The long journey home

I finally got to see a little fall colour on the drive from Toronto to Detroit. Not a lot but enough to satisfy.


It is time now to say farewell to North America, at least for the time being. I am at Detroit airport awaiting the first of 4 connections that will hopefully land me in Brisbane 3 days from now.



Over the past 225 days I have visited 5 countries; 28 states, 4 provinces and 9 islands.


The big questions that will be asked are what was the best...



Best town : Savannah, Georgia for its southern belle charm, live oaks and spanish moss.



Best national park : Very tough to call as there is so much to dazzle and amaze but Zion in Utah is way up there.



Best natural phenomenon : The Colorado River carving the immense canyons through the Utah and Arizona deserts . WOW!!!



Best Man-made phenomena : Biltmore, Asheville, NC. The holiday house and garden of the Vanderbilts - oh to be that rich.


Best moment : Standing alone, but for a silhouetted deer and a lazy looking bison, in the grasslands on South Dakota at dusk.



Worst moment : Killer mosquitos both in Canada and Tobago.



Best meal : 3 courses in New Orleans - gumbo, jumbalaya and bread and butter pudding. Oh so good for the tastebuds, oh so bad for the waistline.



Greatest annoyance : TIPPING. Aaaaaarrrrrgggghhhhh!


Thankyou to all the people who have looked after me over the past few months and to the great many wonderful people I have met and shared experiences with. Especially Chris and George and your three hospitable sons on the east coast, Paula, Don and Bella on the west, Marie, Lutz, Ingela and Mats in the islands, Bron in NYC, Andrea in Portland, Dovi in San Diego and the awesome crowd from the Canada trek. You've all helped to make this such an amazing adventure.

My love to you all... always.