Summer Roadtrip Day 3: Lincoln NE to New Glarus WI

Today was a light sightseeing day. We started the day by driving to Omaha to deliver one of the girls' belongings that she was unable to take with her when she moved earlier in the year. After moving boxes into her apartment, we got a tour of her place, then went to brunch with her. We dropped her off at her place around noon, then headed toward Wisconsin. 

We took a rest stop in Adair IA to see the smiling face water tower.

We then drove pretty much straight through IA until we crossed the Mississippi River into WI.

Once in Wisconsin, we stopped at the Dickeyville Grotto and Shrines.

By the time we got to Platteville, we were hungry, so stopped for dinner before heading to my mom's house. 

A few miles out of town, a big raccoon crossed the road in front of us (we did not hit it).

We arrived at mom's house around 7:30 pm and spent the night.

Summer Roadtrip Day 9: New Glarus WI to Sioux Falls SD

We loaded up the minivan with some dishes and a table and chairs from my mom, then started our trip towards home 

We drove through rain and wind this morning, with the rain letting up just before we reached Fennimore WI to stop at Carr Valley Cheese and stock up. We also posed with Igor the Mouse.

At one point, Steve rolled up the window and it made a loud bang. He suspected that the cable on the window controller snapped, and made a mental note to not roll down his window again. 

We then headed towards Prairie du Chien and then crossed the Mississippi River 

Once we entered Marquette IA, we saw a slightly different version of Pinky the pink elephant. 

Our route followed the Mississippi River for a few miles before heading west.

When we were near Waukon IA, we posed next to the Bull and Cowboy statue.

From there, we drove to Austin MN and saw The Power of Food / Big Fork statue.

It was really interesting to see that it was covered in smaller forks!

Then we went to the SPAM museum and spent a lot more time there than initially planned. (I don't even like SPAM!!!)

The next stop was in Blue Earth to see the Green Giant (and Sprout) and visit the related museum.

From there, we drove to Sioux Falls, where we checked out the lightly flowing falls.

Later that night, we went to a dive bar to hear Steve's friend play in a band.