Part One: The Amazing Race 8 – Seventh Leg: Phoenix

Paolo Family were the first team to arrive at the Pit Stop in Costa Rica. At 7:27am they were the first team to leave for the next leg of the Amazing Race. They travel by foot to Playa Maracas, where one team member must swim to a buoy to retrieve their clue. Mom remains fatigued, as Brian respects what she has been able to accomplish. Linz family depart a minute later, realizing the race is not just about being fastest and strongest. It is better to be first than have learning experiences. 2 minutes later, the Bransen family leaves knowing it is a team effort as Dad volunteers to swim. 

Paolo family arrive at the water and Dad goes for the clue. Linz siblings arrive and Nick goes. Wally Bransen arrive and stops to take off his good shoes. Paolo family gets their clue, followed by Linz siblings. Wally Bransen swims in the wrong direction. Paolo Dad is hanging on to the buoy as a call goes out for a rescue swimmer. DJ tells him to not drown as a rescue boat picks him up. Linz siblings have to travel 60m to a church brought to Costa Rica from Belgium in 1812. The Bransen family gets their clue in 2nd place. Paolo Dad gets back as DJ takes Brian takes Dad’s pack.   

Linz siblings stop at a payphone for a taxi. There is no taxi. Paolo Dad gets a dial tone and calls for 3 taxies. Linz siblings leave first, followed by Paolo, mom in front, Bransen family in 3rd place. Linz sibling driver speaks English and says he knows where to go. It is a 2 ½ hour trip, no peeing. Godlewski girls leave at 8:30am, knowing they need better teamwork as Karen gets the clue. Weaver family leave at 9am, being hated for who they are, not for who they are not. Rolly goes for the clue, cheered by his mom and sisters. They head for the church. Godlewski family arrive at a phone and arrange for a taxi. The Weaver family arrives at a phone and calls a taxi. They cheer Arnold the taxi driver. Part 1 [7 minutes]

The Linz siblings arrive at the church to see a funeral procession underway. Paolo family arrive, followed by the Bransen family. They walk slowly out of respect. Detour. In Brush teams travel 10 miles to Sarchi and pick 2 partially painted cartwheels and finish painting them. In Barrel, teams travel 10 miles to a sugar cane plantation where they load a trailer with on ton of harvested sugar cane, then deliver it by tractor and search for their clue in a warehouse of barrels. 

The Paolo family go for the Barrels followed by Linz family. The Bransen family chooses Brush but their driver is lost and stops for directions. Linz and Paolo families pile on 1 ton of Sugar Cane, mom worrying over Tony’s stress Godlewski blondes arrive at the church and heads for Brush. Bransen family arrives at Brush. The Weaver’s arrives at church and chooses Brush, figuring they are better at monotonous stuff then strength. Paolo family Dad continues to grunt as Mom stresses. Linz siblings drive the tractor to the warehouse. The Bransen family works on their two cartwheels. Godlewski girls arrive and start working on theirs. One sister suggests starting inside out so as not to smudge. 

Paolo family fill their trailer as Dad serenades them on the way to the warehouse. The Weaver’s arrives at Brush; Wally Bransen Dad says they made good time. Godlewski girls bicker at messing up the painting. Linz siblings arrive at the sugar factory and head to search for one of 5 barrels. They unroll the barrels and use tools to crack them open. One of them finds the clue poked through a hole. They must now fly to Phoenix, AZ and find a go cart track. The Paolo family arrive at the sugar factory, and go to find their barrel. Dad gets the clue and they head to the airport. Mom wants to know why they are going to Phoenix and not New Zealand.

