Illinois - Ships And Windmills

 Yesterday we played tourist as I admit hanging out at our campsite, no matter how homey it is, was not an option. Bugs, gnats and Mosquitoes galor. I need some serious bug protection advice please!

We went to Lock and Dam 13. It has a very nice viewing Deck as well as a Picnic area which due to the above critters mentions was not recommended for a picnic unless you like sharing food with thousand little bugs, flies etc 

Back to the Lock. We saw a Touristy River Boat go through and looking at all the people on it with just a few feet between us I was kind of waiting for them to throw us some candy. This boat was a quick pass through due to the River being flooded and the difference is only one foot. However, after they went through a large, very very large barge entered the Lock. It had actually 5 barges connected together  and it was almost as wide as the lock, with only a foot to spare on each side. When we asked one of the workers on the ship he said it was empty going north but she will be filled with grain. Amazing. So anyway, she was indeed too long and they had to disconnect the back barge with the cockpit and engine and move them through separately. The front was then pulled out via wires so the water could be lowered to get the cockpit through it afterwards. What an amazing detailed work goes into this. 

Lock and Dam No. 13 on the Mississippi River. View is upriver to the north.
Location	Clinton, Iowa / Fulton Township, Whiteside County, Illinois, USA
Coordinates	41°53′53″N 90°09′21″W
Construction began	1935
Opening date	May 13, 1938
Operator(s)	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District
Dam and spillways
Impounds	Upper Mississippi River
Length	5,138 feet (1,566.1 m)
Reservoir
Creates	Pool 13
Total capacity	192,000 acre⋅ft (0.237 km3)
Catchment area	85,500 sq mi (221,000

After our Lock and Dam education we thought we needed to learn even more about this area. So on we went to tour an authentic Dutch Windmill. It was build in the Netherlands, then dismantled and rebuild in the shores of the Mississippi in Fulton IL. The mill is used for grinding flour from wheat to buckhorn or corn. Flaxseed has too much oil so it is processed differently. 

After our tour I was wondering why humans like to reinvent the wheel. No electricity needed there and those sails on the windmill produce a lot of power depending on the wind. It was amazing to see something again what used to be so common…. 

And then we found ourselves hungry so we went to the Krumpets Restaurant and Bakery were we had a very yummy lunch and of course we left with 4 pastries. Life is really rough out here 😊😉

From Iowa to Illinois

 The magic for Ron and I in our lifestyle is how much we love exploring places and meeting people but also the thrill we feel once we get on the road again towards new adventures. 

We left Kalona yesterday around 10:30is I think. We knew the drive to the Mississippi was only about 2 1/2 hours with a Check-In at 4 pm. We had some time to burn!

Also we did not load up Rosalina so I was the lead car. It can be beneficial doing this as my husband likes to play his music and just relax driving Lucy with Keetna as his copilot, and Oliver and I can rock out to my playlist or at times listen to NPR. Especially if ‘Wait, wait… don’t tell me’ is on 😉 plus of course I can scout out the area ahead of us.

We found a great new Reststop for lunch and I learned something new again. We were standing in an area where the Underground Railroad was a strong force in Iowa. That quilts were used as maps! That Quaker brothers took arms even thought it was against their religion. How farmers moved blacks from farm to farm disguised as potato sacks and in bales of hay. Most movement above ground through farm country.

Leave it to Rest Areas to put nuggets of history lessons out. In every state we traveled through, each stop had something to learn about. I love it.

After lunch we aimed straight for the Blue Beacon (Bonnet 😉) that had been advertised for miles on I-80. Our girls needed baths badly and we had time to spare. 

And of course we still arrived to early at the Thomson Causeway COE to early. 45 min to early. So we settled in and got to relax and wait at the entry but since Lucy can be a tad annoying in her size and the sounds she makes when idling the gate keeper came and checked us in earlier. 

Our spot was a back in which I admittedly used to avoid but my husband taught me that he likes backing up and at times prefers it to pull thru’s so when spot 98 was the only one available at 75’ feet I booked it. With one try Ron got us into the spot and only due to both of us being a tad anal about parking straight and making the most of our area he did correct it slightly two more times.

