Arrived in Eau Claire after traveling through Illinois on US 24, 6 and 30 (skipped the Ohio, Indiana and part of the Illinois toll roads). Interesting drive through Amish country, farmland, and parts of the area around Chicago which we could have just as well skipped. Quite a change going from the quiet, peaceful farmland to Chicago Heights! Tried to skip the Chicago area by taking US 30 west to Joliet and then cutting north. However, we still ran into the Illinois Toll Way north of Joliet and, until we got out of Illinois, had a lot of traffic. Next trip we'll have to figure another way around the Chicago area. Not only does it cost a fortune in tolls, but the traffic is horrendous.
Driving north through Wisconsin was fantastic. It's such a clean, great state. We got off the interstate around Wisconsin Dells which has some great water parks. We checked out the Ho Chunk Indian Casino (Ho Chunk is native American for "We want your money"). Stopped in Warren, WI which is in the center of the cranberry bogs of Wisconsin. Had an interesting conversation with the salesperson and learned more about cranberries than we wanted to know. Funny, because usually I associate cranberries with Oregon and New Jersey.
Ended up in Eau Claire (clear water) which is at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers. Big logging country and now the center of many manufacturing enterprises. Toured around the city (approx. 65,000) with lots of parks along the rivers. Would be great taking a kayak down some of the rivers.
Tomorrow we're heading over to Minneapolis to meet up with Hank and Diane Arends (Mary's brother) whom we got very well acquainted with last year. Then it's up to Fargo where we're staying with Michelle and Adrian.
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