We decided to leave as the project was 50% done and James plans to return in a month to complete his mission.
We packed up, left on a Saturday and headed for the return cross country adventure.
It was exciting as we didn't really have deadlines and just wanted to enjoy the experience. We traveled through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah and up to Idaho. The cheapest gas was $2.99 in at least 4 of the states, yikes. Food prices were high everywhere except Idaho. People were amazing everywhere. The friendliness factor was abundant. No road ragers, and was never flipped off once, lol. Also noticed, no graffiti, what's up California?, lots of tattoos, and no butt cracks.
Have to say it was refreshing.
It was all incredible, but the most unique experience was in Rawlins, Wyoming. We needed to stay in this small town with way too many hotels and not enough restaurants. There are snow gates on I-80 so I figure the elevation stopped everyone when the snow was heavy. The restaurant that was available was ok, but after we ate I went into the next room and it was a 20 by 20 ft room filled with deer, elk and various animal heads, floor to ceiling. Now, I like a good steak on occasion but this was over the top. A perfect stop for carnivores.
All in all the trip was a spectacular bucket list adventure and we appreciated all the stops, the hotels, the restaurants, seeing family and seeing the core of the US. The people are just what you expected, kind, loving, hard working beautiful people.
We were lucky to see my oldest son going out in Ohio, sister in Indiana, my friend/daughter and family in Idaho, my son and gorgeous grandkids in St. Helena. What could be better?
This was a bucket list experience and one I probably won't repeat but I advise you all to do it.
I feel blessed.
PS This photo takes the prize as the most bizarre thing we saw. This was the restaurant I spoke of in the post. Unbelievable, but true.