Yes, Iowa. Why circle the state of Iowa? "Because there's nothing there," I've told everyone. Of course it's not true.

People have also said I could have done something more exciting for a vacation; but I already went to Japan twice in the last ten months, did three days in Vegas, and was home in Ohio visiting famliy for a week. I will probably spend another ten days in Japan come November.

I need the catharsis of a long drive. I don't drive a car every day like most people.



Mike Kole's three year old daughter Isabella in the back seat, playing with a dandelion she picked off the lawn. We are on the way to the Indianapolis Zoo for the day.

Time for an unintended and weird juxtaposition:


When Mike and I reached the Mississipi we chanced upon a Confederate graveyard on Rock Island.

We're on the road until Saturday, following the Mississip, across Iowa and Minneapolis, then down along the Missouri River. We have no set plans other than getting back to Indy by Saturday.