Day 34 - Caching in WI and Driving to IA

Today we drove from Illinois to Beloit, Wisconsin, to find a few caches before heading to Iowa. Found six and DNFed on that looks like it was in a construction area.

Welcome to Wisconsin! (And no, there isn't a fireworks ad on top of the WI sign, it's just the angle of the photo)
The rest of the day was spent driving to Bettendorf, IA, to stay with Jenn's aunty and uncle.

Welcome to Iowa!

Day 33 - Chicago, Pizza, and Public Transportation

Got a late start today, as the place where we were going to buy breakfast downstairs was already closed by the time we got there. So off to Dominick's to get some OJ and milk. We finally left the hotel after 1pm and soon found ourselves in traffic heading to Chicago. So, after passing a subway station, we decided to park our car there and take the L (subway) into downtown. About half an hour later and we were downtown. We then got a transfer and headed to Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. No game today so we could walk around without having thousands of fans around us.

Dave and Jenn at Wrigley Field
Jenn waiting for the L near Wrigley Field

Our next stop was Lou Malnati's Pizza for some deep dish pizza. Since we knew deep dish pizza was filling, we shared an individual pizza, just enough for us.

Now we need to work that off, so we walked over to Millennium Park, to see the "Bean".

We took this from under the Bean. Can you find us?

While at the park, we were able to take in the views of the old and new, historic and modern architecture of Chicago.

We then took our second form of public transportation, the bus, to see Oprah Winfrey's studios.

We then walked to the nearest L station, got another transfer and a short while later we were back at the station where we parked our car. Drove back to our hotel but first enjoyed a nice crab and shrimp dinner at Moe's Crab Shack.
Tomorrow, off to Wisconsin and Iowa.

Day 32 - University of Michigan

After packing up and saying goodbye to the Harnjos, we started our drive towards Ann Arbor, stopping to pick up a couple of caches along the way.

When we got to Ann Arbor, and the University of Michigan, we found out there was a huge art fair going on and some streets around the university was closed. We drove around for a while looking for parking, only to find signs with Parking - $20, Parking - $15, and so on. We finally found a $5 parking area, run by the Boy Scouts. Of course, it was further away from the art fair than the more expensive parking spots so we had a nice walk to the University. We found the M-Den, where Jenn bought some UM shirts, then had lunch, and then went looking for a couple of caches. One was an interactive cube sculpture that could be spun around. Kind of looks like the All Spark from the Transformers movie.

Jenn with the Cube

Got back to the car and drove over to the football stadium so Jenn could get a pic with a UM sign.
We were then off to Chicago, driving through Indiana.

We stopped in Michigan City, IN for a couple of caches...there's a cache hidden in the photo below.

Finally got into IL, after waiting out some passing thunderstorms in Gary, IN.

Tomorrow, off to Chicago.

Day 31 - Hangin' Out in Ohio

Today was a nice relaxing day in Findlay. Slept in a bit, hung out with the family, and ice cream for dessert!

Dinner at the Harnjo's
Ice Cream!

Tomorrow, driving to Chicago.

Day 30 - Pro Football Hall of Fame

We stayed overnight in North Canton and after checking out, we drove down to Canton to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I'd been to the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, PA before, but never to here so we were excited.

Dave and Jenn at the entrance to the HOF
This is the oldest football uniform. I think it looks like Princess Leia crossed with Jar Jar Binks.

Jenn with John Elway's uniform, helmet, and equipment

Dave with the shoe and football Jason Elam used to kick his record-tying 63-yard field goal
Jenn with Peyton Manning's rookie jersey
How's my throwing form?
Bronco's latest Super Bowl ring

We had a great time at the HOF and learned many new historical facts about the football leagues, past and present. If we read every single thing, we could have stayed there for hours!

After the HOF, we stopped at Chick-Fil-A for lunch (again), then off to Findlay, to stay with Jenn's cousin Yoko and family.

Day 29 - Leaving PA

Today was our last day in PA. We packed up the Prius and said our goodbyes. We had a great relaxing time staying with my grandma in the retirement community.

Our next stop was Pittsburgh, where we stopped for a late lunch at Primanti Brothers. We had one of their famous sandwiches. This was a pastrami and cheese, with tomatoes, coleslaw, french fries and a fried egg. Yum!

Next, we were off to Ohio.

After checking into our hotel, Jenn's cousin Ken and his wife Jennifer drove down to meet us for dessert.

Tomorrow, Football Hall of Fame.

Day 28 - Classic Car Show and Just Relaxin'

Our last full day in PA before heading back west. There was a classic car show in the local community park so we checked it out for a bit. Lots of awesome cars in great condition. Took a few photos.

David with a 1941 Packard Club Coupe
Jenn with a 1957 Chevy Bel Air Hard Top
1916 Ford Fire Truck

1914 Ford Roadster

For you Jeep fans - 1942 WWII Jeep

1933 Ford 3 Widow Coupe

After the car show, we had lunch, then played another game of Hand and Foot. Over the past week, my grandma's kicked our butts nearly every game!

After a yummy dinner of meatball sandwiches, we headed over to neighbor Edna's place to say goodbye.

Tomorrow, packing up, saying goodbye, and heading to Ohio.