Casey and Dirty Joel's cross-country adventure

As the dust settled from the Londonderry Pop Festival Casey Neefus and Dirty Joel sat around the Rome office wondering what the next step was. In constant pursuit of "living the dream", they knew they had to get to Tijuana for the international Run For The Border Any Means premiere in Tijuana during ASR. One problem: Tijuana is about 3,028 miles from Vermont. With no tickets to San Diego from Vermont and no funds to get one, the Thumbball Rally was created Casey and Dirty Joel would vagabond their way across the country hitch hiking and hopping trains.

The Thumbball Rally format: 10 days to get from Waterbury, Vermont to Tijuana without paying for transportation; a combined total of $213 to their names ($100 each donated from Rome); if they make it to Tijuana on time, Rome will buy them plane tickets back to Portland, OR; if they complete all the Thumbball Rally Challenges, Casey and Dirty Joel get to share a grand prize of $1,000.

The Thumbball Rally Challenges: To make the trip more interesting, Rome, Casey and Dirty Joel agreed on some challenges for them to complete. If they nail them all, and if they arrive on time for the premiere, they will be rewarded with VIP treatment at the Super 8 motel and a nice dinner at Sizzler, to go with their $1,000 prize.

Thumbball Rally Challenges:

1. Hop a train
2. Make out with a woman over 45 years old
3. Skate for a mile without pushing
4. Take a picture of 5 historical or famous landmarks in 5 different states
5. Convince someone who is giving you a ride to let you drive
6. Swim in the Mississippi River
7. Crash a sorority or fraternity party
8. Put a sticker on at least 3 different state signs
9. Get a tattoo for ten bucks of the initials of the state you are in
10. Get a free breakfast at a hotel without staying at it

Stay tuned to the site for daily updates on their adventures across the country and an update on challenges completed on there way to glories prizes and luxury treatment awaiting them in San Diego.

If you make it to the Run For The Border premiere in Tijuana, buy them a drink.