The Spirit heads to Rochelle, Ill., after a Walcott Truckers Jamboree weekend

Once the weekend is over, and the 39th annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree at the Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott, Iowa, OOIDA’s touring tractor-trailer will be headed to Rochelle, Ill.

Jon Osburn, the skipper of the Spirit of the American Trucker touring rig, plans to be set up July 16-18 at the Petro truck stop at I-39 and Route 38, Exit 99.

If you’re ever in the area doing a restart over the weekend, we found a listing of attractions on the website EnjoyRochelle.com.

There is a 1918 Standard Oil filling station downtown and a mural depicting Emily Post, the famous author of books on etiquette. According to the website, in 1915, before she became famous, she traveled the newly formed Lincoln Highway. Her vehicle got stuck in the mud at Rochelle and she spent three days there. So, on Memorial Day 2007, a 10-by-20-foot mural of her was unveiled.

There also is a Rochelle Firehouse Museum and Roberts Armory, which has tanks, other vehicles and other items from World War II.

That is some of what you might be missing in Rochelle. It seems like a nice town.

Otherwise, Rochelle is about 80 miles west of Chicago and 25 miles south of Rockford, Ill.

Jon had a great time at the 39th Walcott Truckers Jamboree. He said the crowds this year easily surpassed past years, as far as he could tell. He said the added paved parking was very much appreciated. Some 200 parking spots have been added since May, he said.

There were a lot of people at The Spirit, he said, and he signed up more than 50 members.

OOIDA’s success in lobbying to have glider kits not be subject to EPA emission requirements through next year was top of mind for most truckers, Jon said.

Also, an OOIDA Call to Action for truckers to protest unloading permits in West Buechel, Ky., has gotten a lot of feedback delivered to the city staff at West Buechel.

“I think that call-out to everybody is really working,” Jon said.

Whenever you see The Spirit tour truck, go say hello to Jon. He enjoys visiting about the Association’s activities and current issues. You also can join or renew your OOIDA membership for $10 off the regular price there. Also, you can get vouchers for flu, shingles and pneumonia vaccines from Jon at The Spirit.