Day fifteen - Monday, Sept. 17

We had a 200 mile day today. We left Clarks Grove Minnesota at about 9:30 and drove into Iowa via Hwy 35. We were in Iowa within a half-hour and, as with most state border crossings, if it weren't for the sign, we wouldn't have known we were in Iowa. Everything is still flat and corn as far as you can see. We turned east at Mason Iowa on Hwy 218/27 and made an arch down to Waterloo Iowa where we turned east on Hwy 20 to Manchester.

Shortly after entering Iowa we came across a rest stop with a visitor center and a casino across the street. We stopped at this rest stop to empty the holding tanks and took advantage of the casino for some gambling and a buffet lunch. Ann played penny slots and quit after getting sixteen cents ahead. I has tempted to play some Texas Hold-em but didn't want to commit the time to do it.

Leaving the rest stop we pushed a head wind or side wind all the way to Manchester Ia. The weather forecast indicated chance of rain and chance of thunderstorms. We got just a little bit of rain just before leaving Minnesota and no thunderstorms. However, the wind was terrible. If you've never driven a large motor home in the wind, DON'T DO IT. It is exhausting.

In Manchester we parked in my cousin's driveway. He and his wife have a beautiful home on several acres at the north end of Manchester. My mother grew up on a couple of farms just outside Manchester and her sister, Vanita, lived here most, if not all, of her life. We'll visit those farms tomorrow as well as see Vanita's home and the building where my Uncle Ike had a diner. I've been to Manchester several times during my life but it'll be fun and interesting to see these places again. We'll also visit the graves of Aunt Vanita, Uncle Ike and my Grandpa Charlie.

Well, as of today we've visited eight states including California; Nevada; Idaho; Wyoming; Montana; South Dakota; Minnesota and Iowa. I think we have fifteen or more states to go before we get home. We talked to Dick and Betty, Roger and Sue, Mary and Barry and my Mom on the phone tonight. We miss everybody and it's nice to hear familiar, friendly voices again.

One thing I didn't know about Iowa is that Winterset Iowa is the birthplace of John Wayne. I also learned that Madison County, you know, "The Bridges of Madison County," county is in Iowa. Both are found in South/Central Iowa. I'm sure if I'd have asked Roger about either of these places he would have filled me in on the intimate details. I know he's a fan of John Wayne and a bigger fan of the classic movie, "The Bridges of Madison County."