As I always say, when making plans, the first step in your plan should be to plan to change the plan. True to my word, today’s travels were the result of more than one change of plans. I had originally wanted to follow US 20 from ocean to ocean, but on closer examination, I found that it passes directly through downtown Chicago. Ugh! A fate worse than death. So the first change in the plan was to go around Chicago. Well, that’s easier said than done. Any decent route around the windy city takes you well away from US 20. So, what to do? As it turns out, our grandson had taken a new job in Indianapolis, IN after graduating from college, so we laid plans to stop there for a visit before going on. Well, that plan fell through as he, not knowing our plans to stop in Indianapolis (for that matter we hadn’t had any plans) had left for Florida to spend time with his other grandmother. So, plan change number 2.
Getting a little weary of unpacking and repacking daily with no camping in sight along US 20, combined with the weather which is getting a little oppressive, we opted to abandon the eastern leg of US 20 for this trip and head south to US 50 and find our way home from there. To avoid interstate highways, we opted to go south from Dubuque on US 61 to Davenport, IA and pick up US 150 which would take us directly to US 50. As we headed south on US 61 we were treated to some lovely bucolic scenes! We had anticipated miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles. But there were lots of small towns to break up the monotony. We finally crossed the Mississippi River near Davenport, IA and picked up US 150 at Moline, IL. Unfortunately, the view of the river was obscured by Jersey barriers on the sides of the bridge so that the photos were not that great.
Mississippi River (with Jersey barrier)
US 150 passes through many small towns and villages with lots of traffic lights and stop signs, so it is much slower than taking the interstates. But the small towns are quite interesting. One feature they all have in common is flags flying on every utility pole. Not sure if they are left over from Memorial Day or if they are out in preparation for July 4th. Whatever, there are lots of flags.
We we approached Champaign, IL with still about 150 miles to go to Vincennes, IL where we will pick up US 50. As there are lots of good lodging and eating places, we decided that it was a good place to stop for the night.
Interesting town name: Kickapoo, IL. (a little northwest of Peoria)