The Amazing Race 35: The Day Keeps Rockin' Here in Vietnam - Ep. 4 - Blog Party

 

I will be live-blogging and updating this post constantly as the show airs here on the East Coast. I do ask for your patience as I am still getting used to the teams. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real blog party is in the comments. I hope to see you there!

You can check out photos and names of the teams on this post I made a while back.

Since the teams are on a continuation of the Vietnam leg, SueGee had a week off from updating this blog pool!

Ashlie & Todd -- Dr Celine, NanaintheNW, SueGee

Greg & John -- Brent McKee, Jackie, Judi Sweeney

Jocelyn & Victor -- Cherry Pie, chrob61, Nora M

Joe & Ian -- Cookie Jar, Michelle, Pearl

Joel & Garrett -- ChicMc, Ethan, Willie J, Jasonuwp

Liam & Yeremi -- Andi, KathyB, monty924, Skyriverblue

Malaina & Andrea -- Cheryl in NC, CherylNY, Debbie

Morgan & Lena -- Bizaro22, Debbie in FL, Krysta

Robbin & Chelsea -- Indiana Jane, KelseyNY, MikesGirl

Rob & Corey -- marthalight, PDX Granny, Sharon N

Steve & Anna Leigh -- David, Donna in FL, Glenn Allen

Are you ready? Let's GO!

After the Previously On, they travel by cab where a barista serves coffee and the next clue.

That clue is a Detour. Stand or Deliver. Inland fishery properly display seafood, their stall must match the vendors. Deliver has them delivering four mattresses (66 pounds each) and deliver to a motel.

Stand detour

Steve and Anna Leigh are rushing through the Stand, other teams are having problems with the weight of the mattresses as well as directions. Teams are working together now at mattresses and over at Stand, Anna Leigh is freaking out about live eels.

Anna Leigh and Steve make it through the Detour first. The clue directs them to a pagoda to make a wish. Joel/Garrett finish the mattresses.

Anna Leigh/Steve at the pagoda for the wish card. They wish they are number one for the day. The clue they get tells them to travel by taxi for the next clue. Aw, Garrett/Joel find notes from home as they are at the wish card.

Rob/Corey and Ashlie/Todd finish the Delivery.

Roadblock - Who wants to play matchmaker? They are at a temple. Thousands of red tiles on the stairs, only 11 of one kind. Must find one of them going around with a picture.

Morgan/Elena and Chelsea/Robbin finish the fish.

Phil and the mat are waiting in the temple with the Roadblock. More teams are arriving for the Roadblock. It turns out their clue photos differ. Anna Leigh has an issue with Chelsea as she won't work with her. 

Pit Stop Order:

1. Chelsea/Robbin - win trip for two to Madrid, Spain.

2. Steve/Anna Leigh

3. Todd/Ashlie

4. Joe/Ian

5. Rob/Corey

6. Liam/Yeremi

7. Malaina/Andrea

8. Greg/John

9. Joel/Garrett

10. Morgan/Lena

11. Jocelyn/Victor - Philiminated. Aw, I liked them. 

The Amazing Race 35: No Sleep and a Million Dollar Dream - Ep. 3 - Blog Party

 

I will be live-blogging and updating this post constantly as the show airs here on the East Coast. I do ask for your patience as I am still getting used to the teams. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real blog party is in the comments. I hope to see you there!

That wonderful Lifeguard SueGee has updated the blog pool. You can check out photos and names of the teams on this post I made a while back.

Ashlie & Todd -- Dr Celine, NanaintheNW, SueGee

Greg & John -- Brent McKee, Jackie, Judi Sweeney

Jocelyn & Victor -- Cherry Pie, chrob61, Nora M

Joe & Ian -- Cookie Jar, Michelle, Pearl

Joel & Garrett -- ChicMc, Ethan, Willie J, Jasonuwp

Liam & Yeremi -- Andi, KathyB, monty924, Skyriverblue

Malaina & Andrea -- Cheryl in NC, CherylNY, Debbie

Morgan & Lena -- Bizaro22, Debbie in FL, Krysta

Robbin & Chelsea -- Indiana Jane, KelseyNY, MikesGirl

Rob & Corey -- marthalight, PDX Granny, Sharon N

Steve & Anna Leigh -- David, Donna in FL, Glenn Allen

Are you ready? Let's GO!

Sitting through the Previously On segment.

They are flying to Vietnam. Take a long bus ride to Can Tho (a city). The first two teams -- Jocelyn/Victor and Rob/Corey -- end up with the same flight. Morgan and Lena only have to leg four to use the express pass. So they will probably use it today. Morgan/Lena and Greg/John are also on that first flight.