The Bransen family completes their detour in 3rd place. The Godlewski girls continue to bicker about fast versus accurate as The Weaver family finish and leaves in 4th place. They are happy to be beating Desperate Housewives. Linz siblings arrive at the airport and catch a connecting flight through Atlanta. Paolo family arrive but are too late to purchase the tickets for security reasons. They try Taca instead. The Bransen family arrives and heads to Taca, followed by the Weaver’s. They find a flight through New York that arrives 10 minutes before Linz siblings. One of the Paolo family actually apologizes to another for a bad joke. The Weaver family confront Paolo family about being yielded, and DJ explains they were the last team, that is why they were yielded, because it was a game. He says they can be friendly but he plays to win. Godlewski girls arrive and get onto the NY plane. Part 2 [14 minutes]

The Linz siblings hunker down at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to wait for their connecting flight. The rest arrive at JFK Airport and check in for their flight to Phoenix. The Godlewski girls reservation has been lost and the flight is full. They get on a flight departing at 7am but have to rush over to Newark. They arrive and find out they are arriving at 9:20am. The JFK flight takes off, followed by the Atlanta flight and the Newark flight. Godlewski family are the first to arrive 45 minutes early and pick their car, noting it is hotter than snot. They get exact directions from the airport checkout attendant. They note they were first since all the cars were there. 

The New York flight is second with Paolo, Weaver and Bransen families. Bransen family is first to their car, followed by the Weaver’s as the Paolo family look for their car. Linz family arrive from Atlanta and find their car. Paolo family are still searching for the car right in front of them. Mom says she hopes DJ never gets married because she feels sorry for the wife. Godlewski girls arrive at the Super Cart for a Roadblock where one person must get behind the wheel of a super cart and complete 50 laps. They have to come in for a pit stop at lap 25. Michelle goes for the Blondes, with the whole track for themselves. Bransen family ponders the green grass of Arizona as Wally is chosen for the Roadblock. The Weaver family arrive and Mom announces she is doing it, and asks for help, describing what happened to her husband. Daughter does not want her to go, the other saying to be careful. The Godlewski girls come in for their pit stop. The Weaver kids say mom is taking one for the kids. Linz siblings arrive and give the task to Tommy. The Bransen girls talks about how hard it is for the Weaver family, and tell the kids they are proud of them.  Part 3 [11 minutes]

The Paolo family arrive at the racetrack and DJ quickly claims the driver’s seat. Bransen team is falling behind, passed by Linz siblings. Bransen family stops at the pit stop, Wally saying he doesn’t want to make a mistake. Godlewski girls cross the checkered flag and receive their next clue, 32 miles to Ft. McDowell for the next Pit Stop. They have a map and plan to drive like the wind, after taking one second to look at the map, continuing to bicker. They take 202 East. The Weaver family approaches her pit stop lap, as DJ comes up behind and bumps her from behind. DJ spins out and both drivers take off. 

The Godlewski girls decide to exit the highway and exit. They get directions to go back to 87 North. The Bransen family completes the task and heads for the Pit Stop, stopping to ask directions. The Weaver’s complete the Roadblock in 3rd place and head to 87 North. Mom is glad it is over. Siblings complete their 50th lap in 4th place. They quickly locate the Ft. McDowell casino. DJ has 10 laps remaining. Siblings decide Tommy was going fastest, on fuego. The Bransen family stops for directions at a hotel. The girls are in a rush and Dad gets frustrated they wouldn’t let him use the phone to verify directions. Paolo family complete the Roadblock and head for the Pit Stop in last place. Dad says it is not over yet.

Linz siblings catch up with the Weaver family as they reach the ranch. They search for the Pit Stop. The Godlewski family arrive at the Pit Stop as Team #1, winning a trip to Belize. The Weaver family arrive in 2nd place, saying every day they conquer new things. Linz siblings arrive in 3rd place, as Phil asks if Tommy actually has a driver’s license (him being the youngest). Bransen family stops at a Liquor Mart and gets directions back the way they came. Paolo family arrive at the ranch, counting the cars as they park. They think they are last, so they start putting on extra clothes, mom with too big underwear. Bransen family arrives, as the Paolo family realize they were not last. Paolo’s reach the Pit Stop in 4th place, Phil saying they look ridiculous as he gives them the good news. Wearing their underwear, Phil says he now sees what kind of support they have. 

