Day 18 - Fort Madison

North and west out of St Louis broadly following Highway 61 for 200 miles in to the 8th, and final, state that we will be travelling through this trip, Iowa, and to the small city (11,000 population) of Fort Madison on the west bank of the Mississippi where we stay the night at the Boulders Inn and Suites Hotel

Some statistics about Fort Madison:

1. Average house price is $52,000 i.e. just over (at current rates) £40,000!
2. Average rental value is $300 per month
3. Average yearly household income is $34,318 i.e. roughly £25,000

Easy to see why many middle town Americans have considerably more disposable income, after housing costs, than the average UK household.

We drove down to River View Park for a stroll along the river front. While we were there 3 very long freight trains passed us on the adjacent track - apparently over 80 trains pass through each day, some up to 2 1/2 miles long. We ate dinner at the Palms Supper Club opposite the hotel.