Wild West Adventure

Saturday and Sunday were all about getting north towards the Badlands, SD. Saturday, we left Springfield, IL heading to Diamond Jo Casino, Northwood, IA, where we boondocked for the night. For those of you not familiar with boondocking, you stay in a parking lot! We tried our luck at the casino, Pat made money at a game we never played, the dealer said it was like Mississippi Stud, didn't know what that was either, but, Pat managed to pay for dinner and drinks and a some left in his pocket. But, the highlight of the day was stopping at Iowa 80 Truck Stop, the largest truck stop in America. We laughed when planning to go, but were in aw when we got there, Pat thinks there might have been 500 trucks parked there. We even took the motorhome through the truck wash. To put them in perspective, they put Buckee's to shame. Check them out online, for truckers a major benefit, barber, dentist and healthcare, three levels of services, everything you could want. Including my new Detroit Lions license plate holder.

Sunday was an easier day of driving, but we still had an interesting stop, thanks to Carol J. we stopped at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. The Corn Palace started in 1892, commonly advertised as The World's Only Corn Palace, is an event center and home to the local high school and women's DII basketball games. The Moorish Revival building is decorated with crop art; the murals and designs covering the building are made from corn and other grains, and a new design is constructed each year. It was quite hokey and impressive at the same time. We stayed at the Oasis Campground, Oacoma, SD, which is across from Al Oasis, another recommendation by Carol, which has everything from a gift shop, pie shop, restaurant (good grilled walleye fish diner), slot casino and grocery store with a full-size buffalo in the middle of the store!! Hot weather has returned, into triple digits today and for the next couple of days.

Stats: Saturday, 425 miles, 8 1/2 hrs including stop & gas fill up, 67 gal. Sunday, 330 miles 6 1/2 hrs.
Weather: Saturday, mild sunny day, cool night; Sunday, warming up, upper 90's during the day.

Pictures: Iowa 80 Truck Stop, Boondocking Diamond Jo Casino, Wind Turbines MN & SD, Corn Palace and Corn Mural; Clean up on aisle 8, Oasis Grocery store.

B S

23 chapters

20 Jul 2023

Day 7 & 8 Drive Days towards the Badlands, SD

July 22, 2023

|

Springfield, IL to Oacoma, SD

Saturday and Sunday were all about getting north towards the Badlands, SD. Saturday, we left Springfield, IL heading to Diamond Jo Casino, Northwood, IA, where we boondocked for the night. For those of you not familiar with boondocking, you stay in a parking lot! We tried our luck at the casino, Pat made money at a game we never played, the dealer said it was like Mississippi Stud, didn't know what that was either, but, Pat managed to pay for dinner and drinks and a some left in his pocket. But, the highlight of the day was stopping at Iowa 80 Truck Stop, the largest truck stop in America. We laughed when planning to go, but were in aw when we got there, Pat thinks there might have been 500 trucks parked there. We even took the motorhome through the truck wash. To put them in perspective, they put Buckee's to shame. Check them out online, for truckers a major benefit, barber, dentist and healthcare, three levels of services, everything you could want. Including my new Detroit Lions license plate holder.

Sunday was an easier day of driving, but we still had an interesting stop, thanks to Carol J. we stopped at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. The Corn Palace started in 1892, commonly advertised as The World's Only Corn Palace, is an event center and home to the local high school and women's DII basketball games. The Moorish Revival building is decorated with crop art; the murals and designs covering the building are made from corn and other grains, and a new design is constructed each year. It was quite hokey and impressive at the same time. We stayed at the Oasis Campground, Oacoma, SD, which is across from Al Oasis, another recommendation by Carol, which has everything from a gift shop, pie shop, restaurant (good grilled walleye fish diner), slot casino and grocery store with a full-size buffalo in the middle of the store!! Hot weather has returned, into triple digits today and for the next couple of days.

Stats: Saturday, 425 miles, 8 1/2 hrs including stop & gas fill up, 67 gal. Sunday, 330 miles 6 1/2 hrs.
Weather: Saturday, mild sunny day, cool night; Sunday, warming up, upper 90's during the day.

Pictures: Iowa 80 Truck Stop, Boondocking Diamond Jo Casino, Wind Turbines MN & SD, Corn Palace and Corn Mural; Clean up on aisle 8, Oasis Grocery store.

Contact:
download from App storedownload from Google play

© 2025 Travel Diaries. All rights reserved.