Part 13 - Hellinois or Bust.
I'm thinking, "Illinois or bust...maybe we should just bust!!!" It was tough leaving Tucson for so many reasons, but late in the evening on May 15th, we hooked up the camper and headed back East on I-10. Exhausted from packing all day and getting a late start, I didn't have much energy left for driving.
We didn't even make it out of Arizona before pulling over at a rest stop for the night just before crossing into New Mexico. Wouldnt ya know it!!! It was full. We were forced to park on the ramp merging onto the interstate. Every passing semi truck would billow a gust of wind that would shake our trailer. That one is gonna go down in the books of what NOT to do EVER again.
We didn't even make it out of Arizona before pulling over at a rest stop for the night just before crossing into New Mexico. Wouldnt ya know it!!! It was full. We were forced to park on the ramp merging onto the interstate. Every passing semi truck would billow a gust of wind that would shake our trailer. That one is gonna go down in the books of what NOT to do EVER again.
 |
| Dogs like to cuddle on those long road trips. |
Several sleepless hours later, and the camper began to get too hot to even be inside anymore so we pushed on for New Mexico. It seems like we stopped at every rest area on I-10 on this trip. Las Cruces was first. I remember getting dogs out for a walk and sitting at one of several nice, shaded structures with a picnic table. There was also an interesting statue of a road runner that was around 25 feet tall.
 |
| Road Runner statue at the Las Cruces Rest Area. |
Stopping early for the night at the Fort Craig Rest Area was the best decision we had made on the road for awhile. Not many semi trucks in the parking lot yet, and we pulled in and got the front spot. After setting up a couple of chairs, we got the dogs and a few drinks and settled in for the night.
Continuing North on I-25, we drove through to the border the next morning, and pulled into the Colorado Welcome Center before dark. Since we really enjoyed getting a spot early the night before, we decided to stay put for the night. A few beers were in order, but a Colorado Dept of Transport truck kept circling the parking lot after dark, so we decided to just go to sleep.
We woke up the next morning and finished our drive in to the Colorado Springs KOA, where we had a large pull-thru site waiting for us. Jenny had some friends that lived in the Denver area. They drove down with their dog, Teela, to come visit us.
First impression of the park was a good one. There was a full water-park in front, complete with slides, dump-buckets, and spray hoses. A pool and hot-tub were in a separate area next to the water-park. The office sold food, drink, and other necessities. No beer though, but that was just a short drive down the frontage road. We had some issues while here, but overall, it was a nice park that we recommend.
Colorado Springs KOA
8100 Bandley Drive
Fountain, CO. 80817
Website: Colorado Springs KOA
It was uncharacteristically rainy, we didn't hike as much as we liked, but we were still out for a short hike at least every day. One of our favorite places was North Cheyenne Canyon Park in Colorado Springs.
I would say it was weird to see trees after being in the desert for so long, but it wasn't. It was strangely similar to being up on Mt Lemmon, back in Tucson.
I mentioned how determined we were to hike, even if it rained. Well, it did a little more than rain, it hailed like CRAZY!!! It was so nuts, we decided to take a short video.
We wanted to stay in Colorado longer, but we had to be home to make it to Jenny's brothers graduation in Illinois. So we left out of Denver and were headed to Lincoln, Nebraska. The winds were so bad that it made driving slow, and we eventually found a rest area for the night somewhere in Nebraska.
We made it to Lincoln the next afternoon and were set up with a large pull-thru site. This was a nice family run park with a pool/hot tub area, lots of activities for kids, and it even had a 9 hole disc golf course on site. The office sold minimal food and drink, as well as bags of ice.
W could have spent a month or so at this place, just relaxing by the pool, but we had a deadline to meet so we forged on for Illinois. If we are ever through Lincoln again, we will definitely stay here over any other park in the area. I tried to link their website, but McAfee gave me a warning, so I am going to list their Facebook page instead. Here is the info:
Camp A Way
200 Camper Circle
Lincoln, NE 69521
402-476-2282
Website: Facebook for Camp A Way in Lincoln, Nebraska
Iowa surprised us with its amount of hills along I-80, they are just subtle enough that you only notice them when pulling a large camper with an inadequate tow-vehicle. Sorry truck, we still love you. We drove all the way from Lincoln to Peoria in one day, due to a family emergency. The important part was that we made it home safely to our family and friends. Our living situation over the next few days was uncertain at best, but I will leave that for next time.
Thanks for reading, and we hope you catch up to us on the next article:
Part 14 - Back Home
Until then, here's a link to the previous entry:
Part 12 - Rover.
 |
Got front row seats to the party.
|
We woke up the next morning and finished our drive in to the Colorado Springs KOA, where we had a large pull-thru site waiting for us. Jenny had some friends that lived in the Denver area. They drove down with their dog, Teela, to come visit us.
First impression of the park was a good one. There was a full water-park in front, complete with slides, dump-buckets, and spray hoses. A pool and hot-tub were in a separate area next to the water-park. The office sold food, drink, and other necessities. No beer though, but that was just a short drive down the frontage road. We had some issues while here, but overall, it was a nice park that we recommend.
Colorado Springs KOA
8100 Bandley Drive
Fountain, CO. 80817
Website: Colorado Springs KOA
It was uncharacteristically rainy, we didn't hike as much as we liked, but we were still out for a short hike at least every day. One of our favorite places was North Cheyenne Canyon Park in Colorado Springs.
 |
| Creek on 7 bridges trail in North Cheyenne Canyon Park, Colorado Springs. |
 |
| North Cheyenne Canyon Park. Colorado Springs, Colorado. |
We wanted to stay in Colorado longer, but we had to be home to make it to Jenny's brothers graduation in Illinois. So we left out of Denver and were headed to Lincoln, Nebraska. The winds were so bad that it made driving slow, and we eventually found a rest area for the night somewhere in Nebraska.
We made it to Lincoln the next afternoon and were set up with a large pull-thru site. This was a nice family run park with a pool/hot tub area, lots of activities for kids, and it even had a 9 hole disc golf course on site. The office sold minimal food and drink, as well as bags of ice.
 |
| Camp Away Pool Area with the Hot-Tub House in the Background. |
Camp A Way
200 Camper Circle
Lincoln, NE 69521
402-476-2282
Website: Facebook for Camp A Way in Lincoln, Nebraska
Iowa surprised us with its amount of hills along I-80, they are just subtle enough that you only notice them when pulling a large camper with an inadequate tow-vehicle. Sorry truck, we still love you. We drove all the way from Lincoln to Peoria in one day, due to a family emergency. The important part was that we made it home safely to our family and friends. Our living situation over the next few days was uncertain at best, but I will leave that for next time.
Thanks for reading, and we hope you catch up to us on the next article:
Part 14 - Back Home
Until then, here's a link to the previous entry:
Part 12 - Rover.
No comments:
Post a Comment