Day 06 - Giant Yellow Machines

July 26th - Edwards, Illinois Caterpiller Proving Grounds. (Remember, you can click on any photo to make it bigger).

We have anticipated this event for months... this is the first time that CAT has put on one of these demonstrations in Edwards for 20 years. They pulled out the stops and demonstrated every style of equipment that they manufacture!!

The boys had a great time and so did we! The photos tell the story...

(Que the Jurassic Park music)

These bad boys are huge!

This 787C is a monster! However, you can completely hide this truck in the bed of a 797B ! Unfortunately, they could not bring one the 797's to the show... they must be built on-site due to their size and they cost $3.5 million.

The wheel of the 785 C...

The underbelly of the beast!

The family on the bridge...

This puppy even makes me look small!

The blade of the D11 Dozer

Some real demolition experts!

The road sign at the end of the proving ground road!

This was a great day!

Day 05 - Iowa

July 29th - UPDATE

We received the following comment after posting this blog:

Dear Scotty and Deb, I am an Underground Railroad researcher in Michigan. Unfortunately the supposed quilt codes are considered by UGRR researcher throughout the world to be only an urban legend. Is seems that since the book titled "In Plain View" has been printed, people seem to consider the quilt codes to be historical fact and are teaching others, especially children, that this legend is true. Could you help spread this message, so that the truth is told? Thank you R Westra.

July 25th - We left Omaha and drove to Winter Quarters to see the Temple and Visitors Center...


After leaving, we drove through Council Bluff, Iowa...

we also visited Audobon, the birthplace of my Grandfather Edwards.

Audobon is the home of the world's largest bull - Albert!

Iowa's rest stops are amazing compared to Oregon's! Each showcases artwork of some kind. This one had an interesting display based upon quaker quilt patterns that were used as signals or messages on the Underground Railroad.

The symbols are explained on this plaque... We thought this was very interesting to know!

Just before getting into Mapleton, Illinois, we stopped in Galesburg to see the birthplace of Carl Sandburg.

We arrived at Brandyn and Jen's home around 9:00 p.m. and had a great reunion with the grandkids! They have grown so much in the last year... tomorrow we are going to the Caterpiller Demo which will be exciting!

Day 04 - Nebraska

July 24th - Happy Pioneer Day

We left Cheyenne and crossed into Nebraska onto the longest, straightest, road I think we have ever driven on... if there was one degree deflection side-to-side across the entire state, I would be surprised.

Along the way, we took a potty break at the world headquarters of Cabela's...Deb finally got to see her moose!

At the crossing of the North Platte River, there is this archway monument crossing the freeway.

Tonight, we spent the night in the honeymoon suite of the Comfort Inn in Omaha. It cost us less than the Motel 6 we stayed in the night before! Tomorrow, we get to Illinois to be with the grandsons!