Day 13 – our final day – was a lot of driving.  Kinda like day 12. That said, we did have one stop on the way.  Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas is world famous as one of the most beautiful churches in the world.  It is nestled in the middle of a backwoods Arkansas town, which is itself in the Ozarks.  Its walls are made of glass such that you can see 360 degrees around you into the beautiful woods.  I’m afraid our pictures do not do it justice.  If you are ever in the area, you should go see it. 

After the church we dined at the local Pancake House.  Very average, save for the fried pies for dessert.  Josh and I each got a fried pie, which is essentially the same as you get from McDonalds but 100 times better.  I had the peanut butter, and it was to die for – hot, gooey, fatty goodness.  I was particularly happy because it completed the fried trifecta of lunch – onion rings for appetizer (shared), chicken fried steak for entrée, and fried pie for dessert.  Actually, I had french fries for a side, too.  It’s vacation, so I don’t feel bad, and I know this is a temporary diversion from the voluntary calorie restriction program I’ve been on since January.

Day 13 is memorable for at least one other thing, though.  We made it 5,224 miles – over 75 hours – without running afoul of law enforcement.  During mile 5,225, however, the law finally caught up with us in the form of Oklahoma State Trooper Jackson Childress.  I was hurtling down Interstate 40 without a care in the world in the morning of Day 13.  I may have been a touch above the speed limit.  But seriously, I emphasize only a touch.  Little did I know that I-40 in Oklahoma is a zero tolerance speeding zone.  Officer Childress pulled me over for 80 in a 75.  He was everything I picture Oklahoma State Troopers to be – tall, square jaw, broad shoulders, etc.  He was also incredibly nice, however, and recognizing that we are dumb tourists just trying to make it home before we kill each other, let us go with a warning.  We learned our lesson, though, and drove much more carefully.  Seriously.

A short 17 hours later we pulled back into the Marshall Homestead in Sigel, PA.  All in all we had traversed seventeen states in some fashion – Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri.  We covered 6,300 miles (almost exactly) and drove a total of 90 hours.  To put that in perspective, it is like driving from Pittsburgh, PA to Tokyo, Japan.  We saw forests, mountains, snow, deserts, canyons, battlefields, creepy snails, Touchdown Jesus, casinos, churches, geysers, buffalo, pueblos, and fried pies.  We braved the death marches of Yellowstone, the heat of Vegas, the cold of the Grand Canyon, and roads of Oklahoma.  We did this all with the enthusiasm and vigor that only the most deranged people could muster given the immense amount of driving that took place. 

We left as friends, and returned as friends – a major accomplishment.  I knew it was a successful trip when on the way back – in the midst of our fourteenth hour on the road that day – we began planning next summer’s trip. 

For those who followed us, I sincerely hope you have enjoyed reading this blog as much as we have enjoyed delivering it to you.  Being able to share our experience was a major part of our entertainment through the journey, and for that we thank you for reading.  If we managed to get you to chuckle once or twice, all the better. 

Lastly, a personal note for my four traveling companions – Kati, Josh, Becky, and Chunk.  The true enjoyment for me was spending two weeks talking, eating, drinking, and laughing with you guys.  The fact there were geysers was a nice touch, but driving through Idaho would have been a good time as long it was with you all.  Can’t wait to do it again!

Join us next summer for our trip to Maine by way of New York and Boston!