Day Six - Humboldt, IA to Algonquin, IL It was just getting light when we set out at 7:05 am headed for Fort Dodge, Iowa. A quick breakfast, ATM stop, Starbucks for the usual and we were on Highway 20 headed East across Iowa.
Not much to comment on for the early part of the day. Same corn, soybeans, silos and small towns. A little overcast compared to the sunny days we had been having. Pulled of the highway and drove a few miles to the town of Quasqueton to see a Frank Lloyd Wright house. Did my usual exploring. Finally stopped at a small store to ask for directions. Turns out the house in not visible from the road and open only on Thursday. So, back to the highway and heading East.
We found a nice park in Dubuque for a break and split a sandwich for lunch. Next a quick stop for gas and a short drive to the Mississippi River and Illinois.
A few miles into Illinois we came upon the town of Galena, which is named for the mineral galena. You probably know galena is the natural form of lead sulfide, the most important lead ore mineral. By 1845 the area around Galena was producing 80% of the lead in America. That alone would be enough to put Galena on the map. But add in a pretty much unsuccessful in business resident by the name of Ulysses S. Grant leading the Union Army to victory in the Civil War and this little town had another claim to fame. On returning to Galena after the war the citizens of the town gave him a house. Later the citizens of the country gave him a bigger house in Washington DC.
And what to say about Illinois. Roads not so good. Lots of corn. Finally some real hills to go up and down. Missed a turn and got lost. The worst road of the trip so far and it was a toll road.
Anyway, we arrived in Algonquin at the home of old friends from Redmond, who moved east earlier this year. Wine and an excellent chicken dinner ended the day. 390 miles today.
Ulysses S. Grant Home
Galena, Illinois
Day Seven – Lake Geneva, WI
Ah yes, zero miles. I don’t have to do any driving today. What a luxury.
Up at 7:30 am to work on the blog from yesterday. We all had a light breakfast a little later and then off to explore (doesn’t mean lost this time cause someone else was driving) up north in Wisconsin. Actually we were headed for Lake Geneva, but along the way stopped for a very interesting tour through Superior Felt & Filtration, which our friend’s son is a part-owner in. We followed tightly packed bundles of fibers through the process of becoming felt and then saw how the felt was converted to many useful everyday products. Everything from medical filters to the little things that keep cabinet doors from banging shut.
Our lunch stop had a wonderful view of Lake Geneva and the clam chowder was pretty good too. A walk through the shopping district produced no sales, so it was back home.
After the customary adult beverages we took off for Hoffman, Illinois and the Café Clemenza. Does everyone remember Clemenza from the Godfather movies? He was the one who taught Michael how to use a gun to kill Sollozzo and Police Captain McCluskey. Anyway a couple of bottles of Chianti and a wonderful clam linguini ended a great day.
Day Eight - Chicago, IL
Another day without driving! And what a day it was. Our host turned out to be an excellent tour guide and gave us a large dose of Chicago.
Before beginning he tells us that Chicago is not called the Windy City because it’s windy, but rather because politicians in the past talked too much. Sounds good, but just the past???
The tour started with the scene of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (Al Capone’s boys doing a number on their rivals) and the Biograph Theater (where John Dillinger was killed). The tour then lightened up with the Moody Bible Institute and Wrigley Field (home of the Chicago Cubs). Next up was a walk on a Lake Michigan beach, where our host was a lifeguard many, many decades ago.
Navy Pier is Chicago’s number one attraction and has been used as a pier, campus of the University of Illinois and now a public gathering place. Besides the usual tourist attractions (bars, restaurants and the like) it houses the Smith Museum of Stained Glass and a variety of ships for tours on Lake Michigan. We choose the tall ship Windy. And yes, they actually used the sails.
Did I mention our host is Italian? In a phone conversation before we left home Barb mentioned she would like to have some real Italian food, which took us to Portillo's for their famous Italian Beef Sandwich. Fabulous.
After lunch we were off to the John Hancock Center and a 40 second ride to the observation deck, 1100 feet above the streets of Chicago. What views! After taking in the sights of a slow 360 degree walk around Chicago we settled down to a round of adult beverages.
Next up was an exciting ride around rush hour Chicago with our host, who in an earlier life was a cab driver in the town. He maneuvered with precision and used the horn to effectively communicate with offending drivers. A+ after all these years. Sitting in the back seat, Barb said it was interesting. Or something like that.
Did I mention our host is Italian? After the cab ride we were off to Tufano’s for yet another Italian meal. And a very good meal it was. Meatballs, eggplant, stuffed shells and chicken picante all served family style.
Quite a day.
Day Nine - Algonquin, IL to Battle Creek, MI
Today was not supposed to be anything special, just a little drive after having a few days relaxing with friends. So much for supposed to be.
On our way fairly early (which means we didn’t note the time) and off to Starbucks for drinks and a quick look at a map. With Mocha and Americano in the cup holders we headed to Einstein Bagels for a quick breakfast. Getting out of the car Barb started looking for her purse. Within seconds she freaked out. No purse. Back into the car and off to Starbucks. She races in, picks her purse up off the floor by the table and heads back to the car still freaked out, but with a little smile.
Ok, things are good. Then the sky darkens. And then the Rain. Lots of rain. The kind that sounds like it just might crack the windshield. The sky darkens even more, which makes it very easy to see the lighting. Through all of this we head generally south toward Wheaton, Illinois. A quick call to a cousin in Ohio and I have an address for the home my dad grew up in. Found it in a block of old homes and took a few photos.
Indecision led us to drive around and around Wheaton and Joliet adding many miles to today’s total. Eventually we found interstates 80 and 94 and finally discovered ourselves in Battle Creek, Michigan. Of course you have heard of Battle Creek. It’s known as “Cereal City”, being the world headquarters for Kellogg Company and home of Post Cereals.
After checking into a motel we found a Red Lobster and split a very good dinner.
Interesting day, but not one I want to repeat in the near future. We are now up to 2,762 miles and 10 states. We still have a ways to go, so stick with us. 295 miles today.
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