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Postcards From the Edge
◆ · By Wendy Walker · Published 2023-05-22T04:02:26.041Z
Meta Prompt
The meta answer is where I am currently spending my vacation.
“Where’s Wendy?” That’s the question posed in this week’s puzzle, which marks my debut as an MMM constructor!
Here’s the back-story: Peter Abide asked me to write the clues for a future puzzle he was creating. I declined, explaining that I’d be away that week on vacation. He idly commented that [name of vacation destination] could actually be a pretty good meta. I took his idea and ran with it . . . and here it is.
I’ll be posting a leaderboard and hints (yes, I made sure I will have a good internet connection). Here’s hoping you enjoy this puzzle as much as I did learning the basics of constructing.
Thank you so much to Abide, for his patience with this rookie; to my test solvers, Al Sisti, Cap’n Rick Kennedy, and Boharr, for their feedback; and indeed to all my Muggle friends for your love, good cheer, and support.
Yes, of course there will be a prize for a randomly selected solver. Odds are good it will bear the meta answer.
Checking for previous play data...
Leaderboard (updated hourly)
- kymike solved 2023-05-22T12:17:41.347Z
- Hector solved 2023-05-22T12:45:19.268Z
- SewYoung solved 2023-05-22T13:28:27.799Z
- I K Snamhcok solved 2023-05-22T13:48:59.220Z
- Abide solved 2023-05-22T14:08:10.177Z
- Schmeel solved 2023-05-22T15:33:42.360Z
- Cindy Weatherman solved 2023-05-22T16:44:13.996Z
- ajk solved 2023-05-22T17:05:04.546Z
- Bird Lives solved 2023-05-22T17:05:29.621Z
- HeadinHome solved 2023-05-22T17:29:58.225Z
- DIS solved 2023-05-22T17:37:18.739Z
- Meg solved 2023-05-22T18:00:59.221Z
- CPJohnson solved 2023-05-22T18:06:28.103Z
- kurtalert solved 2023-05-22T18:10:48.369Z
- BarbaraK solved 2023-05-22T18:13:06.898Z
- Laura M solved 2023-05-22T18:32:25.536Z
- heidi solved 2023-05-22T20:06:23.119Z
- Anita and Steve solved 2023-05-22T20:35:01.691Z
- DrTom solved 2023-05-22T21:35:21.101Z
- Berto solved 2023-05-22T23:23:46.502Z
- Bbaack solved 2023-05-23T01:09:00.392Z
- whimsy solved 2023-05-23T03:58:24.016Z
- benchen71 solved 2023-05-23T07:24:10.336Z
- lbray53 solved 2023-05-23T23:13:54.355Z
- Teamdoubletow solved 2023-05-23T23:58:46.469Z
- Tyrpmom solved 2023-05-24T03:53:03.189Z
- KayW solved 2023-05-24T11:50:00.798Z
- FrankieHeck solved 2023-05-24T12:13:23.384Z
- Pair O Ducks solved 2023-05-24T12:19:08.452Z
- hoover solved 2023-05-24T12:21:39.938Z
- Mwoychick solved 2023-05-24T12:36:07.581Z
- JM solved 2023-05-24T12:51:22.695Z
- dannyvee solved 2023-05-24T14:06:26.968Z
- rjy solved 2023-05-24T14:07:00.953Z
- BrennerTJ solved 2023-05-24T14:14:15.315Z
- kamashdad solved 2023-05-24T14:20:41.588Z
- DebbieC solved 2023-05-24T14:43:23.215Z
- minimuggle solved 2023-05-24T18:10:27.009Z
- david solved 2023-05-24T19:17:16.446Z
- ReB solved 2023-05-24T19:59:01.487Z
- Carolyn solved 2023-05-24T20:17:10.791Z
- markhr solved 2023-05-24T21:27:53.737Z
- Richard solved 2023-05-24T22:36:09.393Z
- JHSeeman solved 2023-05-24T23:59:26.358Z
- Cindy Heisler solved 2023-05-25T10:30:57.813Z
- imontoo solved 2023-05-25T12:42:27.920Z
- Cate C solved 2023-05-25T14:08:31.549Z
- Katiedid solved 2023-05-25T15:07:23.655Z
- rayyandroid solved 2023-05-25T15:21:55.880Z
- woozy solved 2023-05-25T16:30:53.024Z
