Find out what happens when 7 Tweeple take on a downtown Raleigh scavenger hunt

In hindsight, I see how naive I was. I truly thought our 7-member team had a chance to win the Raleigh Typhoon 2 scavenger hunt. To win, we had to decipher clues that lead us to more than 25 businesses in downtown Raleigh and complete a series of laughable tasks to earn puzzle pieces. Those puzzle pieces were the key to success, because they revealed additional clues that led to mega-bonus points.

Our team, “Tie-phoon Tweeple”, featured several Raleigh residents who use Twitter: @dtraleigh, @dimambro, @nematome, @kitch and two non-Tweeple.

I approached the adventure with an “in it to win it” attitude. As the only chick on the team, I was grateful that the guys let me take over the planning and execution of our strategy. You can watch a 1-minute video of us planning things out here. I had no idea that approximately 85 teams had entered, and it’s a good thing too because I don’t think I would have been as hardcore about our efforts If I knew that tidbit.

We managed to complete all but one of the tasks on the list, although it took us seven hours to do so. Here are some of the tasks we had to complete:

* Throw two bullseyes, bounce a quarter in a cup, win at Connect Four, toss two ping pong balls in a cup (beer pong style), sink a trick shot at the pool table all at Alibi Bar.

* Act out a white collar crime using props (we acted out blackmail, I played the role of a News & Observer reporter, while Kitch pretended he was running for city council) at a hip bar I’d never been to before appropriately named “White Collar Crime.” (Footage of this exists somewhere and if it makes it online, prepare for laugh).

* Count all the Frieda Kahlo images at Dos Taquitos (this was tricky b/c they were everywhere, including the bathrooms). There are 47, in case you were wondering. I think this was actually the most difficult challenge.

*Answer a bunch of questions about various things hanging on the walls at Napper Tandy’s, then sing karaoke as a team (the DJ picked Shaggy’s “Angel” for us, we were truly horrible).

*Take a picture of a hidden marker at 101 Lounge + Cafe and then put together a puzzle.

*Find a business card hidden in some pants pockets and take a picture of three palms at Vintage Nation (a vintage clothing shop that also sells plants).

And much, much more. To read all about our day, please check out @nematome’s blog about it. He truly captured the essence of the day from beginning to end.

Our team did not win, however. Although Leo (aka @dtraleigh) was able to decipher one of the clues after we put together our puzzle pieces. Thanks to him, we snagged 40 bonus points by locating the fountain on Fayetteville Street that is below ground.

In the end, I think we needed to start earlier in the day. We also needed to put together our puzzle much earlier. I had no idea there were more than 85 teams participating until we finished, or I might have lost some of my motivation. But I’m glad we put forth a solid effort. See more pictures here.

If you were there, what was your favorite memory? Mine definitely was acting out our skit at White Collar Crime.