Driving from Iowa
to Illinois, Karen Duquette noticed an interesting water tower. Iowa
80 is the world's largest truck stop, located along Interstate
80 off exit 284 in Walcott, Iowa. Set on a 220-acre plot of land (four
times larger than an average truckstop) (75 acres of which are currently
developed) the site receives 5,000 visitors daily, and features a 67,000
square foot main building, parking for 900 trucks, and 150 fuel pumps,
with each fuel pump also having another dedicated pump for dispensing
bulk diesel exhaust fluid. 450 employees staff the megaplex. Iowa 80
is currently affiliated with the Travel Centers of America chain. The
facility features separate entrances for truckers and regular commuters.
The two RV Gypsies did not need fuel at this time, so they did not stop
there. |
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Below: As per the overhead
sign shown below, this Illinois rest area did not allow semi's or RVs
over 40 feet, so the two RV Gypsies could not stop there. |
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Below: Hickory Hollow Campground
Office and sign on the door |
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Below: Because it was taking
a long time for Lee Duquette to check in at the office, Karen Duquette
took a couple of photos of the recreation room that was attached to
the office, even though they did not plan to use the recreation room.
It looked nice and much cleaner than many other campgrounds. |
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Below: As usual with most
campgrounds, the roads past the office were dirt/gravel roads, as were
the sites. But beautiful trees lined the outside perimeter of the campground. |
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This was a Good Sam Park that also offered 10% off to Veterans according
to the campground brochure. It was a nice enough campground but there
was some road noise at night that was annoying.
Rules on this date: "Visitors must register and obtain a
parking pass or they will be charged for a full night's site rental.
All cars must display the pass. No refunds due to weather. Washrooms
were open 24 hours a day except from noon to 1 p.m. for cleaning and
children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Clothes
could be hung off awnings, but pets and clotheslines cannot be hooked
to trees. Generators are not allowed. No bicycle riding after dusk.
Pets can not be left unattended or you will be asked to leave without
a refund. Pool hours 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in season and of course it was
closed on this date. There is a $50 fine for destruction of property
including trees. No parking on any grass. Most other standard campground
rules applied. The two RV Gypsies did not use any campground amenities
other than their own site, as usual. Check-in time was 1 p.m. Check-out
time was noon."
For reservations, call phone: -'815.667.4996.
SPECIAL COMMENTS and PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE TWO RV GYPSIES do
NOT make the campground good or bad in general. They are just the results
of their visit here at this time. |
