Just finished reading it after starting this weekend. Great read. I am so itching to travel. And I am very impatiently saving up for a truck camper setup of some sort that will fit in my tacoma. Reading about your trip brings back many fond memories of when I use to have an 85 trooper 2 (1st car) back in the day. Anytime I had somewhere to go, I'd take the scenic route and often sleep in the back.
Thanks for sharing your great memories, reminding me of my own and helping to inspire me to get back to creating more of my own. And I have a whole lot of respect for you for having your priorities in order in making a B-line for the BBQ as soon as you got to our wonderful NC.