The Midwest

Getting an early start Monday in Chicago at the top of the Sears Tower (which sneakily seems to have changed its name to the Willis Tower which they try to sweep under the rug left and right). As you can see here I'm standing in a horrifying glas box that juts out from the top floor of the building... the tallest in the nation.

Looking down at the street from Sears. Eerie, yet a damn good idea.

Yes indeed.

Spotted this on our way down the street. Max and I have been pondering why...

Both Max and I agree that Chicago is the best city we've been to. Gorgeous, oddly clean, and extremely friendly. It's sort of a laid back New York. Spent most of the day wandering the streets and checking out the Millenium Park area which is filled with interesting sculptures, a garden, an artsy-ass fountain, and the Art Institute, which has a monstrous museum that I tried my best to take in.

After crossing Illinois in the evening, we spent the night in Clinton Iowa and set out driving up the Mississippi River the next morning.

Just south of Dubuke, Iowa, along the river we stopped by the Crystal Lake Caverns. No epic underground lakes filled with dinosaurs as we hoped, but still fantastic since I'd never been in a cave before. Strange experience seeing the real thing after being so used to seeing similar stuff at Disneyland. We were told that this was 100 feet underground.

The Mississippi Rivaaaaaa after eating in Dubuke at Los Aztecos Mexican Restaurant. The all mexican staff were super excited that we were from Los Angeles.

An unexpected crossing into Wisconson after a docent at the Crystal Lake Caverns told us we'd have a great day continuing to follow the Mississippi River north. Interesting how fast the landscape changes from state to state.

After spending the night crossing Minnesota and staying in Jackson, we crossed the South Dakota Border and went through Sioux Falls. Pretty bleak city, but the center of town has this epic park which barely contains this natural waterfall.

Crossing South Dakota, the land becomes increasingly wide and desolate. Beautiful to see the sun setting over these hills. We're for the first time feeling like we're truly in the middle of nowhere.

Crossing the Missouri River before stopping for tonight in Kadoka, South Dakota--just outside the Badlands.