Iowa & Illinois

The KOA in Newton, Iowa was another new campground for us. It had some really nice hiking trails. The campground we had really liked nearby was fully booked over 6 months in advance, probably because it is right on a fantastic biking trail. The good news is I found some even better biking trails, although I did have to drive to them. The High Trestle Trail is 25 miles, one way through some very cute towns and has and has an iconic 1/2- mile, 13-story high bridge over the Des Moines River valley. I loved every mile both directions; however, I did get a little lost on the way back due to a detour. I also biked the Gay Lea Wilson Trail in Altoona, which was a nice trail, and connected to a few other trails. Mike’s highlight was a trip to the Neil Smith National Wildlife Refuge, where he saw a new bird, a dickcissel. He also enjoyed the small town of Prairie Iowa and a great pork sandwich he ate from Goldies.

Our next stop was the Geneseo Campground in a town of the same name in Illinois. It was located right on the Hennepin Canal Trail. The trail is 60 miles long, and has a feeder trail that is 30 miles long, and both trails are along the canal. I biked the whole trail, which was a little challenging at times, as the quality of the trail varied greatly. The scenery was very pretty and Mike enjoyed hiking and birding on the trail; however not the gnats and mosquitos. We also stayed at the Hickory Grove Campground in Sheffield, IL; also on the Hennepin Canal Trail, which is how I was able to bike the whole trail, mostly on my mountain bike, due to rough trail. We also got to see the “Red Covered Bridge” in Princeton, IL and had a lovely lunch with Mike’s sister, Mary Jo. She was traveling to Pennsylvania for a her job, and stopped to see us on her way. The best part was having delicious homemade pie at Myrtle’s!

Next we are headed to Nappanee, IN to the Newmar Service Center and Headquarters. Our RV is turning 10 years old, so we are getting some standard maintenance, to keep her in good condition for many more years.