August 2020 - Big Guy Tiny Trailer

Midwest Camping in a Pandemic

Midwest Camping

We planned a camping trip to the Midwest this summer, but were concerned about the risks because of the pandemic. Big Guy and I are both high-risk for multiple reasons. Ultimately, we decided that travel would be safer during the summer than the fall. Another consideration, we are older and have health issues and do not know how long we will be able to travel. So, Carpe Diem, we decided to seize the day!

Our Path

We hope to ultimately camp in all fifty states. This summer we planned to pick up some middle America. It was a pretty ambitious plan, considering the pandemic. We did not really know what to expect or what kind of shutdowns might occur.

Midwest Camping — Five New States on our Map!

We camped in five new states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri. Arkansas and Tennessee were stopovers to get to our new camping areas. We visited fourteen campgrounds, which included several state parks, a Corps of Engineers (COE), a county park, and private campgrounds. Rates varied from $10 a night to $50. The COE was the $10 and the $50 rate included full hookups, a nice laundry, and a pool.

Midwest camping map — Our trip to the Midwest

Links to Posts for Each State

I do a memory post of our trips. If you would like to read about any of our new states, below are links.

Illinois Camping During a Pandemic

Wisconsin Camping During Covid-19

Minnesota Camping in a Pandemic

Iowa Camping During a Pandemic

Missouri Camping in a Pandemic

Midwest Camping and Meals on the Road

Checking out local cuisine is one of our favorite things to do while camping. However, this trip was vastly different. Our plan allowed for takeout or outdoor seating. In some of the camping areas, restaurants offered little or no outside seating. However, we were able to find some great outdoor options in Iowa and Missouri. In fact, we had our best barbecue ever at Jack Stack Barbecue

Our amazing lunch at Jack Stack in Kansas City

Many, if not most, fast food was drive through only. That worked if unhitched, but was a problem when towing our tall camper. We consumed so many meals in our SUV! I got very tired of that.

Normally, we would have a few breakfasts out. This trip, breakfast was always in the campground. Lunch and dinner was often in the campground as well.

Midwest Camping and Safety From Covid

While we wanted this trip, it would not be worth it if we contracted Covid. We tried to be careful by staying outdoors and distanced from others most of the time. Our masks were always on when we had to go inside where there were other people.

We visited a few museums, including the Lincoln Presidential Library. Most places required a reservation to limit the number of people. Almost all required masks. The only time I felt at risk at an attraction was the Mark Twain Home. It was not requiring masks. When a group came into the small area where tickets were sold, we waited outside until they had moved on.

The occasional stop for groceries was also somewhat risky. Almost everyone wore masks in some places and at others almost no one did. When the stores were crowded, it seemed the most risky. We did not shop on weekends or at night to try and minimize the number of people shopping.

Health Issues

I have a lung condition that has become considerably worse in the last year. My doctor has me using a nebulizer twice daily, which takes a good bit of time and effort for the process. Sadly, it added a level of complexity to our trip.

Midwest Camping and using a nebulizer — Nebulizing, My Twice Daily Activity

Activities on the Road

We spent much more time at the campgrounds this trip. A couple of the campgrounds had nice pools, which we enjoyed.

I am happy to say that we also went on several hikes/walks. It was nice to be outside among nature. Ultimately, we spent lots of time at the campgrounds.

We were seeking safe things to do outside. So, we visited two botanical gardens, a sculpture park, and several beautiful parks.

Beautiful Park in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

Now that we have made it back home and enough time has passed that we can feel confident we did not contract the virus, I am so glad we took this trip! But, we have cancelled our planned fall trip because many of the states we were going to visit have travel restrictions.

Hopefully we will be camping again before too long. Stay safe out there!

Missouri Camping in a Pandemic

Missouri Camping

Our Missouri camping experience was such a pleasant surprise. We camped in three cities, each different, but delightful. All three campgrounds were private and had full hookups. One also had a nice, big pool.

We stayed two nights in each city, which meant a full day in each area to explore the sights. The cities offered lots of fun, yet safe, things to do. Also, the people we met were friendly and accommodating.

