Dodge Journey Search (East)

From the two introductory commercials, there are three clues that identify a 90-mile segment of the Dodge Journey (East) route, showing it traveling north (from Magic Forest), towards Ticonderoga, then either leaving New York and moving into Vermont, as well as moving west past Eagle Lake.

Update #1: Added unsolved clues, including possible final destination.
Update #2: New location added: PJ’s Barbecue, Saratoga Springs, NY
Update #3: Location identified, Eagle Lake, NY. Google map updated.
Update #4: Edited version of possible final destination with clearer view of background added.


Warning: I’m aware that a number of individuals are either flying or driving long distances to participate in the search. The final (possible) location may have been identified, originally posted and discussed on Dodge’s YouTube board. Assuming they have a contingency plan, they may very well change the final location or resort to, according to the contest rules, “administer(ing) a skill-based tie-breaker.”


General search comments —

  • For each of the last two Dodge Journey searches, the final destination was a National Park: Eldorado National Forest (West) and Black Kettle Grasslands (Midwest). There do not appear to be any in New York and just one in Vermont (Green Mountain), but south. White Mountain, in New Hampshire is another possible destination (and only if they stick with this MO).
  • The final location for each Dodge Journey is used in the introductory commercials: creek location (West); hot air balloon (Midwest); bike removed from rack (East)
  • PJs Barbecue has not appeared in the known commercials or videos and will most likely be a radius search clue, provided the day of the hunt.
  • Eagle Lake may be a location for video footage alone, as it deviates from their apparent route, like the Midwest drive and intersection shot. Of course, crossing into Vermont by ferry, could be a bit of misdirection as well, like Emerald Bay in the West search.
  • There are conflicting clues, unlike the last two searches. The journey traveling south across the Twin Bridges, east into Vermont and west by Eagle Lake.
  • For the West search, with the two introductory commercials, the clue furthest west was Kyburz Garage & Mini-Mart, Kyburz, CA. With the launch of the 300-mile clue, Hwy 89 (quickly identifiable) and Emerald Bay were added, extending the route by about 15 miles. Not much was added with the 200-mile clue for the Midwest search. They did give you Sayre, OK  (which adds about 10 miles) but Elk City, OK was actually closer. Bottom line: it is possible with what we know before the hunt actually begins, the route could be extended up 15 miles.
  • You may not be just looking for a Dodge Journey at the final location. There could be a supporting cast: a trailer (probably to hide the Journey until show time), other cars and crew or it could be on private property. Here’s a shot on location from the Midwest search final destination (contributed by Jessi). See also this article from the West search about location.

Best of luck to all the “boots on the ground”!


1. Thaddeus Kosciusko Bridge or Twin Bridges, NY

Thaddeus Kosciusko Bridge

In the video, the Dodge Journey is traveling south along Interstate 87.

Notes: I fully expected this clue belonged to the Dodge Journey (East) route and combed through far too many images of arched (suspension) bridges. The breakthrough occurred by searching for parallel arched bridges. Google street view to confirm:

Thaddeus Kosciusko Bridge - Google street view

2. P.J.’s Barbecue, Saratoga Springs, NY

Article: Portion of TV commercial filmed at PJ’s Bar-B-Q on Route 9

Notes: This was a great find by by Brad and will most certainly be used for one of the radius search clues, e.g. 100-miles. Expect to see a shot of this sign, location or reference to the food. This does not extend the route but may already provide a range limit.

3. Magic Forest, Lake George, NY

Magic Forest

In the video, the Dodge Journey is traveling north along Highway 9 (Magic Forest is on the east side of the highway).

Notes: A search in google reveals the location of the Magic Forest (google image search: uncle sam statue) and google street view can be used to determine location relative to the highway.

4. Ferry crossing, leaving New York, entering Vermont

Welcome to Vermont

In the video, the Dodge Journey is entering Vermont, traveling north.

