5:30 pm January 15, 2015

This entry may be a little less detailed because I’m writing it for the second time.  My computer has recently kicked the dust. I have hopes that the Geek Squad at Best Buy may be able to revive it, (that is if we get a chance to stop there) but until then Kileigh has graciously let me use her laptop to continue blogging.

But we got up this morning at Grandma’s place and she fed us a solid breakfast.  We said our good byes and hit the road around 9 am. It was nice to sleep in a bit and not be in a rush. The halfway point of the trip was Iowa City and as long as we made it there by 1pm we were in good shape. It was a beautiful morning and the sun was shining in through passenger’s side window, so naturally I dozed in and out of consciousness for the first four hours. Even with multiple stops, Dan managed to get us to our destination in Iowa City on time.

Gran Forke and I

The point of the stop was to meet up with Emily Reynolds, if you don’t know her you’re missing out. Emily is my good friend, sorority sister, college roommate and soon to be doctor, AKA champion of life. But we met up with her at 30 Hop, which was a quirky American Diner with a very large beer selection that was just off the interstate. Kileigh, Dan and I all ordered the lamb burger while Emily went the healthy route with a pear salad. After ten days on the road together in close quarters, I’m concerned we are losing our individuality. Well, not that concerned. Anyway, it was a relaxing meal with easy conversation. Unfortunately it had to be a quick stop, since we are expected to make it to Eau Claire in time for dinner with the Forke fam later tonight. So we documented the stop with a picture underneath the large American flag on the wall and then said ‘see ya later’ to Emily and went on our way.

30Hop -- Lamb Burger -- Delicious!!!

America!

We once again had to stop at a Walgreen’s in order to get our commemorative postcards, but the rest of the drive has been uneventful.  Although we did get to see another beautiful sunset as we drove through the last bit of Iowa. At this point, we have just crossed the border into Minnesota and have about two and half hour left to Eau Claire. We are all enjoying the scenery on the state highways for a change of pace after spending days (literally) on I-80. I have hopes of getting to Eau Claire by 7:45 tonight, but it may be wishful thinking.

Iowa Sunset

Minnesota State Line