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     Blake/Paige and Tara/Wil take off for the last time.  They are headed to Queen Kaahamanu's Birthplace, which is acknowledged with a landmark in Hana Bay.  Tara/Wil arrive slightly ahead of Blake/Paige.  They borrow a lantern and head off toward the marker.  Blake/Paige follow them.  The clue there, suprisingly, directs the teams to Anchorage, Alaska.  Blake comments that he never would have guessed that one.  Blake/Paige head off for the airport as Tara/Wil find a hotel and book their flights from there.

     Chris/Alex set off, find the clue, and also head to the airport.  All three teams book the same itenerary, although Blake/Paige's last flight is different from the other two teams.  They will be headed to Anchorage via connections in Honolulu, San Francisco, and Seattle.

      While the teams wait in the airport, Tara and Wil realize that neither of them have the clue.  Tara says she put it in a book, which they apparently have thrown away.  This of course, causes a huge, finger pointing argument between the two of them.  Finally, they decide to approach Blake and Paige and ask them if they may copy down the clue.  Blake, who is in a rush to book their flights, tells Wil to let him book the flights first.  Tara/Wil look on and decide they will go and ask Chris/Alex instead.  As Tara/Wil leave, Blake says that theres no way that they will give them the clue because they wouldn't if Blake/Paige were in that siutation.  They say that Tara/Wil have picked the wrong team to be mean to the entire race if they want a favor from them now.

      So, they try their luck with Chris/Alex.  The Boston Boys have a team meeting, then announce that they too are unwilling to help Tara/Wil.  Their reasoning is that they believe Wil wouldn't help them if they were in the same situation.  Tara agrees with them.  Now, all three teams are having the same discussion.  Blake points out that at one point, Wil said he would never help Blake/Paige and would do everything he could to get them eliminated.  And so, its looking like Karma came around to bite Wil in the butt.  Wil concedes that the only way they can stay in the race is to try to follow the other two teams.

     The teams get on to Seattle.  While they're waiting for the last flight, Blake realizes that the other two teams are on a different flight that will arrive 10 minutes ahead of their.  He doesn't fret, however, realizing that 10 minutes at this point probably won't amount to much.  Tara/Wil, meanwhile, are in the airport's bookstore frantically looking through Guide books trying to find something that looks familiar.  Tara says that "Rust's Flying Service" sounds familiar, so she calls them up.  Sure enough, the man on the other line says he is expecting some teams.  I guess I'll have to get them a tiny bit of respect for pulling that one off.  One thing you can say about Tara and Wil is that they are determined.

     So, Chris/Alex set off for Rust's Flying Service with their flight arrives in Anchorage.  Tara/Wil follow them in another taxi.  Once there, they are supposed to instruct the pilot to take them to Trapper Creek.  Wil just says "Follow That Plane."

     They arrive in Trapper Creek and find out that they are supposed to stay overnight in an igloo.  The next morning, they will slip on some snowshoes and hike to a frozen lake, where they will drive a Snow Cat.  Blake/Paige arrive some time later.  It looks as if their flight was signifigantly more than 10 minutes behind.  But, the igloo task will level the playing field again.

     In the morning, the teams set off down the trail.  Chris/Alex speed off in their Snow Cat, while Tara/Wil and Blake/Paige are considerably slower.  All three teams head off to Homesteader's Hardware Store, located about 30 miles away.  Chris/Alex arrive, and are told to make their way to Hurricane Gulch and are given a bag of tools and a propane tank to take with them.  Tara/Wil arrive, followed by Blake/Paige some time later.

     Once at Hurricane Gulch, the teams are presented with the final roadblock.  One member must use the tools provided to retrieve the clue from inside a frozen ice globe.  Chris comments that "if there is one thing we know, its ice."  He steadily chisels his way through the ice block and gets the clue.  It directs them to go to San Francisco.  They take off for the airport in Fairbanks.

     Tara/Wil arrived next.  Wil performed the roadblock, and starts off using a hammer to pound the ice.  Realizing this is getting nowhere, he tries the propane torch next.  While he struggles, Blake arrives and starts to work at it.  He takes the chisel and begins steadily chipping away at the clue.  Wil is still using the brute force method and making progress, but slowly.  Blake and Wil both get the clue out at about the same time.  Blake is performing very well on the roadblocks today.

      They both head toward Anchorage, the opposite direction of Chris/Alex.  In the Chris/Alex car, they begin to have second doubts, realizing this could make them or break them.  In the Tara/Wil car, there is much excitement because, as Wil explains, he is a fourth generation San Franciscan.  As you may remember, he also said Thailand was his "second home," and that didn't turn out too well... We'll see if  the home field curse comes into play.

      Chris/Alex arrive in Fairbanks and determine that they are going to have to get to Anchorage if they want to be there as quick as possible.  They hop on a flight and head toward Anchorage as the other two teams arrive in Anchorage.  They both book their flights, which will take them from Anchorage to Portland to Oakland.  Chris/Alex arrive and realize they are on the same flight.

