29 degrees. A heat wave has hit Iowa City, and for the first time in the Midwest that we've seen, flip flops are visible. My mind wanders as I consider the alliteration-funny moniker.

“We don't have accents,” a voice chimes in, clearly speaking to Landon from across the table where we're situated at Starbucks.

Landon, of course, in the truest of patronizing tones says, “You're right – I don't think you have ax-ceyants.”

After a hearty laugh, the women who are inquiring about who we are and what we're doing in Iowa, take their leave. It's another 4 hour journey back to Illinois, so we figure it's about time that we do the same.

Enter: The Sun. The common theme of freezing temperatures and overcast skies throughout this tour is apparently finished. Normally, I would say that I'm ecstatic to see the sun, however...

“What are you doing?” Landon laughs from the driver's seat.

From an awkward pile of coats and scarves strewn about, I answer, “I'm trying to keep the sun out of my eyes so I can sleep for a minute...it's not working very well.”

It wasn't. The sun has a homing beacon that has a direct connection to my eyeballs. It's almost comical how each time I adjust my position, or the position of my makeshift sunblockers, the sun finds a point that seems just a hair more mischievous than the last. Looks like any chance of napping on this trip back might be futile, but at least Landon snapped a few pictures of me trying to get comfortable. Hooray for blackmail.

Landon and I arrive at Vito and Nick's II , and we're greeted by a cordial staff that's eager to help us load in, get us an appetizer plate, and serve us beer. The Midwest...where have you been all of our lives? Oh yeah, probably in the Midwest....

-TRMJ