On Your Mark. Get Set. GO!

On your mark.  Get set.  Gooooo!  

It's official!  License Plate Game 2013 (#LPG13) has begun!  Every summer for the last 22 years, we have played the License Plate Game.  It has become our...okay, it's an obsession.  

"Hi, my name is Debbie, and I'm a license plate game addict."   

Like most addictions, it runs in the family.  There are specific easily identifiable traits associated with participation in this annual competition.  It seems to be contagious and has even spread to our circle of friends.  You can't say you haven't been warned!

Interested in playing?  First, download and print out the handy license plate game sheet to help you keep track of your finds.  If you have an iPhone, there is a really cool app to help you keep track.  Android users, I tried three of the free ones available, but deleted them all because they weren't worth the trouble.  If you find a free Android app that you like, please share!  Word to the wise, there are many states that have multiple plates, this can be annoying.          

Our rules are simple:

1.  The game begins on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and ends the Monday of Labor Day weekend.   

2.  IMPORTANT:  Plates only count within a 50 mile radius of your own metropolitan area. 

3.  The goal is to spot cars or trucks from all 50 states (and as many Canadian provinces and any other out-of-the country plates...used as tie-breakers).  You have to physically see them with your eyes in person.  Not a picture of them.  Not hanging on the wall (like in TGI Fridays).

There have only been two years that I have not found all 50 states in the allotted time.  One year, I even found all 50 BEFORE the 4th of July!  Depending on where you are located, certain states will pose a particular challenge.  In St. Louis, for instance, Delaware and Hawaii can be very difficult.  Those are not difficult in other parts of the country.    

We hope you will join us in this fun adventure for kids of all ages!   Drive safely!

ps  On a run to the store, I found 10 plates.  Mostly easy ones, but I did nab a Wyoming!