Paolo family tell the Bransen family to go put on clothes because this may not be an elimination round. They put some clothes on and then officially arrive at the Pit Stop. They are the last to arrive, but are not eliminated. They are stripped of their money and all belongings they are not wearing (and they are wearing a lot). They are confident they do not need money to win the Amazing Race. Part 4 [10 minutes]

Part two: The Amazing Race 8 – Eighth Leg: Grand Canyon

Godlewski girls were the first to arrive, and leaves at 11:43pm to Mesa Arizona for Williams Gateway Airport. They know they have to funnel their strengths into a solid unit. The Weaver family leaves at 11:48pm. They plan to enjoy the experience and not let others get them down. Linz siblings leave at 11:51pm, joking they have rattle snakes in Mesa. They don’t like losing battles. The Paolo Family leaves at 12:06am and DJ gives mom the clue. The main thing is for them to stay in the game. Godlewski family leaves in last place at 12:14pm, promising to stick together.

The Linz siblings stop for directions, and are pulled over by a cop. The officer gives them directions and a warning. The Paolo family wonder if they are going on a helicopter ride. The Bransen family begs for money, Dad holding back noting it does not hurt to be cute, young and funny when begging for money. The Weaver family arrives at the airport and get the first position. Linz siblings arrive second. One Sibling asks how they knew it was there, the Weaver family say they were smart, and the Linz sibling says no. Godlewski girls get the third spot. The Paolo family get the 4th position, followed by Bransen family in 5th position.

At 4:30am, they get their clues, a Roadblock. One person takes off in a fighter plane and takes control to fly a 360 degree loop. First up are the Weaver family, Rolly behind the controls. Sharon goes for the Godlewski girls, Megan for the Linz family, and Brian for the Paolo family. The three planes take off, as the Linz siblings joke that Air Biscuit is off the ground. Rolly goes first, doing some aerobatics, twisting and spinning and tumbling. Sharon is the next to twist and free fall backwards. Megan falls out of the sky to shake things up. 

Rolly makes his first attempt, completing the task perfectly. Sharon goes next, pulling 3Gs and completing the task. Megan goes third, and completes the task. Siblings joke with Brian that it just a joystick between his legs. Rolly lands and gets the clue, driving 277 miles to the Grand Canyon looking for Lupin Point. Siblings are next, followed by Godlewski girls. Bransen and Paolo families hit the air, mom more nervous than Brian. Lauren flies for the Bransen family. Brian makes his first attempt but did not pull enough G’s and has to try again. DJ expresses his frustration. Lauren tries next, turning left and not completing her loop. Brian is perfect on his second attempt with a big smile on his face. Lauren completes her second attempt.

Part 5 [12 minutes]

The Bransen family grabs their clue in 4th place, followed by the Paolo family in last place. On the road, the two teams roll down their windows to ask each other if they know where to go; neither do, and neither are willing to stop. The Bransen family pulls over. The Weaver family throw garbage at Godlewski family as they pass them. Linz siblings hope to ride donkeys at a detour. The Bransen family a stranger to dial for directions up 89 on their cell phone. The Paolo family follow 64 North. Linz and Weaver families stop at the park. They tell the guard to stop the car behind and give the whole history of the canyon. The guard tells the Linz siblings the first car was talking smack about them as he waives them through.

The Weave family receive their clue and have to dive 127 miles to Page Arizona to the Glen Canyon dam for their next clue. The Linz siblings retrieve their clue followed by Godlewski and Bransen families. The Paolo family get stuck in traffic entering the park. The Bransen family needs gas while the Paolo family get their clue in last place. Godlewski girls arrive at the bridge over the damn, followed by the Linz and Godlewski families. They pick up guides but the Weaver family have to stop for the bathroom. The teams make their way onto the damn to get their clue, a Detour. 

Part 6 [10 minutes

In Bearing, teams travel by motorized raft along a lake using a compass to find 3 cards. In Bailing, teams travel by motorized raft to a submerged boat and using hands and scoops must bail out their boat and carry it across a line. Linz siblings choose bailing. The Godlewski girls choose bailing. The Weaver family choose Bearing, wondering again why the other teams hate them so much. They travel up the canyon, following the flag markers. The Weaver’s get their first card, set their compass, and head off. Siblings look for their submerged boat along with Godlewski girls. The Bransen and Paolo families search for the damn. The Paolo’s realize they went the wrong way. Brian takes responsibility.

The Linz and Godlewski families find their boats and begin bailing, using hands, cups and construction hats. The Weavers search for their second card and keep an optimistic attitude as they take in the scenery. Linz and Godlewski families get into a water fight, as they both use a little pump. Linz siblings tip over their boat and carry it up onto land to complete the Detour and receive their clue. They drive to Antelope Point at Lake Powell, AZ for the Pit Stop. Siblings scream that they are king of the Canyon. The Weavers get the second of three cards. The Bransen family arrives at the Detour and chooses Bailing. The Weaver family get their third card and head back. Godlewski girls tip over their boat as the Bransen family gets into their motorized craft. The Godlewski girls complete the Detour in 3rd place.

The Bransen family passes the Weaver, Linz and Godlewski family coming back. Linz siblings reach their car and head to the Pit Stop in 1st place. Godlewski girls are in 2nd place, and the Weaver family in 3rd place. The Bransen family arrives at their submerged boat and begin bailing. While the Paolo family are arriving at the damn. The Weaver family have to make u-turn to ask for directions, and get an offer of a guide. The Paolo family choose to Bail and head out to their boat, arriving as the Bransen family finishes their detour. They know they can’t afford to mess up. The Paolo family, Mom and DJ continue their verbal battle, mom suggesting they drag the boat. DJ says you can’t turn it upside down, they already tried. They drag the boat upright and get their clue in last place. Part 7 [8 minutes]

The Linz siblings find Antelope Point, park and run. There are no marked boats, and then they realize the clue says to follow the marked path. They find the path to the motorboat, but the engine conks out in the shallow water. The Godlewski girls arrive at the shore as the Linz siblings get their motor running. Godlewski girls get into the boat, push it out into deeper water, and take off. The Paolo and Bransen families race for the park. The Linz siblings search for the Pit Stop, followed by the Godlewski girls, gaining on them. Linz siblings can’t make their boat go faster, and fall into 2nd place. 

The Godlewski girls are the first team to arrive, and win a J-flight 27 VH (travel trailer). The Linz family arrive in second place again, and Phil notes the girls are beating them up. The Linz family hope they will treat them to one of their prizes. The Weaver family arrive in 3rd place but don’t look happy. They say it is all alone, and it is frustrating the other teams are so classless. Phil reminds them their mother said they have to run the race their own way. One daughter says it is hard to live a Christian life. The Bransen family arrives at the park and heads to the water followed by the Paolo family, they too head to the water.

The Bransen families boat is going slow, as the Paolo family come up from behind. Paolo Mom cries that they are coming Phil. 

The Bransen family arrives at the Pit Stop in 4th place. The Paolo family pulls up to the dock, with DJ yelling at his Dad about his lift. They arrive and are informed they are the last team to arrive, and are eliminated. Dad says they had a ball, enjoyed every minute of it. They say the yelling and fighting is the way they are, they stayed together and nothing can break them apart. DJ said he was impressed by his mother and next time he won’t be so down on her. Tony says the race brought them closer together, the experience and friendship lasting a lifetime is worth more than a million bucks. Part 8 [8 minutes]

Big Morty thanks to AmazingNut, Fuskie, mo, morty and smirnoff for contributions to this recap.