Whoa ... six hours difference with the next flight! Joe and Ian ended up with an earlier flight than the others on a second flight! Same with Joel/Garrett. Ohh ... trouble at the airport as some of the later teams have an early flight. Uh-oh ... the first flight is now 3PM instead of 1:45.

The first flight has arrived in Vietnam. They need to take taxis to the bus station. Interesting -- it's a sleeper bus and they have to take their shoes off upon entering. Teams arrive in Can Tho at night. They take time slots for the next segment of their trip. The dock doesn't open until 5:45AM.

It's a bunching point as teams arrive. But in the morning the teams are going out 15 minutes apart.

The 5:45 group is heading towards the Mekong Delta to a floating market. Dragonfruits, tangerines and golden melons must be delivered. Second group heading out. And the third. As they finish each delivery, they get a third of a clue.

Morgan and Lena decide to use their Express Pass.

Joel/Garrett through with the fruit delivery first and have all three parts of the clue. Then Steve/Anna Leigh. Joe and Ian forgot to take their clue.

Joel/Garrett - Detour - Paper or Plastic. Making rice paper 12 sheets. Or, customizing the wrapping on one body part of a moped. Lena/Morgan get there and choose Plastic.

Uh-oh, Greg/John are going around in circles with their boat deliveries.

More teams are hitting the Detour. Paper seems the more popular. As soo as I say that, two teams pick Plastic. Uh-oh, only five ovens available at the Paper. The Plastic does seem to be harder.

Steve/Anna Leigh finish the Detour first and are on their way to the Pit Stop.

Pit Stop Order: 

1. Steve/Anna Leigh - still racing, leg not over.

2. Joel/Garrett ... still racing, of course.

3. Rob/Corey - they get the clue

4. Todd/Ashlie

5. Robbin/Chelsea

6. Morgan/Lena

7. Joe/Ian

8. Greg/John

9. Andrea/Malaina

10. Jocelyn/Victor

11. Liam/Yeremi

All teams still racing. 

The Amazing Race 35: You Don't See That at Home, Ep. 2 Blog Party - Oct. 4

 

Hi, there! Although there will be no non-Philimination legs in the race this season, we're still in Thailand. Well, they are in Thailand. Chances are we are at home in our comfy chairs and not in Thailand.

I will be live-blogging and updating this post constantly as the show airs here on the East Coast. I do ask for your patience as I am still getting used to the teams. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real blog party is in the comments. I hope to see you there!

That wonderful Lifeguard SueGee has made the random picks for the blog pool. You can check out photos and names of the teams on this post I made a while back.

Ashlie & Todd -- Dr Celine, NanaintheNW, SueGee

Elizabeth & Iliana -- Donna in AL, DonnaNY, Nickelpeed

Greg & John -- Brent McKee, Jackie, Judi Sweeney

Jocelyn & Victor -- Cherry Pie, chrob61, Nora M

Joe & Ian -- Cookie Jar, Michelle, Pearl

Joel & Garrett -- ChicMc, Ethan, Willie J, Jasonuwp

Liam & Yeremi -- Andi, KathyB, monty924, Skyriverblue

Malaina & Andrea -- Cheryl in NC, CherylNY, Debbie

Morgan & Lena -- Bizaro22, Debbie in FL, Krysta

Robbin & Chelsea -- Indiana Jane, KelseyNY, MikesGirl

Rob & Corey -- marthalight, PDX Granny, Sharon N

Steve & Anna Leigh -- David, Donna in FL, Glenn Allen

Are you ready? Let's GO!

As usual, I'm sitting through the Previously On segment.

They have to travel by taxi to Nakhon Paton (sp) in the nearby countryside and find their next clue at a temple.

Jocelyn and Victor arrive first at the clue box. Roadblock. The lotus flower, grown in ponds. Who has a green thumb? Ten bulbs, leaves and wrapped together. Jocelyn does it. Rob does it for Corey and Rob. Jocelyn is familiar with the Buddhist flower bundling. Greg and John got a bit lost but are back on track.

The task is harder than it seems on the surface -- very precise. Jocelyn finally makes it through. Rob finishes! John (or was it Greg) finished and they are on their way.

Travel by taxi to an elephant statue, coin in slot, cross under it three times to the next clue.

Yeremi and Liam make the same wrong destination as Greg/John did.

Jocelyn/Victor - Detour- Stock up or Scoop up. 1st pick up ingredients, deliver to restaurant. Pomelo fruits load up on boat and fill five buckets of them. The ingredient list is phonetic but Victor plans to say it with a Thai accent. He actually recognizes the items on the list.

Steve finally made it through the Roadblock. Then finally ... Ashlie!

Jocelyn and Victor deliver the ingredients. Uh-oh ... missing an item! They are delivering again. They get the clue for the Pit Stop. Suan Sampran. Rob and Corey head to the Pit Stop.

