| Date & Weather | 7/04/02 (Wed) | Check Out | 8:00 AM (PST) |
| Milage & Route | 304Miles (Moses Lake, WA - Kelso, WA) | Check In | 3:00 PM (PST) |
| Motel | Motel 6 | ||
| Review of Chapter 3 (From Illinois to Washington) What attracted me most for the last 13 days, Chapter 3, was the various landscapes I was seeing along Byways, U.S. Highways, and Interstate Highways.  They were really beautiful and unforgettable. The first impressive views were boundless cornfields in "Iowa" which means "Beautiful Land" in Sioux Indians' Word. Next, "Mississippi River" took me  from Iowa through Wisconsin to "Minnesota" which was named after
minisota, "Sky-tinted Water" in Dakota Indians' word. "Dakota"
is also the origin of two state names, South Dakota and North Dakota I've
driven through after Minnesota. It is "Missouri River" that runs
across these two states. West area of Missouri River "Great Plains"
spreads endlessly. Driving through Great Plains for a long time, "Rocky
Mountains" stood in my way. Although it was really high and steep,
its ragged range sometimes offered spectacular views with blue sky, river, and lake, white cloud and pristine
glacier, and green prairie and forest. Moreover, purple, yellow, and eggshell
white wildflowers make its scenery more fantastic. After crossing over
Rocky Mountains, Deep Blue "Columbia River" waited for me at
last. Above all, three rivers had an important role in making this chapter significant for me. That is,  "Missouri River," "Snake River," and "Columbia
River" I've driven along and over, stood by, and seen frequently reminded
me of "Lewis & Clark Expedition," "Oregon Trail,"
and "California Trail." Moreover, they sometimes took me to some
historic places where I had not expected to go. More importantly, they
gave me an objective of the last chapter; to go and see the last destinations
of these expedition and trails. At the beginning of this chapter, I planned to name it "Go the  Distance," one of my favorite quotes in "Field of Dreams."
However, looking over these pictures, this title became unmatched. While
considering the right title, a familiar melody suddenly reached my ears
from TV. That's it, "America The Beautiful." It is "July
4th" today. |
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