I wrote this section at O'Hare waiting for my flight, although I am now home.

As I was dropped off a small cavalcade of Harleys came chugging into the drop off zone, accompanying a car. So I whipped out the camera expecting a celeb, but it turned out to be a young soldier returning to Iraq for a second tour, and the Warriors' Watch Riders are just a "society" of bikers who appreciate what their troops are doing in Iraq and give them a special escorted sending-off or homecoming, if asked. It certainly caused some interest and applause outside the airport. That's my second emotional moment in a US airport this year, the first being in Orlando in March when the entire crowds in the departure hall broke into spontaneous applause at a couple of toddlers greeting their Dad who had just returned from a combat zone.

What a journey.

11 states - Alabama, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin

Over 5200 miles in 22 days of car rental.

At least 11 12" long fully loaded tuna Subway subs, goodness knows how many Jack Daniels and Sam Adams (a beer!)

The hours I put into planning the trip certainly paid off - mapping out my route, reading books and using the internet to find places to visit, and arranging accommodation. One book is essential reading for any touring trip to the States - Frommers USA guide - it is fairly general and tends to take you to the better known tourist spots, but gives some great information on many places. I also read some specialist books on the Blues Trail which were invaluable. I don't think I have missed anything I particularly wanted to see.

Having the laptop has been invaluable, not only to keep in touch with home on email and keep the blog going, but giving me the ability to research on the run. And also waste some time with Freecell in the slack times (when were they then???)

Would I do it again? There are areas I'd like to revisit with more time, in particular the blues heartlands around Clarksdale, and the Gulf coast around Baton Rouge and New Orleans. I always felt that the best part of the trip would be from reaching the Smokeys to leaving Memphis, and that was how it worked out. The Northern part was really a means to an end - the Chicago Blues Festival was a must-do, so it caused stop overs and considerable hours of driving which I would prefer to have not done.

If anyone is still reading this, thanks for keeping up with my travels, and thanks to Debby and Nikki for encouraging me to keep this record. Lastly a Big Thanks to the ever-patient Jan for allowing me the time, money and freedom to carry out the trip.