Welcome to National Park Quiz #9, which is last (but not least) in the series.
Three guys meet in a Sausalito waterfront bar. After two beers apiece, the stories are flying thick and fast.
“One time while Diane and I were in South Dakota," says Jim, "I went to sleep in a National Park and woke up in a National Monument.”
“That’s nothing,” says John. “One time when Sylvia and I were backpacking, we went to sleep in a National Monument and woke up the next morning in a National Park.”
“I can top that,” says Jeremy. “One time while Judy and I were staying with some friends, we went to sleep next to a National Memorial, and when we woke up it was gone.”
“I believe you two guys are joshing me,” says Jim.
“I think you two guys are pulling my leg,” says John.
“I think you two guys are just talking to hear the wind blow,” says Jeremy.
“I don’t know if any of you guys are telling the truth,” says the bartender, “but I do know that all of you could be.”
How does the bartender know that all three of these guys could be telling the truth?
If you can supply a plausible explanation before midnight today (12:00 p.m. EST) you will be eligible for Traveler’s National Park Week prize drawing and a chance to win a National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map for the national park of your choice.
Answers and a list of readers who answered correctly will be posted in tomorrow's Traveler.
No cheating!
If we catch you engaged in sneakery of any sort, we will make you polish the brass fixtures and sort the monogrammed towels in the executive washroom here at Traveler headquarters.
Comments
EEW, you did a fine job on the first two, but that third explanation doesn't cut it because that Memorial remained right where it was. Since we expect you to come up with something that will pass muster, we have already printed up your Gold Star Pass and assigned a lackey to deliver it to the Concierge Desk.
Ranger Paul, those first two explanations are so wonderfully outrageous that I am tempted to print you a permanent Gold Star Pass for our Winners Circle Club. That wouldn't be fair to the others, however, so please put away the glue or peyote or whatever you are using and try again as soon as your head clears.
Ken: Explanation number 1 is ruled "incomplete", but promising. Numbers two and three are complete, but not at all promising. Back to the drawing board.
Ken: I'm afraid that none of those three explanations works.
It is already noonish, the winners circle remains empty, and guessing has slowed to a trickle. Looks like the Quizmeister might be able to get an early start on his Sunday afternoon nap. Aw-right!
Score!! EEW, you have restored my faith in Traveler puzzle hounds. Sort of. You may want to rest and download before you begin your stint at the whiteboard. We don't allow coffee breaks, toilet breaks, cigarette breaks, or any other kind of breaks. ;o)
Three very plausible explanations, viewmtn. An excellent job. Gold Star Pass with full amenities. Please tip generously. The concierge floor staff has been virtually idled today.
To answer your question: I am not a bartender, but a fellow could do a lot worse.