Quad Cities KOA

Well, the weekend before last we spent helping our daughter in Indiana move to a new home. Finally after what seemed like a million trips back and forth from the old house to the new we got her and the family settled in. The house is great and they are very happy. Which brings us to last weekend. Glenda and I needed some camping time so I took off early on Friday and we reserved a spot at the Quad Cities KOA(check out their link in "places we have been") near Milan, IL on 78th Ave. We took I-74W through Peoria and over to I-280W and got off at exit 11A which is also IL Rt 92. We only had to go about a mile to 78th Ave and then a half mile east to the KOA. We had reserved a back in site with full hook ups but since there was no other camper in the site behind us we were able to pull through that site to ours.

Once we got the camper set up and the campsite we had some dinner. Glenda had done some pulled pork  in the crock pot at home and brought some along. We had some cole slaw and watermelon on the side.

After we cleaned up dinner we had a campfire and enjoyed a quiet night. It was a nice cool night so the fleece sheets we brought felt great to sleep on. I love to sleep with the window open and feel warm and cozy under the covers.

The next morning(Saturday)after we had our oatmeal and I had my coffee we decided we would ride our bikes on the Iowas side of the Mississippi River. So we took Route 92 over the river and got off at the first exit to the downtown area of Davenport, IA. We parked in a parking lot near the lock and dam(raises and lowers water level so barges carrying goods can navigate the river) and rode south along the river a few miles. We came to a park called Credit Island. They have a boat launch area and some shelters for picnics throughout the park.

In the distance is the downtown area I spoke of and right next to where I am standing is the boat launch. We rode back to the downtown area and passed by the Rhythm City Casino. This is a riverboat casino on the Mississippi.

Next we rode closer to the lock and dam and saw some pelicans near where the water is let through. They were dipping their heads in the water to try to catch fish that are churned up by the rushing water.

We decided to ride a little further north and we passed by a nice little river side restaurant called the Boathouse. They have typical burgers and fries and some homecooked type of fare.

It was getting late and we were ready to get back to the campsite. We ended up having some leftover pulled pork, cole slaw and some potato salad. After that we had another small campfire with a few marshmellows for good measure. And then time for bed.

On Sunday it was a little cloudy to start so we hung out at the campsite for the morning and once the weather began to clear we headed out for a bike ride on the Illinois side of the river. We have been to the Quad Cities several times to ride on the Great River Trail before we got the camper and we like to drive a little north of the Rock Island/Moline area near the small town of Hampton on Route 84.

The bike path runs right next to Route 84 in some places but it does go through the town of Hampton. There is a quaint little shop there that has ice cream and sandwiches and you can go around the back and sit on their deck with a great view of the river. We had already had a light lunch before going out so we didn't stop there this time.

As we were riding back we rode through the Corp of Engineers Recreation area where they have water and electric hook ups with great sites along the river. The area is called Fisherman's Corner.

We plan to stay here the next time we come to this area. We like full hook ups but it would be worth it to for-go the sewer for the great river views and the bike trail right next to the park. The fees are about half what we would pay to stay at the KOA. Typically $16-18 and they would honor the America the Beautiful Pass for Seniors(which I will qualify for in August - I turn 62). This would make the fee half.

Well we continued our ride back to where we parked and rode through a nice park with a playground and another great view of the river.

I took some of these pictures as I rode along the bike path. I was very careful to watch where I was going .

It was easy since Glenda was in front of me and I could watch where she was going.

Some nice shaded areas and as we got closer to the downtown area where we parked the truck we passed by the John Deere distribution plant.

Well we got back to the Ben Butterworth Park in downtown Moline and headed back to the KOA to get cleaned up for dinner. We showered at the campgound showers and  relaxed for a while before driving to the River House Bar and Grill. We have eaten there before and go back everytime we are in the area. I had the Seafood Pasta dish and Glenda had the Tilapia. We were full but not too full to go to Whitey's Ice Cream. I neglected to tell you that when we are in the Quad Cities we always go to Whitey's. I also neglected to tell you that we went to Whitey's in Friday night after we set up the camp site and we were back after our ride on Saturday before we drove to the KOA.  That's why we ride our bikes. :-)

I love the White Chocolate Raspberry and Coconut Joy(like an Almond Joy)  and Glenda loves the Banana and Coconut Joy. I like it in a cup and she likes a sugar cone.

We will definitely be back the next time we are in town.

Well we heard there was a chance of rain on Monday and sure enough before we started to get ready to go home it did rain briefly. We used the one side lower technique to keep the rain from pooling on the awning. Seemed to work pretty good.  

Fortunately the rain stopped so we could ready the camper for our trip back home. It's about a 3 hour drive to Normal. It was great to have the extra day off so we could have two full days at the KOA. It just seems too short to set up on Friday evening and then take down on Sunday morning but we take what we can get right now. Retirement is only 3 years away. Happy Camping eveyone.