QUASH!

This weekend was our QUASH, Quest to Unravel Alzheimer's Scavengar Hunt, weekend in Philly. Katie and I arrived at Erica's on Friday night, where we tried to figure out how Saturday would go. We got all our maps and Philedelphia tour books together and went to bed early. Krista came to Erica's at 7:30 AM and we headed down to Philly.

We got to Philly at 9AM and registered. As we were registrating, one of the volunteers came over and asked us if we were the "real" Lieberwirth Ladies. Due to all our love and support from friends and family in the last two years fundraising for the Memory Walk we have made a name for ourselves. The Memory Walk we do is in Kutztown, so we thought noone would know who we were. We got a white sealed envelope and was told not to open it until we were told. We were also told that they would be watching, and people did ask to see our envelope. Top Secret!

In the opening ceremonies, Chris Gocong, a player from the Philadelphia Eagles was there as well as a newscaster from Philedelphia. They both gave us directions and rules. We had 2 1/2 hours (be back at 12:45) to find as many clues as possible. We could only use public transportation or walk/run, no other means of transportation was allowed. And the most important, no illegal activities. (that one I thought was silly). Anyway, at 10:15 we started QUASHing.

The teams all scattered. We found a corner, opened the envelope and found 23 questions and 3 QUASH spots (challenges). We spent 30 minutes figuring out the locations and mapping our quest. Erica had Mike and Katie had Dave on their computers helping us with clues. Krista read the clues and I circled them on the map. And then we were off. We walked and towards the end ran around the city. We did use a taxi twice. We went to one QUASH spot where Krista and Katie were blindfolded and Erica and I directed them through an obstacle course. This was to allow us to feel what it's like to lose one of our senses and rely on others to direct us and trusting that we would be safe. Giving a sense of what MOM might be feeling as we take her out of her comfort area. The second QUASH spot was to find Hard Rock Cafe and using a moral on the ceiling complete song lyrics. It was a very difficult task. Thank goodness Dave was available to help via internet.

After 2 1/2 hours, we got a cab and called some other places for answers. At the end, we answered 19 out of 26 questions. And we arrived at 12:57 (12 minutes late). We ran to the finish, collapsed on the ground and drink lots of water. They had lunch for us, but we had planned to go to Pat's Steak House for a Philly Cheesesteak so we just had a snack and lots of water. We were given the answers to the clues. All the clues that we found, we answered correctly and got a score of 510, however we think they took some points away for getting there late.

During the awards ceremony, there was an award for the best dressed team, team that raised the most money, person that raised the most money and the winners of the race. The most points a team could win was 770 points. The winning team got 670 points. The winners got 8 Phillies tickets and prizes from Hard Rock Cafe. The team that raised the most money was the Lieberwirth Ladies! That's right, we won the prize of 4 Philadelphia Eagles tickets and 4 printers. We are still in shock!!!! We raised 1400 dollars, we had to raise 800 dollars.

Here we are at the end of the race, with Chris Gocong! When he presented us with the envelope, that contained a letter letting us know that we would be contacted with the date and time of the tickets, he said I'll see you at the game. So we are wondering what that means!!! This picture was taken at the end of the race, man my face is bright red!

After the event, we went to Pat's and then back to Erica's, where we all went our seperate ways. I took at 45 minute power nap and then headed back to CT, because I had to ring at church on Sunday. I got home at 9:30 pm. This morning my shins are killing me!!!!

What an awesome time we had! It was great spending the day with the sisters and raising awareness for Alzheimer's. Every 70 seconds a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. That is too many people! It's events like this and the Memory Walks that will hopefully one day raise enough money to find a cure for the disease! Thank you to all those who have donated money over the years! We are extremely appreciative of your support! In addition, thank you to all those that have provided us with love and comfort! We love you all!