Van now in USA

[mojo]

If you own a American registered RV the insurance should be cheaper

 

[mojo]

Indianapolis 500 Speedway

Visited the famous track today that houses a ,not too large,museum.As I know very little of this type of motor racing it was informative .Did not remember that F1 had raced here or Moto GP .
I will make more effort to watch the 2019 racing which runs every May.
The time line photos say it all.Sorry about so many pics,13 total ,good for Motorsport fans only.

 

[mojo]

Last

 

[mojo]

That's all folks

 

[alanalmoff]

Looking for insurance? ( In the States that is) try https://www.squaremouth.com its similar to our compare sites here, Alan

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[mojo]

A surprisingly quiet central Springfield , Illinois today for our ,all things Abraham Lincoln day.
This city is where he arrived in his late twenties to practice law.He came from a very poor farming family in Indiana .
Here he married and lived for 17 years before becoming President .They had four sons but only one lived to adulthood.
The city is proud of their association and have a excellent museum charting his life there and subsequent presidency.
He only ever owned one house and you get a free tour of the pleasant but simple middle class detached property.
Thoroughly enjoyed getting to learn about the great man and his family life.Will visit his memorial,his body was returned here, in the morning before continuing our westward direction.

 

[mojo]

What do you get for your money in Abraham Lincoln's town.

 

[mojo]

Nice

 

[Ambilkate]

Loving your travels mojo thankyou for the pics , loving the input of other funsters to with their experience of the USA. Will be following this thread with great interest.
Kate x

 

[Blue Knight]

NiceView attachment 248029

Those prices really do make your jaw drop. A pal of mine bought (in 2014) a 6-bed house somewhere on the banks of the Mississippi River and he paid $200k.

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[B-well]

Enjoying the trip, almost feel i`m there with you at times. B well and keep enjoying you travels.

 

[Langtoftlad]

NiceView attachment 248029

How quaint - I remember when a free property newspaper was delivered ever Friday

 

[alanalmoff]

M

I've spent more time in Colorado than anywhere else in the US so know that state and the states to the south and west better than elsewhere but I did like Washington (the sate not the city) very much. Seattle is unique .......

Did you get to see the

I've spent more time in Colorado than anywhere else in the US so know that state and the states to the south and west better than elsewhere but I did like Washington (the sate not the city) very much. Seattle is unique .......

Did you get to see the self built castle West of the Springs , Bishops Castle, no entry fee, just a donation, quirky, http://www.bishopcastle.org/

 

[veevee]

A surprisingly quiet central Springfield , Illinois today for our ,all things Abraham Lincoln day.
This city is where he arrived in his late twenties to practice law.He came from a very poor farming family in Indiana .
Here he married and lived for 17 years before becoming President .They had four sons but only one lived to adulthood.
The city is proud of their association and have a excellent museum charting his life there and subsequent presidency.
He only ever owned one house and you get a free tour of the pleasant but simple middle class detached property.
Thoroughly enjoyed getting to learn about the great man and his family life.Will visit his memorial,his body was returned here, in the morning before continuing our westward direction.View attachment 248027 View attachment 248028

It's an absorbing journey you're on, and admire your interest in all things around you. Would like to repeat it's my kind of trip report, thank you.

Now you have been to his home the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC is probably a must visit, just for it's grandeur it's a magnificent setting and statue. But the sculpture of Lincoln in the Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City is the one that spoke to me, especially when viewed from his left side. The bonuses for visiting this museum is it's one of the great museums of the world (if you have a passing interest in cowboys and American Indians) and the famous sculpture of the exhausted Indian on an exhausted horse titled 'End of the Trail'. What a story that encapsulates.

The museum has good parking for your 'cute ' motorhome too.

 

[mojo]

Thanks veevee
Oklahoma's due end of October.

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[Puddleduck]

M


Did you get to see the


Did you get to see the self built castle West of the Springs , Bishops Castle, no entry fee, just a donation, quirky, http://www.bishopcastle.org/

Oh yes...... and met the man (John Bishop) himself. We had a long discussion about hen keeping. lol My cousin's husband knows John Bishop well in an official capacity but they remain on good (if rather wary) terms.

 

[mojo]

Lincoln Memorial

So glad we made the effort to visit his memorial this morning before setting off for the Mississippi River.
The attendant inside had some fascinating information not known from yesterday's education.
Did you know that someone tried to steal his body and hold it for ransom ! Pic explains briefly.
Also that he is registered with the WWF having been a wrestler with 300 wins and 1 loss !
So much to this man before arriving on Springfield.

 

[mojo]

Nauvoo. 9 Aug

Well,when you only have a rough idea of the direction you wish to follow you end up discovering places.
Today we came to the City of Nauvoo (Hebrew for "they are beautiful".Not really a city but a successful Mormon settlement on the Mississippi River in Illinois.
A fascinating story unfolded of the arrival and huge growth of the community over a short span of seven years before persecution finally forced them to leave on the amazing journey to settle again in Salt Lake City.Led by John Smith to this area in 1840 who oversaw it's growth he was arrested and ,along with his brother, murdered by a mob of 200 in the jailhouse of Carthage,a small nearby town.This prompted the exodus just months after completing the enormous stone temple.
It has all the streets but only a few buildings from the original 2500 .The area is a huge museum to the past with people in costume showing the buildings,crafts,cart rides,music,etc all FREE.
Because it's owned by the Community of Christ you are given some religious information at the locations but not pushy, acceptable as your not paying for visit.
The temple was destroyed by fire and then tornado but a exact replica has now been built .

