Missing Garden Gnome Mysteriously Returns After Apparent Cross-Country Road Trip

— -- A mystery near Seattle has been solved -- sort of.

At the center of the mystery is “Jimmy,” a chubby little garden gnome who was stolen in August off Barb and Bret Kraupie’s front porch in Snoqualmie, Washington.

“I was just doing some yard work and noticed he was gone,” Bret, 55, told ABC News of that fateful summer day.

Mysterious Figure Found Inside Garden Gnome

The couple was upset their friendly garden gnome had disappeared, but eventually accepted it and certainly never expected him to be returned.

But now, he’s back—unharmed, and carrying an envelope full of 49 pictures.

“We were walking the dogs Tuesday night and when we came back it was just starting to get dark and there he was, in the middle of porch with the envelope of printed pictures,” Bret explained.

Apparently Jimmy has been very busy these past three months. The photos show him at famous landmarks all over the country, including Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon.

“He went everywhere,” said Bret. “Nebraska, Kansas, out west in general, they did this whole big loop. It’s pretty interesting. I don’t know if we’ll ever find out who took him on vacation.”

When asked if Bret thought the pictures may have been photoshopped, he replied, “Heck no. I’m assuming they’re original. It’s like someone did a road trip through the summer until who knows when.”

The couple has no idea who was responsible for the mystery tour, and Jimmy, who came back relatively unscathed, is certainly not saying a word.

“He got a little chip in his foot, but other than that, he’s in great shape,” Bret said.

More than anything, “It’s just not fair he got to out on a great vacation without us,” the owners added. “We’re entertained by it, but it’s been a weird week.”