Day 4 - Omaha, NB to Humboldt, IA

After three days of steady driving we deserved a good day. We didn’t get one. Instead we got a great day. But more on that later.

Got up a little late and didn’t get on the road till 7:29. After struggling to find the motel last night I wasn’t about to go in search of a Starbucks in Omaha. Asked the desk clerk to get me on a freeway and out of town as quickly as possible. He did. Interstate 29 North to Sioux Falls, Iowa.

I have to say Sioux Falls is a place we could live, except for the hot humid summers and cold winters. Then again maybe it’s not. Anyway, found a Starbucks and this time it was only 98 miles.

After Sioux Falls it was off the interstate and onto the roads less traveled. Four lanes gave way to two. Rest stops ceased to exist. Road maintenance consisted of filling cracks with black goo. But there is corn. Lots of corn. And lots of corn makes everything better. It’s different than Nebraska corn. Iowa corn doesn’t fray at the edges. And where corn was missing there were soybeans. And everywhere there were farmhouses and little towns and silos and John Deere dealers. It was like being transported to a better place and how great is that.

The roads we followed led to Sutherland, Iowa. First stop was Waterman Cemetery. After a half hour or so of searching Barb found the Hitchings graves. William 1849-1924 and Clara 1854-1937, my great grand-parents. Photos of the gravestones and then on to the next quest. I had a photo of my grandmother and five of her sisters taken in front of their home in Sutherland. It was taken about 1900. I wanted to find that house. After much unsuccessful driving up and down streets I asked a mail carrier if he knew the house. No, but try someone at the bank. Two employees there said it looked familiar and gave me an address. It was the house. As best I can tell it was built around 1882. More photos. I count the cemetery and house as two greats.

A picnic lunch at the town park finished our visit and it was off to Humboldt, Iowa. 76 miles later we were at our motel (the only one in town.) And what a nice surprise in our room. Tequila Rose from some good friends at home. He born in Humboldt and she in Renwick. Another great. We split a great steak dinner and are now all tucked in for the night. Tomorrow we are off to Livermore, Iowa, in search of a great great grandfather and a visit to Renwick, Iowa, because we like people from Renwick. 327 miles today.