Back to this roadside picture ... The exact location is very much photographed, including many automobile advertisements. The Energizer Bunny was glimpsed crossing the road right there. A flipped image became the movie poster for "Thelma and Louise." And Forrest Gump decided to end his cross-country jogging near where I'm standing.

Monument Valley is our special place, my wife's and mine. Connie and Lester choose Chuck E. Cheese and Hooters. (Where did they get those selections? I ask you, sheepishly.)

Their idea of an extended car trip is drive-thru window gridlock at Weeny King.

Our idea of enjoyable motoring is 4409 miles in 14 days. Thank goodness for Unlimited Mileage, because that's exactly the damage we clocked on our rental vehicle as we surfed the U.S.A. to additional points like Canyon de Chelly (pictured, top of previous page), Meteor Crater, Durango, the Arches, Elvis Presley's Memphis, and absolutely the grandest canyon. This excursion was a quickie. We cruise-controlled over 5000 miles back in '92, and 6100 in '96 during similar vacations.

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"We're varmints. We rob banks," proclaim The Guide and Mrs. the Guide, hiding out on the floor of the Grand Canyon during their recent trip. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, in Georgia, Connie and Lester were having the silverware appraised.

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So, now, let's begin. We must bid adieu to the old homestead, turn on the pioneer spirit, and go rollin', rollin', rollin', leftward across North America. As Donna and I climb into our car and make room for you in our re-creation of the 98-day tour -- that's in dog years -- I turn you over to the jotted excerpts from my factual Actual Travel Journal....

"Saturday: Day 1.

"We pulled out of our driveway and went to the rental place.

"Picked up car. Returned home. Packed."

WOW! That was spellbinding! I had forgotten the heart-throbbing intensity of that time and place. I can't wait to read about Day 2, next time in Part 3.

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Read more of this series now: • Episode 1: On the Road • Episode 2: Page 1: On the Road to on the Road • Episode 2: Page 2: On the Road to on the Road • Episode 3: On the Road to Discount City • Episode 4: On the Road: From Rush, ah, With Love • Episode 5: Page 1: On the Road: Get on With It! • Episode 5: Page 2: On the Road: Get on With It! • Episode 5: Page 3: On the Road: Get on With It! • Episode 6: Page 1: Rear and Moaning in the Grand Canyon • Episode 6: Page 2: Rear and Moaning in the Grand Canyon • Episode 6: Page 3: Rear and Moaning in the Grand Canyon

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About Your Guide: Mike Durrett says of his third trip through the West, "I was exhilarated. I've never known such excitement. Well, except when I make ladyfinger spongecakes with RuPaul..."

Travel Photos used by permission and copyright 1998 by Donna Durrett
Mike and Lester file photos by Donna Durrett, copyright 1998
Connie file photo by Mike Durrett, copyright 1998
All rights reserved.