Last day on the road (Iowa and Illinois to Michigan)

     Overnight in Coralville , a suburb of Iowa City, the home of the Iowa U. Hawkeyes and after a good complimentary breakfast at the Comfort Inn, we headed east for the last day on the road for this trip. The Iowa River runs through Iowa City (bet you didn't know that!). Most of this eastern part of Iowa grows less corn than the western part as the terrain changes abruptly with more rolling hills and steep revines cutting up the landscape. The same is true of western Illinois. We noticed the difference between the very large acreage in ranches and farms in Nebraska and western Iowa but the very much smaller ones with more farmhouses closer together in Central and eastern Iowa. In Nebraska there were places where looking in any direction there was not a farmhouse in view for as far as you could see. NONE! The one muddy road that we took had fine birding sites, was an example  of no houses anywhere, as the road is strictly a farm road and is not use (nor plowed) in the winter. Fortunately we went on that road before the rain and snow.
     One of the highlights for me was the most beautiful rest area facility that I have ever been in on any highway in the USA. Many of Iowa's rest stops have been converted to 'green', modern, works of art .  Inside it is difficult to describe adequately, but there are frescoes, works of art, and animal bones  (ancient) embossed in the walls for visual effect. The skylights and transoms lets in the light at different heights. The post card picture will show what the outside looks like and I think you would say it looks like a hotel or large house at least. They are works of art! There art more than a dozen now in Iowa.

     We did not see any of the wind generator propellers or the generators that we did yesterday.
Just outside of Iowa City is West Branch, Iowa and is the birthplace of President Herbert Hoover. There is a museum and his home site is there.
     At the crossing the Mississippi River at Davenport/Rock Island there is a wonderful vista on the IL side at an state Rest Area. It is worth the long drive (1/3 mile) to it, as it overlooks the River for many miles to the north. We took the time to stay a few minutes and take  some pictures. There are three bridges at that point crossing the River. One for I-80, one for I-74  and one for I-280

The view at the Mississippi River on the IL side looking north (upriver) 

Note the truck top just showing its roof on-80 below.

Davenport is on the IA side of the River.

 
Ruth takes a stroll to stretch the legs after a morning ride. This is the same rest area. The Mississippi River is on the background.

     We moved along the I-80 corridor nicely and smoothly with not many trucks until we got to the interchanges at Joliet Il. There were a few places where the orange barrels were out , mostly where they were working on the bridges and overpasses. I suppose it was a normal day of traffic, but it sure looked like the rush hour (12:00 Pm). Even though I-80  has five lanes at one point , it is a mad scramble. Also the speed limit changes quite often from 55-65-70-55-70-65, etc. That can be confusing to the accidental traveler.  In western IL the I-80 corridor crosses the  old Hennepin Canal as well as the Michigan Illinois Canal.   Q. Know anything about them?
    No suspense.   A.   The Hennepin Canal was built in the 1800's to shorten the distance for transporting goods from Chicago to Rock Island by 418 miles. It was never operated, however, as the Corps of Engneers widened the Locks on the Mississippi River and the Canal was never used. It is a recreation  area now and used by the public. (A very long State Park)
     The Illinois- Michigan Canal (Lake Michigan)  was opened in 1848  and continued in use until 1933, when railroads, and other waterways were improved, so it too, was no longer needed. Interstingly after the great Chicago fire in 1871, the refuse and debris from the fire was dumped into the canal and ended up in Lake Michigan. The city of Chicago got its water 3.5 miles out on the lake so this could have been another disaster. They stopped doing this and prevented a calamity, more than likely.
     It was good to see Michigan again. Ruth and I have not had time to visit the southern shores of Lake Michigan and talked about putting that on our "buckty list" soon. There are two roads (little known) that run quite close to the lakeshore. Those roads are A2 and M 63. They go through such towns as  Ganges, Glenn, Riverside, Shoreham, Lakeside, Herbert and Union Pier. Some of the signs you may have seen when driving I-94 or I-196. We will keep you posted if we do that .
     We arrived at home at 4:00 PM to see the snow piles gone, and the hyacinth blooming along with the daffodils. Spring is truly here in spite of what they said was an almost record cold last night here at 22 F. Brr.
     We are happy that you were able to follow along and join us vicariously at least. There will be more trips, so stay tuned.   - Jim and Ruth. (A  few "add ons" follow)

This message is quite clear as the boys ran into Indians and 4 arrows went through them. They lived to a ripe old age.  This is just south of Grand Island NE

Here is the same site that was under a controlled burn the day we went by.  (See previous days)

This is about 4  days later. (After the snow)

When I got home the first hyacinth had bloomed, along with some cold, drooping daffodils.

And surprise of surprises! A bird had laid an egg in the bird feeder. 

I suspect that it was from a Mourning Dove as it is all white with no markings at all.