I think I now have your headache from trying to solve that awful puzzle.

How are you feeling?

I know, it’s annoying! But it is do-able.

I’m okay, still wishing the headache would go away. Now.

I hate you for this. I do I do I do.

Tell me how to do it would’ja…aaarrrgghhhh.

I’m on my way out for the day, but I’ll post the solution when I get home!

This is the fastest I can do it…17 steps.

Police + thief to far shore
Police to near shore
Police + girl to far
Police + thief to near
Mother + girl to far
Mother to near
Mother + Father to far
Father to near
Police + thief to far
Mother to near
Mother + Father to far
Father to near
Father + boy to far
Police + thief to near
Police + boy to far
Police to near
Police + thief to far
Anybody have a more efficient way?

Here’s the solution we came up with at work:

1. Take police and criminal across. Leave the criminal and bring back the police.
2. Take police and first son across. Leave the first son and bring back the police and criminal.
3. Take the dad and second son across. Leave the second son and bring back the dad.
4. Take the mom and dad across. Leave the dad and bring back the mom.
5. Take the police and criminal across. Leave the police and criminal and bring back the dad.
6. Take the dad and mom across. Leave the dad and bring back the mom.
7. Take the mom and first daughter across. Leave the mom and first daughter and bring back the police and criminal.
8. Take the police and second daughter across. (The criminal will be alone.) Leave the second daughter and bring back the police.
9. Take the police and criminal across.

You’re done!

I just took the entire game, took it across, and left it there. I give you and annabel lee kudos for your patience.

I don’t even remember how I solved it. Sorry to have contributed to anyone’s headache.