2014XC: Day 2, June 13 – Indiana to Iowa

On the road by 11:45am…(doesn’t take long to get on vacation time) for a “Google” 7 hour trek, which really means 10 “Perry” hours.

We stopped at a rest stop when we reached Illinois – really nice place, with a playset for the kids.  I made sandwiches while Steve took Gabriel and Christian to play and get some energy out.  There was a pretty lake there too.  We saw a small turtle swimming, and the water was a beautiful turquoise color against the weeds.  Sun was shining…beautiful day.

Back at that welcome lodge, Steve found a brochure for the “CATerpillar Visitor Center”.   Yeah, they boys were pretty excited to try and get there.  We called ahead and found out that the admissions office closed at 3:40 although the place was opened until 5:00pm, but we were able to purchase the tickets over the phone, and someone promised to let us in when we arrived.  Steve was hauling!   We got there about 4:00pm.  Well worth  it – wished we’d had more time (why do I have the feeling that I am going to repeat the line again and again?).

A nice walk along the riverside of Peoria with some ice cream, and a really cool old school Monte Carlo with a kickin’ paint job…

Four more hours through Illiois to Iowa, crossing over the Mississippi River…

Certainly enjoying the drive so far…  Each state has a little something of it’s own that makes it unique.  Made it to the Waterloo KOA just as the office closed for the evening around 10:00am.  Two nights here…full hook-ups which means fresh coffee in the morning!!!