Some days in the United States... Tour of Iowa

Among the many trips that a camper dream is to cross the U.S. from coast to coast, the Caravan Club Italy, has organized and we are a member. It was a long time since we talked about it with friends, others, or alone with other organizations, there had been, but always in very limited locations: California, Nevada and Utah, no one knew that we had made the "coast to coast . Given the program, we noticed that was very broad, but limited in time, in a nutshell: we must run, but you could do. After two meetings in Bologna, and a clubhouse in Bergamo, where we had all the details and final costs, and you decide to go. The cost, inclusive (unfortunately not the case) was set at € 12,500. Twenty days before departure there was a balance in favor or against, the value of the dollar / euro and this then has not come true, for about € 400. It 'was decided to do the same for all cost for the camper even though they were of different sizes because not everyone could have the small ones, so it was chosen by lot. The maximum of the participants had to be 20 campers with two executives, would have made two groups, unfortunately one of the two animals for health reasons had to give up, we were asked if we wanted to start with a single charge and we all agreed, however, The cost of the second character had already been charged and has not been repaid to the various participants. Many have requested a refund but there was no response.
To enter multiple photos and make reading faster, I wanted to mention this trip is divided into states, for each group in addition to related photos, there will be a diary of the days associated with that state.

 

From Utica, Illinois to Adel, Iowa km. 465

Starting at 8 am, no one had warned us that this state has to change time, we need to remove an hour, so at 8 o'clock we were on time for departure, but were 7 and many others like us, you decide to start at 7.30.
And 'bad weather, it rains heavily, after a few kilometers left of the wiper stops, I feel the No. 1 radio that the first motorway service stops the column, I stand under a canopy to protect from the rain, I immediately reach Super Renato and Attilio, who with the equipment that the group has bought, dismantled and reassembled in half an hour and put him in the windshield wiper function better than before.
It always starts under the rain is getting stronger, soon after the No. 3 radio signals that its wiper is stopped, the camper is the twin of mine we stopped at a motorway the famous Iowa 80 Truckstop "the biggest supermarket equipment Truck on Sky I'd seen a documentary and it was my dream to be able to visit in person and this came true, inside, plus a restaurant, a dentist, where local drivers are can clean up and rest, there is a store selling everything that can transform and beautify the truck, chrome, lights and accessories of all kinds.
Meanwhile, to repair the wiper of No. 3 was just a loose nut.
After lunch it always starts in the rain, the monotony makes me a bit 'sleepy, the # 1 decides to stop for a nap, half an hour after we leave and about 17 to reach the camp, after we settled in, I move and I'm full of propane gas (5 gallons U.S. dollars to 2.49 U.S. dollars 13:19 total), these days I often used the heating at night and I was in reserve.
At 7 meeting for the program tomorrow, weather permitting we will propose a visit to the bridges of Madison Country and the house museum where John Wayne was born, everyone accepts.
Camping KOA Des Moines West - N 41 23 33 94 04 47 W

From Adel, Iowa to Sioux Falls, South Dakota km. 430

Departure 7.30 am
We continue to Madison County, known for a series of covered bridges. Of which, however, there is only one, the others were destroyed by vandalism. It 'was the location of the homonymous film by Clint Eastwood's "Bridges of Madison County". We remember a beautiful sentence uttered by Robert (Clint Eastwood) "The old days were good times, the important thing is having lived" and another by Francesca (Meryl Streep) "In four days he gave me a lifetime, a universe, reassembled the fragments of my being into a whole ... I never stopped thinking about him ... even if not consciously remember, I felt close to me, was always there. " We stop with the whole group because the pictures are a must. Nearby we visit the birthplace of John Wayne with a small museum, now closed. Unfortunately, the photos taken today will be lost in transferring camera / PC, some I have been kindly given by No. 3.
They resumed their journey on a road in the middle of endless fields with farm far away from each other, a nice view, then another two-lane highway, a bit 'shabby, who thought to find roads with 6 or 8 lanes with perfect background, was disappointed, our highways are better than these.
The three campers with their small diesel tank need continuous supply, we stop for a distributor for the full, the other petrol will do in the afternoon.
It was also decided to supply to the refrigerator, in view of the public holiday tomorrow, the first supermarket a nasty surprise is reserved for members only, we had to do more miles to find another suitable for us. Later we found a huge where there was everything and more, in addition to supplying the fridge, we found a suitcase which contained four other like Chinese boxes, needless to say it was built in China, almost everything here is built in China, we complain that Chinese products have flooded our markets, but here is worse. This case will serve to meet the excess weight we arrive, we split all four cases, given that airlines permit.
Before joining the camp, visit the Falls in Sioux Falls after those of Niagara, are a bit 'funny, but not bad, there is a power station and a beautiful park. Thinking about the facts km to reach this site, maybe not worth it.
At camp we have to wait a long time to settle down after a hard day everyone wanted to park and take a refreshing shower, we finally succeeded.
Camping Sioux Falls - N 43 26 27 42 W96 30.

The end

Many efforts and hard work for this trip that gave us emotions difficult to describe. Every day was unique, unmissable, extraordinary, thanks to the commitment and willingness of all our fellow adventurers. What we remember most? Hard to say. Everywhere in its genre, it was wonderful. This trip will be memorable. Our thoughts, in order, rushing to the charm of Niagara Falls, the gullies of the Badlands, the faces of presidents carved into the mountain, the magnificent Dewil Tower, Old Faithful and all the exciting dell'Yellowstone Park (although we did not see Yogi Bear and Booboo), Monument Valley, and its delicate arches and its spire, the light filtered through Antelope Canyon, lake Powell with the legendary Glen Canyon Dam, the proud, the great, the beautiful, the breathtaking Grand Canyon, lights, sounds of Las Vegas to Badwater in Death Valley hot, very big and the very old General Sherman and the unexpected snowfall in Sequoia National Park, the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge and the skyline of San Francisco saw the romantic Sausalito, and finally, the great New York, its skyscrapers, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty (Distant View). There were many other things to tell that we have not included in this text. Others that we could say but who are in all the guidebooks. Still others, like the innermost feelings and emotions. ... That can never describe, but which will remain trapped forever in us. Now it is all over. It 's time to go home, review my friends, to continue our life forever, waiting for another wonderful trip to enjoy together.