Made it back home in Northern California today after 85 days, 6,717 miles (not counting running around miles when we were camped somewhere), and uncounted gallons of diesel fuel (we averaged 8.4 mpg). Our map shows a big circle through some of the most beautiful country on God's earth as well as some of the most desolate. We've met some very nice and friendly people, and we've visited more places than we can remember.
The forests of Washington State and the Northern Rockies have the type of beauty that we are familiar with in the California Sierra Nevada mountains, and so were both familiar and new at the same time. The rangelands of Montana and North Dakota seemed so bleak, yet alive with the cattle that we depend on for our beef, and how could we forget the endless miles of corn and soybeans in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Indiana. We've marveled at the work ethic of cattlemen and farmers who, for generations, have provided so much for the rest of us.
The historical heritage of towns like St Louis and Independence, Missouri, and Springfield, Illinois provided a peek into our country's past in a way that cannot be duplicated by just reading a history book. We were able to see the towns and farms of the places our parents were born, and while we did not locate actual buildings, we walked where they walked.
Even our last mad dash across Kansas, Colorado, Arizona and back into California provided us with time to contemplate our journey, highlight the good times, put the bad times to rest, and plan for the next journey.
We met young people just starting their family RV'ing experience, and middle-aged couples who have changed their lifestyle to get away from the fast pace of business life; we've met older people who have been traveling full time for years and still celebrate each day as a gift. They are our heroes.
So while we're happy to be home to see family and friends, we also know that there is a lot of this beautiful country that we've not yet seen, and so we know that 'fore too long the "hitch itch" will become irresistible once again and we'll hit the road. This will be the last blog entry for a bit while we soak up some "home time". Our next trip is scheduled to start about mid-January '14, so check back with us then and we'll share some good times, eh?
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