Notes: This took a bit of detective work. First, you can assume that the Dodge Journey was traveling north from New York, crossing into Vermont. You also find that water creates a natural border between the two states. After checking the obvious highway border crossings, including a bridges, I resorted to ferry crossings and bingo – Google street view verifies the location:

Vermont crossing - Google street view

Here’s a great picture of the ferry crossing departure point into Vermont:

Notes: This was provided by Hadrian. Source: Wikipedia – State Route 74

5. Lake view drive, Eagle Lake, NY

The picture below, that made it’s way around earlier actually came from Panoramio. Using Google street view, there’s a Panoramio option in the south lake to view. It’s a definite match. It was mentioned this came from the Addison, VT or Panton, VT. That certainly is not the case.

Google street view to verify:

Notes: This location was properly identified by Kevin. The Dodge Journey is traveling west, the view is on the south side of 74.

Google Map of partial Dodge Journey (East) route, using introductory videos.

Final destination?

Like the sequence of the “family” exiting the Journey near the hot air balloon in the Midwest clues – this may very well be the final destination for the East search. Kayaks were a theme for the West search and the hot air balloon for the Midwest search. Bikes are on the rack as they cross the bridge in NY and pass by Magic Forest. There are a couple of inconsistencies however. The both the West and Midwest searches, the final location shot was tighter (reducing the chance of discovery by matching landmarks) and we see the travelers exiting the vehicle.

After the bike is removed, note the lake and mountains in the background.

Notes: Same shot with foreground images removed (courtesy of Cycling Zen).

Given that the Dodge Journey Search (West) started from a landmark city like San Francisco, Dodge Journey Search (East) will probably start from New York City, traveling north, toward the two known destinations (estimated route length: 225 miles). With the addition of the Twin Bridges location, this pretty well confirms NYC as the starting point, although Albany, NY, can not be ruled out.

848 thoughts on “Dodge Journey Search (East)

    • Hi Bryan. I’m pretty sure that was for the West search. See a close up pic I added to my west post. Note: On the right, you’ll see elevation 6703 ft – that’s not east coast mountain height. Cheers!

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  1. Unfortunately for the hunt, I would be very surprised if production had the foresight to get clearance to put the car anywhere else, or film additional videos. I would say people should be lacing up their track shoes right about now.

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    • Hi and yeah. There are two trains of thought. Either they did or they didn’t. I would like to believe they would always have a built in contingency plan for each search (e.g. what if they planned to hold further east in VT where there’s still a lot of closures, etc due to Irene) With the east search in particular, we have a number of inconsistencies, unlike the last two: 1) the journey traveling in all directions (south on bridges, west by Eagle Lake, east into VT); 2) they gave us a wide angle shot for that possible final location (unlike the two close ups: pond and hot air balloon); 3) we see the travelers exiting the car (pond, hot air balloon). I guess we’ll be finding out pretty soon. Cheers!

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      • With all the inconsistent traveling, this does give them 4 different choices to go from on the final day. The commercial was filmed before hurricane Irene, so I wouldn’t blame them if the scrapped the whole idea of putting it in that area of Vermont with all the road closures & detours. Time to start looking into other key locations close to the other clues.

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    • DPNJ:
      They don’t need any additional clearance to put the car anywhere. If they use someones private property, they dont need anything additional. (i.e., West search – car was found on a rental property).

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  2. boy i thought i finally figured out the signs. but then it led me to this site. guess im not the only one. i was hoping, but i already knew that was practically impossible. i live in western ny state. and i am planning on driving out and seeing what i can do. i dont have a smart phone (or cell phone at all) which worries me because i wont be able to get clues right when they come out. but i have a love affair with maps. and have very good topographical maps to use at least. and a lap top i can stop and try and get the clues with. i would LOVE to get this dodge. it would turn my whole life around. i would sell it so i could get the money. and with that i could start doing more work on my classic cars. like my 1973 chrysler imperial! its such a wreck. but i would love to fix it up and get it back on the road! it will take a miracle like me finding this dodge to ever come up with the money. i hope at least who ever finds it is someone who deserves it…

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  3. There is an image in the commercial I haven’t seen mentioned. Maybe it was part of the West or Midwest? About 35s into the commercial – appears to say “malts”? I can’t make out any of the other words. Has this been used previously?

