Rodeo, Engine Failure and Epic Views: How the Rockies Slowed Us Down (in a Good Way)

With Indiana Dunes in Our Rearview, We Head West to the Rockies

Overview of the Drive from Indiana Dunes to Rocky Mountain National Park:

1. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site – West Branch, Iowa (start – see previous post Indiana Dunes)
2. World’s Largest Truck Stop – Walcott, Iowa
3. Campsite Mix-Up at Walnut Woods State Park
4. North Platte, Nebraska Rodeo – A Wild West Spectacle
5. Estes Park, Colorado Campground at Mary’s Lake
6. Rocky Mountain National Park
   • Bear Lake and Alberta Falls
   • Pit Toilet PSA – Tales from the Bottom
   • Sprague Lake Picnic
   • Car Trouble in the Clouds
7. Rest Day in the Rockies (end)

Stop #1. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Location: West Branch, Iowa

We kicked off the next leg of our Wild West Adventure with a stop at the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch, Iowa.

Here, the boys learned how a young orphaned Quaker boy grew up to become President of the United States and later helped found UNICEF.

Hoover’s life was built on the ideals of usefulness, world peace, and service. He encouraged Americans to “Hooverize” during wartime—planting their own food and conserving resources for the greater good.

We explored his childhood home and one-room schoolhouse, where the Golden Rule was written boldly on the chalkboard: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

It was the perfect reminder as we launched into a long stretch of the trip with four wild boys and a trailer to match.

Stop #2 World’s Largest Truck Stop – Walcott, Iowa

Just off I-80 in Walcott, we pulled into a roadside attraction like no other—the World’s Largest Truck Stop.

This place was massive. Think museum meets trucker superstore meets midwestern theme park.

Cassy and Lacy were thrilled to find a full-sized Coca-Cola semi. Naturally, we snapped a photo of it and captioned it “Drink Coca-Cola!”

Madison found his dream machine—the fastest truck in the museum, topping out at 150 mph. He hasn’t stopped talking about it since.

Stop #3. Campsite Mix-Up at Walnut Woods State Park, Iowa

We rolled into Walnut Woods State Park in Des Moines expecting a quiet evening. Instead, we pulled up to find another couple throwing a little too festive a party… on our reserved campsite.

After a quick conversation and a glance at the reservation, they realized they had booked the wrong dates. Whoops.

Turns out, they were having enough of a good time that their car was equipped with a breathalyzer ignition system—yep, I had to help them get it started and move it.

The campground diplomacy was real.

Later that night, the skies opened up and thunder rolled through the trees. Our trailer held strong as rain hammered the roof, setting the mood for our early morning departure westward through towering wind farms spinning their way through Iowa.

Stop #4. North Platte, Nebraska Rodeo – A Wild West Spectacle

We arrived in North Platte and set up at the Holiday RV Park, where the scent of horse country lingered in the air.

Their pool, cleverly shaped like the state of Nebraska, offered a refreshing dip before heading out to the rodeo.

This wasn’t a roadside attraction—it was the real deal. A televised event, with grandstands full of spectators and even the Governor of Nebraska in attendance.

The boys were glued to the action: bronc riders bucking high, lasso tricks, bull dodgers in clown suits—it was the Wild West come to life.

Stop #5. Estes Park Campground at Mary’s Lake

After days of dusty highways, we landed in a slice of paradise: Estes Park Campground at Mary’s Lake.

The pool was heated to 84 degrees, and our site looked like a postcard with towering mountain views and a glistening lake below.

That evening, we took a short hike right from our site to catch the sunset. The boys scrambled over rocks while Cassy pointed out patches of wildflowers hidden beneath every ledge.

The alpine flora was in full bloom, and the lake reflected the sky like glass.

Stop #6. Rocky Mountain National Park

Bear Lake and Alberta Falls

Our first official hike in Rocky Mountain National Park required an early wake-up.

We scored a 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. timed-entry pass to Bear Lake—one of the most popular spots in the park.

Miraculously, we made it. The hike around Bear Lake was a gentle half-mile loop with mirror-like reflections and birdsong in every direction.

We pushed on to Alberta Falls, a mile-long spur trail that ends with icy water crashing down giant rocks. The cool mist in our faces made every step worth it.

Sprague Lake Picnic

Thanks to a helpful ranger tip, we made our way to Sprague Lake for a picture-perfect picnic.

This peaceful lake offers shaded spots, boardwalk trails, and unbeatable views of the Continental Divide.

And best of all—flushing toilets.

Car Trouble in the Clouds!!

As we climbed the famous Trail Ridge Road to reach the Alpine Visitor Center at 11,800 feet, I noticed the battery wasn’t charging.

We made it to the top, but not without worry. On the way down, on a steep winding descent, the engine finally gave out. No power. No cell service. No safe shoulder.

I coasted our fully loaded Sequoia into a small turnout in a mountain valley. We were stranded—three adults, four kids, and no signal.

After a few tense minutes, a ranger passed by and we flagged him down. I hitched a ride with a passerby to the front gate to get cell service., while Cassy waited with the Car for a tow truck.

Enter the Rocky Mountain kindness crew. From the ranger to the shuttle driver, Shaun’s Towing, and the incredible mechanic at Backcountry Automotive in Estes Park—everyone stepped in to help.

The culprit? A dead alternator. It took a full day to replace, and our trip to Grand Teton had to wait.

But what could’ve been a trip-wrecker turned into a reminder of how generous and capable people can be—even 11,000 feet in the air.

Stop #7 Rest Day in the Rockies

With our itinerary paused, we took a deep breath and embraced the slow day at Mary’s Lake.

The kids hiked rocks. We napped. We sat under the pines and listened to the mountains breathe.

It was the calm we didn’t know we needed—a reminder that sometimes adventure is found in stillness.

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Just as I am writing this post, a bonus photo for you of some elk drinking water at Coffee on the Rocks in Estes Park, Colorado.

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Next stop: Grand Teton National Park! In the meantime, catch up on our earlier adventures at Indiana Dunes State Park and all the other fun from our Wild West Adventure at DadCanTravel.com.