Interstate Travel
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Interstate Travel

· By Mikey G

Meta Prompt
[Level 3] The answer to the meta is the current name of a U.S. location.
Checking for previous play data...

Leaderboard (updated hourly)

  • oldjudge solved 2024-06-08T17:01:39.568Z
  • Cindy Weatherman solved 2024-06-08T17:25:56.086Z
  • Meg solved 2024-06-08T17:54:42.598Z
  • Darth solved 2024-06-08T17:57:51.093Z
  • MatthewL solved 2024-06-08T17:59:59.977Z
  • Matt A solved 2024-06-08T18:09:41.257Z
  • Pair O Ducks solved 2024-06-08T18:45:51.794Z
  • Hector solved 2024-06-08T18:55:32.648Z
  • I K Snamhcok solved 2024-06-08T19:04:07.544Z
  • boharr solved 2024-06-08T19:14:42.864Z
  • FrankieHeck solved 2024-06-08T20:08:26.871Z
  • Bob J solved 2024-06-08T20:17:42.559Z
  • DrTom solved 2024-06-08T21:20:34.262Z
  • Schmeel solved 2024-06-08T22:11:34.986Z
  • kurtalert solved 2024-06-08T22:15:36.378Z
  • Danny K Bernstein solved 2024-06-08T23:10:44.009Z
  • BarbaraK solved 2024-06-08T23:24:59.021Z
  • benchen71 solved 2024-06-08T23:59:39.727Z
  • KayW solved 2024-06-09T00:05:49.972Z
  • woozy solved 2024-06-09T00:11:22.325Z
  • whimsy solved 2024-06-09T02:47:16.352Z
  • BrennerTJ solved 2024-06-09T04:20:06.872Z
  • DJB solved 2024-06-09T10:30:15.270Z
  • Mr Tex solved 2024-06-09T10:57:18.937Z
  • Qmark solved 2024-06-09T11:53:56.361Z
  • Berto solved 2024-06-09T13:14:51.866Z
  • LesY solved 2024-06-09T13:42:24.314Z
  • dannyvee solved 2024-06-09T14:29:07.053Z
  • Gutman solved 2024-06-09T15:26:26.774Z
  • Anita and Steve solved 2024-06-09T17:39:52.301Z
  • edestlin solved 2024-06-09T18:38:39.498Z
  • Alvibu67 solved 2024-06-09T19:01:51.717Z
  • andeux solved 2024-06-09T22:36:43.610Z
  • Laura M solved 2024-06-09T22:58:04.666Z
  • lbray53 solved 2024-06-09T23:12:25.516Z
  • Tyrpmom solved 2024-06-10T01:47:43.754Z
  • HeadinHome solved 2024-06-10T02:31:31.400Z
  • Toast solved 2024-06-10T02:31:55.615Z
  • LarsCaine solved 2024-06-10T18:39:44.302Z
  • JM solved 2024-06-10T20:29:11.229Z
  • DIS solved 2024-06-10T21:11:24.654Z
  • markhr solved 2024-06-10T22:05:19.664Z
  • kamashdad solved 2024-06-12T14:00:49.755Z
  • Abide solved 2024-06-13T04:39:54.056Z
  • AZinDC solved 2024-06-14T16:41:05.360Z
  • rjy solved 2024-06-14T20:24:42.030Z
  • hoover solved 2024-06-14T21:17:37.865Z
  • Carolyn solved 2024-06-14T23:09:58.865Z
  • atsiricajr111191 solved 2024-06-15T00:44:21.653Z
  • Meta World Peace solved 2024-06-15T02:49:02.542Z
  • CPJohnson solved 2024-06-15T12:39:47.266Z
  • syoustra solved 2024-06-15T15:12:56.258Z
  • Tyler Johnston solved 2024-10-23T03:30:41.683Z

Comments

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  • Mikey G constructor · 2024-06-08T17:00:57.800Z
    Answer: WRIGLEY FIELD
    Explanation: Per the central themer, we will be taking TWOOUTOFTHREE - specifically, 2 letters out of each 3-letter entry (there are only 8, and that does seem a bit on the low side, especially for me, haha).
