Okay, so I missed a week of the race update, but I will fill you in on it. Alex and Lynn were eliminated - no big whoop, Meredith and Gretchen officially became the oldest couple to get this far. Joyce and Uchenna came in first this leg because they took the fast forward and Joyce had to get her head shaved. She was really good about the whole thing, Uchenna tried to be supportive and apologetic at the same time and it was sweet, but he would have been better had he just not said anything. She was coming to terms with it all by herself. Actually, she looked cute with it shaved. Rob/Amber and Ron/Kelly tied for second place, Meredith/Gretchen came in fourth. Guess that's what happens when you talk nice to a camel. Seems to me they had a "bad elephant" too.

This week. non elimination, but I already figured that out cause the finale always starts with 4 teams. Quotes of the week - "What's a gnome?" (Rob) "Step it up old man" (Gretchen) and the whole wretched conversation between Kelly and Ron in the back of the taxi where she tells him that he managed to get out of the commitment of being in the army by "becoming a POW". That actually warranted the phone ringing and Rachel asking if she had heard this right and if I had heard it. We never knew that you could volunteer for the position - Americans think of everything. And to think, all those draft dodgers could have just became POWs and gotten out of duty that way... I wonder how long the waiting list is....
My favourite part was the overall theme of Rob/Amber thinking they were so far ahead when really Joyce/Uchenna and Meredith/Gretchen were 2 hours ahead of them. Especially considering the fact that it was Rob who was the catalyst by asking Gretchen at the airport if they got on the earlier flight. None of them would probably have thought to check to see if there was a faster way to get there had Rob not planted that little seed. That part was great, and watching Rob/Amber trying to ditch Ron/Kelly with Ron/Kelly being so stupid/gullible/trusting and not realizing that they are getting left behind on purpose.
So anyway, it seems that you have to carry the little garden gnome all the way to Phil and if there is a plane on the bottom of it, you win a prize. Joyce/Uchenna were first - still no prize for them - second time in a row, third time to the finish line first and still no prize for them. Rob/Amber seem to win something every time they finish first. Hardly seems fair. No airplane on their gnome.
Meredith/Gretchen arrived second - no airplane for them either, but I think they're happy enough to still be in the race. If God looks kindly on good Samaritans, and has any influence on the outcome, Joyce and Uchenna should win this race. They have helped this couple right from the start and I'm sure, after last night are instrumental in the fact that they are still here. Marco deems Gretchen the "comic relief" for the show, more so after watching her scale the wall last night and only wants to know how many steps up the rope ladder she was when she determined that she was done in.
Rob/Amber were third and guess what? NO airplane on their gnome. He attributes the fact that they weren't first to the fact that they missed (didn't know about) the earlier flight and that won't happen again. Well, in his defense (and you won't hear me say that very often) at least he didn't blame anyone for this as Jonathon would have last race. (Speaking of which, did you know that Victoria is a Playboy bunny and has been for numerous issues? She's also an artist and the only one who is allowed to use the Playboy trademark bunny in her photos. I'm only surprised that the Race didn't exploit that aspect of her career)
And that leaves Ron/Kelly to bring up the rear. They have decided that although they now aren't sure about a future together, they are still a team and want to win. After the POW comment, I'm surprised that he's still talking to you sweetie... And for this, yes, the airplane. They got 20 thousand dollars worth of travel from travelocity. I wonder if they have to travel together or if they can split it?
Next week, it appears that they have to drive double decker busses. The good thing about the road block rule (that one person can only do so many) is that if you don't plan it right, you may leave your weakest team member to do a tough challenge. Looks like frustration is setting in on the detour... They didn't mention it was the season finale though so I guess I'll just have to wait to see. I'm still rooting for Joyce/Uchenna.

Later kids.....