Solving The Ripper Outdoor Mystery with CluedUpp!

Since I enjoyed the challenge and excitement of an Escape Room, I jumped at the opportunity to play an outdoor detective adventure game. The Ripper GPS mystery by Cluedupp Games would come to Boulder, Colorado, on May 1st. My expectations were as clear as the fog on my magnifying glass.

The night before the event, it occurred to me to read the details in the confirmation email. We needed a team name. #TheRipper and #Cluedupp hashtags on Instagram revealed all kinds of fun names and participants dressed to impress.

After tossing and turning while putting together outfits in my dreams, I sat up, pointed upward, and said, “Aha! We’ll be The Sherlock Gnomes.”

The weather more than cooperated when it delivered blue skies for the determined Gnome investigators. We started out with serious determination.

Our mission? To solve The Ripper case by determining the ruthless serial killer and the murder weapon. With The Sherlock Gnomes on the beat, The Ripper wouldn’t be free for long.

Our daughter, Courtney, read clues on The Cluedupp app and directed us to various locations.

I took copious notes. Except for the scribbles made when having a picture taken, I kept track of the suspects and witnesses. Really!

Danny studied the fine print.

When facing tremendous odds, comic relief aided in searching for clues.

The Gnome gumshoes plodded all over downtown Boulder. When we stepped into a GPS location — one of many bubbles on the map — text would appear on the phone’s screen. The interview with suspects and witnesses always started with a riddle. We solved all of them. *rubs knuckles on vest*

While crime-solving all over Boulder, we met some Pet Detectives.

And another team of Sherlock enthusiasts — The No Shit Sherlocks.

Using stupendous sleuthing skills, The Sherlock Gnomes unmasked the killer and solved the case. Woohoo!

We celebrated by cooling our heels at the local Mexican restaurant, The Rio.

Would I do it again? But of course! It was elementary, Dear Watsons.

We won a prize for best costumes! We haven’t received it yet. What do you suppose it might be? Put on your detective hats!

Check out CluedUpp for their next mystery!