Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast

My friend Sara got me started on something. 

When my friend Sara sent me a text asking if I wanted to go to an escape room...I jumped at the chance! I have been trying to get my family to go to one with me for years.

I don't know what movies you've seen and what books you've read, but escape rooms are not creepy. Well, not the ones I have done, anyway. Yes, you are "locked in" a room, kind of, but the door isn't really locked. You are also in a building with other escape rooms, which generally means you can hear other groups who are right next door.

Sara and I made plans for supper and an escape room in Columbus, Nebraska, at S.T.A.R. Escape Rooms. We decided on Granny Schmitt's Kitchen, mostly because when Sara called she was told that was a good one for beginners. Sara had been to an escape room in Sioux City, Iowa, so she had a little experience, but this was brand new for me. 

It was everything we had hoped for. The room was cute, challenging, creative, and more. Yes, we asked for hints (you can do that.) Yes, we escaped. Most definitely, yes, we were ready to go, again!

Word Spreads When You're Having Fun.

Sara and I were talking about our adventure at a mutual friend's graduation party, and the next escape room plans were made. We made it sound so fun (because it is) that we had three more join us at S.T.A.R. Escape Rooms in Columbus.

This time, we did The Last Frontier room. 

Here's how it works, you do one, Then you do another. And so on, and so on.

Which is just fine, because Nebraska is getting more escape rooms, and they change the rooms out often enough to keep us going.

The day they announced a brand new escape room in Norfolk, I had several people tag me in the post. I love it! Thanks for keeping me in the know, friends.

So, you know, we had to try it. 

I heard the founders of Encrypt Escape Room, Austin Truex and Kiley Anderson, speak at 1MC Norfolk and loved their passion and excitement not only for their own venture, but the fun new things available to do throughout the Norfolk area. It was also neat to find out, in speaking with them, that they had help and guidance from the owners of S.T.A.R. Escape Rooms in Columbus. 

With this group of friends who all go to church together and go to the same bible study each week, we try to find something to go do once a month. Out of the four of us, I was the only one who had ever been to an escape room. We enjoyed a great meal at Franklin's Bistro and then headed off to put our teamwork skills to the test. 

They were so nervous, but those nerves quickly went away as we focused on finding clues and unlocking our way through the room. When we were done, all of them commented how they couldn't wait to do another room and plans are in the works to try one soon.

Encrypt gave Growing Small Town Nebraska podcast a voucher for two and of course, there were a lot of people who wanted to win! It was a great giveaway and nice to see so much support of the podcast and the escape room!

Encrypt Escape Rooms opens a new room this month.

We can't wait to try it!

I Got the Hubby involved. Finally.

My husband has never been interested in escape rooms. Yes. I have mentioned it several times.

Sara and I made reservations once again for the S.T.A.R. Escape Room in Columbus for four. We then let our husbands know of our plans.

We had an amazing supper at Gottberg’s Brewery, which is part of Duster’s Restaurant in downtown Columbus, and then continued our adventure at S.T.A.R. 

One of the things I love about this escape room is what the owners, Randy and Joanne Mueller, have done throughout their business. Besides being escape room enthusiasts, they also put together a lot puzzles, which they have displayed throughout the entryway, hallways, and even in some of the rooms. 

The guys agreed that it was a good time, although, when you take a farmer and a contractor, sometimes they may "cheat" a little. Ask Randy at S.T.A.R. about that when you go for your adventure. We're sorry. We can't take them anywhere.

Co-host, Marcie Sextro, and I are super excited to have two Adventure for Two packages from S.T.A.R. in Columbus to now giveaway through Growing Small Town Nebraska podcast. Make sure you follow us on FB and Instagram for your chance at one of those. 

Sara and I are excited to have our husbands ready to do the next escape room adventure. We won't even need to be sneaky about it!

Links to the mentioned businesses are listed, below. Don't forget to tell them you heard about them through Sharply State by Sheila and Growing Small Town Nebraska podcast.

Let us know about other escape rooms you have enjoyed. We look forward to hearing from you!

S.T.A.R. Escape Rooms, Columbus, NE    http://starescaperooms.com/

Dusters & Gottberg Brew Pub, Columbus, NE   https://dustersrestaurant.com/

Franklin's Bistro, Norfolk, NE  https://www.franklinsbistro.com/

Encrypt Escape Rooms, Norfolk, NE  https://encryptescaperooms.com/