Gumbo Across America....a man and his shit arrive home

The very latest in reality programming - Johnny Gumbo, friend/ festival co-ordinator/ Ph.D./ Rotarian/ Nascar aficionado/ snakecharmer/ philosopher/ rogue, is leaving Connecticut and is making his way to the Great Northwest in a sleek rented UHaul. Stay tuned for reports EXCLUSIVELY on johnnykmusic....

Final episode- Well, I've been travelin' down the road, just to loosen my load:
With trumpets blaring and the streets lined with curious onlookers, the mighty trio of jg, Hattie and Flat Stanleyette rolled into Spokane late Sunday afternoon welcomed by a smiling and happy "JD" (jg's dad). The trip through western MT and the panhandle of ID crossed mountain passes and high river gorges with rain and snow testing the driving skill of jg, affectionately known to his trucker buddies on the CB as "rental guy".

The seven day trip 'cross country covered 3,070 miles through 11 states and took in some spectacular and lesser known sights (see previous episodes) that usually don't get mentioned in the flashy travel journals. Leave it to jg and his crew to go the unorthodox route. jg even picked up a possible job opportunity next summer coordinating the Testicle Festival at the Rock Creek Lodge just outside Missoula, MT. They say you can really have a ball there.

Some observations along the way:

trains don't have cabooses anymore,

when you're older, you take advantage of stopping at most rest stops,

parakeets and paper stick figures make great traveling companions and don't cost much to entertain,

Cheyenne is the largest city in WY and has only 10,000 more people than Southington,

when you drive 'cross country, you don't get jet lag,

once you get past IL, there are more pick-ups on the road than SUV's,

rental trucks use a lot of gas,

it's pretty lonely driving when you can't pick up an FM or AM radio station, and

never, ever minimize the importance of having good friends.

The trio hopes you enjoyed following along on this trip. Thanks to jk for hosting the blog and adding some flair. And if you ever get out to the great Northwest, be sure to let us know. "We'll keep the light on for ya."

Previously, on Gumbo Across America:

Prologue

Episode #1 Headin' out

Episode #2 Gumbo rolls into Indiana; citizens warned to approach with caution

Episode #3 Just point it west and drive

Episode #4 High plains drifter

Glimpses of Johnny Gumbo on the road


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