Welcome to the fourth leg of The Amazing Race 8: Family Edition.

We’re off! Bransen is the first to leave the US Space and Rocket Center in Alabama at 1:15pm, searching for the largest office chair in the world in Anniston, AL. Where they will find the largest Office Chair. One member of each team must climb the chair to receive their next clue. Next to leave is Linz family. One of the Bransen daughters calls Alabamians ugly. Bransen dad confuses Alabama with Deliverance. Schroeder is the 3rd team, followed by the Godlewski family. The Weavers leave in 5th place, with a prayer to help them move up. Mom discovered the strength inside of her while sleeping last night. The Schroeder disparages the Weavers. Paolo family leaves the pit stop, losing their clue before they get out of the gate. The older son and Mother argue all the way to the vehicle. Gaghan family are in last place, as Carissa says she is smart, funny, and can keep the team going.

Bransen arrives at the Office Chair and retrieves their clue, driving to Talladega, AL for the Auto Sports Hall of Fame to get their next clue. Weavers worry about having to go to the track due to memories of their father’s death. Linz siblings get their clue in 2nd place. One Linz boy says he wants to build a bigger chair so he can be the biggest dork in the world. Schroeder gets their clue in 3rd place. Godlewski are in 4th. Bransen arrives at the raceway and retrieves their clue. They must complete one lap around the track. What teams don’t know is they must race a party bike around the track.

Linz family arrive at the Hall of Fame in 2nd place and retrieve their clue. Bransen races to the track and finds their peddle bike. Gaghan family arrive at the chair, and Carissa climbs to get the clue, in 5th place. Weavers arrive at the chair and find out they have to go to the raceway. One daughter really does not want to go there. Paolo family retrieve their clue from the chair as the family continues to bicker. Bransen is half way around the track as the Linz family arrive at the bikes. Part One [9 minutes]

Schroeder arrives at the raceway and mounts their bikes. Bransen completes their lap and has to head to the southern town of Hattiesburg Mississippi to find the Southern Colonel trailer park homes. Weavers are dreading the raceway, intent on getting through it as fast as possible. The daughter cries out when she finds they have to make it to the speedway and take a lap. They suck it up and make their way, mom saying that their dad liked racing and would be proud of them for being strong.

The Schroeder family stop to raise the seats on their bike. Linz siblings complete the lap in 2nd place, followed by Schroeder. Godlewski family complete the lap. Weavers get on their bike just as the Gaghan family arrive. Once finished, Weaver mom is proud as they leave the track in 5th place. Gaghan family start off around the track as Paolo family arrive. Carissa wishes she had longer legs as Gaghan complete their lap. Carissa says her legs are not that sore after all. Paolo family want their race car.

One of the Bransen girls hangs out of the window and moons the Linz family as they pass them on the road.  It begins lightning and thundering as Paolo completes their lap. A dark cloud moves over Talladega. Bransen and Linz families stop for directions for Southern Colonel. Bransen family are the first to arrive, followed by Linz. Linz family are first to get their clue and must find a trailer with a departure time, three separate times available. Schroeder ask a police sheriff for directions; they are directed to a trailer park. Blondes stop at an internet café for directions. Weavers stop in a convenience store. Schroeder stops at a convenience store.

Bransen finds 7:40am; Linz siblings get 7:20am, and tell Bransen what to look for. They find it. Linz says nice full moon tonight, huh! Godlewski family arrive at the trailer park in 3rd place and pick 7:40am. Weavers get 8:00am. Schroeder family are lost, and daughter is upset. They are tipped to find a 7:40am. Gaghan family arrive at the trailer park in 6th place. Schroeder takes 8am. Paolo family arrive at the trailer park. Schroeder daughter has a breakdown over being tied with the Weavers and 20 minutes later than they could have been.

The Paolo family pick the 7:40am clue, less than 5 hrs away so the decided to get to bed as soon as they can. Linz family leave 1st to Richman Mississippi for a BP station. Bransen family are right with them, Godlewski ladies are in 3rd place, Paolo family in 4th place, Schroeder in 5th place. Linz family arrive at the station and search for Lester. They must drive to the Pelican State to Madisonville to find the Fairview Riverside State Park. Godlewski family drive past the BP station. Paolo family pull in and receive their clue in 3rd place. Godlewski girls realize they need to turn around and retrieve their clue in 4th place. Gaghan family are in 5th place.

There is a traffic jam as Weaver and Schroeder families arrive for their clue. Carissa sings about her lucky pen as Schroeder continues to bicker. Godlewski family congratulate themselves on a quick recovery. Bransen and Linz families arrive in the park and a Detour. In Work, teams use a 2-person handsaw to cut 4, 2" slices off a log. In Play, teams canoe over to a river boat and play 21 (Blackjack) against a dealer. Teams must win 3 rounds. Bransen family feel Play is the best bet. However, they must change into appropriate period clothing. Linz family chooses Play as well.

Schroeder family very frustrated, they haven’t heard of the destination despite being from there. Paolo family arrive in 3rd place and choose Work. Godlewski girls choose Work, watching the Paolo families’ technique. The Bransen and Linz family play 21. Bransen family gets their first win. Gaghan family arrive at the park and choose Play. Linz siblings still have no wins, and decide to bail for work. Paolo have 2 of 4 cuts as Gaghan arrive at the casino. Paolo have already cut 3 pieces of wood, Linz have their first. Paolo complete the Detour and drive to the next pit stop, crossing the world’s longest bridge across Lake Poncetrain, into the French Quarter to Preservation Hall, established 1750. Bransen family are the second to complete their Detour and heads for the pit stop.

The Weavers arrive at the Detour and choose Play. Linz family complete the Detour and head for the pit stop in 3rd place. Godlewski girls complete the detour in 4th place. Weavers get their first Blackjack win. They get 2 out of 2 as the Gaghan despair of time wasted. Paolo hit the bridge. Bransen family are in 2nd place crossing the bridge, followed by the Linz and Godlewski family. Godlewski girls argue about taking their backpacks as they search through the French Quarter. One sister cries about crying at the pit stop mat.

Weavers complete the Detour in 5th place. Gaghan give up and go to the Work logs. Schroeder arrives at the detour in last place as it starts raining. Gaghan have 2 discs cut, as Schroeder heads to the river boat, winning their first game. Schroeder gets their second game as Gaghan complete the detour. Schroeder completes the detour in last place. They cheer as they are going home. Marathoner Mom calls Lake Poncetrain one of the 5 great lakes.

Paolo family arrive 6 blocks away from Preservation Hall. Linz family are on their tail. Schroeder says it is not fair they are going home. Bransen family arrives at Preservation Hall as Team #1, winning a trip for 4 to Universal Orlando. Paolo family arrive in 2nd place. Dad gives Phil a huge hug, moving from last place to second. Godlewski girls and Linz family search through the rain, Linz family arriving in 3rd place. Phil asks about the crescent moon. The Godlewski family arrive in 4th place, yelling that crazy women are coming through.

Gaghan and Schroeder arrive in the French Quarter. Weavers are in 5th place. Gaghan are in 6th place, Schroeder is the last team to arrive and have been eliminated from the race, in their hometown. Mom breaks down and cries. Dad describes how he worked a mile from the park and didn’t know where it was. Daughter wishes Dad would have listened to her more. Dad blames himself for every mistake because he was the team leader. He is proud they can deal with real stress and hardship. Part Two [9 minutes] 

Fuskie -  Who thinks it was doubly hard to be eliminated in their hometown, but at least CBS saved $$ on the return airfare...

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