    Each of the 3-letter entries (WAC, OUR, COP, UST (BLEH fill), NAE, IRA, BID, and ILK each form a state abbreviation when one letter is dropped. Per the symmetric themers, we will orient these in a way such that we start in SEATTLE's state of WA and end in CHICAGO's state of IL if we take a road trip through them: WAC, OUR, BID, UST, COP, NAE, IRA, ILK. The state abbreviations are WA, OR, ID, UT, CO, NE, IA, and IL; the leftover letters spell CUBS PARK, whose current name is WRIGLEY FIELD, the answer to our meta.
    Fun fact: An early name of Wrigley Field in the 1920s was Cubs Park; I actually didn't know this when I made the meta and struggled to find a prompt that wouldn't completely give things away right away. There is a numeric connection, but it is a personal one: of the most beloved moments of my childhood was the summer of 1996, when my mom and I traveled cross-country for a month via Amtrak (in the picture!) from Colorado, where we lived, to Indiana, where I hang my hat today. All my family was back here, and it was great to visit them. I also saw my first Cubs game that year, and - of course - some player hit a home run when I was in line with my uncle to get concessions. Maybe we'll hit another home run this season, we'll see!
    • oldjudge 2s · 2024-06-08T17:02:19.723Z
      A home run by Mikey!
      • Darth 🤓10:13 · 2024-06-08T18:04:54.295Z
        Cubs fan. ;) Fun solve, but I was sort of expecting a landmark along Interstate 80....and a 96 tie-in? I didn't find either, but I did learn that highway 96 violates the usual east-west direction for even numbered highways. Thanks, Mikey!
        • MatthewL 🤓10:08 · 2024-06-08T18:00:40.368Z
          Wowza -- what a great, great meta! So many twists and turns (literally). Thanks for the puzzle, Mikey!
          • I K Snamhcok 3s · 2024-06-08T19:05:05.677Z
            Poor Cubs! And they had looked sopromising earlier this season. All is not lost. Still 100 games to go!
            • Mikey G constructor · 2024-06-08T23:09:56.766Z
              I know, oooof. A long season, thankfully! Remind me of your team again! Tigers?
            • boharr 3s · 2024-06-08T19:15:55.827Z
              Very nice puzzle. And fun! Thanks Mikey.
              • FrankieHeck 🤓12:09 · 2024-06-08T20:13:46.147Z
                My first submission was incorrect...I used only the across entries for the states at first and got WA/OR, CO/UT, IA/NE. Those pairs of states seemed to be connected by interstates 5, 70, and 80, respectively, and 57080 is the zip code for Sioux Falls, SD. When I included the down entries and a less labor-intensive mechanism, I got a much more Mikey (and correct) answer :-)
                • kurtalert 🤓5:01 · 2024-06-08T22:18:25.543Z
                  Terrific. For a while I was sure that the journey was going to be the answer; I-90 connects Seattle and Chicago. Wasn't making any sense of the extra letters. But I-90 doesn't go the WA-OR-ID-UT-CO-NE-IA-IL route, it goes through the more northern states. Finally I realized that the journey was the ordering of the extra letters, and- well, duh, Mikey G the Cubs fan- Cubs Park... VOILA!
                  • DrTom 🤓18:22 · 2024-06-08T21:28:28.818Z
                    Should have known! I thought I-96 at first, and that is only in MI so DETROIT was a natural, than I saw the two cities and thought, somewhere in the middle but where. Then I saw all of the state abbreviations and tied it to "two out of three", but how to get them to spell something besides BACKSURP??? Hey. wait, what if I went State to State starting in Seattle (one of the abbreviations) and ending in Chicago (another abbreviation). As soon as I got CUBS I knew I was onto something, then I got crazy and entered CUBS PARK...stupid because everyone knows that is Wrigley Field (well now at least). Nice three or four step mechanism. I have been having a TERRIBLE time with metas so to get this multi-layered one was a real ego boost. Thanks Mikey.