- michaelm solved 2023-05-25T18:37:57.824Z
- SJ solved 2023-05-25T18:52:25.649Z
- vshdns solved 2023-05-25T19:02:32.690Z
- JR solved 2023-05-25T19:02:48.945Z
- Jim23809 solved 2023-05-25T21:51:12.567Z
- Jaclyn solved 2023-05-25T23:13:08.576Z
- PuzNewbie solved 2023-05-26T04:08:32.513Z
- edestlin solved 2023-05-26T20:48:52.297Z
- Mikey G solved 2023-05-26T23:13:58.313Z
- Julie bookworm solved 2023-05-27T03:02:48.871Z
- Prog solved 2023-05-27T18:38:36.646Z
- Naptown Kid solved 2023-05-27T23:32:10.127Z
- Pete Greenfield solved 2023-05-28T03:43:14.465Z
- Qmark solved 2023-05-29T12:44:22.214Z
- Adam Simon Levine solved 2023-05-29T19:34:29.655Z
- Tane solved 2023-05-30T11:12:45.458Z
- Darth solved 2023-06-13T02:32:52.473Z
Comments
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- Hector 3s · 2023-05-22T12:47:22.602ZWe had great times there back in our right coast days, including a proposal at the Avalon Pier. Enjoy it while some of it is above water!
- I K Snamhcok 3s · 2023-05-22T13:52:13.206ZSomehow I guessed the answer even before setting pencil to paper. Probably because a son and DIL, who live in NC, were just the other talking about an upcoming vacation there. Congrats, Wendy. I’m impressed with how well you made this work.
- SewYoung 7s · 2023-05-22T13:29:43.531ZGreat Puzzle! Thanks Wendy! Have a great time on your vacation.
- Thanks! So far so good. Weather is gorgeous today.
- Congrats!
- Schmeel 20:05 · 2023-05-22T15:36:09.983ZGreat puzzle - thanks! I was familiar with 'Kitty Hawk'. Google helped with the rest.
- Bird Lives 3s · 2023-05-22T17:12:35.892ZGreat MMMMaiden Voyage. I do think I detect the Abidinal influence.The Realist (does anyone else remember that publication?) had a cartoon depiciting what I just learned is now called a cryobank. Standards of propriety were never a concern of The Realist, but here they prevent me from further description.
- I have a friend who is the medical director of one in Boston ...
- Bird Lives 3s · 2023-05-22T17:21:10.606ZBTW, I'm disappointed that Ernie didn't make the cut.
- Hector 3s · 2023-05-22T17:52:12.187ZErnie and Tyra are not sufficiently singular, I guess
- Bird Lives 3s · 2023-05-22T20:30:40.806ZI had thought that we were looking for plurals.
- Who?
- Bird Lives 3s · 2023-05-22T23:02:55.867ZHaha. Even you would know Mr. Cub. Plus it's easy letters.
- Good work, thanks! Guessed it from the preamble and 41A, but still fun to see it come together.
- DIS 🤓5:51 · 2023-05-22T17:38:42.679ZTerrific debut! Please do more!
- HeadinHome 🤓4:20 · 2023-05-22T17:36:40.895ZClean fill and a fun one to figure out! Thanks for a delightful Monday puzzle. Enjoy those dunes and this glorious NC weather (it’s a perfect day here in Charlotte, anyway). We spend many a summer beach week along those barrier islands, from Duck/Corolla down to Hatteras, and more recently have been going to Beaufort NC in the fall, often including a boat trip to Cape Lookout, which is a beauty. If you get tired of the beach scene and traffic, Manteo is a great little walking village across the sound… and there’s a wonderful book shop there too!
- BarbaraK 3s · 2023-05-22T18:15:41.554ZI was tempted to guess, but what fun would that be? Much better to enjoy the puzzle. Well done!
- Thought of you when we drove past the Manteo Airport today!
