Driving from Tennessee through Mississippi and Alabama home to Georgia

Our final stretch home, from this 11–day journey by car to the West.

On Interstate 22 East Byhalia, Mississippi and look at the perfect weather!

We veer off towards Holly Springs and Tupelo, Mississippi

Rolling Truck Stop & Cafe near Flatwood and Carbon Hill, Alabama on Interstate 22

Chevron in Nauvoo, Alabama

Pieter napping in Cordova, Alabama

Interstate 20 East Birmingham – Fountain Heights

Center right is the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Birmingham and made me think of Uncle Bo Whaley who worked as an FBI agent for 20 years...

We pretty soon got to change our watches again, one hour later!

Around 16:30 I was in Atlanta, Georgia veering off of Interstate 20 onto Interstate 75 South...

We both needed a human pit stop and with that we always filled up our car.

This was at Shell Oil in Jackson, Georgia

Just have to rave about these healthy snacks from Costco.

Pains au Chocolat

Product of France

No artificial colors

No artificial flavors

No high fructose corn syrup

NO GMO

European bakery items are by far not as sweet as American and this is so important for me with diabetes type 2 and CKD stage 4.

Felt great during the entire trip and we both didn't change weight.

Often the high sugar level goes hand in hand with high sodium; a no–no for both of us, also for Pieter since his heart attack and open–heart surgery on September 3, 2010.

On July 16, I started driving with the mileage on 13,633 

Home by 19:17 and the total mileage was now 18,602

My total mileage 4,969 mi or 7,996.83 km

Fuel Economy for our Infiniti QX50 was 28.9 MPG 

28.9 U.S. Mile Per Gallon =

12.29 Kilometers per Liter

Total trip and 8 dots for where we spent the night(s)—4,969 mi or 7,996.83 km.

We passed through 16 states:

1. Georgia
2. Tennessee
3. Kentucky
4. Illinois
5. Missouri
6. Iowa
7. Nebraska
8. South Dakota
9. Wyoming
10. Colorado
11. New Mexico
12. Texas
13. Oklahoma
14. Arkansas
15. Mississippi
16. Alabama

Our car had its oil change and rotating of wheels done a couple of days later.

Having the appointment with Infiniti, we opted for a stay at Hyatt Regency Suites in Marietta and enjoy a swim... 

But our good luck with perfect weather seemed to be OVER with, as it RAINED!

This was next morning from our room, Atlanta skyline in the distance.

To the left is our loyal Infiniti QX50 parked, after the check up.

LOVED driving this car, perfect in the mountains and not a single issue with it. 

Hope you enjoyed traveling along and maybe learned something for not putting off things, before you will regret it.

Shared memories with your spouse are always double joy!

Enjoy one final 2 minute Relive video:

From Hyatt Place Oklahoma City/Bricktown to Hyatt Place Memphis/Germantown

 Rolling on via Interstate–40 East, now homebound!

We left our Hyatt Place Oklahoma City/Bricktown and via a short stretch on Interstate 25 South, shortly on US Highway 285 and after 60 km or 37 miles already on Interstate 40 East towards Hyatt Place Memphis/Germantown in Tennessee.

After 323.5 km or 188 mi we needed to gas up and were ready for our own pit stop.

We did so at this Phillips 66 gas station and Kountry Xpress on 1107 Georgia Ridge Dr. in Mulberry, Arkansas.

We both were quite surprised to find some REAL GOOD Indian food for lunch around 12:58!

An hour later, I did spot this Walmart Supercenter in Clarksville, Arkansas where Pieter got out for some fresh mandarins and healthy yogurt.

After our good lunch; a light supper would do!

On Interstate 40 East in Conway, Arkansas it was rather hot... 104°F or 40°C

And that even close to the mighty Mississippi River...

And we're nearing Little Rock, Arkansas where former President Clinton hailed from.

On Interstate 40 East in North Little Rock, Arkansas

North Little Rock...

At 15:30 we split off here towards Memphis, Tennessee

At 17:22 in West Memphis, Arkansas crossing the mighty Mississippi River into Memphis, Tennessee

Yes, the Mississippi River is the state border.

Tennessee/Arkansas border via I–55 Mississippi River bridge ←short video showing the reversed crossing into Arkansas but gives an impression of the mighty Mississippi River!

Our end for the day is in Memphis/Germantown.

That way we are close to the Interstate for next day's departure and already east of the city.

Gassing up for next day, very close to our Hyatt Place

Hyatt Place 9161 Winchester Rd, Memphis, Tennessee

Again a King Size Bed awaits us...

BUT I first liked to go for a walk in fresh air and stretch my legs!

So enjoyed my walk!

Perfect weather for walking around...

At 18:29 still 36°C or 96.8°F

Hyatt Place Memphis/Germantown shuttlebus

Home...

My iPhone showed this information about this modern hotel in Germantown.

Located 20 minutes from downtown Memphis, our casually–chic hotel in Germantown, Tennessee is ideal for the multi–tasking business traveler, family vacation or sports group playing in a tournament. We are just minutes from popular attractions, like the Mike Rose Soccer Complex and Graceland, and within close proximity to many companies, including FedEx World Headquarters. At our hotel you will find an outdoor swimming pool that is open from spring to after Labor Day, a 24–hour fitness center, and flexible event space for small gatherings. 

Stay tuned for more...

Enjoy this 2 minute Relive video:

From Hyatt Place Santa Fe to Hyatt Place Oklahoma City/Bricktown

 Now all we had to do was travel eastbound, going home!

So we departed from our Hyatt Place in Santa Fe, New Mexico and drove towards Hyatt Place Oklahoma City/Bricktown.

Feeling grateful for having done the BIGGEST part of our long journey: NOW or NEVER — Travel WEST with us ←click for our beginning...

After breakfast we got on our way to Oklahoma, City.

Today it would mean mostly Interstate, only in the beginning a small stretch on a highway.

This photo is from 9:04 after driving about 7 miles.

Special sky after the heavy thunderstorm from last night in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

We definitely are leaving the mountains behind us and enter more into the lower plains today.

Around 13:04 on Interstate 40 before reaching Amarillo, Texas I at least TRIED to capture some of the many wind turbines in this wind park.

We've never seen that many!!!

Aerial Amarillo Texas ←short video and if you move to 0:59 minute you see the enormity of those wind farms. If Texas would be a country, it would rank 5th in the world for generating wind power...

BUT there is also a downside to all those winds...

Land hurricane? Major wind event in Amarillo TX! ←click for short video showing how devastating that can be to trucks...

Admiration for these individuals who deliver everything we eat and use, all over the United States!

Around 15:05 gassing up and human pit stop in Shamrock, Texas at Taylor Food #2006

Turning the engine off while it was 105°F or 40.5°C...

A bit later at 15:45 on Interstate 40 East near Erick, Oklahoma it even got warmer...! 106°F or 41°C

My one–handed try to catch a glimpse of Oklahoma City while driving...

By 17:46 we arrived at our Hyatt Place Oklahoma City/Bricktown, on 20 Russell M. Perry Avenue, Oklahoma 

After checking in, I parked in the parking lot of Hyatt Place, across the street.

At 18:06 still 39°C or 102°F 

Enjoyed a short walk; just to stretch my legs!

Happy for having ended a more relaxed day and getting closer to home!

We also changed back one hour in time difference...

Our King Size Bed is invitingly for a good night rest!

Night Night Oklahoma City!

Stay tuned for more...

Enjoy this short 2 minute Relive video: