It has been five weeks since we arrived in Durham after driving a 24 foot truck while towing our car 3000 miles across 11 of these somewhat united states in six days as we made our move from west coast to east to spend at least the next three years living in the South.
We've had a few requests wondering how the trip went. We were grateful that the actual driving went really well - although there was that dead-end and turn around that we had to deal with right off the bat...An elephant definitely would have been easier here! (Picture to the left taken from a card made by patients at Manarom Hospital in Central Thailand - where I was born!)
A few other highlights...
Stopping to see our good friends Greg and Christina in another one of their amazing, close to the water, house finds!
Taking a video of Brian, Andrea's dad (who was gracious and crazy enough to want to go with us) after he ingested a particularly hot pepper. Unfortunately for us (and you) we can't get it to post at this time, we'll keep trying as it's quite amusing! Thankful for Brian's kindness (but not so thankful that we won't stop trying to post the video!) in coming with us especially as it was just the three of us unloading everything once we arrived. (A Big thanks to those who helped us load up in Tacoma!)
Being convinced and cajoled by my wife and father in law to stop in and experience the wonder of Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota.
Not sure this is a highlight, but being surrounded by bikers either going to or coming from Sturgis, South Dakota was also pretty fascinating.
Having MOST of the plants in the back of the truck survive and make it!
And a few Random Thoughts from the Heartland taken from various places.
Missoula, Montana - Ruby's Inn (a great non-chain place to stay) Breakfast - a place where the regulars are known. Truckers and heartland vacationers converse and say hello as they dig into their eggs, sausage, biscuits and french toast. Surrounded by very good chain hotels, Ruby's stands out for its quality and ability to go it alone without lowering any standards.
Gillette, Wyoming - All American chain hotels, all run by hard working Asian, Indian and Arab Americans. Unfortunately there's often nothing more American than paving a prairie/farmland and putting up boxes of hotel chains and big do it yourself stores. The All-American food creation and export is definitely the Burger/Fries and Fast food/Diner experience.
Driving across the great plains, it is hard not to think about what it was like two or three or five hundred years ago. The US has done many good things in the past but no one really likes to talk about 'our genocide' that wiped out millions of Native Americans. (I have more thoughts, but not sure this is the best forum.) Nevertheless it is haunting to imagine what this country once was.
Most decent sized airports I have seen in my life recently have multi-storied parking garages. I was really surprised when we drove by the St. Louis Airport (I think) to see one very large, flat, and never ending parking lot. Speaks to the amount of land available. I was also really surprised at the St. Louis Arch. Really impressive and tall.
We each had our favorite states. I found myself really liking Kentucky and Tennessee. So disappointed not to be able to swing into Nashville - but really happy with an unbelievable Holiday Inn Express in Knoxville/Strawberry Plains. Have to give them a shout out!
I told you it would be random! Everyone should have the pleasure (most of the time it is anyway) and opportunity to drive across this country at least once in their lifetime just for the experience of seeing it in one go and for what it will evoke in you. It's also kind of cool just to know you can do it and that it is very possible. Next time though, preferably not in a big truck! (Although Budget also gets a shout out. Great trucks and service!)
Missoula, Montana - Ruby's Inn (a great non-chain place to stay) Breakfast - a place where the regulars are known. Truckers and heartland vacationers converse and say hello as they dig into their eggs, sausage, biscuits and french toast. Surrounded by very good chain hotels, Ruby's stands out for its quality and ability to go it alone without lowering any standards.
Gillette, Wyoming - All American chain hotels, all run by hard working Asian, Indian and Arab Americans. Unfortunately there's often nothing more American than paving a prairie/farmland and putting up boxes of hotel chains and big do it yourself stores. The All-American food creation and export is definitely the Burger/Fries and Fast food/Diner experience.
Driving across the great plains, it is hard not to think about what it was like two or three or five hundred years ago. The US has done many good things in the past but no one really likes to talk about 'our genocide' that wiped out millions of Native Americans. (I have more thoughts, but not sure this is the best forum.) Nevertheless it is haunting to imagine what this country once was.
Most decent sized airports I have seen in my life recently have multi-storied parking garages. I was really surprised when we drove by the St. Louis Airport (I think) to see one very large, flat, and never ending parking lot. Speaks to the amount of land available. I was also really surprised at the St. Louis Arch. Really impressive and tall.
We each had our favorite states. I found myself really liking Kentucky and Tennessee. So disappointed not to be able to swing into Nashville - but really happy with an unbelievable Holiday Inn Express in Knoxville/Strawberry Plains. Have to give them a shout out!
I told you it would be random! Everyone should have the pleasure (most of the time it is anyway) and opportunity to drive across this country at least once in their lifetime just for the experience of seeing it in one go and for what it will evoke in you. It's also kind of cool just to know you can do it and that it is very possible. Next time though, preferably not in a big truck! (Although Budget also gets a shout out. Great trucks and service!)
Duncan
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