Missouri Camping in Kansas City

World of Fun Village

World of Fun includes the largest amusement park in Missouri, a water park, and a campground to accommodate visitors. Due to Covid, the park is only open Thursday through Sunday and we were there Tuesday and Wednesday nights. So, we missed checking out the park, but we did spend an afternoon in the really nice pool. We also utilized the laundry.

National World War I Museum & Memorial

Kansas City is home to the impressive World War I Museum and Memorial. We have absorbed so much information through the years about WWII, but there was a lot about the First World War that I did not understand. There was a very good film, which laid out the world political and cultural climate that existed when the war began. Timelines and graphs throughout the museum also helped me to better understand the war.

Liberty Monument at WW I Museum — Liberty Monument

The museum also included lots of artifacts from the war, including guns, uniforms, and personal effects.

Best Barbecue Ever

We had our best barbecue ever at Jack Stack Barbecue . It was raining during lunch, but the restaurant had a nice covered area. The meal was astounding and the service was excellent! There was so much food, we had leftovers for the next day. You can’t see in the photo below, but we also shared a decadent piece of carrot cake.

Jack Stack Barbeque Freight House — Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbeque

Union Station

Union Station is near Jack Stack Restaurant, so we stopped to see it. It is a beautiful old (established 1914) building with a few restaurants and shops. It is also still an active train station.

While there, we bought a few truffles at a candy store. They were a little expensive, but so good!

Union Station interior — Beautiful interior

Missouri Camping in Hannibal

Mark Twain Cave Campground

Mark Twain Cave Campground was nice. We had a shady site and the temperatures were quite pleasant while we were there. There were a couple of sisters in the next site and we enjoyed interacting with them. They lived close to the campground and were helpful in identifying the local sights.

All things Mark Twain

Everywhere we looked, there is a reference to Mark Twain, Hannibal’s most famous son. We stopped at all the obligatory places: the statue, the lighthouse, and his childhood home.

Missouri Camping and visiting Hannibal — Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn Statue

I climbed the 240 steps to the top of the lighthouse and was rewarded with a great view of the town on one side and the mighty Mississippi on the other. So, it was worth the climb!

There are several buildings preserved in the town related to Twain, including his childhood home, Tom Blankenship’s home (aka Huck Finn), and Becky (Twain’s girlfriend’s) home. Inside, the two boys homes are furnished as they were during the time the boys lived in them.

Hannibal was a fun town and it was nice connecting with Mark Twain, an iconic and amazing writer.

Missouri Camping in Springfield

Cooks RV Motor Park

Cooks RV Motor Park was one of our favorite campgrounds. It was well- maintained and the owner was so friendly. We will stop at this campground again if we have the opportunity. (It is on an anticipated future path to the northwest.)

Another Great Missouri Meal

We actually had two excellent meals in Springfield, Cafe Cusco, pictured below and Bambino’s Cafe. Both offered shaded outdoor seating, a necessity for us. I had blackened cobia fish at Cafe Cusco and it was some of the best fish I have ever tasted.

Bambino’s pasta and bread were incredible and inexpensive for the portions served. I would love to go back sometime.

Cafe Cusco is a Peruvian restaurant and drinks were a little different. My husband had sangria and I had a margarita. Both had a generous sprinkle of cinnamon. Different, but we liked them.

Nathan Greene/Close Memorial Park

This park was so beautiful and peaceful. There were many shaded benches and we had a nice, slow-paced morning. A little exercise and fresh air was just what we needed.

Missouri Camping and visiting a lovely park — Beautiful and peaceful park

Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden

The Mizumoto Garden was inside the park. It was nice too with lovely plants along a generous path. Benches were plentiful at the garden as well.

The geese were also fun to watch.

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

I did not expect much from this Battlefield but was pleasantly surprised to learn the story behind the people who lived in this house. A Park Ranger was at the house and she told an interesting story about the people who lived there. So, her details made the history come alive for me.

Many soldiers from both sides lost their lives on this battlefield. Therefore, it is a beautiful, yet haunting place today.

In Conclusion

To sum up, Missouri was a fabulous state in our trip. We saw so many cool things! We were careful because of Covid-19, but it felt more like our previous trips because we were able to see and do so much. If you would like to read more about our experiences, check out Retirement and teardrop camping!

