Journey

It’s a gift that wasn’t gift-wrapped or placed under a Christmas tree, but Melissa Sweeney has no objections. Her well-earned present arrived just in time for the holidays, courtesy of the Dodge brand.

Sweeney, of Woodbridge, Va., took possession of a brand new 2012 Dodge Journey Dec. 16, her prize for winning the east coast portion of the Dodge Journey “Search Engine for the Real World” sweepstakes held back in September.

Sweeney spent three days traveling more than 900 miles hunting down the 2012 Journey, beating out hundreds of others taking part in the search. Relying on a long series of online and real-world clues plus assistance from family members back home, she hit paydirt when she found the Journey hidden inside a barn in St. George, Maine, Sept. 25.

Dodge launched the national television and digital advertising campaign on Friday, Sept. 9, positioning the 2012 Dodge Journey as the “Search Engine for the Real World,” the perfect vehicle for people looking for adventure. The campaign encouraged people to get out and explore the real world instead of just reading about it online and, as an added bonus, included a chance to win one of three Dodge Journey vehicles hidden across America. Vehicles were strategically placed in the West, Midwest and East. The first person to find each Dodge Journey won it.

The first Journey was found in Gardnerville, Nev., on Sept. 10. The second was located near Strong City, Okla., on Sept. 17.