     The plane lands in Oakland, and the teams frantically run.  They need to catch a taxi that will take them to Landmark #97, which is the Atkinson -Esher House, one of the oldest houses in San Francisco.  Catching a taxi doesn't turn out to be as easy as it sounds.  It seems there is a specific way you are supposed to catch a taxi at this airport.  They are radio dispatched and you must stand in a line and wait for one to pick you up.  Blake/Paige quickly get one and take off.  Chris/Alex are close behind.  Tara/Wil, on the other hand, waste several minutes arguing with the dispatcher, who, of course, is not very inclined to help them.

     Blake/Paige approach the intersection that the landmark is located at.  Blake, however, sees a cable car museum and gets out because he thinks that this could possibly be the landmark, even though its not the intersection mentioned.  Ok, minus points for you Blake.  Sigh, you were doing so well this episode.  Chris/Alex pass them up and find the clue, followed closely by Blake/Paige.  They are now supposed to abandon their taxis and run, by foot, to Municipal Pier #29.  Both teams take off running, asking for directions on the way.  Tara/Wil, who took a shortcut, arrive soon later and take off running, knowing exactly where the Pier is.  Tara/Wil arrive first at the Pier, and are told to grab a taxi and take off for Murray Circle at East Fort Baker.  Once there, they are supposed to follow the flags to the finish line.  Oh No!  Tara and Wil are in the lead headed into the finish line.  I'm beginning to feel sick.

     Chris/Alex arrive soon after and take off looking for a taxi.  Blake/Paige are still running, they just took the long way to get there.  Now, the race comes down to who can find a taxi.  Tara/Wil offer $50 to take someone elses taxi, but they refuse.  They go ask a policeman where to find a taxi, and he tells them Fisherman's Wharf.  While they were doing so, Chris/Alex got a taxi at the exact spot Tara/Wil were standing at previously.  They argue and then realize there is another free taxi.  Both taxi's take off at about the same time.  Chris/Alex were in the lead, but, perhaps purposefully, they let Tara/Wil pass them.  Wil knows a shortcut to the Golden Gate Bridge, but it won't do much good if Chris/Alex follow them.

    Meanwhile, Blake/Paige have found the clue, grabbed a taxi, and are also on their way.  In the Tara/Wil taxi, Wil has an idea.  He is going to lead Chris/Alex astray, pretend he is getting out of the taxi, then get back in as Chris/Alex start running in the wrong direction.  Chris/Alex do follow Tara/Wil, but the running around part doesn't work exactly.  Chris/Alex quickly realize they are in the wrong spot.  Wil, meanwhile, has started climbing up a hill?  I am watching incredulouly at this point.  Maybe Blake/Paige still have a shot.  Wil apparently was thinking of swimming across the bay i guess?  Tara calls him an idiot, a comment I certainly wouldn't argue with a this point.  Tara/Wil take off across the Golden Gate Bridge now.  Chris/Alex had to stop and ask for directions, the net result being that Tara/Wil actually did manage to gain a little bit of time on them.  The editiors leave us wondering if Blake/Paige have managed to pass them up during this whole fiasco.

     We see a team arrive and start sprinting.  Is it Blake and Paige?  NOOOOOO.  Its Tara and Wil.  Chris and Alex arrive about a minute later.  Tara and Wil can see the finish line, but look!  Behind them!  Chris and Alex are catching up.  Tara is walking now... she's giving up.  Chris/Alex pass them, as they run up the steps.  The other teams cheer wildly as Chris/Alex jump on the mat and tackle each other.  They pick up Phil as he announces they have won the Amazing Race.  "Well," I'm thinking, "At least it wasn't Wil."

      The cameras pan to Tara and Wil, who are, get this, having a screaming argument ON THE FINISH MAT.  Whereas last year, we had peaceful music and a happy reunion, this season we are treated to more of Tara and Wil's incessant bickering.  Blake and Paige arrive and happily take third place.  They say that the money didn't matter, they're just glad they were able to complete the entire race and see the world.  And, unlike other teams who might say the money doesn't matter, somehow they actually seem convincing.  Blake/Paige weren't my favorite team from the beginning, but they grew on me.  I sure would have liked to see them win.  Its not that I disliked Chris/Alex, but I really detested both Tara and Wil.  Chris and Alex were involved with Wil strategically, and Tara romantically.  So, I guess they somehow became guilty by association.

     Anyway, 52,000 miles, 4 continents and 8 countries later, the Amazing Race 2 has come to a close.  I thank everyone who make nice comments about my website.  I probably will not have such extensive coverage of the 3rd edition of the race in the fall, but I hope someone out there in internet land will take my lead and make a similar site.  My schedule probably will not permit me to keep it up.  Later folks.  Its been Amazing.

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