Day 2-4 - Old Friends in Ames, IA

We left Illinois on Sunday morning in a nice rain shower. Since the midwest experienced one of the worse droughts in years, driving in rain was a nice change of pace.  Paul gave us a tip to head to the truck stop in Wolcott, IA to fill with gas since Illinois taxes drive prices higher, so we crossed the Mississippi River and headed west a few miles.

Since we lived in Iowa in the 1970's, the road was somewhat familiar.  Driving across I-80 toward Des Moines and turning north on I-35 to head toward Ames felt like we were getting close to our old home.  Much has changed in the area, but then it's been 35 years since we lived in Iowa so I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise. 

It was a short 200 miles from Illinois to Ledges State Park near Boone, Iowa. We arrived early afternoon, checked in at the gate and set up camp. Actually, it doesn't take much to set up camp in our Roadtrek. Just back in, check to make sure we are level (add a leveling block if needed) and plug into the electical service.

After getting settled, we headed to Ames to see Carol and Gary. Carolyn worked with Carol at Iowa State University when we lived in Ames and they have kept in contact through the years. It was a stoke of good luck they were having a block party so we enjoyed a wonderful feast compliments of the folks on Oakland Street.

Over the next couple days, we re-explored Ledges State Park, checked the changes in Ames, and Carolyn was able to have some long visits with friends.

We stopped by our first home on Wisconsin Circle and found it virtually the same as we'd left it in 1977...35 years ago. We met the homeowner who lives in the house next door; she was excited that we'd come back to check on the house. She gave us a great update on the neighborhood...it's nice to see Wisconsin Circle is in good hands.

It was nice to have a few days in Ames.  Some of our friends were not home so I guess we will just have to make it back sometime.