life in Canada: homeward bound

We left Genoa intending to follow I-80 across the midwest to Toronto. We stopped in Elko, Cheyenne, Omaha, and Chicago. We didn`t intend to report on this final leg of our journey, because we were intent on our destination. All the same, we found a few experiences along the way that we had to share.

The drive continued to surprise us with breath-taking views of the mountains...

salt flats ...

Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002. The world class ski jump built for this event is still a huge attraction in Utah.

Wooden and metal snow fences help keep snow from blowing across the highway. Snow collects behind these fences.

ELKO, NEVADA

This was just an overnight stop but we had two fun experiences. We cruised through the \north Eastern Nevada Museum filled with cowboy guns, and old clothes and this...

Can you guess what this is?

Well, a smart cattle rustler ( that is someone who steals someones elses's cows) made these boots to wear over his shoes. When he walked, he made prints in the mud just like cow prints so they could not track him down. Well, he did get caught eventually, and here are the boots. But this was a pretty clever trick anyway, don't you think?

We also ate a basque meal. The Basques came from Spain and settled in this area bringing with them their Basque dialect of Spanish, their traditional clothing and food. Cowboys in this area quickly fell in love with the food and adopted these dishes as part of the cowboy way of life.

Check out these websites for more about cowboys and basque culture...

Cowboy Country Territory

Basque food

CHEYENNE

man and dog and fishin'


People rent trailer campsites at the same place every year. Clearly, their pets are the most important members of their family.

pelicans on the Mississippi River


On the way to Omaha we passed through a rest stop that contained information about how slaves found their way to freedom along the underground railway. Whites who were sympathetic, used patchwork quilts to help runaway slaves find their way safely from the colonies in the south to their freedom in the north. Patchwork quilts carried codes with directions. These quilts were hung on clotheslines outside and were used to guide slaves to freedom.

OMAHA

Our one night stop over in Omaha would have been extremely dull but we lucked out on our choice of restaurant. The reviews told us that the best place to eat was a family hamburger place called "Stellas". There is a history to this small place, but it is currently owned by a mother and daughter team.

They have made it a fun place to eat by creating an eating contest. Here is how it goes.

1. You register your inerest in taking part in this contest one week in advance.

2. You get your Stellinator = six hamburger patties, six eggs, layers of melted cheese, and seven bun.

3. If you eat it in 45 minutes or less, you get it for free and your name and photo go up on the Wall of Fame. 4. If you cannot eat it up in 45 minutes, you pay $25 and get your name and photo on the Wall of Shame. Check out the Stella restaurant facebook page.

Luckily on the night we went, the local Omaha Jeep Club was holding their monthly meeting at Stella's and four of their members were taking the Stellinator Challenge. Here is what happened.