Now this COE was the only one that had some camping spots available compared to about 5 other parks along the Mississippi. Reason being all the shoreline was flooded until only about 1 to 2 weeks ago. Most of the campsites where we are is still closed due to cleanup so only a small loop is open and that is where I was able to make our reservation. We lucked out as the access road is in low laying water on both sides. 

We love our space and we can see the River from our dining room window. This is how we look at it most of the times as the gnats, bugs and mosquitoes are insane here! Bug spray and full body armor/clothing is it. I need a full jungle clothing outfit here. 

South Dakota - Dignity Of Earth And Sky

 Hands down the most beautiful Reststop we ever came across is located in South Dakota, heading east on I-90 in Chamberlain, SD.

A 50 foot tall statue so dignified and stunning. If you travel that way please stop as it is more than worth it.

She casts a peaceful gaze across the waters of the Missouri River. During the day, the South Dakota wind brushes the diamonds in her star quilt, causing blue shades to twinkle in the sunlight. At night, she stands illuminated and strong. She is Dignity.The Dignity sculpture is a stunning combination of art and history. 

Located on a bluff between exits 263 and 265 on Interstate 90 near Chamberlain, the stainless steel, 50-foot-tall statue was specifically designed by sculptor Dale Lamphere to honor the cultures of the Lakota and Dakota people. That’s why he used three Native American models ages 14, 29 and 55 to perfect the face of Dignity.“Dignity represents the courage, perseverance and wisdom of the Lakota and Dakota culture in South Dakota,” Lamphere said. “My hope is that the sculpture might serve as a symbol of respect and promise for the future.”

Iowa - Grundy County Lake Campground.

You will see a pattern in my choosing campgrounds. One, I love COE Parks as well  as State Parks. Second I found what a treasure County and City Parks can be! Never would I have believed they would be an option but they are listed as FCFS (First Come First Serve), but also big rig friendly. They have electric, some have water and most have dump stations. They are usually all self serve and one pays with cash or check and drops of the envelope in a drop box. 

So my search in RV Life / Trip Wizard guided me to Grundy County Lake. What I didn’t realize was how popular they are with locals…. Which of course I should have thought off.

We pulled in and it was full except for one large pull through. Darn we were lucky 🍀. 

It was a beautiful spot and at $15 a night it was a good deal. We unloaded Rosalina and the bikes, plus Ron set up the dog fence. We realized early on that not many ‘foreigners’ come here as we were the only out of state license plate which we were told by one passerby who said we ‘won for traveling the farthest’. If they only knew 😉. We also learned why this park is so full. Locals come and drop off their campers and then go back home only to return on the weekend with their families. So many campers around us were empty while we were there.

The park had a trail that went to and around the lake. Lots of people were fishing and it had a few nice picnic spots. A nice play to find peace and quiet, unless the locals start to party because in that sense one better likes country music 😉

We enjoyed our time here and think it be a good spot to stop for a night or two when crossing the country.

SD, IA and NE The 3 Corners?

 We aimed Lucy towards a City Park Campground in South Sioux City, NE and while we drove for hours in South Dakota, we ended up jumping into two more states within a 15 min drive. We entered Iowa just so we could cross the Missouri River to get to our campground for the next 4 days on the Nebraska side on the River. 

This Scenic City Campground is unique as it does offer reservations but also has 4 First Come First Serve pull through sites with Full Hookup. We arrived and luckily snagged the last one available. We booked it for 4 nights and it was perfect. The site was large and roomy and we added the dog fence plus unloaded Rosalina and the Bikes. It is right on the Missouri River but we did not have a River view, but it was just a short walk aways. The park is next to a YMCA so one has the option to work out or swim there. 

We ended up exploring some on the Iowa side first as I wanted to see Trinity Heights, but I also explored the River Boat Museum and the Flight 323 Memorial on the River via my bike. On the Nebraska side we rode our bikes to the Vietnam Memorial. All of it was beautifully honored. The Lewis and Clark Trail one can follow via bike trails for quite a few miles. I loved his bike friendly everywhere we go has been. A big change from our years in Texas and Colorado. 

So my love for history is coming alive on our travels and combing this with my love of riding my bike it is magical.