Intimacy...well that ought to catch some attention. And now that I have your attention, intimacy seems to be a theme of my conversations and experiences on this journey. Get your minds out of the gutter - there have not been any rendevous in a hotel room in Iowa. However, I have noticed that the conversations with each of the friends I have stayed with has turned to the subject of emotional and conversational intimacy. As I drive across the US I am reminded once again that all we really have in this world are our friends and family. I feel blessed to have such dear friends and the ability and desire to travel this world. And as I sit in an Econo Lodge in Des Moines, Iowa I am very grateful for the dear friends awaiting me as I travel across the west. And I look forward to more intimate conversations....

And now on to the fun stuff...
When driving all day long, one cannot help but make many obeservations. Tonight I watched the "Corn Moon" as they call it in the midwest. A giant orange harvest full moon lit the sky across I-80 and Iowa, and I was glad for this sight, because my drive kept getting longer and longer due to no hotel rooms in Iowa. Word to this wise, do not drive across Iowa on a weekend in September. Tonight I had to compete with two sold out football games and a NASCAR race. I kept stopping and begging..."I do not take up much space..." Other observations...I HATE toll roads and Illinois and Ohio are the most expensive! I cannot wait to get back to freeways : ) Truckstops are very fun to people watch and today I saw the "World's Largest Truck Stop" I-80. I have also noticed insomnia....

Bye for now...tomorrow is another day