Day 6

Sunday 6th May 2007<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

We got up about 10:30 and breakfasted on trail bars and coffee, finally clearing the room at just after noon.  We had agreed to take a bus tour or river trip, and to spend the next couple of days doing more sightseeing than driving, but Mary sensed that Bob was impatient to get on the road again, so that’s what we did.  It was easy enough finding the I-90 but Connie soon got cross with us when we were unable to join the ExpressWay, which was closed.  We were able to stay on the Local I-90 and she was eventually assuaged, taking us out past O’Hare Airport towards <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Rockford Illinois on the I-90/I-94.  I’m sure it’s famous for something but can’t remember what.  After Rockford, we headed N, still on the I-90, but now also on the I-39, towards Madison, Wisconsin, and thence NW past the Wisconsin Dells to Tomah, Wisconsin, where the I90 and I-94 part company.  The countryside was again bland for the most part but occasionally relieved by the odd hill, wood, lake or river.

 

There are a few “tourist features” along this route, such as factory outlets, ski-slopes, Disney-style or Butlins-style holiday resorts, but nothing much of real interest until we suddenly came across Castle Rock, a strangely shaped pillar of weather-beaten limestone standing beside the freeway.  We stopped there to have a quick look around and shortly after found our bed for the night at the Super 8 at Tomah, on J143 (Highway 21 and I-94).  This gave us time to look around the area, buy some wine and try the local “Four Star Family Restaurant”, whose “Roast Pork Dinner” was virtually unrecognisable as such, being braised pork on a bed of a vast quantity of indeterminate stuffing, smothered in glutinous and bland-tasting gravy, accompanied by tinned mixed veg and a baked potato that had seen better days.  My soup was nothing to write home about either, although Mary had said hers was good, but the water was nice.  This was the first really disappointing meal of our trip so far… but at $14.95 for the two of us, who’s surprised?

 

Then it was back to the motel to catch up on internet activities and reading.  Tomorrow – the Mississippi and beyond …We’re glad we took this Northern route as we’ve avoided the twisters that wreaking havoc in Oklahoma and Kansas, where the small town of Greensburg has been obliterated.  Our weather is overcast and calm with temperature in the low 60s F at present.