Continental breakfast (from scratch omelettes), no rain today so just a single layer over since it is 60 or so this morning. Got kinda lost in Moline since there were closed streets (construction) and ended up at the airport. Quick huddle and we were following the river and nice farm land until we crossed the Mississippi at Muscatine, IA. Then 22 west and first stop was Riverside, where Captain Kirk is going to be born on March 22, 2228. I assume it was mentioned on one of the earlier episodes of Star Trek and these guys have cashed in. All the lamp posts have one of the Star Trek characters on it and a catchy little phrase. The actual spot where he is yet to be born is behind the beauty shop.
Two other women were there taking pictures when we slid up the alley to the monument. They were going cross country from Mass to Calif and "had to stop". Now what happens when 2228 does roll around and March 22 is coming up, and the town is checking around to see who is expecting? Fun stuff.
Saw a local biker rally with 50 bikes or more with flags in remembrance of a local boy who died, we assume in one of the wars.
Chatted up a couple with Maryland plates. They grew up here and their daughter still lives here. They love it here but work in Maryland. They definitely have the local small toy proud thing going on. The rest of the day was spent on Rt 92 with a quick stop at a small Aviation Museum. It is the repository of a local mine owner who did well and started collecting old airplanes. He died and the town got together and took his collection and created a museum. Then they received all of the airplane type memorabilia from anyone in southwestern Iowa who was in the service during any war (WWI, WWII, Korean War,Vietnam, etc). We got the private tour from the typical friendly Iowa guy. And they have a huge library of books, videos, etc, all around the topic of aviation. The Wright Brothers had a farm 5 miles from here before they moved to Akron OH to open the bike shop.
A note about the landscape. The eastern end of Iowa is green with corn and soy everywhere, but it gets hilly in the middle and starts to get drier and drier as you go west. I assume this will continue into Nebraska tomorrow.
The guy at the museum explained more about harvesting the corn and soy. He says they will start in 4 weeks or so and it all happens pretty fast because the combines are huge (15-20 rows) and they travel 5 mph.
We are super beat tonight so hotel, Mexican joint and bed (and probably lots of typos).
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