After our big safari and zoo adventure in Ohio, we hit the road again, heading toward our next stop: the world’s largest truck stop in Walcott, Iowa. And let me tell you, this place is something else! The Iowa 80 Truck Stop is humongous, and it’s not your average rest stop either. It has everything from fast food chains to showers, laundry facilities, and even a dentist and chiropractor on-site! Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed inside the rest areas, but there’s always a grassy patch nearby for them to stretch their legs.

Staying at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop

After hours of driving, Bill, Hunter, Kelso, and I decided to park at Iowa 80 for the night. Since the dogs couldn’t join us inside and the weather was blisteringly hot, we left the van running with the AC on to keep our boys comfortable while we humans headed inside for a much-needed break.

Our first stop was one of the sit-down restaurants for a quick dinner. We figured a hearty meal would help recharge us, but there’s a lesson I learned the hard way: never order pot roast at a truck stop! While the Iowa 80 has a lot going for it, the pot roast wasn’t one of its highlights. Let’s just say I paid dearly for that decision later.

Aside from that culinary misstep, spending the night at Iowa 80 was a pretty unique experience. It’s not often you can say you’ve stayed at the world’s largest truck stop, and the sheer size and variety of amenities were impressive. If you’re a road warrior or just passing through, it’s a fun place to take a break, but maybe steer clear of the pot roast!

Day 3: Exploring Elk Horn, IA and the Danish Windmill

The next morning, we packed up and hit the road once more, heading west to Elk Horn, Iowa, a small town famous for its Danish heritage and home to a real-life Danish windmill. The windmill, which was built in Denmark in 1848 and later relocated to the U.S., stands as a proud symbol of the town’s cultural roots.

When we arrived, the boys—Hunter and Kelso—didn’t seem all that interested in the windmill, so we decided to leave them in the air-conditioned van while Bill and I explored. The people in Elk Horn were incredibly warm and welcoming, eager to share the town’s history and charm. We toured the windmill and enjoyed strolling around the quaint town, appreciating its Danish influence.

One quirky highlight was discovering something we’d never heard of before: an oven squirrel. We bought one from a local shop and while I won’t spoil the surprise for you, I’ll just say it’s definitely worth a Google search. It’s one of those small-town treasures that make road trips so fun and memorable.

On to the Next Adventure

Our time in Iowa, from the massive Iowa 80 Truck Stop to the charming town of Elk Horn, was another chapter in our road trip adventure. With Hunter and Kelso by our side, we’re always ready for the next stop and the next unexpected discovery. Safe travels, and here’s to more adventures on the open road!