The one puzzle I’ve never been able to solve

Back when I was in eighth grade, my teacher placed a challenging puzzle in the classroom for students to work on when we finished our tests early or during breaks. The puzzle proved to be so difficult that we never completed it. Years later, the memory of that unfinished puzzle suddenly resurfaced, and it haunted me. I became determined to find and solve the puzzle that had defeated me all those years ago.

The puzzle, which would have been released around 2003 or earlier, was a shaped puzzle in the form of the United States. It featured a similar texture throughout, making it difficult to sort pieces based on color. Moreover, it was a random cut puzzle with many false edges, making it challenging to create the outline.

Despite scouring the internet and examining every United States-shaped puzzle I could find, I struggled to identify the elusive puzzle. Then, one day while researching a different puzzle on WorthPoint, I stumbled upon it. The puzzle, called “From Sea to Shining Sea,” was released in 2002 and perfectly matched the one from my memory. Excitedly, I purchased the puzzle on eBay to give it another try.

As I began working on the puzzle, I discovered that my strategy would be to start by sorting the yellow pieces, focusing on the rivers and landmarks, and gradually connecting them. The puzzle proved to be just as challenging as I remembered, with the illustration’s texture making it difficult to find matching pieces.

Reflecting on the circumstances of my eighth-grade puzzle attempt, I realized that there were several factors working against us back then. The puzzle was set up on a counter against a wall, leaving limited space to spread out the pieces. There was also never enough time to work on the puzzle, as it was only available during short breaks. Additionally, working on puzzles with other people often resulted in pieces being moved around, further complicating the process.

Despite the challenges, I was determined to complete the puzzle that had haunted me for so long. As I continued to work on it, I realized that the many mountains and trees in the illustration added to the difficulty. While my original goal was to finish the puzzle in a day, I eventually accepted that it might take longer.

In the end, the experience of revisiting and finally solving the puzzle that had defeated me in the eighth grade was both nostalgic and satisfying. It served as a reminder of the importance of persistence and the joy of overcoming challenges, no matter how long it takes.