The SEMA folks like Jason will do anything they can,

including direct cars into the venue.

Due to some flooding, there were some slight changes to the driving directions, so we waited for the update, then blasted off,

pausing only to admire a lime green SuperBird

and some Minnesota art.

With our route in question, we figured it’d be wise to keep the tank topped off. This fella accidently topped of his tank

with diesel, so he was forced to learn the fine art of syphoning the tank before filling up with Ultimate.

Nothing quite like paying twice for a tank of fuel, and throwing some of it away.

Back on the route, we spied a fixer-upper...

for those into dairy deliveries.

Just inside the Wisconsin state line

we discovered dinosaurs, no doubt a native species.

Since Wisconsin is the biggest cheese state, it only makes sense they have really large cows.

I mean, come on, you’ve seen the size of those cheese wheels, haven’t you?

Just up the road, there was a highway patrol on the shoulder, with his lights on, but no car stopped. We wondered why.

When cars slowed, we wondered more.

When they stopped, we had a pretty good idea why.

There’s nothing quite like sitting still on the highway right after drinking a 32 ounce energy drink, is there Shane?

While the guys spent their down time playing football,

or baseball,

the smart ones painted their fingernails,

or protected their property from roving bands of highway houligans.

Shane spent his time wondering where the nearest restroom was, and doing his Dr. Doolittle imitation

of talking to the animals.

I think the goats understood him, but the chickens cried fowl over his jokes.

After an hour we moved a mile, only to see a Tourer whose car decided to rest a little longer.

Come to find out, just up the highway a lake, which used the highway as a levee, had breached, taking a large portion of I-90 with it. I’m guessing it’s going to be closed for quite a while. Since there was no more highway, our little detour was now a big detour. But, on the positive side, we were going past the cheese factory.

It’s quite a shock going from interstate to two lane back road. Speeds are lower, and it’s not much fun when you’re nose to tail with folks you don’t even know. The GPS kept telling us to get back on the interstate, but the barricades kept telling us a different story.

Being the eternal optomist I am, I was able to find joy on the roads less traveled.

Like the “Home Of The Cow Pie!”

I think I would have picked a different name.

7-1/2 hours after leaving Rochester, we arrived in Madison, meaning we had an average speed of less than 30 miles per hour.

Not exactly our best effort.

But, at least we were home.

There were cars as far as the eye could see!

Cars, cars, everywhere, and not a raindrop to be seen.

Am I good, or what?

While Vic Edelbrock signed autographs,

Shane took a quick look around to find fresh meat like a ’60s vintage Dodge van with a 340,

a rumble seat waiting for occupants,

a Monte Carlo SS...

with LS1 power,

an Edsel or two,

and a really sharp Mach 1.

And if that weren’t enough, a Syclone to match the Typhoon we saw the other day,

and a Chevy II, ready to go.

For my last trip up on stage, I thought about dressing up, until I realized my ring didn’t have the right bling.

His sure did, though.

The other night we were able to raise a few dollars for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation with an auction of a goodie bag, and the shirt off my back. I thought $550 was a decent amount, but Joe thought we could do better. Joe convinced several of us sponsors to pitch in, and the crowd responded.

We looked like a motley crew,

up on stage, but when all was said and done, Joe had a smile on his face to the tune of $2,200!

The good news — it was a great end to a great cruise, and for a worthwhile cause.

The bad news — I walked away sans my Mothers shirt.

On the positive side, though, my cleaning bill will be lower with fewer shirts to worry about.