We are back in Iowa at Lewis and Clark State Park. I had checked the DNR website and it looked like there would be plenty of midweek availability when we arrived Wednesday. So we were surprised to see the "Campground Full" sign at the entrance. Especially when it was obvious from looking that over half of the sites were empty. Doing our own exploration, we discovered that this weekend is a big trick or treat event in the park and they allow the locals who can afford it to come out and pay for "first-come, first served" sites for the week even thought they don't occupy them until Thursday or Friday. Therefore, about a quarter of the sites sit empty all week even though no one is using them. An interesting interpretation of 'walkup' and 'nonreservable.' We did not give up, however, and insisted that the host see if any of the reservable sites were actually available. Turns out that several were not reserved until Friday and were available. Apparently, it was easier on the host or staff to put up the 'Campground Full' sign.
It is too bad, because it is a very nice park. There is a floating replica of the Lewis and Clark keelboat, Discovery, and reportedly several other boats in the museum/visitor's center, although we have yet to find that open. There is a huge stump that surely must remain from the time of the 1804 visit.
Yesterday, we took a drive through part of the Loess Hills. This included two scenic outlooks and the visitor's center in Pisgah. After that, lunch at Dave's Old Home Filler Up and Keep on Truckin' Cafe. Today, it is homeward bound for us.
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