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  4. Steve, I have to ask your opinion since you have invested as much time as I have and then some. With the East journey “going live” at 12 in the afternoon, what do we think that means??? I know many believe that they know the final location and that this location apparently will be accessible after 9:30am. could the car be found before it goes “live”; i mean they can’t not have it there until 1200 then pull it out, that wouldn’t work? if people find it before any clues are released surely it would be all over the net before 12…. Something just doesn’t seem right… I am trying to wrap my head around what it could mean and where to position myself… It’s gonna be a crazy fun trip trying to figure it out though…. ANY THOUGHTS???

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    • Hi Paul. I don’t think the car could be found before they go live and expect that they have it in a trailer and plan to roll it out + add the finish line you must cross at the last minute. And don’t forget, if there’s a tie, there a skill-based tie-breaker – what might that be? 🙂 Purely speculation, but it could have something to do with schedule conflicts, there have been a number of events reportedly in the area, restricted access, etc – time to set up plan b, etc.; concern about the weather (it’s supposed to rain most of the day); a plan to extend the hunt into Sunday (assuming they’ve changed things up). Time will tell 😉

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    • What is there to wrap you head around? The car will not even see daylight till 12noon. It is in a barn or garage already at the final destination just like it was in the West search. Noon comes and they open the door & drive it out onto the property.

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  5. I think Dodge is really concerned now with the fact that someone associated with coordinating placement in Oklahoma “found” the second vehicle. It has been declined and dodge should really replay the Midwest.

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    • This blog is weird and difficult in that when a new post is made it doesn’t automatically go to the bottom.

      To see all new posts, you have to actually sift through the ENTIRE blog and each individual offshoot of conversation everytime you go away and come back.

      It’sreally a drag and I am not sure why it is set up this way. Steven?

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      • Yeah Don. It sucks … LOL. I haven’t used WordPress too much and there do not appear to be any options for comment layout. It is threaded, in that, if you reply to the post, it will appear on the very bottom but if you reply to a comment, it becomes subordinate to that comment. That way, it keeps a “conversation” or thread together … but if you’re looking for the latest, you don’t have any options (and neither do I right now).

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  6. Steve, a question and interesting note. i keep reading that the journey is headed south on the twin bridges…that is confusing. If you look at the pic, the picture is facing north when it was taken on google view, but the traffic is flowing south one way. The traffic in the right lane of the median is headed north (which is where the dodge was)…no?
    Interesting note: i booked my campground near paradox lake on wed, there were still a lot of other parks around the area with open sites and open parks. this morning, they all seem to be closed or no sites available online. I find it very mysterious considering that would mean every park in that area filled up with campers in a day…what do you think?

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    • Hi Jeremy. On the Twin Bridges, sorry, I still had the north bound shot. The key points were, it declines after the bridge, and off to the right, in the tree line, there’s an evergreen that rises above the other trees. The clincher for me, a YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsSgbgt99kA of a southbound drive along I-87. Start watching at about 1:40. You’ll also see the mile-markers on the right, 84, 83 and 82 on the bridge (which we don’t see on the video, but the Journey could be blocking it).

      Interesting about the parks. Someone did mention that the 24th was an open access day for National Parks, not sure about state parks (but that sure doesn’t mean, free camping, regardless).

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  7. Does it seem strange to anyone that if Ticondaroga is indeed a clue then the location that is believed to be the final location in the video is less than 2 miles from the fort? That would be the closest clue yet and the only one that is not a nice multiple of 5.

    On a slightly unrelated note i would LOVE to see this community dive into the “we lost our gold” hunt which has stalled out a little and just entered its second year.

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    • How do you figure that FT Ticonderoga is a clue. Just because it is in the area & so many people mention it? It’s not in the video. But what is in the video is the 5 mile clue if you look closely.

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  8. one more thing that has been bothering me. I have been going over the 1st clue from each of the previous 2 hunts. It looks like the distances for the clues are too large.
    Its only ~ 200 miles to drive from san fran to the 1st car (~150 mi as the crow flies)
    and somewhere in the 120 to 150 range from OKC to the 2nd end point.
    Am I missing something and just being thick here?. Has someone else already reconciled this issue?

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    • DPNJ – I believe they are just setting a radius within which the car can be found. Don’t think of it as a distance to the car.