Iowa Camping During a Pandemic

Iowa Camping

Camping in Iowa was more like our typical travel because we were near mid-sized cities and there was lots to do. We camped in two fabulous campgrounds, a Corps of Engineers (COE) and a county park. Therefore, Iowa was a great leg of our trip!

Sandy Beach Campground

Sandy Beach is a Corps of Engineers campground and was only $10 a night with our Senior Pass. Though inexpensive, it was an excellent campground! We had a water and electric site and the lake just beyond the trees in the photo below. However, our camper was in the sun for most of the day, but our tow vehicle was under a bit of shade. A real plus at this campground: the bathhouse was nice and very well-maintained.

The Sandy Beach is in the photo below. Some people were in the water, but this lake appears to be primarily a haven for boating.

Iowa Camping at Coralville Lake — Coralville Lake

Cedar Rapids

Our Iowa camping included a trip to Cedar Rapids, which was only seventeen miles away from our campground. We spent one of our two free days there.

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

The Czech and Slovak Museum is one of the main attractions at Cedar Rapids and was well worth the time. I felt it was safe because it was not crowded and masks were required. The museum is about the history and culture of the Czech and Slovak people. A special section honored women, including Madeline Albright and Martina Navratilova in commemoration of 100 years since women’s suffrage.

A Czech writer, Karel Čapek, first coined the phrase “robot” in the play, R.U.R. in 1920. The museum has many examples of robots from the Iowa First Tech Challenge.

Much of the museum is devoted to the history of the country, Czechoslovakia, which was an advanced and prosperous democracy from 1918-1938. But the country and its people experienced massive change over the course of just just fifty-five years.

Firstly, Nazi Germany occupied it in 1939 and divided it. Entire towns were destroyed and the people were massacred. Many were put into concentration camps. This occupation existed until 1945. Next, the end of the war in 1945 led to communist rule and an alliance with the Soviet Union. During the 41 years of Communist rule, more than a half a million people fled the country. In 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into two democracies, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. I can’t imagine living through that much difficulty and change.

Our Iowa Meal with Outdoor Seating

While in Iowa, we had a couple of meals at restaurants with outdoor seating. One had all our desired elements, an expectation of safety from COVID, great food, outdoor seating, and shelter from the sun. Parlor City was a recommendation of a woman at the museum. It had all the desired elements and we really enjoyed the meal. We also had a good meal at Mullets (like the hairstyle) in Des Moines.

Drinks and a Great Meal Outdoors with Shade

Iowa City

The Old Capital Building

We spent our other free day in Iowa City, which was also just seventeen miles from our campground. Iowa City is a college town, home to the University of Iowa. The old Capital Building was on my list, but it was closed. Sadly, vandals had put graffiti on the lower levels of the building.

Iowa Camping near the Iowa Old Capital Building — Old Capital Building in Iowa City

Waterworks Prairie Park

Waterworks is a 200-acre park that features three miles of paved paths that encircle several ponds. It is a lovely park—nice for walking or biking. We planned to just walk a portion of the it.

The temperature was in the low eighties, but the sun was extremely intense. However, we expected a bit of shade. Unfortunately, there was none on the path. We had started around the largest pond and the sun was bearing down on us. Both of us were sweating profusely. In the photo below, my expression shows how I felt. My husband was miserable too, but if there is a camera, he smiles. We were so grateful to get back to our car!

Iowa Camping in Des Moines

Yellow Banks County Park

Yellow Banks was a great campground and is located in Des Moines, which was a big plus. We had a level, gravel site with electric and water. The bathhouse was modern and quite well-maintained. It was only $25 per night and we were there for two nights.

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden was so beautiful. We had to make an appointment because they were limiting the number of people there at one time. Masks were also required.

There was a large pond with beautiful lily pads and many frogs.

It was so nice and peaceful in the garden, which had an abundance of flowers.

Iowa State Capital Building

We made an appointment for a guided tour of the Capital Building. I have found that a tour adds so much to my appreciation of buildings and historic sites. We certainly had a great tour guide and she shared lots about how Iowa government works. The building is breathtakingly beautiful and sits high over the city. The surrounding grounds are also nice and have many monuments.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

The Pappajohn Park was so much fun! Many large scale sculptures were there to enjoy and photograph. It was a relaxing afternoon.

