Day 14: May 29, 2013. Sheridan, Wyoming to Cardwell, Montana. Cardwell Store and Campground. Site 32. 314 miles traveled.
Today we knew we were truly in the mountains. Henry negotiated steep 6% grades on I-90 in the rain. Off in the distance, between rain showers, we could see the Rocky Mountains. The rain was coming down so hard we couldn’t see them at times. We eventually crossed into the high plains and the Big Sky Country.
We crossed the Little Bighorn River not far from the Little Bighorn National Monument which memorializes the Battle of Little Bighorn where Custer’s Last Stand took place. We also passed a few Lewis and Clark Historical Sites.
The rain finally stopped as we pulled into a small RV park/gas station/store/casino in Cardwell, Montana. We were surrounded by mountains and enjoyed watching magpies and blue birds flying all around. Several rabbits hopped through the campground. We watched a Great Blue Heron flying right over our heads and a Bald Eagle soaring high above the trees.
Welcome to MontanaDriving through MontanaMountains in MontanaThis bunny was trying to hide by not movingMontana WildflowersMountains in the distance in Cardwell, MontanaView from the campground in Cardwell, MontanaOur campsite in Cardwell, MontanaWaiting for sunset in Cardwell, MontanaMontana Sky
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 IowaAt the Iowa 80 truckstopThe World’s Largest Truck StopIowa 80 – The World’s Largest Truckstop in Walcott, IowaA 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, IAView out the back window at Coralville Lake, IowaCanada Geese at Coralville DamHenry at the Coralville DamWater flows into the Iowa RiverFossils from the Devonian Fossil Gorge
We took a walk on the Woodpecker Trail near our campsite after dinner.
Along the Woodpecker Trail near our campsiteThis interesting structure on the Woodpecker Trail was created by University of Iowa studentsCreated by University of Iowa studentsView of Coralville Lake from Woodpecker TrailWildflowers on Woodpecker TrailMore 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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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 campgroundWe drove through IndianaEntering IllinoisKamp Komfort is located on this country roadFlag on a mailbox in Carlock, IThe campground is across the street from this field – notice the windmills in the distanceOur home for the night after a long day drivingOur view out the back windowThese wildflowers formed hedges surrounding the campground
Our first day on the road started out great. We got everything packed up, hooked up the the RV and were on our way at 9:04 am. Our hopes for an easy, relaxing day were soon squashed.
Shortly after we turned east onto I-20 I tried to call the park where we wanted to spend the night. A guy named Steve answered the phone. No, this wasn’t the number for the park. I Googled the park on my phone and every web site listed the phone number that I had called. Very strange. We decided to go somewhere else.
We were getting ready to pull off the interstate for lunch when Henry saw that one of his sensors indicated there was water in the diesel. Luckily there was a GMC dealer at the exit and they were able to work on it. We unhitched the RV on the side of the road by the dealer and Henry drove the truck into the service department. After about an hour and a half and about $400 dollars we were on our way again.
Our unexpected stop at the dealer caused us to travel through Charlotte, NC right in the middle of rush hour. Most of you know how much we try to avoid going through cities when traffic is bad.
Wildflowers in the woodsStatesville KOA Site H10Blondie was in heaven chasing her ballView out our back windowWildflowersOur campground was surrounded by woods
All ended well. We arrived at the KOA in Statesville, NC around 5:00. We were able to relax for a little while before dinner. Blondie is happy – there is a fenced in doggie play area so she can run off leash!
