SEGMENT 23--Final Destination Reno, NV

So folks, this adventure comes to an end. I'm flying back to Kona today. Grandpa and I have driven 7,036 miles in the SunSeeker and have seen some amazing places. 

We have seen small towns and big cities. We have seen churches, lots of churches, and a few rock formations.

We have seen memorials for people who have passed at Hoover Dam, Oklahoma City Bombing, Martin Luther King, and Elvis.

We have viewed museums like the Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the Civil Rights Museum, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Bourbon Heritage Museum, the Alien Museum, Tinkertown, the Kentucky Derby Museum, and the Louisville Slugger Museum.

We have seen roadside oddities like the Wigwam Motel on Route 66, World’s Largest Fire Hydrant, and Cadillac Ranch.

We have seen abundant road kill. Did you know the most popular road kill across the country by far is the raccoon? 

We have eaten at some incredible restaurants. The most memorable were the Big Texan for the 72oz steak, Goodson's for Chicken Fried Steak, and ribs at Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous. 

We have survived on Wal-Mart's across the country, buying groceries, cooking supplies and halloween decorations, and using their parking lot as a safe place to sleep.

We have been blessed with absolutely gorgeous weather every single day, and have seen the wonderful changing colors of fall leaves.

We experienced Talladega.

And of course music, music, music.

I told Grandpa I realized this may be the last time I see him. And he told me, “No, no. I plan on being around well into my 90’s. Except for this damn back thing, I’m in pretty good shape. I’ve got all my mental faculties. My hearing and eyesight are great. I don’t have heart problems, or wear diapers. The only thing wrong with me is that I’m an old fart. I will be around for awhile.”  So we planned another road trip for his 90th birthday, probably to Alaska. 

I am grateful I had this opportunity to spend with my grandfather and I got to know him much better. It’s fun to see how similar we are to one another. Grandpa Paul is truly an amazing person. For an old guy to still be able to drive and remember jokes, what a memory.

I will leave you with one last Grandpa’s Joke Corner:

Charlie and Maria are an old married couple sitting on the porch having a cocktail and preparing to start dinner on the Bar-B-Que.

Charlie feels a little flippant, and tells his wife, “Maria, your butt is getting so wide. Why it’s nearly as big as that there BBQ.”

Maria turns around stunned, and says, “Charlie, I’m not going to fire up this BBQ for one tiny weenie.”