- Meg 7s · 2023-05-22T18:04:50.552Z26a was a new word for me. Obviously, I need to do more line-dancing. Nice MMM debut. I’m so impressed with you!
- BarbaraK 3s · 2023-05-22T18:16:50.454ZOh, and hope you don’t have to make an unplanned return for the cat this year:)
- This year we are avoiding the mistake of taking the cat to the cat sitter; this year the obliging cat sitter is coming to the cat.
- Laura M 🤓11:10 · 2023-05-22T18:34:27.074ZExcellent puzzle! Hope you're having a fun vacation!
- OK, I "intuited" the answer, now I have to go back and see why it is the answer....and now I see it. I was killed trying to make the outer edges spell OUTER BANKS or KILL DEVIL. I even thought I got close at times, but I was looking for something more devious. I see an Abide hand, but I see a Cap'n Rick hand more. Did he assist with this at all? Excellent puzzle, and certainly WAY better than my first. Be proud Missy, be very proud.
- "Sound" work, Dr. Tom!
- That was quite tricky for this Aussie solver (as you will see from the number of submissions!) But I got there in the end. Congrats on your move into meta constructing!
- whimsy 🤓12:54 · 2023-05-23T16:02:43.035ZSARDINECAN and SATURNALIA (and not primary features of the meta!? :)) had me digging in from the edges. Such things I found there! Eventually gave it the old back solve approach and immediately came to my senses. And was delighted. Thanks, Wendy; congratulations once again; and enjoy your time away!
- So glad you solved! Yes, I had some fun fill in there, didn't I!
- Teamdoubletow 3s · 2023-05-23T23:59:31.263ZWe needed a day to see this one! Very clever and now I want to go! Great debut!
- Thanks! We do not have ideal beach weather this week but we're still having a great time!
- Tyrpmom 3s · 2023-05-24T03:56:53.379ZThanks, Wendy.
- Well done Wendy - fantastic meta and construction! Enjoy the rest of your vacation
- So glad you solved, Kay! Not great beach weather here but we are having fun anyway.
- hoover 6s · 2023-05-24T12:23:06.325ZEnjoy your vacation in Outer Cheese! Uh, Outer Watch! Outer Chocolate! Uh... what else goes with Swiss?
- Thanks for the puzzle, Wendy, and I hope you have a great time! Like Dr. Tom, I was thinking Outer Banks for some reason but couldn't figure out how to get there. I was making it much too complicated!
- Went to school in Dayton, where they certainly want to claim the legacy of the Wright Brothers away from NC - so I always think either that or Kitty Hawk. Outer Banks just never hit me. Further, I got way too fixated on WEST and LEFT and (W)RIGHT as directions, and could not get off the mechanical metanism train. But a great AHA! when the pieces finally fell into place. Kudos!
- At Hatteras Lighthouse today we saw an Ohio tag that claimed to be the birthplace of flight!
- Carolyn 5s · 2023-05-24T20:18:45.515ZVery nice! I did need the nudges though. Can't believe I didn't see it before. Keep up the great work!
- ReB 4s · 2023-05-24T20:03:29.906ZI expect would have gotten there sooner if I'd googled Kitty Hawk - which I knew was on a beach somewhere - and learned it was on the Outer Banks. But your second nudge revved up my mental propellers, and it was just a minute or so before I took off in flight. Thanks.
- Richard 25:35 · 2023-05-24T22:36:32.049ZVery nice meta.
- imontoo 4s · 2023-05-25T12:45:35.476ZNudged off the couch. Great MMM debut, Wendy! Enjoy your vacation!
- Add this one to the mechanism memory bank. Great job, Wendy. Thanks!
- Jim23809 🤓9:30 · 2023-05-25T21:56:49.181ZTBH, I just made a lot of guesses based on 41A, and finally hit paydirt. After trying Dayton, Ohio, North Carolina, and KittyHawk, I tried to remember what they called that area of NC where Kitty Hawk is located. (And I didn't think that first one would work, because seriously who in the world would vacation in Dayton? I have to go there for work every year and can't wait to get out afterwards.)
