Tuesday, August 17 – 2021
Have you ever been so close to something that you could taste it? That’s the way I felt when I woke up on this morning. I wasn’t looking forward to another 10 hours on the road but the end of this road held our destination: Knoxville, TN. When we completed this last section of our 2,200 mile journey, our new adventure would really begin.
There was a sense of excitement in the air.
Even though we got to Steve & Mary’s fairly early compared to the previous stops, we stayed up late talking and enjoying each other’s company. Tori & I decided that we were going to sleep until we woke up. We wouldn’t be getting into Knoxville until late anyway so getting a later start wouldn’t make that much of a difference.
The night at Steve & Mary’s was invigorating. It felt good getting a decent amount of sleep. Rested, freshly showered, fed and caffeinated, we got back on the open road. My eyes were bright and if I had a tail, it would have been bushy.
Being the last leg of the journey to the South, we were able to take in more of the countryside. Missouri, Iowa & Kentucky were beautiful. We already knew that Tennessee was gorgeous as we took a trip down there last April. So the fact that we hit Tennessee in the dark was all right.
We crossed the Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio rivers on this day. What a sight!
Around midnight we passed Nashville and hit I-40 East to Knoxville. The rest of the drive was uneventful and serene. Knowing that a nice bed would be waiting for us at our extended stay hotel was a bonus. Being in Tennessee felt natural.
We got to the hotel around 2am. Putting our feet on the ground in the state of Tennessee really drove some points home:
- We left Montana and aren’t going back.
- We’re not on vacation.
- A new life awaits us here.
- Technically, we are homeless.
My only lament on this stage of the trip was not taking advantage of the opportunity to pee in 4 different states in 1 day. I may carry this regret to the grave.
(Photo by: Tori Close)
Oh man that would have been so cool to pee in four states in one day.
I might try that next summer as we won’t be too far from 4-corners. I could get all four states in one steady stream!
Ha ha! You’ll have to let me know how it goes.
You know, you could have. Missouri, Illinois, that little tip of SW Kentucky, then Tn.
Opportunity missed.