July 28, 2015, Tuesday, Cincinnati, OH
Day 89

Began the day at the Mount Adams shopping area supposedly a San Francisco like hipster area. Not much doing in the morning so we move on to the Krohn Conservatory. The palm room made us feel like we’re home, especially the heat and humidity. Next was the Findlay Market which was billed as an open air market. Surprisingly and fortunately, it was mostly indoors and air conditioned. Rosemary had Vietnamese for lunch.  I had a falafel sandwich from Dean’s Mediterranean Imports. Dean’s is run by a friendly Lebanese fellow who reminded me of my Lebanese “brother” Robert. We bought some almonds, dates and halvah from him all after a generous sampling of each. After some Coconut and some Vietnamese Coffee gelato at Dojo, we headed to the Cincinnati Museum of Art. We finally finished a museum before closing time and we returned to the coach about 4 pm. Supper in followed by dates and halvah, yum!

July 27, 2015, Monday, Cincinnati, OH
Day 88

Before departing Indianapolis I just had to call the Speedway to see if there might be any tours on the day after the Brickyard 400 race. What luck, tours beginning at 11 am. We head over in the coach and find lots of parking lots and all virtually empty so plenty of room for the coach. We visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and Hall of Fame and get our bus tour tickets. The museum has a racing car that one can enter and take photos. Next to the car is a sign warning that it is easier to get in the car than to get out. The sign wasn’t kidding but I managed it on my own. When seated, one is almost lying down. I imagine if I had to drive hundreds of miles in that position, I would probably never be able to get out.  Old age, rats! Once on the bus we are delayed by some VIP’s racing around the track in the pace car. After a ½ hour we are off, running around the track and stopping at the finish line to take photos and for some crazies, to kiss the bricks (see photo). After lunch, we depart for Cincinnati and arrive at the Family Motor Coach Association campground. The campground is well kept and quiet with full hookups.  FMCA has its headquarters in Cincinnati and members can stay 2 nights at its campground for free.  What a deal!

July 26, 2015, Sunday, Indianapolis, IN
Day 87

Not much open before noon on Sunday so we slept in.  Began our day at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument and took a ride up 330 feet to the observation deck. Elevator was even smaller than the minuteman missile site but fortunately only one other couple with a small child and no fatties this time. Great 360 degree view of the city. Next was a visit to the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library. Interesting to say the least, with much correspondence to and from Vonnegut concerning his various writings and the making of movies based on his books. Also included was some of his artwork including the “Sphincter”. We then spent the rest of the day at the Indianapolis Art Museum until the 5 pm closing. After 3-1/2 hours, we did not get a chance to see everything but we did see what the museum claims is the largest collection of Neo-Impressionist paintings which we enjoyed. There was also a special exhibit on “Dream Cars” which included concept cars from the 1930's to the present.  Very neat.   I would love to have any one of these cars but I think once I got into one, I would have a tough time getting out. Rats on getting old.

July 25, 2015, Saturday, Indianapolis, IN
Day 86

Our last morning in Springfield was spent on a guided tour of the State Capitol Building. Built in 1868-1888. It is so ornate it took 20 years to build. Having visited several State Capitol Buildings, it seems as though each state was trying to outdo every other state. Except Florida that is, with its modern boring office building it calls a Capitol. We also visited the Old Capitol Building, utilized from 1839-1869. This is the building where Lincoln gave his famous “House Divided” speech. We departed Springfield and arrived in Indianapolis after a 215 mile drive and we are finally back in the eastern time zone. Checked into the Lake Haven Retreat campground for 2 nights and got the last vacant spot. This was our fourth option as unbeknownst to us, tomorrow happens to be the Brickyard 400.  Well, there goes my tour of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one of the main things I wanted to visit here.

July 24, 2015, Friday, Springfield, IL
Day 85

We began the day with a tour of the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site.  The house (and its interior including the furniture) was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1902-1904. The house is a 12,000 square foot prairie home and is magnificent. I have been to several other Wright houses and this is my favorite. A must see. Next was Lincoln’s Tomb, also a magnificent structure and one fitting of its occupant. Another must see. After lunch we visited the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. We spent the rest of the day there until the 5 pm closing when they kicked us out. A fantastic place. Included was a live two man play featuring the actor, Harry Hawk, who was on the stage when John Wilkes Booth jumped down after the shot, and the theater manager, John T. Ford. Each of the two played many roles in flashbacks questioning if either could have done something different to avoid the tragic outcome. Very informative as to the events leading up to the assassination and thought provoking as to whether Booth left enough clues to foretell his plan. Supper at Galina’s Pizza consisted of eggplant parm and chicken parm dinners. The place was not fancy but the food was good and the bill was only $15.

