After the excitement of reaching Omaha on Day 2 today promised to be at a more sedate pace. The area around the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs has some interesting art installations and is well worth the stroll around the campus. I would think that this venue has to compete with Omaha across the Missouri River.
In an effort to see the Omaha Welcome sign from the I80 and get some photos we crossed the 24th Street Bridge that feeds both the I80 and I29. Each corner has a modern bronze sculpture by artist Albert Paley completed in 2005. The four sculptures are known as ‘Oydessy’ and tower over the Interstate at approximately 100 feet and represent the area’s history of transformation.
Somehow we found ourselves coming back into Iowa past the Welcome to Omaha sign and had the camera on sports mode to get the best photo that I could. As we drove down the flags flying between the locomotives came into view so it was a successful drive by after all.
The two hour and 146 mile journey to our destination was punctuated with a stop in the Iowa State Capitol city of Des Moines. The gold domed capitol building stands at the top of a hill looking down at the city below. It is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in mid America. There is a guided tour available as well as a leaflet to collect for a self-guided version. The interior was opulent and very grand but it was the library that was really spectacular. Access to view both the Senate Chamber and the House of Representatives was allowed because they were not in session.
The 6 miles to Altoona – IA was easy and we checked-in to the Hyatt Place which was a really good choice. Simply a walk across the road to the Des Moines Outlets was welcome. The area also has the Adventureland Resort as well as the Adventure Bay Waterpark.
Day 4 was going to be the most challenging day as the itinerary took us back to the Chicago area.
States 46 & 47 (Kenosha WI – Milwaukee WI – Chicago IL) Days 7 & 8
States 46 & 47 (Chicago IL – Kenosha WI) – Day 6
States 46 & 47 (Deerfield – Waukegan) – Day 5
States 46 & 47 (Altoona IA – Deerfield IL) – Day 4
USA Road Trips by Max 
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