One last time lugging the backpack as we hump several blocks to Hertz to pick up our rental car. Florida is very tropical, swampy with colorful plants and lots of humidity so I'm glad we didn't have too long of a hike.
Since we've been trying to experience life like the locals on our journey, we rent a huge American sport utility vehicle for our drive across the eastern US - even though we won't ever be leaving the interstate pavement. Good thing gas is so cheap here.
We spend the long drive out of Flordia debating what food a new tourist to the US should sample. Something uniquely American not found everywhere else in the world. Here's what we came up with for today: a huge salad... in a sports bar... with buffalo wings... and a Budweiser. Hooray 'Merica!
We have one overnight stop on the drive in Clarksville, TN. And wouldn't you know it - after 76 days and 14 countries we have our first major logistical issue on the last night of the journey here in the US. We arrive to the hotel (where we have confirmed and prepaid reservations) at 11:00 pm and find the office completely dark, empty and locked. We're able to rouse a maintenance guy and are told that the hotel is entirely booked and isn't able to get us a room. When we call them, Expedia isn't very happy with the hotel staff either but steps up to book us a room in a nearby hotel on their dime. At least all this happened in the US where we could speak the language (and corresponding swear words).
Back on the road the next morning it seems a little unusual to be traveling so long without some kind of border crossing. It definitely reminds us of our long train trip though Russia - in fact I think our SUV might be bigger than our Russian train cabin. But we're going to call it a tie between the quality and variety of Siberian train station junk food vs. US interstate gas station junk food. There were some fresh-baked options in Siberia but there's a far larger selection of crap in the US. We do our best to choose a semi-healthy option.
Here's the pastry case we find in the US convenience stores. No fresh fruit fillings? Quite a step down in quality compared to Europe.
And the US gas station hot dogs - without even tasting need I say, this is no Prague dog!
We've officially passed from the eastern US to the western US as we swing by the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Getting excited! About half way home.
Brian was very excited about the great Royals season this year but was very sad that he could only scoreboard watch from Europe at the time. Even though it's called the World Series, the rest of the world doesn't seem to care enough about it to broadcast it.
The other US-unique food we came up with for tourists is barbeque. Since we're passing through KC we stop at the best damn BBQ joint on the planet. (Oklahoma) Joes in KC! This definitely goes on the short list of the best food we had the entire trip. Gonna have to fire up the smoker when we get home and keep trying to improve our rib recipe.
We're 40 miles outside of Denver and it decides to start snowing. While it makes for scenic mountain views in the morning it also makes for a difficult end to the trip. With slow driving and a tight grip on the steering wheel we're finally home! Whew! What a journey! All the way around the Earth and back to Colorado!
Thanks for following along with us while we trekked around the globe. Here's the lesson we'll take away from the trip. This was our big crazy idea. And now we've done it. I'm sure you have a big crazy idea too - and it probably doesn't involve spending 77 days in trains, boats and cars. But whatever YOUR big crazy idea is... get out there and do it. Life is short, you only live once, pick your cliche. But get started on it - because it's these big crazy ideas that make life fun and memorable. We look forward to hearing about your big crazy ideas....whatever they are!
"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." - Ernest Hemingway
