Across Wisconsin to the Mississippi river.

 During August 2004 using the small country roads through rolling farmland we crossed Wisconsin and arrived at the Mississippi River near Fountain City.

This state park campground was right alongside the river giving us a great overnight stop.

The birds and fish were abundant as were the boats loaded with fishermen!

At Alma we watched a flock of small boats negotiate the big lock.

 Waiting was a huge barge carrying thousands of tons of gravel down the river. The river is still  being used to ship goods.

The Great River Road took us to Prescott.

This metal railway bridge raises the centre portion to allow the boats room to pass underneath.

  Jim had been shopping for a bigger hammer and thought he would wake up the sleepy town!

When we crossed the river we were in Minnesota.

 Here are some Gold Wings parked at the home of Barb and Bob Grueschow in Apple Valley.

We met Bob and Barb in Baltimore, Maryland and they were the first friends we made in the States.

On Friday the amateurs had a chance to race the circuit.

Starting at 7am there were over 60 races going on till dark. Most were four laps and the organisation was very slick.

 There were classes for everyone from five year olds, women, over 50's and fossils!

There were awards for everyone!

As the Pro's arrived we spotted some magnificent trucks and motor homes.

The mechanics were taking no chances before the start of the final moto!

Suzuki had a big presence and this is a careful inspection of the interior of Tortelli's engine.

The reward was a fine third place for the popular rider and his son stole the limelight on the podium.

This is the inside of one of the Yamaha team trucks-too clean to be a MX van!!

Once again in race two RC was in a class of his own.

 The crowd roared every time he jumped the table top-all 105feet- lap after lap!

The Champagne flowed as the victors sprayed the happy, hot and tired crowds.

Another day, another state, Illinois and at last we found Route 66.

  It doesn't really exist now as the Interstates have all been re-numbered and it is now the I 55.

   We took a comfort stop at the Dixie Truckers rest area and wandered around the Hall Of Fame.

No good trying to stay the night as the noise from all those parked trucks was tremendous!

So on to Indiana and another more famous Hall Of Fame where we spent the afternoon looking at all the lovely race cars and fantastic silverware.

The Brickyard track was being resurfaced so we could only visit the in field and Gasoline Alley!

At Dayton, Ohio is the Aviation Heritage Park.

 The cycle shop belonging to the Wright brothers is preserved.

Our next stop was the  USAF Museum also at Dayton. It took us two days to look around the displays.

Dot boards Airforce One

This is the nose of the experimental X3 from 1953-

looks kind of familiar!

Wow! This is what you call a an off roader!

 It carries a small ICBM and is equipped with a plough to dig itself into the ground while travelling at 55mph.

 Jim starts looking for that spanner he lost!

And guess what? Jim found yet another Mosquito!

Jim was delighted to see a B36 on display. He last saw one at Burtonwood air base after the war!

Looking along the wing gives some idea of the size of this huge bomber-note the rear propellers for six of the ten engines!

To finish off, the Band of the USAF Night Flight gave a concert of Glenn Miller music-great end to the visit!