      Also, I’ve been going at We Lost Our Gold for a year now and feel like I’m so close yet nowhere at the same time. I’m trying to get Steven involved…

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    • You’re right. The first clues extend a good bit beyond that actual distances (as the crow flies, as you have about 150 and 120 miles respectively). It does give you a max range but unlocks the next clue (that you can solve pretty easily), narrowing the radius. For me, the gold, if you want to call it that, is any other video segments that have been added. For the West, we had it as far as the mini-mart and highway 89 but they added Emerald Bay. For the Midwest, they only added Sayre.

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  9. it looks like a certain highly thought of end site charges for entry. Do you think that the car would be located at a place that charges you to look around, or is the webpage I am getting this info from out of date.

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    • Hi Jane. I did check on that place 😉 From what I found, there was a charge for an event they were holding there but not the actual site. (Of course, I also heard that the area was closed for a local wedding). Also, the ferry is a barrier in terms of cost, capacity and frequency of runs. Feel free to shoot me an email and share the link, if you’d like: puzzles2crack@yahoo.com Cheers!

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  10. Need an arm chair lawyer opinion here.

    My brother builds Jeeps at the Jefferson Plant in Detroit. How would you interpret my eligibility? My spouses? And my daughters (married and lives at a different location)?

    I’ve contacted ePrize. They don’t seem to be getting back to me me before this event begins. My brother, he heard about this adventure from me, so he isn’t any help. At least he’s focused on building good Jeeps.

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    • Hi Robert. I’m not sure if I even qualify as arm chair variety lawyer, but I did read through the Official Rules. On Eligibility, they have:

      Employees of Chrysler Group, LLC, Wieden + Kennedy, Inc., ePrize, LLC, Certified Dodge and Chrysler dealership employees, Contest production personnel, as well as friends and family of contest production personnel, and any of their parent and affiliate companies as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible.

      Although it’s a bit of a run on sentence, the section in bold, may apply. It could be a matter of interpretation, however. Is it such employee of the parent and affiliate companies, the contest production personnel (they already further qualify those by adding friends and family), or such employees of all mentioned (that preceded).

      I guess the bottom line is, if it was reported that the winner was a friend or family member of Chrysler, W + K, ePrize, etc, what would the reaction be? Just my thoughts. Cheers!

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    • Okay Tony, I’ll bite 🙂 You mentioned the 5-mile clue a couple of times. The 5-mile clue for the West search wasn’t part of the general/intro commercial and there wasn’t a 5-mile clue for the Midwest, rather 25-mile (they were both coffee cups though), and it wasn’t used in the general/intro video either. Got something you’d like to share? Cheers!

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  11. There is a clue in the welcome to Vermont scene of the commercial. The views from here are magnificent. BUT, you won’t be able to use google earth, street view, or Panaramio to see them. 😉

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  12. just for info, i wanted to make sure all the people flying out to ny/vt area to search have return flights, as the official rules state the winner will be contacted 8 to 10 weeks by a dealer in their area about working out the features they want. that means you will not be driving the journey away on the search date, it will be over 2 months before you have your new car. Also, if you are hoping to sell it for the money, it will be over 2-3 months before your big pay day. I am not trying to discourage anyone, I just want everyone to be prepared.

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  13. Hey Steve,

    How confident are you in the Mt. Independence site? Because I don’t think it’s going to be there.

    PS – If I find it, I will drive down to VA and buy you dinner. Considering gas prices it’ll have to be Burger King though.

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    • LOL Kevin! 🙂 I felt pretty good matching the bike photo, if that’s what you mean 😉 However, there are some inconsistencies with this search: apparent contradictory directions; the wide angle shot on the bike location (which set it up for discovery); and we don’t see the travelers exiting the vehicle.

      If it was the location, I fully hope and expect that they will move to plan b. If there wasn’t one, they’ve created one. I also hope that the campaign planners expected growing interest, participation and scrutiny, and have deliberately thrown us a couple of curve balls. All will be revealed very soon now. Cheers!

      (and if you do find it, and make the drive down to VA, I’ll buy YOU the dinner!)

