Day 3: Chicago to Grand Island, Nebraska -- stop making fun of the Heartland!

Thank a farmer

You look at a map, makes your plans to drive across country, and they stare at you right in the face. The Dakotas. Nebraska. Kansas. Head anywhere west and north in America, and you've got to cross them. They are flat. They are long. They are slow. And they are beautiful. Without them, we wouldn't have a lot to eat.

I pulled into a rest stop in the middle of nowhere, and inside, displayed with immense price, was a piece of the World Trade Center and a Flag of Honor, listing those who died on 9-11. We are all more connected than we think.

If left Chicago after a great night staying with a family of friends, and raced towards Aspen, Colo., where I had a book talk. It's a two-day drive, and I had 1.5 days. But i also had great friends to stop and see. Nothing propels you forward on a road trip like seeing old friends. So here's a few pictures from the drive. Rusty says hello.

Rusty and Axton. He likes to climb.

The Iowa State mascot is everywhere in Iowa City,

There's something about geometric shapes and agriculture. Good food is pretty.

What are you looking at?

Land of the free

Good fences make...pretty pictures.

At a rest stop in Nebraska, a piece of the World Trade Center and a Flag of Honor.

Rusty and Tim Schoon, a great photographer and friend.

Good night