                    • benchen71 9:38 · 2024-06-09T00:02:18.092Z
                      Thank goodness for anagram solvers! The US road network is not my strong suit. :D
                      • KayW 🤓7:20 · 2024-06-09T00:06:29.004Z
                        Excellent!!! But wait, you mean the name is not CUBS PARK?!?!? (LOL my first incorrect submission)
                        • whimsy 21:09 · 2024-06-09T02:59:48.892Z
                          Yup, when CUBS appeared I knew I had it, but then I had to wriggle my way to the right answer.... so I wouldn't gum things up. 😄 And I promise not to post a picture of a kitty blowing bubble gum! This was a fantastic puzzle! Thanks, Mikey!
                          • Qmark 3s · 2024-06-09T11:58:52.691Z
                            Super puzzle Mikey! Loved the way you constructed the road trip state by state from WA across to IL. Digging through some files recently, I found my ticket stub from the Expos-Cubs game I went to at Wrigley back in July 1998...great memories. I'm long overdo for a revisit.
                            • Berto 1s · 2024-06-09T13:26:25.782Z
                              Took me a while to figure out the correct path of travel. Took a night to chew on it, and nice aha moment first thing. Glad I stuck with it. Thanks Mikey! Go Cubbies
                              • Laura M 🤓11:41 · 2024-06-09T23:00:14.682Z
                                Excellent! Very well done.
                                • lbray53 2s · 2024-06-09T23:19:45.582Z
                                  I was sure that “sounds like a plan” meant we had to sound things out. BUT the only thing that seemed to work considering the state thing was IRA NAE. IRONY. Well it was ironic. Loved the real answer as a Cubs fan.
                                  Although I was distracted a bit by the Oregon Trail possibility.
                                  • HeadinHome 🤓1:52 · 2024-06-10T02:40:21.076Z
                                    RATS - I alway forget to check that contest box! ANYhoo… took me a while to unscramble those letters! At one point I looked at a map to see what the states had in common… if they were maybe all the Oregon trail ones (close, but no)…. That thought should maybe have tipped me off to the letter order as I looked. As it was, I just anagrammed and got BARKS CUP (like the AKC dog show, y’know?), RACK PUBS (best non-bespoke beer west of the Mississippi), and BUCS PARK (that would be Tampa Bay, if it existed). Had to google to confirm that Cubs Park was actually a thing, and the chewing gum location came right up!
                                    • Abide 2s · 2024-06-13T04:43:54.917Z
                                      Sitting on BCUPSRAK for 3 days, finally dug a little deeper. Nice one!
                                      • AZinDC 🤓13:05 · 2024-06-14T16:41:35.805Z
                                        This was fun!! Loved following the map to get there.
                                        • hoover 2s · 2024-06-14T21:18:48.211Z
                                          Like HeadinHome and Abide, I sat on those eight letters for a long time, frustrated because they didn't anagram to anything.
                                          • Carolyn 3s · 2024-06-14T23:12:51.377Z
                                            Finally got around to solving this. I've been out of the country so I'm playing catch up. Loved it!
                                            • rjy 3s · 2024-06-14T20:28:36.388Z
                                              Wow, Mikey! Like others, I sat on BKUPSKRA for the better part of the week. One more look before Saturday and there it was! So cool!
                                              • Meta World Peace 5s · 2024-06-15T02:56:56.096Z
                                                I'm a baseball lightweight and the only alter ego I knew for Wrigley going into this puzzle was the "friendly confines"! Such a nifty geographical technique to sequence those unassuming three-letter answers--awesome stuff.
                                                • syoustra 13:24 · 2024-06-15T15:14:03.289Z
                                                  Just got off a cruise, so jumped quickly to a few of the nudges ..... and started laughing out loud about halfway through identifying the letters. 🤣
                                                  • damefox 🤓5:12 · 2024-06-15T23:16:11.371Z
                                                    Nice one! BTW - the markdown parser isn't playing nice with your HART clue (if you hover over HART here it looks fine, but if you look at the actual puzzle it's just "-to-" in bold), might want to see if you can get the blanks to show up.
                                                    1A
                                                    "Eww!"
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                                                    61
                                                    Across
                                                    1. 1A
                                                      "Eww!"
                                                    2. 5A
                                                      Both: Prefix
                                                    3. 9A
                                                      WWII female
                                                    4. 12A
                                                      Tax that sounds like 2-Down
                                                    5. 13A
                                                      Principal
                                                    6. 14A
                                                      First word in title of play with George Gibbs and Emily Webb
                                                    7. 15A
                                                      Reebok rival
                                                    8. 16A
                                                      "That's a wrap!"