- Haha! At Hatteras Lighthouse we saw an Ohio license plate that claimed THEY were the "first in flight." Pffft!
- Jim23809 🤓9:30 · 2023-05-25T21:58:58.991ZAnd now that I've gotten it right and had some time to look back at it, I see how you created it. Well done.
- Thanks, Jim! It was Peter Abide's idea originally but I had fun with it!
- PuzNewbie 27:38 · 2023-05-26T18:40:31.266ZI need some help from a friendly muggle to change what I thought was the (W)right Bank to the Outer Banks (I thought for sure that you were on the Right Bank in Paris, lol!). Fun puzzle!
- Thanks, Newbie! Glad you enjoyed it! You are not the only solver who spotted that mechanism.
- Qmark 3s · 2023-05-29T12:44:56.804ZGot to this one late...but got it without nudges...thanks Wendy!
1A
Cat Stevens warned it was "wild"
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Across
- 1ACat Stevens warned it was "wild"
- 6AWord before rage or warrior
- 10AVampire's favorite quaff
- 15ACause to be happy
- 16AFuel company with the slogan "Put a tiger in your tank"
- 17ADark area in an eclipse
- 18AFood container with an attached key
- 20AAnne or Agnes, for one
- 21ANautical ropes
- 22A____ garde (ahead of fashion)
- 23AOld Testament book
- 24ASurgeon's term for "we can fix it"
- 26AFancy kind of shuffle
- 30AAnglers use these to catch a snakelike fish
- 35AImportant joints on a horse's hind legs
- 36AThe fourth estate
- 39ARemove from the freezer
- 40A"____ boy!"
- 41ASurname of the aviation pioneers who in 1903 flew the first powered airplane -- and an important clue to the meta answer
- 42AHe played Freddie in "Bohemian Rhapsody"
- 43ABilly Joel song "And __ ___ Goes"
- 44ATin Pan Alley songwriter Carmichael
- 45AItems for sale
- 46APoison, like an asp might do
- 48APatients with Hansen's disease
- 49AStalemates
- 53ABarely above average
- 57AAdams who had a big 1991 hit with "Get Here"
- 58ABuds
- 62AOld Spanish coins
- 63AMidwinter party in ancient Rome
- 65ABusybody, in Yinglish
- 66A"That vulgar joke went over like ____ of bricks"
- 67A46th U.S. president
- 68AInstrument for Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor"
- 69AThat is just not right!
- 70AWhere massive amounts of 14-Down are stored
Down
- 1DThe sun sets here
- 2DSkin care brand
- 3DUncommon
- 4DSome U.K. corps.
- 5DOpus ___, Roman Catholic group
- 6DLocal official in the Middle Ages
- 7DHe wrote about Dorian and Earnest
- 8DTree, boat, or pigeon, e.g.
- 9DEncouraging words to a wallflower
- 10D"A ____ and a peck and a hug around the neck"
- 11D"So funny!" in textspeak
- 12DSashes
- 13DDépartement in France where Camembert cheese is made
- 14DFacts
- 19DPosterior part of the neck
- 24DU.S. intel agency during WWII
- 25DFor fear that
- 26DPursue
- 27DFeeling attracted to
- 28DPart of a play where the action should be wrapping up
- 29DSea creature also known as a ray
- 31DPipe joint named for its shape
- 32DChicago hub
- 33DLess racy
- 34DKind of cheese that's not all there
- 36DQuestion popped by a teen before booking the limo
- 37DNarrow inlet
- 38DPrerequisite for an omelet
- 41DNonspecific salutation: "To ___ it may concern"
- 45DHorror movie director Craven
- 47DMaker of Rogues and Titans
- 48DCreator of "Maude" and "All in the Family"
- 50DWith wings
- 51D"A lovely ____ cookware": typical game-show parting gift
- 52DPrank
- 53DPrefix referring to very low temperatures
- 54DEqual
- 55DEngl., Hung., or Fr.
- 56DBeauty products chain
- 58DBucket
- 59DItalian prime minister Moro
- 60DInstead, with "in"
- 61DSmooth surfaces
- 64DOne of the legacy "Big Three" U.S. TV networks
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