DAY 2 - Milan, Ohio to Utica, Illinois

We started our journey today in Ohio, at 8:20 AM EDT.  We crossed into Indiana and finally Illinois.  We arrived at our destination of Utica, Illinois at 3:26 PM CDT. We traveled 363 miles, on Interstate 80West.  The land was very flat, and filled with farms where we saw corn in various stages of growth.  Corn was only two foot high in Ohio, and finally in Illinois we saw some fields where it was three foot high.  In Indiana there were miles of fields with irrigation frames to help water the crops.  Fifty-five miles into our day, we saw miles of Apple orchards and some peaches, as well as some fields with wheat that was beginning to ripen, and cabbage which was probably 6 incles across.

I could not help but notice the variety of wildflowers along the road sides: large clumps of orange Day Lilies; orange Butterfly Weed; Black eyed Susan's and pink Coneflowers; Queen Anne's Lace; Chicory and in Indiana - White Yucca Cactus.

The closer we came to Chicago the heavier the truck traffic became.  At one point in time there were four lanes of trucks and two other lanes that we were in the midst of.  I was glad that Russ was driving, and not me.  I'd rather be taking pictures.  Gas prices today began with $100 purchase in Goshen, Indiana just before Elkhart, for $3.69 a gallon, and later at the conclusion of our day in Illinois for $3.49 a gallon.  That is about the lowest we have paid so far.

We had time for a nice hour in the swimming pool before heading to town for dinner.  We thought we were going to Appleby's but it was nowhere in sight.  We ended up at a very nice local restaurant and had a memorable meal there.