Day 6--driving through the Midwest

Day 6 and this is the first day of pure driving with nothing on the itinerary to see.  I could find absolutely nothing of major interest to go and see on this stretch of the drive.  About half way through our day, I asked the kids if they wanted to stop and try to find something to do, or just keep going.  They wanted to stop and wanted to go to a Children's museum.  Well, lo and behold, I googled Children's Museums and I found one on our driving course!  So, we stopped there.  At first I was not so sure it would be that interesting for Ian, but both kids had a blast.  It was a mixture of a Children's Museum and a Science Museum.  The most interesting thing was that it was in a mall.  It was at the end, but attached to the mall.  When entering the Mall, there was a small ice skating rink in the middle and a movie theater as well as the Children's Museum and then a bunch of stores.  It was kind of like a mini Mall of America.  Unfortunately, I left my camera in the car, so no pictures.  We made it through Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa and into Illinois.  Tomorrow we will end up in Ohio and camp there.  We are in another motel---I am starting to get used to the slum land.  It is so much easier to park right outside the door and basically live out of the car.  To top it off, to use up the food in the cooler, I have been sparking up the camping stove outside our room and cooking dinner.  I do have a picture of this!

Nice huh?  Pasta coming up!  Tonight was grilled cheese sandwiches.












Since there will be not a whole lot to report the next day or so, I decided I will be writing about observations and stories that have not been relayed yet.  So, for today, the one thing I have been seeing a lot of through all of the states we traversed were humugus billboards on the sides of the freeways for adult superstores.  What is up with that?  If you are from this area or any of these states, you know that these stores exist.  If you are a traveler, the signs will not entice someone to visit as if it is a huge attraction of the area.  I would not be driving across the country and see the sign and say "Wow! Look at that!  I need to go there and see what is in there and get a souvenir to take home!"  I mean really, it is quite weird.  The signs are huge! 

In Wyoming, there was a town we drove through called Shell and the population was 50--it is probably made up of one family.

Ian is so cute!  He has been collecting souvenirs from each place we visit.  He told me that he vowed ( he actually used this word) to get a souvenir at each stop, so he has bought some great things with the money he made at our moving sale.  In his OC way, he has them all locked in a box he brought with him in the car, coveting each item, telling me over and over, why each thing is special and listing them in order from the best item to least.  At first, I was trying to get him to save his money, but then when I realized the preciseness of each choice, I have been supporting his spending.  There is only 1 more souvenir to be had--Niagara Falls in a couple of days.  Well that is all I can dredge from my brain right now.  I have so many great things that go through my head, but I always forget them until I am back on the road with nothing to do but drive and think.  Farewell for now--only 3 days left of my journey and then onto real life again.