Take Us Home, Country Roads

We got an early start, and headed east on I90. We stopped for gas in Chamberlain and enjoyed the beautiful Missouri River.  

 
Continuing East, we stopped in Mitchell, SD to see the Corn Palace. It is a grand building that has been in the area since 1904, with a rebuild in 1921 and 1937 giving it the unique architectural design that it has today. The outside and inside are decorated each year with a new theme, and murals created from dried corn. It was pretty spectacular to see!  

   
   
   
After Mitchell, we were over the highway, and wanted back on the quiet 2 lane roads that make riding so enjoyable. We headed south on 37 then east on 81 enjoying the peaceful country roads.  

    
   
We made it a pretty long day, stopping briefly to eat, and continued on 18 into Iowa, then south on 59 to Avoca, IA. There, we found lodging, a warm meal, and comfortable bed. 

The next morning, we got started early, avoiding the freeway, and sticking to the roads less travelled. It was a beautiful day for a ride in the country, heading east on 34.  

    
    
 
At some point after out gas stop in Mount Pleasant, we got turned around and went south and crossed into Missouri. When we righted ourselves, we ended up in Fort Madison, which was the first permanent U.S. Fort on the upper Mississippi, and the site of a Battle fought during the war of 1812. 

   
   
We crossed the Mississippi, enjoying the history of the area and the beautiful weather.  

    
   
We found a hotel in Peoria, IL, cleaned up, and asked for suggestions for dinner on Saturday night. The woman at the desk suggested the Rhythm Kitchen, a dinner and music venue she felt we would enjoy. We headed downtown around 8:00 pm on Saturday night, and the streets were pretty empty. We found our restaurant, and the place was packed! We got a table in the back by the kitchen, and enjoyed music by the band The Brazilionaires! The style was energetic, samba/jazz with couples dancing and having a good time! Our food was amazing, spicy with a New Orleans vibe. The hostess interacted with everyone, ensuring everyone was having a good time! A great suggestion for our last night on the road!  

    
   
Up early once again, we travelled from Peoria to Fort Wayne on highway 24 with a relatively short day, and more gorgeous weather!!  

    
   
We made it!!! A little over 3000 miles and very little rain!! That’s another successful HooHa Adventure!!! Jef and Margi