Just wondering if any of our crew has camped in Iowa or live in Iowa. My wife and I just moved here and have'nt really found a nice by the water camping facility.

Where ya at in Iowa? I am betting by Okaboji there should be something. Minnesnowta has all a whole bunch. Of course all the State Campgrounds will close when the State Government shuts down. Holler if your coming up we can try and get together.

Try the Root River area just into Minn., Yellowstone State Park near Monroe Wis. or some of the Ill State parks on the river. All have water/lake/river.If you find one in Iowa,with some things that lots of folks would like to do . Offer up a GTG , its not something that only the oldtimers setup its for anyone to try. Go for it. All who wander are not lost.

About half an hour south of you is Indianola, home of the Nat'l Balloon Classic, one of the country's biggest hot air balloon events. This year it's July 29th - Aug 6th.......

FMI: http://www.nationalballoonclassic.com/default.aspx

While there, Lake Ahquabi State Park is a great place to bunk-over......

FMI: http://www.iowadnr.gov/parks/s...st/lake_ahquabi.html

Thanks to all for the info. We are in West Des Moines. Minnisoda sounds great. I need to find some new tennis shoes for the Barth (which I am struggling with) but would love to hook up with you guys if you don't mind dogs.

quote:

Originally posted by Dana:
I am betting by Okaboji there should be something.

Yeah, it is very nice. The west side of Spirit Lake has a nice state park, too.

Sure
Go to Missouri
http://www.stateparks.com/lake_anita.html
Try Lake Anita in Iowa.

Dogs? The hot dog kind or the four legged ones?

quote:

I need to find some new tennis shoes for the Barth

I put Bridgestones on when I bought the Euro 8r-19.5s on 6" rims. Never had a bit of problem in any way, except maybe that they produce a little music on certain surfaces, but they track fine, hold air endlessly, and they look like brand new.
And no, I will not replace them based on age alone.

Danny
Where the heck did ya find em? My data tag says 225/70R 19.5F (whatever the F means) but I am having a hell of a time finding any. As far as the dogs are concearned, in this economy both kind of dogs will be traveling with us.

quote:

Originally posted by Cabinetguy:
Thanks to all for the info. We are in West Des Moines. Minnisoda sounds great. I need to find some new tennis shoes for the Barth (which I am struggling with) but would love to hook up with you guys if you don't mind dogs.

Good Luck on tires. I have 22.5 and had a terible time finding. Took me 4 weeks and found them 3 days before I picked up the coach. Beware of old tires out there. I found one set they wanted full price and they were 4 years old. They said don't worry they will have full warranty. What a crock!

I have some hard plans but come August things should free up for a Midwest GTG. Do you fish. I saw you were looking to be near water. What do you want to do for fun. There are a few more around like Tonka and some others who are also new owners that we would all benefit from comparisons, I can check out some different places. I went buy an RV and shooting park by Alexandria that I know I need to check out!

Lived in the Council Bluffs area many years ago.

Southwestern Iowa is pretty cool.

State Park system is very different from that of Minnesota and Wisconsin ...more of a self-serve, first-come/first-serve type of system. However, they do take reservations, as well.

Did kind of a Bridges of Madison County Tour last summer.

Camped at:

Clear Lake State Park
Winterset City Park
Pammel State Park
Green Valley State Park
Beeds Lake State Park

Was fun to see covered bridges that we actually drove across back in the 60's on family "vacations".

Have stayed at several City Park Campgrounds in Iowa as well.

Southeastern Minnesota is very nice, but I would have to say I like southwestern Wisconsin the best. Lots of places up and down the Mississippi River Valley.

Be certain to check ahead at anything in the Missouri River Valley due to flooding in southwestern Iowa.

I've stayed at a lot of places in the fore mentioned areas.

Most information found on the Internet, then just taking a stab in the dark and trying places out...

Check-out the West Bend Grotto. It too has a campground right next-door.

we live in iowa. we loved camping at lake red rock. it is near knoxville. haven't been there in a few years, but it use to be one of our favorite spots. the resevoir runs into the des moines river.

http://www.redrockarea.com/events/lake-red-rock/

peggy.

My wife and I,and our horseofadog Ace, went to Spring Lake in Jefferson this weekend and really enjoyed it. Right on the water, plenty of first come first serve hookups.Fifteen dollars a night,free dump,roller rink, beach with an ice cream shoppe,live bait(I caught nothing but a real small buzz). Five miles away for groceries. WE'll go back.

Hey Cabinet Guy...

There ya have-it!

Sometimes, that small-town stuff just seems to work.

I like the self-serve mentality and the price is always right.

Travel around the area and you will find similar experiences.