Hairy Elephant Trunks

Last breakfast. Cleaning up. By the border. No ORV. Time for reflection. Letter to the self. Sounds of guns. Desert picnic. Border patrol doesn't believe. Road dust. Highway stop. Grace's passport. Nap in the van. Head and neck at right angle. Back in San Diego. Goodbyes at the park. Inquiring party-people. Two car trips. Gabe's red car. Shower. Shrimp burrito. Grapefruit and vodka. Taylor Swift on the Jukebox. Final hugs. Food for the road. Coconut water and coffee. Back east. Through the night. Foggy morning. Energy from New Mexico's land. Burnt Shell gas station. In the moment. Forever on I-40. Water spillage. Reroute to Old Route 66. Accidents both ways. Lucky moments. Thank you Waze. Bathroom on the road. Cops everywhere. Free 72 oz steak. Smithson. Facts about Amarillo. Leaving the desert. Fog and rain. Fatigue begins. Brief breaks on the road. Final stretch. 44 hours total. Quick chores on campus. Crash.