Hidden Immunity Idol
If you know me at all, you know I am a huge Survivor fan and have been since day one. And yes, for some of you asking, Survivor is still on TV and still putting out new seasons. In fact, this is Season 50, and there are only two more weeks left in the season.
This season has been “in the hands of the fans,” which means viewers got to vote on several aspects of the game like tribe colors, whether players started with flint and supplies, and whether there would be a final three fire-making challenge. There is also a revival of the live finale, which is super exciting for me.
It is an all-returning-player season, which is both fun and a little sad for me because it was another reminder that I still have not been cast. I have applied over 10 times, and I am not giving up. One of those attempts even included attending a live casting call with my good friend Marilee, which was an adventure in itself.
When anything Survivor-related comes up, I am always the first to jump on it. I listen to all the podcasts, started a Survivor watch group in college, own a buff, have read the books, and follow the players and show on social media. Every finale I put together a Survivor themed minute-to-win- it party with our friends that watch the show together every week.
Since this season was focused on the fans, they also created a challenge just for us. Every state had a hidden immunity idol, and if you found it, you had a chance to win a trip to the finale. There was absolutely no way I was missing this.
First, I had to convince management to let me leave work early because the clue had only been released a few days before the 12-hour search window began. After solving the verbal puzzle that had been sent out to fans who signed up for it, I had to race out of work with only about three hours to spare.
That gave me just enough time to drive two hours to Phillip S. Miller Park in Castle Rock, Colorado, and climb Challenge Hill to reach the idol location. What I did not realize was that apparently the entire state of Colorado had the same idea.
When I arrived at the bottom of the hill, there were hundreds of people there. Fans stood in line to sign waivers, hike up the massive staircase, and then stand in another line to take a picture with the idol and enter the drawing. The line was full of people in buffs, Survivor shirts, and huge smiles while everyone talked strategy, favorite players, and predictions for the season.
Did I win the drawing to go to the finale? No.
Am I still happy I did the challenge? Absolutely.
I am always up for a challenge. The hike itself was harder than I expected and honestly showed me a few things I still need to work on if I ever make it onto Survivor. I also got to see Survivor 49 contestant Steven Ramm, who was there encouraging fans during the event.
But honestly, my favorite part was simply being surrounded by people who love Survivor as much as I do. Listening to the excitement, hearing everyone talk about favorite moments from past seasons, and feeling that shared energy reminded me how powerful it is when people come together around something they truly love. There really is nothing else quite like it.
Here is to future challenges, future Survivor seasons, and hopefully me finally making it onto the show one day. I will be working on my next application and audition video this weekend.
Is there something you love as much as I love Survivor? Do you enjoy a good challenge? Have you ever experienced the energy that comes from being around people who all love the same thing?
To Survivor 50 and many more,
Anne
