Chicago, Illinois Tour

Everyone listening intently to Al, our tour guide

Jay Pritzker Pavilion for outdoor concerts and can accommodate 11,000 people

Carol Ann & Bob - water, water everywhere

Joliet, Illinois

A long day on the road today - 269+ miles.  Weather was threathening to pour and it made good on its threat. We pulled off the road for awhile to escape the torrential rain and very poor visibility. We had lunch in a restaurant called The Machine Shed in Davenport, Illinois -  Comparable to Cracker Barrel with a farm theme. 

Threatening skies before the downpour

Bob, Earl, Betty, Judy, Bob, Dan and Mary at The Machine Shed in Davenport, Iowa

Barn in Illinois

Casino within walking distance to the campground.
A shuttle is available to help you carry home all your winnings.

Lincoln, Nebraska

On the Road Again.  Oh yeah, where is the road?

Quilts from the International Quilt Study Center & Museum.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Campground in Lincoln, Nebraska

Newton, Iowa

The campground was very well kept and the hosts were extremely friendly and helpful.  Our pre-travel meeting ended with an ice cream sundae - YUM!  Too tired to explore the area and the quilt shop was too far to venture after driving 224+ miles. 

Harold Warp's Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska

Kearney, Nebraska

The Great Platte River Road had multiple ruts due to traffic going both ways from many different sources: emigrants, freight caravans, stagecoaches, postal relay riders going back and forth from the east to the west coast.  Today we are very thankful to be traveling the highway in our modern conveyances.  Maybe some exhaust fumes but certainly not the dust stirred up by the wagons, people and cattle.  

The Great Platte River Road Archway

Bob, Lloyd, Miss Pioneer, & Phyllis

Judy & Duane

Phyllis, Lloyd & Carol Ann

Nebraska

Friday is a travel day.  We left North Platte, Nebraska and our destination is Minden, Nebraska.  There is a picnic planned with Steve's family in Hastings, Nebraska which is approximately 30 miles from our campground.  

Narrative on the start-up and operation of the Pony Express 

Pony Express Station

Plaque in rest area

Picnic in the Park in Hastings - Aunt Arleen (Steve's Mother's sister)

Dick and Duane, clean-up crew