The Amazing Race Episode 8 “Where Eagles soar over mountain splendor”

The Amazing Race Episode 8 “Where Eagles soar over mountain splendor”

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The Amazing Race Episode 8 “Where Eagles soar over mountain splendor” 11/23/05

By Marcus

We are down to four family teams and the sweet dreams of a million dollars are within the grasp of reality. Leaving the cold deep blue waters of Lake Powell, the teams drove into Monument Valley. This is parched desert land where the red Navajo sandstone mountains seem to have movement and life of their own. Film director John Ford made this incredibly beautiful portion of the west famous. And it was so very appropriate that the teams took helicopters from John Ford Point to the flat top of Elephant Butte.

Yet within the peacefulness of the mountains, conspiracies are percolating. It seems that the Weavers are the odd team out and the others have decided to hamper their every move.

From the Butte, the teams drove to Moab, Utah. Moab is the gateway to Arches National Park. And Arches is my favorite western sojourn with Delicate Arch being the granddaddy of all arches. Standing like a lone sentry, Delicate is a singular destination in itself. If there is one park that you must explore and experience, Arches cannot be missed.

Okay, back to the race. The teams found a detour at Gemini Bridges—either rappel down a two-stage 270 foot drop, or bike 6 miles across the dessert. Only the Weavers did the pedaling while the others did the drop. Papa Wally Bransen overcame his fear of the descent while the Weavers exhaustingly finished the grueling bike ride. From that point forward, they continued to make poor decisions.

Eventually, all the teams spent the night at Green River State Park with only 45 minutes separating them. Under an illuminated half moon, the Godlewski sisters four, along with the Linz siblings and the Bransen family seemed to be enjoying themselves, as the Weavers secluded themselves in their travel trailer.

The next morning, all four teams found Bart the Bear in Heber City. Bart the Bear starred in many westerns dating back to the 1980 film “Windwalker.” He died in 2000 at age 23 and perhaps this current Bart is his namesake or an off spring? Personally, I think Bart should be roaming the mountains instead of entertaining humans.

Then it was off to Park City Olympic Park. For some foolish reason, the Weaver family decided to take a scenic route. In Utah, scenic routes are seasoned with great vistas, staggeringly rugged mountains, fast flowing rivers and thick forests, but speedways they are not. Every team beat them to the Park and the first to arrive Linz family decided to make them yield. With the full support of the sisters four and the Bransen family, they all rejoiced in this significant Weaver set-back.

The pit stop for this episode was on the top viewing deck of the Salt Lake Library. The Linz siblings earned a well deserved first place finish with a surprise prize trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the gateway to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. The Bransen family was second with the Godlewski sisters third.

Eventually the Weavers arrived with full expectation of elimination. In fact, they had resigned themselves to being purged from the race. Even after Phil told them this was not elimination round, they showed no visible relief. It was if they had already accepted defeat and could not accept what he told them. Phil then stepped up with a little pep talk that they were still in the race, that they were a strong family and that they needed to re-evaluate their desire to win. Later, after thinking about his suggestions, the Weaver family appeared to have regrouped for further competition.

But this is competition. The stakes are high. The end is near. And a team that cannot psychologically prepare itself for victory is defeat waiting to happen.