Our last couple of days were spent geocaching with Helen, and tying up loose ends in Scotland...not that there were many of those but it was a wonderful time with Helen and Moira. It is a shame that they aren't just in the next town as we had endless pleasure in their company.
On one outing into Dundee we ventured into a Red Cross shop looking for some tidy clothes that I may be able to wear on our cruise if invited to the Captains banquet....Surprisingly there is a guy in Scotland that is exactly my size and not in need of his suit, 50% wool. This is now in my wardrobe for the princely sum ten quid....brilliant!
As the sun rose over the horizon we were speeding to Edinburgh International airport looking to board a plane to Chicago via Dublin, flying with the Irish. All USA immigration details were managed in Dublin which was hopelessly overwhelmed with west bound travellers and although the plane was held up for an hour, we were safely landed at O'Hare 6 hours later. A free lift to our lodgings compliments of the hotel was welcomed however we weren't quite prepared for our friendly driver. Turns out he had more yap than the drovers bitch and in the space of 20 minutes we knew more about Chicago than the average native. All very entertaining and with a $5 tip he was sent on his way quite happy.
Our body clocks were a bit tested as we had caught up 6 hours. To try and sort things out we went and gathered a couple of caches in the riverside park opposite the hotel. Surprised to see a little Roe deer in the park with so much concrete and cars all around. After that to the Casino next door for dinner (on UK time that was 1.00am) no wonder our stomachs were protesting! Try as we might we couldn't bring ourselves to part with any money at any of the other opportunities in front of us...bed was most welcome.
We flew into Cedar Rapids the next afternoon. We believe it was Cedar Rapids however there are no rapids on this flat piece of the mid-west nor did we spot any cedar trees.....might need to do some research? Brian met us at the airport and it was great to see him after two years then we sped down the freeway to Iowa City, a small US university town. Population varies from 30-60 thousand depending whether the students are in town. Saturday morning is Farmers Market and Lesley and Brian are up early to run their "Dumpling Darling" stall. The tasty Korean pork dumplings are very popular. We wander in for breakfast mid morning and a stroll through the bargains.
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| Sutliff Cider |
We have had three nights with Brian and Lesley Triplett who must be two of the most genuine people in the United States....we have enjoyed their company immensely. We had a good look around their town and in the local parks and reserves. Most of the adventures were centred around hunting for geocaches and I think there are two more names to add to the 6 million people involved with this treasure hunting game....where there isn't any treasure! We visited a number of bars and restaurants but our best visit was to a small Cider Brewery in the middle of the cornfields, where we were treated to live Blues music and very drinkable cider. We had a real down-home happy Sunday afternoon.
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