"Dude, Where's My Car?" - April 22, 2022

[oldjudge]

Were there any BoSox scouts at the practice? They need bodies (LOL, almost as much as my Yankees).

[Joe]

I've got the thing that obviously leads to the other thing. The thing is, that other thing? It isn't there.

[BrennerTJ]

Ashore 🏖

[Toby]

Got it with a hint and a little bit of research that most won't need. I did lose my car once on a visit to Disney World when my two boys were small. It was a rental and I couldn't remember the name of the parking lot or the color of the car. As I wandered around helplessly with the kids (who remembered the car color at least) a helpful Disney employee in a cart showed up, saying cheerfully "Lost your car, folks?" He drove us around until we found it in a completely different lot. In retrospect, some similarities to the process of solving metas.

[Bill Bovard]

Dude, where's my car?
At least the title made me laugh out loud.
My first thought... MAINE?

Anyway barely on page two late on Thursday night so this must be a tough one. (I haven't started)

[meowmiao71]

Uhhhhh...oh boy. Only page two??? I don't foresee solving this one any time soon. I think I'll sleep on it.

[Gman]

Ashore. Very clever.

[benchen71]

Made it to the beach with a nudge that helped me to look at what I had already discovered. Whew! Now I can go to sleep without my subconscious bothering me all night!

[shalmanezer]

Pagina numero dos. Otra vez. Y dia numero dos?!

[Elizabeyth]

Butt quite firmly planted at the bar. Not seeing this one at all, yet.

[ChrisKochmanski]

A lifelong Michigander, born in Detroit, and I needed a nudge on this one?

Shameful!

Ashore — but, given the nudge, I won’t submit for the mug.

Fun puzzle!

[EVJ]

Only 26 solves so far by my count; and some of those with nudges. Looks to be a difficult meta this weekend so I’ll just declare my status right now:
At sea!

[hunkra]

Got it with a hint and a little bit of research that most won't need. I did lose my car once on a visit to Disney World when my two boys were small. It was a rental and I couldn't remember the name of the parking lot or the color of the car. As I wandered around helplessly with the kids (who remembered the car color at least) a helpful Disney employee in a cart showed up, saying cheerfully "Lost your car, folks?" He drove us around until we found it in a completely different lot. In retrospect, some similarities to the process of solving metas.

The exact same thing happened to me and my sister-in-law at Disney years ago! You greatly underestimate how much a day in the hot sun with small children, on your feet all day effects your brain's ability to recall the simplest thought. No such luck for us with an employee. I recall making my sister-in-law sit quietly with her eyes closed until she could envision where she had left it (not unlike Sherlock's mind palace) while sweaty kids huddled around us with tear-streaked faces.

[GTIJohnny]

Same title as 9/10/21, but more difficult. Still at sea despite being a car enthusiast.

[hunkra]

Working on some rabbit holes -- count me on the ship. Maybe Ashton and his pal will help me find the right path!

[ship4u]

Our weekly Friday zoom will again be at 4:30 Eastern Time today. All are welcome!

[Joepickett]

I saw some obvious info in the grid and some not as obvious but I'm still on the ship. Most likely that is where I will remain.

[femullen]

I sit with Isaac, and we watch
As shoreward clever solvers stroll.
My spirits fall another notch:
Don't even see a rabbit hole.

As the theme unfolded, I was sure I knew the mechanism. Dove down that rabbit hole head-first...and got a bloody nose.

Color me aboard, Cruise Director Bob.

[ray]

I think I've seen what others have, but I'm just not connecting the dots. At first glance I thought there would be a simpler connection.

[ship4u]

This one appears to be driving down a road less traveled for a solution.