Around 4th July

Strangely enough i got to 4th July 1776 in my history book a couple of days ago, so at least i would know what everyone would be celebrating.

Before then i would be off to Notre Dame, one of the originally planned stops on my route although i had reduced from 2 to 1 night. Arriving just after midday i found out that there was a campus tour at one, so that seemed a good option. My knowledge of Notre Dame was mostly associated with college football, but given the name i was not surprised by the religous links which remain important to this day. I had not appreciated the irish links however. The campus was very impressive and really well maintained. All the students have to stay on campus for their full stay, this includes perks such as cheap season tickets for the football (c $200 compared to full price of up to $4,200 - with waiting list).

Whilst not ivy league - the cost of Notre Dame like other colleges in USA is much higher than UK. That said, presumably as a result of their religous links, they do appear to be generous with bursaries. All applications are reviewed, places given on merit and then students ability to pay influences the final bill.

After the tour, i decided to risk life and limb by finding a bar to watch USA v England in soccer world cup (women). Really exciting match, including controversy of VAR, probably ended up best for my safety with a US victory.

The next day would see my driving through Indiana, Illinois and Iowa to one of my new stops - Rhythm City Casino and hotel in Davenport. This was slightly less driving then originally planned for the day which gave me the option to stop off along the way. On all the interstates there are lots of signs to local attractions and whilst some have limited detail on the distance from the main road they do provide alternatives to amend the route. Today i stopped at:

Starved Rock State Park including large lock with small museum

Hennepin Canal State Park - slightly less impressive small canal

Buffalo Bill Museum - one of those $5 musuems that are really interesting and with very enthusiastic staff/volunteers

Unfortunately the very friendly welcome i have had from everyone to date, was not replicated by the Blackjack cards at the casino. I therefore left the following day (4th July) slightly lighter in the pocket.

Driving to Des Moines i was not sure what would be open due to the date, but seeing a sign to the Herbert Hoover museum i took the side road off the interstate and arrived at opening time of 9-30am. Doors were being unlocked as i got there and i spent a really interesting couple of hours. I knew very little about this president (other than the Dam) and came away liking the man and thinking that he would have been better not to have stood for president. Taking over just ahead of the great depression of 1930s (which apparently he warned about) he seems to have been blamed for the struggles of the nation. whether his policies were right or wrong is not clear, but that phase of his life seemed to compare less favourably with his earlier and later efforts.

When i arrived at Des Moines i quickly hit google to find out where there might be any fireworks. it was mentioned that there were fireworks after the local minor league baseball match, so not expecting any luck, i tried website for tickets and found the only one left behind the batter. Really good evening, including a ceremony for 30 or so people that were being granted citizenship (with a message from President Trump on the big screen at the end). in today's world, it was warming to hear the really postive reception they all received from the full crowd.

After the match (a win for the locals) there was a really spectacular firework display.

Next day was a drive to Omaha. 

The first interesting attraction signposted was "birthplace of John Wayne" , so i took the side road to Winterset, the capital of Madison County. A small town,  with variety of shops around a church square, including a museum to JW. Once again, museum was small but really impressive and around the corner you also went into his childhood home.

I would be in Omaha for two nights, partly to get some laundry done! Did not quite go to plan - asked when i arrived and told to bring down following morning. Next morning told that dry cleaning was not undertaken at the weekend. Not to worry - self laundry room in hotel. First load done and in dryer, washing machine then takes money for next load, shows an Err message and then asks for money again.  Keys to machine apparently not held onsite - so eventually gave up after one load (money refunded).

Other than that, plenty to do in Omaha for the day. Railway museum,  bridge where you walk from Nebraska to Iowa (and back again) as well as art museum providing interesting mix.

New photos have been added here:

Notre Dame
Notre Dame to Davenport
Buffalo Bill Museum
Iowa Cubs Baseball
Madison County inc John Wayne Museum
US sundry
Omaha including railway museum
Omaha - Joslyn Art Museum

Updated list of States travelled through so far:

Massachusetts
Connecticut
New York
Pennsylvania
Maryland
Pennsylvania again
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois
Iowa
Nebraska
Iowa again (just walked over the bridge)

Updated car music list (trying to keep a US theme although my music library might struggle to keep going for the whole trip) :

Bruce Springstein
10,000 Maniacs
Suzanne Vega
R.E.M
Fleetwood Mac
Alanis Morrisette
Cornelius Brothers
Tracy Chapman
Dean Martin