Wednesday, 8/18, it must be Nevada (IA). Up at 7:30, and its raining! Having "banked" 1/2 day this week, they decide to "sit it out" for a while. By 8:15, the rain stops, and they set out toward Marshalltown, soon realizing they are accompanied by a "three legged black dog". Will is sure it is a spirit, looking for attention, beckoning them to follow/enter the "hole in the front" that is before them. He is a "friendly spirit" and leads/follows them at road pace for about three miles, but soon they are again in a "deluge" (so much for the friendly "SPIRIT") and race into State Center and ride into the welcoming open door of Terry's body shop/garage on the main drag. Terry greets them and entertains by showing them "his baby", a '37 Chevy 2 door sedan, restored, with a Corvette engine.

The weather breaks, and Terry tells them of a "short cut" to Marshalltown where they have a "late Veggie breakfast" at the local Subway. Heading North on IA 14 to 14/175 and into Grundy Center (pop 3000), which they find is the County Seat. It is still primarily large "family farms" and not the (VERY LARGE) corporate operations, with some of the richest soil in East Iowa.

They stop at "the motel" in town and meet the owner, "DR Bob, who is an MD/motel operator practicing small town family medicine. (Will this be a "spin-off" from the Lawyer/bowling alley operator on TV several years ago?)

Impressive is the fact that this rural town formed a corporation to bring "broadband" to the entire community as a way to help keep them competitive, on the leading edge!!!

On a cloudless day, Larry reminiscences "how different " life would have been if he had accepted a contract with the Waterloo (IA) Hockey team in 1963, rather than staying in Switzerland. Truck stop for breakfast (eggs, oatmeal and pancakes) and into Amish farm country, with the "plain" houses, and the lines of laundry blowing in the wind---dark blue trousers and light blue shirts. They see a gentleman by the road, 40ish, with trimmed beard and straw hat, who engages them. He is accompanied by 4 children, and his wife in dress/apron with the other 5 watch from the front door. They use no electricity or phone, so do not have radio or TV. He inquires "What is happening in Iraq?"

After a 1/2 hour "chat" they head off on the "soft shoulder" of the road, made by the buggy wheels. As they approach Hazelton they see banners announcing "the Amish Center", and, especially Hans and Inga-Lill, express their amazement at seeing this particular slice of "American Life".

Friday, 8/20 and out @ 7:30 in good weather--20 miles to Strawberry Point for breakfast. Inquiring about the origin of the name, Larry meets Jim Friedrich (ROOTS properties, Berne, Switzerland) who advises they are entering "little Switzerland", and the next miles on IA 13N are "monster hills and tight, narrow valleys" that do "look like home".

After 16 miles they enter Elkader (pronounced Al-Quada), and Larry asks for the local Terrorist Headquarters/training center---with not much humorous response. About 12:30, they stop at Maggie's Diner, for a tuna melt, baked potatoes and corn on the cob, and in walk 6 straw hatted young Amish men, in the blue "uniform" with suspenders. It is noted that whether it is ball caps or straw hats, the "young" do not remove them in a restaurant. Will has a beer to celebrate approaching the Big River.

They arrive at the Mississippi River, 4000km, and while crossing stop to take pictures on the bridge, and are surprised to see a "River Boat Casino" on the mile wide river.

They "descend" into Prairie du Chein, WI, and again it is like a new country with wooded hills, and the trees close enough to the narrow road so that "the horizon disappears". Will chooses WI 60 on the north side of the Wisconsin River, and Larry, Inga-Lill and Hans cross the river and pick up "C" road on the south side.

They rejoin when Will crosses at US 61 to Boscobel--an area that is likened to the wooded areas of Italy (Bosco-woods, and bel--beautiful, in Italian) and check into the Sands Motel.

They go to the Unique Cafe (Larry says it is worthy of a detour), located in a stone building erected in 1829 as a bank. Asking about the name Boscobel, they are directed to a mural outside that portrays a farmer calling to his 2 cows---"Come Bosco, Come Bel"--ending what might have otherwise been a captivating story.

The cafe is decorated with various signage/LOGOs of our youth, and Will celebrates with 2 more beers---Steel Reserve, 24 ounce cans, labeled High Gravity Lager--8.1%.

Dinner is boiled cod and the AUCE Buffet, and they are about 40 miles ahead of plan, and on Saturday, will pass through Sauk City en-route to arriving Fond du Lac to visit Bill Zierdt on Sunday.

Dick and Susan Rogers crossed Lake Michigan on Friday, 8/20, arriving at 6:15 pm, and rode the 22 miles to our home for dinner, and a great visit. I had not seen Dick since 1959, and it was a joy to meet Susan.