Iowa Countryside

Furthermore, as we crossed through the state, we were able to enjoy the lovely Iowa countryside. There was lots of corn and farms like the one in the photo below.

Iowa Camping and enjoying the countryside — The Beautiful Iowa Countryside

The old barn in the next photo was at a turn at one of the campgrounds. It’s not in great shape, but I enjoyed seeing it.

In Conclusion

So, we really loved Iowa! The cities were fun and we felt that while being safe in the pandemic, we were also able to do many cool things. Lastly, if you would like to see other posts about our camping experiences, check out States Visited, a Campsite Resource.

Happy camping and stay safe out there!

Minnesota Camping in a Pandemic

Minnesota Camping

Our Minnesota camping trip included two state parks, Interstate Park, which is near Minneapolis, and Mystery Cave State Park in southern Minnesota.

Interstate Park

We had three nights at Interstate Park, which is just across the Minnesota border. There is also a park on the Wisconsin side. We had a nice shaded electric only site.

Interstate Park is a great campground if you enjoy canoeing or kayaking. They have a large number of each for rent. Also, you can take long trips down the St. Croix River. Because the trips last several hours, they will bring you back to your starting location. Lastly, there is a large paddle boat that provides rides on the river.

We planned to do a little time in a canoe on the river because it looked like so much fun. However, the more I thought about it, I feared it would make my bad shoulder worse. So, we reluctantly abandoned that plan. I really wish we had begun this traveling when we were younger!

We planned to ride the paddle boat trip on our last full day at the campground and also drive into Minneapolis, but it rained all day. So, we stayed inside and binged Netflix, except for a trip to nearby St Croix to do laundry.

Canoe and Kayak Rentals on the St. Croix River

Interstate Park Hiking Trails

Interstate offers some amazing hiking trails, including a rather short one that features over 400 ancient glacial potholes.

Glacial Pothole Trail Interstate Park — Glacial Pothole Trail

Below is a photo of the deepest known pothole, which is sixty feet deep.

We also did a large portion of the River Trail. The day was relatively cool and most of the path was shady. It was a pleasant afternoon.

Hanging in the Campground

We spent several hours at our campsite and some little red squirrels entertained us. That is, until we discovered after some time away that they had eaten a hole in our rug. My husband thinks they were attracted to something below it.

We enjoyed our Leinenkugel’s beer, purchased in Wisconsin. I liked the Grapefruit Shandy the best.

Minnesota Camping at Interstate Campground — Wisconsin Beer

Meals in Minnesota

Our only meals at restaurants on this trip were takeout or at places where they offered outdoor seating.

While at Interstate, we had takeout at Juneberry Cafe and an outdoor meal at the Drive In Restaurant. Both of these Taylors’s Falls restaurants were good, but we really appreciated the outdoor seating at the Drive in. The seats were in the shade and the food was very good. I had very crispy sweet potato fries with a marshmallow dip. Decadent!

Outside Seating at the Drive In Restaurant

Lanesboro

I wanted to stop in Lanesboro because it looked like an interesting place to visit. So, we took a little detour before going to our next campground. It is a pretty 19th century town known for the Root River Bike Trail which runs through it. They have an extensive number of bikes for rent. People come from all over to visit and participate in the trail. Much of the town’s shops, art galleries, and restaurants were closed because of Covid-19.

We had an outdoor lunch at Pedal Pushers Cafe and ice cream at another shop. It was a pleasant stop.

Mystery Cave State Park

Our last Minnesota Camping was one night at Mystery Cave State Park. The campground was very nice with a better than average bathhouse for a State Park. It was a peaceful and relaxing break in our trip.

Forestwood Pioneer Village

Neither the Mystery Cave nor the Pioneer Village was open while we were there. We checked out the Village, but you could not get close because of construction. However, we met a nice lady from Oregon at the village and had a nice discussion.

The Minnesota Countryside

We saw lots of the Minnesota countryside. It entailed cornfields and lots of barns like the one below. It was quite picturesque.

Conclusion

We loved our time in Minnesota. The State Parks were great and the countryside was beautiful. We experienced several small towns, but sadly no larger ones. Considering the pandemic, our Minnesota camping was a good experience.

If you would like to see posts from other states we have visited, check out States Visited, a Campsite Resource.

Happy Camping and stay safe out there!