Next Stop: New England!

September 11, 2018 Brian Gondek 0

Only a few more trips to go this year, but I need to be careful because a spike in flight prices can be quite costly.  Currently at 41 states, I’m far past the point of no return, so if the only way to get to one of the last states is a $1000 flight…  I might have to do it.  Or drive 20 hours to avoid flying.  Either way, not ideal.

Puzzle #13: Hawaiian Delight

September 6, 2018 Brian Gondek 1

When passing through Honolulu Airport, I spotted a Japanese zen garden below the path to my gate.  This combination of cultures inspired me to put together a puzzle based on something I saw there.

Las Cruces, NM: Lost Cruces – The Heist

September 2, 2018 Brian Gondek 0

August 25, 2018 (flashback) – After the misadventures on my journey from Phoenix to Tucson, I grabbed brunch with my friend Adil and scheduled our escape room at Lost Cruces, an escape room in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  We narrowly avoided a disaster by realizing just in time that New Mexico is an hour ahead of Arizona, and we adjusted our booking time accordingly.  After a pit stop at a gas station called “The Thing?” (I’m still not sure what The Thing is.  It could be an alien, it could be a mummy), we were on our four hour trek […]

Aug 31 – Sep 3: Hawaii Excursion

September 2, 2018 Brian Gondek 0

Aloha!  As I write this, I’m on a balcony on the 16th floor of the Queen Kapiolani hotel in Waikiki.  It wasn’t the original plan for my trip, but things have a way of working out.

Puzzle #12: Back to the Numbers

August 30, 2018 Brian Gondek 0

Given the announcement of Aaron Rodgers’ megabucks deal today, I’m going back to a numeric puzzle to honor #12.  Perhaps in more ways than one…  You may need to do some minor research to solve this one, but it doesn’t necessarily need the internet.

Aug 25-26: Nonstop Driving in the Southwest

August 26, 2018 Brian Gondek 2

Another weekend, another whirlwind trip.  This one started by heading from home to O’Hare Airport, Chicago, at 3:30 AM Saturday morning.  Tonight, technically early tomorrow, I catch the 12:30 AM flight from Phoenix and arrive home at 6:30 AM Monday, just in time to get to work.  In between, I’m visiting Tucson, AZ and Las Cruces, NM.  Busy weekend, but well worth it!

Puzzle #11: A Real Life Saver

August 23, 2018 Brian Gondek 0

Today’s puzzle is inspired by all the Laffy Taffy jokes I’ve read over the years.  Perhaps more a joke than a riddle, I’m hoping this will inspire at least a few seconds of thought.  Good luck!

Fords, NJ: Escape Room Woodbridge – Museum Heist

August 19, 2018 Brian Gondek 0

July 28, 2018 – Immediately after getting back to New York City from Connecticut, I set my sights on New Jersey.  I headed immediately for Penn Station, only having a minute or two to stop and try New York style pizza (which I admit I prefer over Chicago style, sue me).  One of the trains was canceled, so the station was in chaos and I had to fight my way onto the train for the privilege of standing on a crammed train car.  With the little space I had, I slipped my phone out of my pocket and booked a […]

Puzzle #10: Gotta Have It

August 17, 2018 Brian Gondek 4

Finally, this week’s puzzle is ready.  Yesterday was a crazy day, and I apologize for missing the normal schedule.  But it’s ready now, so dig in!