After we got through Birmingham we outran the front and the weather was nice again, but definitely got dark early. Between crossing four time zones and the clock change, we had no idea what time it was any more. Chad had parked his 4Runner (nicely built) at the airport to catch the flight out to Phoenix, so it was back to the airport to drop him off and we went our separate ways home. I wanted a pic of the turbo next to his 4Runner, but apparently we went into the wrong gate and I couldn't get there from here. So he had to hoof it a little. That's him walking away with the backpack.
I live a good bit north of Atlanta, in the foothills of the Appalachians, so it was another 1.5 hours before I would make it home. But this was the final leg of an epic drive. Totally worn out and happy. If you have never made such a drive, you really need to do it. The landscape changes are incredible and even though we didn't get out into nature, it's still an awesome thing to see. In a perfect world, we would have taken several days to make the trip and done a lot of side trips. But us working stiffs had to be back at work Monday morning so that wasn't an option. So after that final leg, I made it home safe and sound, and collapsed into bed. Didn't get an arrival pic, but I went out this morning and took a couple shots. The turbo is getting to know the new garage mates.
Just a quick word about @LandCruiserPhil - wonderful guy, exactly the kind of person you want to buy a vehicle from. Conscientious, meticulous, and just someone you'd like to hang out with. The level of prep and maintenance he did before I came out there, for someone he had never met and only talked to over the phone, and the hospitality he showed was second to none. Great guy.
My travel buddy Chad Austin, not sure he's on mud, but we've been friends for 20 years and have done these cross-country buy-n-drives multiple times. Always with sports cars, so this was a first. This was also the longest run, and we had a great time.
Also Scott @smittycrusher for making the connection. He knew Phil and knew this machine might be looking for a new home, and knew I was on the hunt. His text message a month ago "I have found YOUR NEW LAND CRUISER" kicked off this madness. BTW that's Scott's 80 parked next to this one in the earlier pic. He left it at Phil's for a couple months earlier this year and apparently it made friends. We'll have to get them back together.
Also a word on this truck. WOW. The turbo just makes it feel like it came this way from the factory, beautifully smooth and powerful, easily outruns all kinds of mallmobiles on the onramps. Phil didn't drive it much while he had it, and still we just drove it over 1800 miles without any issues other than a cruise control code. Smooth, rides great, tracks down the road perfectly, totally stable everywhere...even the rain, which I'm sure blew its mind after so many years in the desert. Just a fantastic truck.
That's all, epic drive and epic truck. There will be a few little things to do, and a shakedown camping trip will be happening very soon. Thanks again to everyone. Car folks of all kinds are just great people, glad to be here.
Beautiful pics, and looks like a fun journey. Safe travels.
..... soon 
What was the name of the coating for my roof again?
