The lonely ride home. Scott bailed and took a flight home. I guess days and days doing 60mph in a 75mph zone while being bounced around wasn't something he was up for...again.
From Utah I came across the Colorado Plateau. It was amazing to litterally see the earth raised up for miles and miles and then just drop off shear.
Every night I had to unpack the Jeep. Somehow I acquired 3 pair of skis and a snowboard while living in Aspen. When you only ski 7 times a year one pair are good enough. But when you live in a ski town you really do need different toys for different days. 
After days and days of driving (including detours to avoid tornados) I made a few adjustments to my very busy schedule and arrived in Memphis.
I went from totally normal in Aspen driving a monster Jeep with three pair of skis and a snowboard on the roof to a veritable freak show. In downtown Memphis people were just staring with their mouths open trying to comprehend what they were seeing.
This is the wall infront of Graceland. As you can see thousands and thousands of people wrote little messages to the King.
The next morning I got up bright and early (11am) and got in line for the Graceland tour.
These people were REALLY into Elvis. 
This really was a fun tour. The mansion is basically set up exactly as it was when Elvis lived there. Much of the decor is original. 
The wall of gold and platnum albums. He truly was an icon. There was also a wall with hundreds and hundres of checks signed by the King for amounts of $1,000 to charities.
He made lots of money and he wasn't afraid to spend it on some pretty cool toys.
They tell stories of him buying all his friends golf carts, go carts, and the like. They would then race them all over the grounds and even out through the streets. The cops wouldn't stop him and just let him do whatever he wanted. 
The King himself with his parents on either side. 
The Lisa Marie was just one of his many planes. They told stories of him spontaneously calling the pilots, loading the plane up with friends and flying somewhere for snacks. 
When I say this town is into Elvis I mean they are into Elvis. 
I hit Delaware right around the middle of May and decided to spend my last weekend on my beloved boat. I finally had to breakdown and sell it...ok I spent all my money and couldn't afford it anymore...there you made me say it.
So this was one last night of floating, drinking wine, and watching movies. Ugh...I'm really going to miss that thing. 
Ten days after leaving Aspen and thousands of lonely miles the trip is finally over. I must admit I did have thoughts of just getting out of the Jeep leaving it on the highway with the keys in it and walking to the nearest airport.
Finally I arrive HOME!!!
It's been exactly a year since I started this adventure. I've cris crossed the United States from Coast to Coast 4 times. Out and back in the Corvette and out and back in the Jeep meeting hundreds of cool new people and seeing everything possible.
As it comes to a close I think without hesitation I would absolutely do it again.
So now it's time to sell the Jeep and look for a job. Ugh a job! |