 

[mojo]

Honey Creek Lake 10 Aug

Just like the Mormons 160 years ago we crossed the Mississippi not sure of our destination ,never to return.
A fairly long drive from Fort Madison , Illinois along highway 2 until the town of Mystic,Iowa.
Getting in to the long drive groove American style.Slumped , almost horizontal in the seat, munching popcorn washed down with sugary soft drinks with air con full blast against the 34 deg outside.Have given up on the radio full of advertising and now just listen to our own music .
Looking for a camping spot we came upon Honey Creek Lake .With no signs against camping on this Army Corps of Engineers ground we decided it was the best spot to overnight since our arrival in the States.
Apart from speedboats launching it was quite until a nice lady called Karen arrived in her clapped out car held together with bits of string .
A local who entertained us with so many of her stories for a few hours until dark.
Been through some husband's,one blew his head off with a shotgun and another lost his life going too fast on a bend locally known as Dead Man's Bend !
Surprisingly she was not aware of the historical town of Nauvoo just a few hours drive or the humorous travel writer Bill Bryson born and raised a few hours away in Des Moines.But then ,in her seventies,she has never left the USA.
A statistic does quote a smallish percentage of American's hold a passport.
She advised that when the sheriff does his rounds he is a sweetie and we should have no problems with him.Lets see!

Well it's 7 am and no knock on the door.A nice cuppa with the sun rising over the lake all to ourselves.A setting many of us motorhomers have been lucky to experience somewhere.

 

[veevee]

Honey Creek Lake 10 Aug

Just like the Mormons 160 years ago we crossed the Mississippi not sure of our destination ,never to return.
A fairly long drive from Fort Madison , Illinois along highway 2 until the town of Mystic,Iowa.
Getting in to the long drive groove American style.Slumped , almost horizontal in the seat, munching popcorn washed down with sugary soft drinks with air con full blast against the 34 deg outside.Have given up on the radio full of advertising and now just listen to our own music .
Looking for a camping spot we came upon Honey Creek Lake .With no signs against camping on this Army Corps of Engineers ground we decided it was the best spot to overnight since our arrival in the States.
Apart from speedboats launching it was quite until a nice lady called Karen arrived in her clapped out car held together with bits of string .
A local who entertained us with so many of her stories for a few hours until dark.
Been through some husband's,one blew his head off with a shotgun and another lost his life going too fast on a bend locally known as Dead Man's Bend !
Surprisingly she was not aware of the historical town of Nauvoo just a few hours drive or the humorous travel writer Bill Bryson born and raised a few hours away in Des Moines.But then ,in her seventies,she has never left the USA.
A statistic does quote a smallish percentage of American's hold a passport.
She advised that when the sheriff does his rounds he is a sweetie and we should have no problems with him.Lets see!

Well it's 7 am and no knock on the door.A nice cuppa with the sun rising over the lake all to ourselves.A setting many of us motorhomers have been lucky to experience somewhere.View attachment 248675

It used to be AM radio that has the Shock-Jocks. Religious or other subjects they'll keep you awake while driving, a window into the world of sections of US society

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[mojo]

Nebraska City, Nebraska 11 Aug

Settled in for the second day driving the Iowa 2 West.After 5 hrs we crossed the Missouri River in to Nebraska.
The roads in the USA have been often pot holes and rutted giving the van a good workout on her suspension.Hope my fillings last the journey.
It seems many of the small communities along our roads have seen their best days .One particular property today abandoned many years ago still had a old car sitting in the garage .
Each town often with a water tower reminiscent of those alien craft with legs from the movie War of the World's.
Lots of road kill.We have killed a small bird and today a large eagle or certainly a predator flew straight at us thankfully hitting the bodywork above the windscreen and flew away!
Tonight on a small state campsite on the river that has recently receded leaving it looking worse for wear.Amongst caravans and 5th wheelers ,looking like we will have a bonfire fest later,their using chainsaws at the moment .
Lastly,we have had one of our plastic hub caps stolen presumably because of its Mercedes logo.
Certain the buggers had it away because I fitted them back on in Baltimore and all three are still secure.

 

[mojo]

Nebraska 12 Aug

Our third night in Nebraska with average temperature of 34 deg.A struggle to sleep at night but we're getting used to it.Problem is when you wild camp you must secure all windows at night except roof vents.
Just across the state line from Iowa we visited the Lewis & Clark centre explaining their two year exploration of the recently purchased lands from France.This was the famous Louisiana Purchase ,the largest single land purchase in history.Napoleon had no idea of the scale that he was selling and neither did Thomas Jefferson,the president.
Hence his need to explore what the USA had obtained.
They used the Missouri River to head north encountering numerous tribes and new wildlife.
The entrance hall in Jefferson's Monticello is adorned with antlers and tribal wear sent back .
After reaching the Pacific they successfully returned losing only one person to natural causes and plenty of maps.
The basis for pioneers to advance.

