Illinois to Iowa

What a great Country this is along Hwy80. Well, the stop at Walmart in Coraville, IA didn't work out. The manager told us they are no longer allowing parking in their HUGE parking lot, despite what the website says. So, we re-stocked on groceries and went back to the motorhome to see where we might spend the night. I never worry about places to stay ... ever!

However, just before the Walmart, we came across the "largest truckstop in the USA", at least that's what the sign said on the highway. So, we just had to check it out. To say this place was amazing would be a gross understatement. It was three (3) floors of truck-related items and, of course, the ubiquitous trucker's restaurant on the third floor. Here are a few pix to give you an idea of this place ... just the steering wheels available were a complete isle long, gear shift knobs, etc. Wow!

Louise found a pretty cool hood ornament ... there were 50 more to choose from. There were 10 rows of trucks like in the picture above, and room for 10 more. There was a truck museum on-site as well, and a truck wash ... It may just have been the largest truck stop in the country, like the sign said!

https://www.iowa80.com/

Anyway, since we couldn't over-night at the Walmart, I found that just 5 miles away there was a lake called Coraville Reservoir, and just below the dam on the tailwater, were two campgrounds. One was full but the other had a lot of spaces. So, I got online and reserved a space right on the water ... for $10 including electric. OMG ... so glad they turned us down at Walmart; this place is beautiful.

We woke this morning to the view above, out the front window of the motorhome. I walked down to the boat launch just after 6am and met Mike, who was fishing for catfish ... a nice guy (and a multi-millionaire with Apple stock, BTW). A simple guy; we had a very nice early-morning chat. Even with all that Apple stock, he prefers a flip-phone ... no smart phone or computers for Mike! He lives 5 miles away and comes here often.

We celebrated NOT parking at Walmart with a nice dinner of fresh Tyson chicken (we passed the distribution center just down the highway) cooked in the convection microwave in about 30 minutes, fresh asparagus and some mushroom rice. And, a nice bottle of Cabernet, also from Walmart. Eatin' good in the neighborhood!

Anyway, we are off again headed for a State Park on the shores of Clear Lake, Iowa ... This is the city where Buddy Holly played his last concert before his plane crashed ... lot's of history here, too. And, only 1-hour from the Winnebago factory. We probably won't stop this time as nothing needs fixed. Although, it might be fun to go by and say hello to a friend we made who works there. 

Stay tuned!