ILLINOIS - IOWA

GALENA

After generously donating $150 to the Chicago traffic enforcement office, we could finally begin our Road Trip.  Everything in the car is automated, so it almost feels as though it's driving itself, which is a rather strange sensation!  We set off for a town called Galena, which was described in our guide book as 'elegant' and the 'area's main attraction'.  From this, one can only assume that there is very little else around these parts!  On arrival, we found a cheap motel to stay in, though with our own private bathroom, it seemed almost luxurious after the hostels.

The town attempts to have historical importance through its links with Ulysees Grant, which basically means that it has a faux-Victorian high street with 'antique' shops, mostly full of Coca Cola bottles and things they've stolen from old ladies' houses.  A billboard for a place called 'Poopsies' had attracted our attention on the I-80, with the proclamation 'Poopsies - will the fun never end?!'  Rather disappointingly, it turned out to be a novelty gift shop, though Vicki was rather tempted by the rubber squirrel mask.  We avoided the trolleybus architecture tour (the houses looked more recent that those on Cheltenham high street), but could not forego the colouring-in book of the American presidents.  The town seemed to be a bit of a 'foody' place and so we treated ourselves to some of the luxurious foods on offer: Amish jam, saltwater taffy and 'Democrat' shaped pasta.  For dinner we went to the locally famed 'Log Cabin', which was a Greek steakhouse with candles.  The people at the bar were very friendly, though the beer cheese was not so forgiving.

GLADBROOK

The next day we visited the much anticipated 'Matchstick Marvels Museum'.  The anticipation and excitement was somewhat exacerbated by the fact that all the roads seemed to be closed and so we had to take a detour down a few dirt tracks and through someone's cornfield.  After oohing and ahhing over the talent and patience of Pat Acton (we were particularly impressed with his sculpture of Notre Dame and amazed by the fact that he does this merely as a hobby), we stormed on through Iowa, a state which seems to hold few attractions for those not interested in matchsticks or corn.

Foods tried:
Beer cheese: sticks to the roof of your mouth.
Saltwater taffy: Vicki unceremoniously spat out; James wouldn't bother with again.
Fudge brownie filled Chips Ahoy: awesome!
Sourpatch kids: even more awesome, make you tingle!
Cheetos: massive wotsits.