Pit Stop order:

1. Jocelyn/Victor - Won $2,000 each

2. Rob/Corey

Many teams are still stuck on the lotus flower arrangements. Garrett and Joel have to turn around because they left the fanny pack back at the clue.

3. Greg/John

4. Lena/Morgan

5. Todd/Ashlie

6. Steve/Anna Leigh

7. Joe/Ian

8. Yeremi/Liam

9. Joel/Garrett

10. Andrea/Malaina

11. Robbin/Chelsea

12. Elizabeth/Iliana -- Philiminated

The Amazing Race 35: Blog Pool Match-Ups!

 

Lifeguard SueGee has been putting in the overtime this week! Here are the blog pool random match-ups!

Ashlie & Todd -- Dr Celine, NanaintheNW, SueGee

Elizabeth & Iliana -- Donna in AL, DonnaNY, Nickelpeed

Greg & John -- Brent McKee, Jackie,

Jocelyn & Victor -- Cherry Pie, chrob61, Nora M

Joe & Ian -- Cookie Jar, Michelle, Pearl

Joel & Garrett -- ChicMc, Ethan, Willie J

Liam & Yeremi -- Andi, KathyB, monty924

Malaina & Andrea -- Cheryl in NC, CherylNY, Debbie

Morgan & Lena -- Bizaro22, Debbie in FL, Krysta

Robbin & Chelsea -- Indiana Jane, KelseyNY, MikesGirl

Rob & Corey -- marthalight, PDX Granny, Sharon N

Steve & Anna Leigh -- David, Donna in FL, Glen Allen

The Amazing Race 35: Season Premiere Blog Party!

 

Don't forget to sign up for the blog pool!

The link to the blog pool sign up is right here. Please sign up ONLY on that post, not this one! The cut-off is Friday but do it now! There are supposed to be no non-Philimination legs this season, so one team should be out tonight. That team will not be in the blog pool. However, there will be no reassignments with the boot next week!

For a cheat sheet with photos and names of the teams, check out this post of mine! Oh ... and deaf people are making a mark on reality TV this year. Rob, the father on the father/son team of Rob/Corey, is deaf. TAR has not had a deaf contestant since Season 14.

I will be live blogging the action the best I can as the show airs here on the East Coast. I say the best I can because it's hard to keep track with new teams AND we even have two more teams than usual this season! They will no longer have the Covid-era private jet and will have to scramble at airports again. Woohoo! As usual, the real party is in the comments area -- I hope to see you there!

The teams start off at the Hollywood sign (its 100th birthday). Like with Survivor, we're getting sound bites from the different teams. Phil welcomes them to Hollywood. Each team introduces themselves. He tells them no non-elims. Express Pass will allow them to skip a challenge. U-Turns are a mandatory vote to slow down another team. Airports are back in play. Clues are inside the cars down the hill. They have to get to the Biltmore Hotel.

We're getting bits and pieces of each team.

Joe and Ian are the first to the Biltmore Hotel. Roadblock, on a tightrope high above the city, unscramble the clue to the next destination, Derek and Claire will give them the clue, two flights, six teams on the first one, 90 minutes apart.

Joe first at the clue. Other teams are arriving to the tightrope. Greg sees of and gets it. He thinks City of ... Angels and gets the clue. They have to go the LAX and fly to Bangkok, Thailand. Heh, in a hearing group all working together on the clue, Rob gets it alone.

The teams are arriving at LAX. It turns out Greg of brothers Greg and John has been learning sign language. He can communicate with Rob. So, a bond is forming with those teams. Six teams have lined up for tickets and more are arriving. Uh-oh, the second flight is getting tickets.

14-hour flight connecting through Taipei before getting to Bangkok, first clue is at the giant Buddha. Taxis. Victor, husband of Jocelyn, speaks Laotian which is similar to Thai and can communicate with the driver.

Morgan/Lena (sisters) first to clue, have to travel by boat and tuk-tuk. Express Pass chance. Clear a plate of exotic fried insects ... EACH. Ew. They are having issues with it. (But doing better than I would do!) Another team decided not to try when they saw the bugs. Rob and Corey head there. Lena has ONE bug more! And we go to commercial. They finish. Morgan/Lena have the Express Pass.

Some teams are still thinking of trying the Ezpress Pass. Others are boarding the marked river boat. Meanwhile, the second plane with seven teams is arriving. 

The first teams are getting into the tuk-tuks. Jocelyn/Victor Detour clue first. Sword Play, 30 seconds of a routine. Spa Day, painful (?) massage. Only five pairs of therapists. If you stop, you must go to end of line. Malaina and Andrea are the only ones going for Sword Play so far. Eep, Todd and Ashlie had to start over on the massage because he inadvertently stopped the masseuse.

Malaina and Andrea are having trouble with the Sword Play as they practiced with wooden sticks, not real swords. They give up and go to the massage.