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  14. Do you think that it makes a difference to Dodge how long it takes to find, they had already decided that they where giving them away, at this point it really doesn’t matter whether it takes an hour or a day, they already achieved there goal, in fact they got more then they could have asked for with all the controversy from the second search, even bad publicity is publicity , One will win, several will be close, and the rest off us will just say we where damn close, I will not be out there. I just can’t afford to gamble with the limited amount of money that I have. But I like the challenge, and if things get better in my life I would consider buying a Journey which I would not have if not for the promotion so Here’s to You Dodge, Good Work, And Good luck everyone, if anyone needs help from a home person while your out there feel free to contact me ~Peace~Bob

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      • Thanks for all you do a lot of searchers would be lost. I think the clues such as store names repeat themselves in other States. Now what will happen? No word from Dodge think they might have a 2fer in NY and Vt? I t would be to costly to repeat mid west. Again thanks. Steve

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  15. Any word on how Dodge will handle the now extra Journey after the Oklahoma snafu? Some claims on the Dodge page forum that there will be two Journeys for the Eastern search but I have yet to see anything official from Dodge.

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    • I haven’t heard anything, and yeah, I saw a couple of mentions yesterday on Dodge’s YT board re: two Journey’s – nothing to back it up. I think one or more individuals are just trying to stir the pot 🙂

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  16. Oh great — now we need to look UP too?

    Miami (CNN) — A satellite on the verge of falling back to Earth appears to have begun slowing down but will not re-enter the atmosphere until late Friday or early Saturday U.S. time, according to NASA.

    The United States is once again an unlikely but potential target for the 26 pieces of the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, expected to survive the descent. Those pieces, made of stainless steel, titanium and beryllium that won’t burn, will range from about 10 pounds to hundreds of pounds, according to NASA.

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  17. I think the speculation about their being two cars, while exciting to think about, is not going to happen. Despite all the complaining and arguing over WHO was 2nd in OK, I think the rules give a pretty clear line of succession for the car for just this reason.
    Also, the production company that was hired to run this promotion was only given 3 cars to work with. One of them got tied up in a controversy, too bad, unless they want to take the cost of another car out of their fee there is no way a fourth car will be involved.
    I think people forget that promotions like this are never run by the company. They are always run by a 3rd party for the company.

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  18. I’m guessing Tony thinks it is in Shoreman because the sign (by the Welcome to Vermont sign) says 5 miles to Shoreman with an arrow pointing the way….

    Hey, Steven ~ I never saw your “Final Destination” (FD) picture, and commentary…I would love to see that. Do you plan to run a “live” blog tomorrow, during the search, with any updates? After it is found, can you post your FD info and how you got there, etc.? Also, if anyone on here would post their experiences, that would be great fun! (And maybe start it on a new page??? How’s that for bossy?!?!?) Thanks!! RachelOH.

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    • Hi Rachel. Tony is holding that one close to the vest 🙂 Yes, I’ll be blogging tomorrow – I’ll have a laptop with a second monitor to extend my desktop space – watching the live feed on one side, researching and updating on the other (maybe I need to add my second laptop too … hmm) After we get the first radius clue, and assuming it shows them changing things up, I will add back the bike shot “stuff” 😉

      I am hoping that individuals can take the time to safely report in, share their experiences, etc. I’ve been in touch with a few already in the area. Cheers!

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  19. Question for someone with a little more knowledge of the 1st two searches than myself.

    I have heard that the car was found on private property and i have heard it was found in state parks. Do we know which it was? I am wondering if the hunt is going to involve searchers walking all over locals land, or if we can say that the car will, likely, be found on public land.

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  20. Steve, Sent you a couple of landscape perspectives on two targets via email to compare to the one’s that got removed. I’m personally hoping for a game changer, e.g. ferry/VT sign being a 50 mile radius point, as the easy targets along Lake Champlain are too close for that to consistent.

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    • Hi Randy. I’ll give them a look and agree with you. I’m hoping and expecting a twist or change. I expect Ticonderoga to be a (radius) clue, at what range, will tell the tale. Actually, the very first clue should tell us a lot (beyond starting location). Cheers!

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  21. Steven, just want to drop you a quick note of thanks. I’ve had a blast with this site and following the progression of the research and conversation. This has all be really great and a nice distraction from the day to day grind of life. I’ll be heading to Vermont tomorrow morning, tossing my hat in the ring, and you better believe if I find it you’ll be getting the mother of all gift baskets. Cheers to you. And good luck to the field.

