Category: Parks

Day 9: Tourist Attractions and More Rain in Minnesota

Posted in Minnesota, RV Parks, Tourist AttractionsTagged , , 8 Comments

Day 9: Friday, May 24, 2013. Coralville Lake, Iowa to Welcome, Minnesota with a couple of side trips. Welcome Campground, Site 10. 278 miles traveled.

Who says road trips have to be boring? We like to stop when there is something fun to see along our route. Sometimes we will even go out of our way to see something interesting. Today was one of those days.

We went out of our way to Austin, Minnesota to visit the Spam Museum. We learned everything there is to know about Spam! As soon as you take the Austin Exit I-90 you start to see Hormel processing plants. Signs direct you to the museum which is located right in the middle of downtown. We parked the RV on the street in front of the museum and took a tour and then had a Spam Burger for lunch at the diner outside.

You can find out everything you want to know about Spam here!
We drove out of our way to visit the Spam Museum in Austin, MN
In front of the Spam Museum
Spamburger, anyone?
Those are all cans of Spam!
Parked at the Spam Museum

After about an hour in Austin we were back on our way west on I-90. We stopped again in Blue Earth, Minnesota to visit the 55 foot tall Green Giant Statue.

Green Giant Statue in Blue Earth, MN
Henry is just a little bit taller than the boots
Beth and Blondie with the Green Giant

The rain started after we returned to the interstate. We set up the camper in the rain in Welcome, Minnesota. We heard the rain on the roof most of the night and got ready to go in a drizzle.

If you like to see unusual and fun places as you travel, Roadside America is a great resource. You can also purchase a copy of the book to carry with you in your vehicle.

Day 8: A little fun and relaxation in Iowa

Posted in COE Park, Iowa, Tourist Attractions, WildflowersTagged , , , 1 Comment

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!

For more information on each picture, you can hover your mouse over it to see a caption. Or, you can click on a picture to view them one at a time.

Day 7: Driving through Farmland

Posted in Illinois, RV Parks, WildflowersTagged , , 2 Comments

Day 7: Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Kamp Komfort RV Park, Carlock, Illinois Site 14. 383 miles traveled. Crossed into Central Time Zone.

The scenery in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois was totally different from the mountains we saw yesterday and the roads were mostly straight instead of the curvy, mountain roads. The only time we weren’t surrounded by farmland was while we were on the bypass around Dayton and while it rained on us going around Indianapolis.  Many of the fields have been recently planted so we couldn’t tell what crops will be growing soon. In some places we could see then tiny sprouts jutting up through the rich, dark soil.

This old barn is located just down the road from the campground
We drove through Indiana
Entering Illinois
Kamp Komfort is located on this country road
Flag on a mailbox in Carlock, I
The campground is across the street from this field – notice the windmills in the distance
Our home for the night after a long day driving
Our view out the back window
These wildflowers formed hedges surrounding the campground

Day 6: Crossing the Appalachian Mountains

Posted in Ohio, RV Parks, SunsetTagged , , , 4 Comments

Day 6: Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Claytor Lake State Park to Chillicothe, 278 Miles traveled.

Our prayers go out to everyone in Moore, Oklahoma.

We woke up and it wasn’t raining! We left our campground a little after 9:00 am.

We traveled through the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia and West Virginia most of the day. We climbed many steep grades and passed through the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel and East River Mountain Tunnel. The mountains are covered in their brilliant green spring leaves.

Big Walker Mountain Tunnel on I-77
Coal Barge in West Virginia
Capitol of West Virginia in Charleston
We crossed the Ohio River to enter Ohio
We passed by Bob Evans Farms on US 35 in Ohio
Our home for the night at Sun Valley Campground
View out the back window at Sun Valley, Chillicothe, Ohio
Sunset in Chillicothe, OH

Traveling through the mountains means slow driving. To make it even slower there was construction all along the route. We had to stop three times to pay toll on the West Virginia Turnpike. The toll is $2 at each toll booth for a car, $2.50 for our truck and trailer.

We arrived at our campground around 3:30. Henry made a run to Walmart to fill the truck with diesel – $3.759 per gallon.

We relaxed outside in the sunny, warm weather before dinner and managed to catch the sunset before settling in for the night.

Days 2, 3, 4 and 5 – Rainy Days in Southwestern Virginia

Posted in Rainy Days, RVing, State Parks, VirginiaTagged , , , , , 11 Comments

Day 2, Friday May 17: We traveled 113 miles from Statesville, NC to Claytor Lake State Park in Dublin, VA. Claytor Lake is a great state park and an easy drive to our daughter’s house. Her family came to the park on Friday night for burgers, hot dogs and s’mores. We started having sprinkles in the afternoon but the weather cooperated and didn’t start raining until after dinner.

Welcome to Virginia!
Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin, VA Site D22
View out our back window at Claytor Lake State Park, Virginia
Slash pine at Claytor Lake State Park
Many trees displayed their springtime blooms at Claytor Lake State Park
Claytor Lake
Early morning at Claytor Lake

Day 3, Saturday, May 18: We watched the rain come down all day, hoping it would stop in time for our grandson’s soccer game. The game was canceled but they were still able to spend the night with us. I picked up a brick oven pizza from MK’s Gourmet Pizzeria – it was delicious! We watched DVD’s, ate pizza, and made s’mores in a drizzle. What a great night!

Day 4, Sunday, May 19: We woke up to more rain so we decided to take the kids to meet their parents in Floyd, VA. We were hoping to take a hike on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway but again, the weather didn’t cooperate. As it turned out, I’m glad it rained. We really enjoyed the Sunday Jam Session at the Floyd Country Store.

Floyd Country Store in Floyd, VA
Sunday Jam Session at the Floyd Country Store
Enjoying the music at the Floyd Country Store
Jam Session at Floyd Country Store
These guys could really play!
I never saw a blonde fiddle before
Loved their music!

Listening to a jam session at the Floyd Country Store is a great way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon in Southwestern Virginia. You can read about our experience on our daughter’s blog entry Indoor Appalachian entertainment at the Floyd Country Store.

Day 5, Monday, May 20: A day of housekeeping, grocery shopping, and a final visit with family. We said our goodbyes after our granddaughter’s swim team practice. We’re going to miss them!

We didn’t let a little rain spoil our fun!