Day 7
6/12/08
Rochester, MN

We were happy to get out of Ames Iowa unharmed. Last night the hotel requested we go to the storm shelter. Basically a basement. I ran out and got our 12-volt battery backup, some flashlights, and other survival type stuff and when I got back, I found our group gambling in the hotel lobby. "Don't worry, be happy" seems to be our motto!

On a more serious note it seems each time we leave a town, the National Guard is just rolling in. Sandbags were everywhere as Iowa prepares for yet another round of storms.

At first we thought they just knew Bill and Steve were in town but later we watched the news!

The seriousness of the weather here can be seen in this photo. although it may appear like a nice lake for a jet ski, this is actually some poor farmers ruined crops!

As the Mopars gathered we were all just a bit anxious to just get out of town.

Yup, she’s still on the phone!

The gas prices have really not been as bad as we expected. It’s averaging about $4.05 per gallon, for premium.

Remember what I said about seeing this guy hanging out a window.. Well, he don't fit out this window but.......if you see a photo pop up in MCG, of my Wilwood brakes rolling down the highway..... This is when it was shot.

Making our way North, we met up with the gang from the North Iowa Mopars club. Rick Kruger showed us some sights along Clear Lake.
THANKS TO EVERYONE FROM THE CLUB WHO WERE SO HOSPITABLE TO US!

They also took us by the Surf Ballroom, a really cool nostalgic club, the last place Buddy Holly, The Big Bobber and Ritchie Valens all played before the terrible plane crash.

Once inside, Rob and I immediately headed "backstage" and this room is what we found. Apparently, EVERYONE who ever played there had signed the walls, the ceiling, the sink, basically anywhere there was blank space, and then some.