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  22. Steve, ive seen you say that the 1st clue will tell us a lot a few times now, and I am not quite sure I understand what you mean. If the first clue is a 200 mi from albany or a 300 mi from NYC that wont really change much will it? Or do you think it will tell us a lot if it is totally different and takes that area totally out of the radius?

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    • Good question (and I could be wrong) but considering that we have contradictory directions, I do hope and expect that the first clue will help out there. Let’s say, as I expect, that they’re departing from either NYC (my fav) or Albany, then I’ll assume they’re heading north and southbound directions across the Twin Bridges was either an error or deliberate misdirection. They should add one or more new clues too, perhaps of Ticonderoga or Paradox (or a few others), that may give us some new direction or help better shape the route. Finally, what if they drop the bike shot 😉 For the initial Midwest clue, not much was added (except Sayre, OK – and the direction was wrong) and in the West, we got south from Emerald Lake (already had Hwy 89) … I don’t expect the radius itself, e.g. 200 or 300, to add much. We’ll find out soon 🙂

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  23. The grasslands where the 2nd vehicle was found was on private ranch land. Those grasslands span hundreds of miles. There are private ranches & property out there which some lot sizes are 100’s of acres. Actually, just drove through there not long ago. 😉

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  24. if the 200 or 300 mile clue is Mt Independence, there will be a lot of people scrambling trying to get out of that area in Vermont. lol Bridges outs, roads out, little cell phone coverage, lots of events going on up there…I am excited. I think there will be an unexpected twist or TWO.

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  25. What do you guys think of the beef jerky comment made on Dodge’s twitter page? Could this be in reference to some beef jerky joint? Orleans, VT has a jerky factory and although I find it highly unlikely it is 225 miles from Albany. Just throwing some more brain storming out there

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    • I saw that too Jeremy and great question. I’m hoping someone from the area can add some insight. Is it a regional reference or more directly, a clue?

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  26. I went to said final location about 20 minutrs ago and theres 9 people waiting there already. Along with signs saying “go away, the journeys not here” all over the place. Went to another possible final location to find 6 people there already. This isnt going to work.

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  27. GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING
    HEAD OUT ON THE HIGHWAY
    LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE
    AND WHAT EVER COMES OUR WAY

    GOOD LUCK TO ALL. DONT FORGET BRING EXTRA GAS TO HELP OTHERS STRANDED WHILE SEARCHING, TRY NOT TO CRASH TOWN SUPERVISORS WEDDING, ENJOY SOME MUDDING IF THE CONTEST ENDS IN 5 MINUTES AS SOME PREDICTED, AND DONT RUN OVER THE LOCALS WHILE LOOKING AT THE LANDSCAPE!!!,

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  28. are the people with the signs locals or are they others looking for the car and trying to get you guys out of there? It seems like the hundreds (??) of people descending on that place tomorrow might not make the locals too happy

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  29. There’s people everywhere, the locals are pissed. Its already difficult enough to travel up here and now there’s morons blocking rds intentionally to not let people by because they think they know the area. Anyone traveling from more than 2 hours away, please please please do yourself the favor and turn around unless you have alternate plans or reasons to come up here. It is a nightmare already and if another out of towner tells me i cant get by to get to my home, i’m running someone over.

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      • I live in Addison, VT. There are a TON of people out here. I went to the welcome to VT sign to get a picture of it and there were 4 cars parked with people sleeping in them all in front of it. People stopped and parked all up and down the sides of the roads etc. No one has wifi so people cant see the new pics from malta saying paradox. The drive in and pjs are very close. Stay on Rt 9 to lake george to the uncle sam and etc. The blocking roads with cars and setting up blocks to see some spots is insane.

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  30. I’m camping on the VT side near a couple miles from the ferry. I went all over independence park but it appears the last shot in the video was taken more North.

    I think it won’t matter anyway because it is most likely in a new spot far from here. $16 to cross the ferry wasn’t cheap! $28 round trip,

    I sent you some pics steve. Feel free to post any that you like.folks.

    I met a father daughter team from Virginia in a maroon van. Nice

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