Here's my disclaimer- this diary really has nothing to do with politics. Over it? Moving on...
For those not familiar with the Herald Hunt, check out last year's Hunt diary.It's a giant multi-part puzzle created by Dave Barry and Tom Shroder for the express purpose of driving everyone who takes part in it completely MAD.
Sounds like fun? Follow me over the fold, then, for a quick overview of the insanity & details on this year's Hunt Madness...
Here's the promised overview: First, you solve five ridiculously easy opening questions, which will give you five letters. At the start of the game at noon, Dave Barry will give out five numbers, which when put together with the five letters will give you map coordinates.
Second, you use the map they give you to locate the puzzle sites. Then solve the puzzles. This step is a lot harder. The only hint you get is that each puzzle's solution is a number. Each solution corresponds to a specific clue on a clue list they give out.
Last, at 3pm Dave Barry gives out a final clue, which when combined with the five clues figured out previously, should theoretically give you a set of instructions on what you need to do to win the Hunt. In practice, it usually just makes you want to rend Dave Barry and Tom Shroder limb from limb.
Ready to start? Great! First, let's take a look at the puzzle section of the Miami Herald. Here are the opening questions:
Pretty easy, hmm? Don't get too cocky, they're supposed to be easy. Here are some other suspicious looking inserts, the first of which was found on page three (hint hint):
And of course, the map. Peruse it well! It's always full of clues you'll need during the Hunt:
Now, at noon, let's head out to the main stage to join up with our team, meet Dave Barry, and get our opening coordinates. Here's my team below; Liz, Claudia, Julie, Allan, John, Della, and Terry:
So, the opening questions and Dave's numbers gave us coordinates G-4, J-1, D-5, H-0, and C-6. And look! One of those sets is right here on the main stage. Let's have a look-n-listen at this Herald Hunt Choir:
Aww. Wasn't that festive? On to the next puzzle, just around the corner at coordinates H-0, where a group of Herald staffers were handing out some blue rubber bracelets, next to a sign that read "PUT IT ON YOUR WRIST":
"P.3"? What could that mean? :) Moving on to coordinates J-1, where more Herald staffers are handing out Sudoku sheets:
Haven't we seen those questions marks someplace else? Of course, on the map! Let's quickly run to those coordinates and see what's there. First, on the top left question mark, there's a speaker playing a recording:
For some reason, this particular video is having some trouble embedding, so here's the direct link: http://www.youtube.com/...
Across the street there's a sign posted at the bottom left question mark:
And down the block there's another sign posted at the bottom right question mark:
And across the street from that sign, at the top right question mark:
So, how good are you at Sudoku? :) Well, we're right around the corner from coordinates C-6, where an extremely abridged version of Romeo & Juliet is playing out in front of the Arsht Center:
Bravo! Give them a round of applesauce, then head across the street into the Performing Arts center to watch the play they're putting on at coordinates D-5:
So that's all five of the initial puzzles! Have you figured them all out? Remember, the correct answer to every puzzle is a number. If you have, then head over to the Main Stage to get the final clue and solve the Hunt.