Jocelyn/Victor through the massage first followed by Corey/Rob. It's a race to the Pit Stop for them at a Temple.

Pit Stop Order:

1. Jocelyn/Victor, trip to Patagonia won.

2. Corey/Rob

3. Greg/John

4. Morgan/Lena

5. Todd/Ashlie

6. Steve/Anna Leigh

7. Joel/Garrett

8. Liam/Yeremi

9. Joe/Ian

10. Malaina/Andrea?

11. Robbin/Chelsea? (10 and 11 may be reversed)

12. Elizabeth/Iliana

13. Alexandra/Sheridan - Philiminated

The Amazing Race 35: Blog Pool OPENS!

 

Come one, come all! The Amazing Race 35 Blog Pool is now OPEN! The season premiere is Wednesday at 9:30PM ET/PT, following the season premiere of Survivor 45.

Okay, here's how the blog pool works:

*Names are matched up randomly with the teams.

*You get to cheer on your chosen team until they're Philiminated or win it all.

*If your chosen team is creepy, fights, fusses or cries a lot, we won't hold that against you personally.

*Not much, anyway.

*Heehee

*There is no wagering of monies.

*The winner(s) of the blog pool retain bragging rights until the premiere of the next season while we all bow to them and lament on what could have been.

How do I get involved? 

Sign up right here on this post! If you're posting anonymously, you need a sign off name on your comments. We don't care if you're a boy named Sue, we have to know something other than anonymous. The cut-off for entering is Friday, September 29, 5PM EDT, or 8PM PDT. 

REMEMBER - YOU NEED TO SIGN UP ON THIS VERY POST YOU'RE READING! If you sign up on another post or Twitter or the Facebook page, your request might be missed. The Stupendous SueGee (affectionately known as SqueeGee at times) will be the lifeguard here this season. Please don't test her patience by running with scissors around the pool!

Just a reminder this season there are 13 teams, not the usual 11. For a refresher on the teams, please revisit my cast post.

The Amazing Race 34: 'The Only Leg That Matters' Season Finale Blog Party - Dec. 7

 

The final three teams ...

I will be live blogging the major events as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest news. As always, the real party is in the comments area -- I hope to see you there!

Tonight is the season finale. With no non-Philimination legs, it seems like a short season even though there were two mega-legs. Also, with the Covid era private plane, all teams were always so close to each other. It all was a bit odd. No U-Turns, either. Although an online friend at the time, Jym Buss, created the U-Turn, I've grown weary of it over the years. I liked all the teams this season. Well, I only vaguely recall the first team out and I didn't care much for one person on a team, but really liked the others. When it got down to about the last eight teams, I was onboard for any of them for the win.

Due to my own bias, my favorite team is Derek/Claire.

The Wonderful Lifeguard SueGee has updated the blog pool listing. Here's where we stand:

Derek & Claire -- Beachbound Gmom, ChicMc, Donna NY

Emily & Molly -- Joanne Victoria, Judi Sweeney, Sharon N

Luis & Michelle -- Andi, Mikes Girl, RJMnS

PHILIMINATED

Aastha & Nina

Tim & Rex

Rich & Dom

Linton & Sharik

Abby & Will (Covid)

Glenda & Lumumba

Quinton & Mattie

Marcus & Michael

Aubrey & David

Race fans ready? Let's GO! 

We start with a recap. Teams are heading to Nashville. They will start the leg in Lynchburg. They have to bottle whiskey 30 Jack Daniels bottles ready for shipment. Molly and Emily finish first! They are driving to the next clue. Derek and Claire done. Five minutes behind, Luis and Michelle finish.

All three teams are in a row heading to the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge in Nashville.

Derek/Claire make it to the clue box first.

Roadblock -- Climb and Rappel to get a clue guitar pick. Derek through first. Emily doing well, Michelle having problems with it.

Derek/Claire heading to Gibson Garage. Emily coming down next. Michelle finally makes it down.

Derek/Claire to the next clue first. Gibson Guitar Delivery. Deliver one electric, two acoustic guitars to honkytonks in town. Luis/Michelle there next because the twins are lost again.

All three teams are delivering guitars now. Derek/Claire get their clues to go to the Municipal Auditorium first. An orchestra is playing the theme song. Teams have to bring the theme to life on giant piano keys (like in the movie BIG) to get the next clue to the Pit Stop. Luis/Michelle arrive, then Molly/Emily.

The 11 second timer on the piano keys is getting all the teams.

DEREK AND CLAIRE DID THE PIANO FIRST! They are on their way to the Pit Stop.

The twins get it next!

DEREK AND CLAIRE WIN THE AMAZING RACE!

Emily and Molly get second place. They are both in happy tears.

Luis and Michelle third.