Day 4 - Bloomington, IN to Red Haw State Park, near Chariton, IA

Rain and thunder woke me up yesterday morning in Bloomington, so though it was still a little before dawn, I decided that I might as well get on the road, which proved to be a good idea. For the second time this trip, I got lost--only this time my inattention took me on a 50 mile unplanned detour. Two more states to add to the list: Illinois and Iowa. Here was yesterday's route, with detour:


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My first stop was the second (and likely last, unless I come across an unmapped town) Garrett of the trip: Garrett, Il. This Garrett was so small, it didn't have a sign at the edge of town noting its town limits and population. At least there was a sign pointing the way from the main highway. Also, there was this water tower emblazoned with the town name visible from the highway.


Main street Garrett.


Also, along the side of the road in Garrett, I discovered a 1953 or 54 Mercury. I'm not sure of the year because I don't have my automotive reference library readily available.


Between Garrett and Decatur, IL, I drove into a vicious thunderstorm. I even saw a wall cloud. With no good place to stop, I drove on, knowing that going west, I would pass through the squall line relatively quickly, but I watched the skies, nonetheless, and slowed down to avoid be pushed around the highway by the wind. I would later see the evidence of what appeared to be tornadic winds, or at least a microburst, in Iowa: entire rows of corn stalks flattened.

Next stop was Springfield, IL to see Abraham Lincoln's home. The view approaching the Lincoln home.


And the home itself. It started as a more modest story and a half home that Lincoln expanded and added onto as he became more successful as a lawyer.


And this is the view of the street upon which he lived.

Next, I crossed the Mississippi River. The altimeter in my truck showed that I was only at about 400 feet elevation at the river's bank. It's hard to believe that the river only drops 400 feet over what has to be over 1000 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.

The U.S. Highway 34 bridge crossing the Mississippi from Illinois into Iowa. Rather striking and visible for several miles from the Illinois side.


Then I got lost. And eastern Iowa looks a lot like western Illinois. I wasn't paying attention, and I ended up heading north instead of west. It was only when I noticed that the mileage markers seemed to have suddenly dropped from 248 to 66 that I realized something was amiss. Luckily, I had an Iowa map with me, and I was able to reroute myself. This, of course, after going 25 miles out of the way, thus leading to a 50 mile detour. I arrived at Red Haw State Park just before sunset, and at least a full hour after I had intended to.

I am currently in the Westen Trails History Museum and Iowa Welcome Center on the border of Iowa and Nebraska. Thanks to the nice folks here and their free wireless internet access. Today, the plan is to camp some more in Nebraska. Hopefully, I'll continue to find free wireless hotspots.