July 23, 2015, Thursday, Springfield, IL
Day 84

Began the day at the Caterpillar Visitors Center in Peoria. An introductory film was presented in the bed of a 797F, the giant mining dump truck that Caterpillar makes.  The theater seats vibrated when ever the 797F appeared on the screen. The truck has 4000 hp, weighs almost 1.4 million lbs. (each tire alone weighs 12,000 lbs.), top speed 40 mph and can carry a load of 400 tons (that’s 800,000 lbs.). There are several other vehicle types that you get to climb into and also several simulators to test your skills. The cabs of these “tractors” have the feel of a luxury car, including leather seats! There was also an extensive museum concerning the company’s history, design processes, engine making among other things. You can have any color machine you want as long as it is Cat yellow, a trademarked color. Next was a 70 mile drive to Springfield, IL.  Checked into the RV park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Visited the Lincoln Home National Historic Sight and even got to meet Mr. Lincoln himself. That’s him standing in front of his Springfield home (see photo). After a Mother Road Pale Ale at Obed & Isaac’s Brew Pub, supper was at the Magic Kitchen, Asian food of course (the price for one beer!).

July 22, 2015, Wednesday, Peoria, IL
Day 83

Departed Amana for the 75 mile drive to East Moline and a visit to the John Deere Harvester factory. Guided tour lasted almost 2 hours and was very interesting. The company started making combines (which combine customary hand farming tasks with machine tasks) in 1912. Then a combine could harvest about 3 acres per day. Today, a harvester can do 30 acres in an hour. No harvester is built unless it has already been sold. The largest model goes for $543,000 and lasts on average 17 years. The painting process includes a 10 stage immersion pre-treatment followed by a 3 stage electrocoating process. You can have any color you want as long as it is John Deere green. Next was what should have been a 10 minute drive to the Mississippi River Visitor Center except for a bridge with 11' clearance and inadequate warning. I did stop in time but we had to detach the car and I did a 3 point turn on the 2 lane road fairly easily and the other cars just had to wait. We learned about the 29 locks and 750 foot elevation drop from the beginning of the Mississippi River in St. Paul, MN, to St. Louis, MO, while viewing Locks & Dam 15. Unfortunately, no boats utilizing the locks while we were present. Continued on the road about 100 miles to East Peoria and an overnight at Walmart.

July 21, 2015, Tuesday, Amana, IA
Day 82

A very relaxing day visiting in the Amana Colonies with gorgeous weather, a slight coolness to the air. Settled in the 1850's by a German religious group known as the Community of True Inspiration, many of the buildings remain, many of which have been restored. The colonies consisted of 7 villages within close proximity to each other and lived a communal life until 1932 when the depression and other factors ended it.  Today, the colonies host several wineries, a brewery, restaurants, bakeries, art galleries, etc., in addition to the museums telling the history and showing a communal kitchen (as it existed in 1932), cooper shop, general store and others. We grazed all day. Had lunch at the Ronneburg Restaurant, a German restaurant dating to 1950.  This place is to be avoided as we had our first totally awful meal on the trip. Did buy some goodies at the General Store and a sauerkraut bread at the bakery.

July 20, 2015, Monday, Amana, IA
Day 81

Departed Des Moines for the 30 minute drive to Maytag Dairy Farms in Newton, IA. A film and then a tour of the shipping area was followed by a sampling of cheeses including the Maytag Blue Cheese.  So delicious I bought 2 wedges (one for now and one for the freezer) even though Rosemary won’t eat blue cheese.  More for me! Next was another 30 minute drive to Pella, IA, home of the Historical Village and Vermeer Mill. A Dutch community dating to the 1840's was started by Dominie H.P. Scholte. Many buildings have been preserved and restored. The town windmill was reconstructed. We toured the village (including a neat miniature Dutch Village) and the windmill including a walk around the platform four stories up. But the best part of Pella was a visit to the Jaarsma Bakery. In operation over a century, the pastries were incredible.  We bought several including one called “letters” which is a flaky “S” shaped pastry filled with almond paste, the signature item in this town.  Although a photo does not do it justice, I am including it anyway.  Good enough that I would consider this a required stop on our future trips out west. Next was a 10 minute drive to the Tassel Ridge Winery for a tasting. 2 bottles of Iowa White Blossom (the Le Crescent grape) purchased. After 90 minute drive, checked into the Amana RV Park.