We took a more direct route on the drive home. We spent rainy days and nights in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Kentucky before arriving in our next destination, Tennessee. The Appalachian Mountains were a dark green maze often wrapped in clouds. We were especially taken by West Virginia.

In Memphis we stayed in the Graceland RV Park while visiting Dennis' brother and sister-in-law. We had hoped that the south would be cooler in mid-September, but the heat held on through Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. We enjoyed the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma and the Cadillac Ranch art installation in Amarillo, Texas. It finally cooled down on our last night in the Manzano Mountains in New Mexico.

We are grateful to all the friends, family members, and complete strangers who made this such a great trip. 

Chenango State Park - Chenango, New York

Blueberry Pancakes for dinner

Rocky Gap State Park - Flintstone, Maryland

Ashville, Kentucky

Greenbo State Park and Resort - Greenup, Kentucky

Not a live bear

Lake Malone State Park - Dunmor, Kentucky

Graceland - Memphis, Tennessee

A yard sign in Memphis

Welcome to Oklahoma

Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas

Manzano Mountains - Mountainair, New Mexico

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Steller's Jay

Sunrise at Mountainair