The World's Largest Truck Stop

Brian, truck lights backdrop

Alecia, gift shop

Alecia, food court

A souvenir truck

Brian shopping

Brian, Alecia, and a giant truck

Wall of truck parts

These photos were taken on the way back to Chicago from a weekend visit to the University of Iowa. The World's Largest Truck Stop, in all its glory, is located west of the Mississippi River and just north of Walcott, Iowa. It is intense. From a distance it resembles a pleasant suburban shopping center, but once you're inside its sliding doors you realize you've just entered a sprawling emporium of metal and glass and way too many florescent lights. There are mammoth model trucks to pose next to (or jump into), racks and racks of truck parts for the trucker in need, endless stalls packed with truck stop memorabilia, and finally--because no American tourist trap would be complete without it--a massive food court. My friends and I came away with empty bladders, full bellies, and great bragging material to use when describing our weekend away from the city. Nice.