The Mississippi River

Days: 25
Distance: 2046 km / 1279 mi
Location: Davenport, IA

We crossed the Mississippi River on June 13th, which is also my Dad's birthday coincidentally (Happy Birthday Dad!). We are now couchsurfing with Eric, a mountain biking enthusiast who actually came out and rode the last 25 miles to the river with us.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

















On the day out of South Bend we stopped at the lakeshore near Michigan City for some fun on the beach. Unfortunately the weather wasn't exactly what you would describe as a "beach day", but it was still beautiful.

















This is a nice photo of Amelia, but what's even more important is what you can see in the background. Indiana Dunes is probably the only National Lakeshore (or National anything) that comes with it's very own scenic view of a nuclear power plant.

Best High School Mascot Ever


Chicago

We got in to Tinley Park, which is a suburb of South Chicago, and couch surfed with Dave, a high school science teacher. Dave took us out bowling with a group of friends in the city, and we got to see the skyline at night.

Mendota

A day after Chicago we stayed with another couch surfer, Nick, in a rural town called Mendota, Il. I am impressed by how beautiful rural Illinois is! Once we got away from the Chicago area sprawl we were treated to hours of quiet roads surrounded by cornfields as far as the eye can see.

















Nick took us to an all-you-can-eat buffet in town. I think we put them out of business!

Ronald Reagan's Birthplace
He was born in a cornfield?
















Crossing Over
It was pretty exciting to make it to the Mississippi. Crossing the river felt like we entered a new phase of this journey. I feel like one of the Oregon Trail pioneers who set off to explore and colonize the west! Except with paved roads and grocery stores, and without the cholera or starvation.

What is this?
First person who can correctly tell me gets a prize!





















Davenport, IA
So, we are now taking a rest day in Davenport, IA. Eric (our couchsurfing host) took us to a minor league baseball game last night. Unfortunately Davenport lost to Cedar Rapids. But we had good popcorn!

















Next update will come from Omaha, NE.