Day 7: Trekking across the fields of Iowa

8:30am Start to the day.  Attempted to go for a jog but at this point I'm so lazy it turned into a jog ending with a geocache in Deer Park.  Another continental breakfast which the Choice Hotel chain seems to be famous for - I can only handle so much more Raisin Bran, dying for a real breakfast with bacon & eggs!

After primping & packing, we finally headed out at 11:30am.  We noticed some hotel furniture sitting outside so inquired about a mirror that caught our eye-got a new mirror for our bathroom for free!

Since we missed a pic of Nebraska when we drove into Omaha on Sunday night, we drove out of Nebraska, took an offramp to loop back around on I-80, snapped our pic and offramped to come back around to head east again.  I know, I'm crazy!

Just outside of the Nebraska/Iowa border we stopped at a Tourist Info Center/Rest Area to see what there was to see along our route to Iowa City.  We were informed about the White Pole Road which follows I-80 and the special stops along the way.  First stop was marked Evolution of Flags which was nothing more than 4 sets of 2 U.S. flags at each end of a bridge.  Nothing too exciting.  Next stop, at exit 86, was Freedom Rock-a mural painted on a huge boulder a mile off the interstate honoring U.S. veterans & soldiers.  The visitors book was startlingly packed full of signatures proving its popularity.  Exit 97 brought us to Drew's Chocolates, originating in New Hampshire, the family has been making real, hand dipped chocolates in the basement since 1927.  We learned quite a bit about chocolate-making and bought a 1/2lb box of mixed goodies.  They were just melt in your mouth great!!  I highly recommend the stop!!

With all the stops it seemed to take forever to reach Stella's Blue Sky Diner in Des Moines for lunch.  This would be Triple D #7 and the biggest disappointment so far.  The decor was typical 50's kitsch right down to the little juke boxes on each table.  We were sitted in a booth with ripped vinyl bench and were the only customers at 3pm.  Al ordered a Green Mint Shake which they are supposed to pour into a glass on your head as their signature move but I was in the bathroom when it arrived so Al opted out.  Al got the Stella burger, served on toasted sourdough bread which unfortunately gave it a cheap appearance, & chili cheese fries (the fries were great, very crispy).  I ordered the hot turkey cause I couldn't handle another burger.  The homemade gravy was very tasty but the turkey was pretty scarce and the veggies were quite soggy so I was less than impressed.  The server was perky and friendly so we'll give them that otherwise I would likely not go back if I was paid.