 

[veevee]

Nebraska 12 Aug

Our third night in Nebraska with average temperature of 34 deg.A struggle to sleep at night but we're getting used to it.Problem is when you wild camp you must secure all windows at night except roof vents.
Just across the state line from Iowa we visited the Lewis & Clark centre explaining their two year exploration of the recently purchased lands from France.This was the famous Louisiana Purchase ,the largest single land purchase in history.Napoleon had no idea of the scale that he was selling and neither did Thomas Jefferson,the president.
Hence his need to explore what the USA had obtained.
They used the Missouri River to head north encountering numerous tribes and new wildlife.
The entrance hall in Jefferson's Monticello is adorned with antlers and tribal wear sent back .
After reaching the Pacific they successfully returned losing only one person to natural causes and plenty of maps.
The basis for pioneers to advance.View attachment 248958

Have always had an interest in Lewis and Clark, real pioneers and adventurers. Never heard of this this place before, is it a must visit for someone who's interested?

Thanks again, we are both very much enjoying you finding these less visited places.

 

[mojo]

Unlike Lewis & Clarke we headed west to Lincoln city.The intention to visit the history and state museums along with the Art deco Capitol building.Expecting to park easily like our previous experience in Springfield we were disappointed.
Definitely a case of parking out of town and use the scooter but time was against us (Sunday afternoon opening times )
Wild camped at Pawnee lake fighting off the mozzies
Long drive the next day for five hours along Sandhills Scenic Byway .Now halfway ,camping by the river.Along this road runs the railway carrying frequent,every 20 minutes, mile long trains laden with coal.
Problem is they sound their very loud horns day and night at every road crossing including the one near our camp spot.
The small run down towns along the route have to suffer this but thankfully we're just passing through.
Whilst driving we noticed a sign for a house sale with instructions that it must also be moved .How strange ,I have seen pictures of houses lifted and moved but maybe they mean dismantle ?
Further along a group of adults practicing on a golf driving range.Actually just a field with distance marker's and many children collecting and returning the balls.Pocket money I guess.

 

[mojo]

We just had to visit the classic Americana tourist trap of Carhenge just north of Alliance.
This pop art ,built 1987,represents the stones of Salisbury Plain using 38 old Cadillacs, Plymouth's and Chevy's.
Crazy but a fun sight.

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[mojo]

Nebraska 15 Aug
First today was Chimney Rock .A iconic pinicle rock on the Oregon Trail.After nearly 600 miles across the plains this would have been the first sight for all emigrants signifing the start of the Rockies.
A further 23 miles brought us to Scottsbluff.
The town sits below the 800ft sandstone rampart that has a pass for the Oregon Trail.
A National Monument run by the NP employees, we had a mini bus to the top and a 1.5 mile walk down to the visitor centre that houses a simple Oregon Trail Museum.
Others came and went whilst it seems to take us best part of the day to explore and read.
On to a little visited but poignant reminder of the trails hardships.A grave outside of town with a bent iron bar headstone discovered after grass fire.On the bar is inscribed "Rebecca Winters ,Age 50"
Research has found her family who made it to Salt Lake ,she had died of cholera and the grave is unusual in that most graves were directly under the trail to avoid animals digging .Notice some fool had put a bullet through Rebecca's info board.
Walmart bread and guns,use their car park tonight.

 

[jamieBG]

I am thoroughly enjoying your trip reports mojo, thankyou for keeping us posted - I look forward to each new installment. What a fantastic adventure!

 

[Steve and Kat]

As others have said...great thread and are enjoying all comments from all!!

 

[mojo]

Nebraska 16 Aug
Visiting the Agate Fossil Beds in NW Nebraska ,as good as it was I became very interested in the Sioux Indian display at the visitor centre .James Cook farmed this land and became a trusted friend of Chief Red Cloud who presented him with many friendship articles.
It seems we are about to embark on a historical journey of the Indian wars as we cross to South Dakota and Montana.
Chief Red Cloud was involved with many of the well known battles including Custer's last stand at The Battle of Little Big Horn , called the Battle of Greasy Grass by the Indians.

Just purchased a book on the wars to bring me up to speed and the biography of J Cooke who led a full life as a cowboy,tracker and settler who discovered the fossils on his land through a fascinating time in the "wild west".

A wonderful timeline from the Indian perspective using a hide with drawings might be of interest to some.Best viewed on laptop screen for the description of each picture.

 

[mojo]

Nebraska 17 Aug
We have truly arrived in Injun country.Great scenery .
We camped at Fort Robinson ,a famous fort during the Indian wars.A number of well known incidents occurred here but most of us would know the name of Crazy Horse who was bayonetted here whilst struggling with soldiers.
It's last military use was as a WW2 German POW camp .

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