Yesterday, we woke up around 5am and meandered our way into the town of Prairie Du Chien, which today's National Park Ranger pronounced in effortless French. From Prairie Du Chien, we crossed into Marquette, Iowa where we snapped a self-timed picture of us climbing the state sign.
Using our maps for the first time in a long time, we traveled north along the Mississippi River to the Effigy Mounds National Monument.
Originally, the area was proposed to the new National Park Service. It was described as some of the most beautiful terrain on the Mississippi River. However, in the early 19th century when surveyors were sent to inqure the park proposition, they discovered prehistoric Native American mounds; many for burial purposes, usually interred with tools or other animals. For example, one mound held the remains of a Native American clutching the bones of a bird. A man by the name of Ellison Orr mapped, surveyed, and came to be the sole individual responsible for the National Monument becoming recognized in 1949. Josh and I visited the museum, watched a short film, made friends with the park rangers, and went on a hike.
We had a peanut butter and jelly lunch. Josh sang blues songs all day while I momentarily played the top of my peanut butter jar and sang country songs with a southern twang. A woman passing by complimented me on setting the mood... Awesome.
We left the park late in the afternoon, planning to go around forty miles to the town of Brownsville. We were on 76 for about 10 miles and then on 364 for a solid 20 miles. Well, 30 miles later and several failed phone calls to Josh, we finally got in touch with one another.
"Yao, I'm in Lansing, where are you?" I asked, lapping a chocolate ice cream cone.
"I'm on 76," Josh said rather unsurely.
"You're still on 76?! Ah shit, dude. Where are you? What towns have you been through?" I asked, realizing the situation.
"I haven't seen any towns!" yelled Josh.
"Dude... You're far off route. You were supposed to turn off on 364 awhile ago," I said.
"I know! It hasn't felt right... I'm almost at Waukon," he said, tone growing quiet, the uneasiness sinking in. "What should I do?"
Well, luckily Josh was only (still far) 15 miles off route and it wasn't a death sentence. Nonetheless, he had a mentally difficult day while I just kinda... went to a museum and ate ice cream. I cooked the boy rice for dinner and gave him some oranges. He's aight. It's always good being reunited in the evenings.
So, we're in Lansing get absolutely pounded by rain. My phone connection is also very limited and I can't post pictures on here. I'll try to send more tomorrow. G'night.
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