                                                    9. 18A
                                                      19th-century leader of Duwamish and Suquamish people
                                                    10. 20A
                                                      Counterpart to copy
                                                    11. 21A
                                                      I couldn't remember what 1/4 of 2/5 was...things got ___!
                                                    12. 22A
                                                      Clancy Wiggum, e.g.
                                                    13. 23A
                                                      Same, in Somme
                                                    14. 26A
                                                      "So, what happened next..."
                                                    15. 30A
                                                      Not getting extra crunchies, to Ginger Cat
                                                    16. 34A
                                                      When Superman gets in sticky situations, he'll always S-___
                                                    17. 35A
                                                      Not bad!
                                                    18. 37A
                                                      50+ letters
                                                    19. 38A
                                                      Placed
                                                    20. 39A
                                                      Tizzy
                                                    21. 40A
                                                      Once, once
                                                    22. 41A
                                                      IRS's dept.
                                                    23. 43A
                                                      Spa handout
                                                    24. 48A
                                                      1986 autobiography that led to the 1993 film "What's Love Got to Do with It"
                                                    25. 51A
                                                      Best Picture winner immediately following "A Beautiful Mind"
                                                    26. 53A
                                                      "Rolling!"
                                                    27. 55A
                                                      I had another pun about my new set of wheels, but you'd ___ of it
                                                    28. 56A
                                                      Glass, for one
                                                    29. 57A
                                                      Single-___ tourney: Abbr.
                                                    30. 58A
                                                      Birds, to biologists
                                                    31. 59A
                                                      Scot's "not"
                                                    32. 60A
                                                      "I want to go hiking, but I also want to go to Aspen!" "Well, don't miss the forest for the ___"
                                                    33. 61A
                                                      "Sounds like a plan!"
                                                    Down
                                                    1. 1D
                                                      "How was the lecture on the history of TNT?" "We had a ___!"
                                                    2. 2D
                                                      Embankment that sounds like 12-Across
                                                    3. 3D
                                                      Brand of water that spells a synonym of "gullible" backward
                                                    4. 4D
                                                      Hilton rival
                                                    5. 5D
                                                      Human rights lawyer Clooney
                                                    6. 6D
                                                      Going to see the lions is the ___ event!
                                                    7. 7D
                                                      Try to get a lot
                                                    8. 8D
                                                      Creative spark, informally
                                                    9. 9D
                                                      Lamentations
                                                    10. 10D
                                                      Bee, in Mayberry
                                                    11. 11D
                                                      Largest of Canada's First Nations
                                                    12. 17D
                                                      Test that tries to prove that I'm a human (I often fail)
                                                    13. 19D
                                                      Its flag is twelve golden stars in a circle on a blue background
                                                    14. 22D
                                                      Fissures
                                                    15. 24D
                                                      "Places, please!"
                                                    16. 25D
                                                      Nice to have?
                                                    17. 27D
                                                      Male deer often have a -to-
                                                    18. 28D
                                                      Tool for a duel
                                                    19. 29D
                                                      Exigency
                                                    20. 30D
                                                      Mom-and-pop orgs.
                                                    21. 31D
                                                      McGregor of "Big Fish"
                                                    22. 32D
                                                      Kelly who was the Seahorse on "The Masked Singer"
                                                    23. 33D
                                                      Top 40 hit, often
                                                    24. 36D
                                                      ___-frutti (ice cream flavor)
                                                    25. 42D
                                                      Department that's closing?
                                                    26. 44D
                                                      Pertaining to eight
                                                    27. 45D
                                                      If you don't want to say hi to me, you can ___ hello
                                                    28. 46D
                                                      "I couldn't find your large heron, I ___ to inform you"
                                                    29. 47D
                                                      If you don't want this loamy soil, that's your ___
                                                    30. 48D
                                                      "Victory is mine!"
                                                    31. 49D
                                                      Giga- times 1,000
                                                    32. 50D
                                                      "Dies ___" (Latin hymn)
                                                    33. 51D
                                                      V more than twice LI
                                                    34. 52D
                                                      Sewer lines?
                                                    35. 54D
                                                      Kind
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