Wireless Internet added to Iowa rest stops

Des Moines, Iowa — Road-weary travelers on Iowa’s interstate highways can relax by going surfing.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is hooking motorists up with wireless Internet access so they can surf the Web. It’s part of a test project to provide wireless service to six Iowa rest areas.

Under the test project, rest areas on Interstate 35, just south of Osceola, and on Interstate 80 near Davenport and Mitchellville, will have wireless access.

Once connected, travelers are directed to a customized home page with links to other information, such as road conditions, locations of places to fuel and lodging, along with tourism attractions and events.

The wireless connection also will provide access to e-mail and other Web sites.

Roadside kiosks will offer information for travelers

Lincoln Neb. — Travelers in Nebraska wondering about the weather or where to stop for the night will be able to find the answers along the road, thanks to 30 new touch-screen interactive kiosks.

The kiosks are being installed at Interstate 80 rest stops and along scenic byways.

The kiosks will offer videos of the byways, lists of places to spend the night, including bed-and-breakfasts, events, and other attractions.

The weather information includes wind speeds, satellite images, road conditions, warnings and the latest forecast.

Tourism is a $2.8 billion industry in Nebraska.

Five nights of fireworks will light up northern sky

Quebec City, Quebec — If you liked the fireworks on the Fourth of July, you’ll love the fireworks competition in Quebec City.

For six nights — July 24, 28 and 31, and Aug. 4, 7 and 11 — five fireworks teams from around the world will compete to win a prize for the best pyrotechnics display put to music.

The competition, called Les Grands Feux Loto-Quebec, is held in Montmorency Falls Park, just a few minutes from downtown Quebec City, with the 272-foot-high waterfall as a backdrop. Nearly a half-million people attend each year.

The half-hour shows take place at 9:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $22 for reserved seats.

For details, visit www.quebecregion.com or call (800) 923-FEUX.