Pulling It All Together

The thing about 'The Blog' is that it's for us, that is me and Jake, but now when it's all fresh and new, then it's for us, that is all of us. I know that one day when all the colour slips away, it'll be the little stuff that will send rainbows of recollection into our brains. And really that's what it's about, stuff to remember, friends along the way, friends rediscovered and people that you will love forever.

So to do an overview of the trip, I'm gonna split the USA thing up. Only way I can reassemble my brain.

1. The Road Trip.

Thank you Ford for delivering us safe through the country of your birth. When the Ford meant something, The Model T, the Thunderbird and the Mustang, it's young sibling the Focus got us all the way along 3,500 miles of highway and byway with just enough aircon and seats that kept you comfy, it was a fine wee motor and is still USA through and through. Your highways are a joy you lucky yanks. No one uses them anymore and some of the towns are just amazing.
We travelled 17 States on our trip, from the so damn organised and truly wonderful North, down through the middle of this great country into what became a slow burning, hot and amazing meander through the South. The people are what they are. Ordinary folk going about a days business and thankfully this trip has given us a chance to see how it happens. City life, country life, seaside shenanigans.
Your fuel is so bloody cheap. Your driving is crazy. Your country, or at least the half we've visited is energising. Three things to note alongside all the roads. Car sales. Used, new, doesn't matter, there are 100 dealerships for every person in the USA. Pharmacies! What is it with all the pills and drugs. The
only commercial enterprise more numerous than selling cars are the shear amount of pharmacies. Incredible!!!
Finally, churches. Boy do the Americans like to pray. Every town, village, hamlet or roadside trailer has a least five places of worship within walking distance. In fact churches are the only buildings constructed that don't need a car to get to.
So my observation along the highways and byways, is that the bulk of the USA is car, god and pill reliant. I am also amazed at the standard of driving here. Cars are not driven, they are aimed! No left or right flashers used, vehicles pull out yards in front of you and cross the road from the suicide lanes in the middle daring you to hit them. Speed limits on roads are ignored, traffic lights are for indication only. Drink driving is normal. Drivers still text as they go along and what is it ladies, with doing the make up as you attempt to steer in a straight line!!!

2. The People.

What a mixed up bunch of immigrants you all are over here. Most of you are Scots, or Irish, or from somewhere South. But mainly you are American. From the US of A, proud of the flag, that you fly everywhere with absolute pride, and having no clue of what happens outside your borders. Now I say that having eaten in places where the waitress almost dialled 911 because of our accents. If her jaw had dropped any further when we spoke, well it couldn'a happened. Obviously there are those of you who are well read and believe that you are well informed, but you still don't show the bloody Premier League, so you ain't there yet mates!
 9/10 for friendliness, what a bunch of 'have a nice day' folk you are. And yet you really mean it and so did I and it was wonderful wishing we all had a nice day and meaning it. You know, the UK has become a bit miserable in its old age. Been there, done that, printed and exploited the locals to get the T shirt. But you guys over here, well, you're on your way. A young country with massive talent and a great attitude to life. Have a great time, I'm sure you will. Just take it easy on the pills!

3. Friends Along the Road.

Half of this trip woulda happened if it hadn't been for the friends and family that we are so lucky to have on this side of the pond. Don't expect me to single anyone out on this gig, oh no siree. We have been blessed with our people is all I'll say. Thank you all so much for giving us a peek into who you are and how you live.
People become friends and friends become family. And I hope that everyone who has challenged us and taken the piss and poured scorn and generally made the time on the interweb so much fun have enjoyed being along the road with us. Just doing what we do. Finally, to all our new friends that this trip has allowed us to meet. We had so much fun with you all, thanks a lot for the laughs.

4. USA, Is It Worth The Fare?

Ha! You think!!!! There's nowhere that's not worth being. I suppose if a wide eyed Arkansas boy was dropped into London or Glasgow, he would've felt much the same as we have at various points along the way. I get the whole, don't need to leave the USA thing now. The world lives here and you visit the world every day as much as you will allow yourselves.

Negril in Jamaica was integral to almost all of this trip, as it happened. Most of everyone we know, is because of Negril. We have been visiting this wonderful place almost all the time we've been together and as it turned out, celebrated our 30th anniversary in our spiritual home. Soon come.

This once in a lifetime trip of ours started with the passing of one of our 'turtles', Betty you will be missed as much as you were loved, but as Karma often provides, it ended with the arrival of a new turtle, baby Marley. She will be loved by so many people.

Planned for most of our lives that we've shared together, it's been memorable.