Day 8: Thursday, May 23, 2013. Coralville Lake Dam Complex Corps of Engineers Park in Iowa City, Iowa, Lindner Point Campground, Site L2. 181 miles traveled.

After 2 days of hard driving we decided to take a break and stop around lunch time at a Corps of Engineers park on Coralville Lake in Iowa City, IA. The drive from Illinois took us across the mighty Mississippi River into Iowa. The first exit in Iowa is for Le Claire, the home of Antique Archaeology from “American Pickers”. We didn’t want to try to find it with the trailer behind us so we continued on to  the World’s Largest Truckstop, the Iowa 80 in Walcott, IA. We bought diesel and wandered around the huge souvenir shop and food court. There is parking for 800 trucks with additional spaces for cars and RV’s. In addition to the shopping and food there are showers, a barber shop, a dentist, chiropractor, a movie theater, and even a self-serve dog wash!

This sign is on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. Le Claire is the location of Antique Archaeology on “American Pickers”

The MIghty Mississippi separating Illinois and Iowa

At the Iowa 80 truckstop

The World’s Largest Truck Stop

Iowa 80 – The World’s Largest Truckstop in Walcott, Iowa

A few of the trucks at the World’s Largest Truckstop. There is parking for 800 trucks.

After getting set up at our site, we took a drive to check out the dam and lake.

Lindner Point, Coralville Lake, Site L2, Iowa City, IA

View out the back window at Coralville Lake, Iowa

Canada Geese at Coralville Dam

Henry at the Coralville Dam

Water flows into the Iowa River

Fossils from the Devonian Fossil Gorge

We took a walk on the Woodpecker Trail near our campsite after dinner.

Along the Woodpecker Trail near our campsite

This interesting structure on the Woodpecker Trail was created by University of Iowa students

Created by University of Iowa students

View of Coralville Lake from Woodpecker Trail

Wildflowers on Woodpecker Trail

More Wildflowers on Woodpecker Trail

We found that there is more to Iowa than just corn fields! Ready now to continue our adventure!

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