Iowa, as it turns out, is not such a bad state.

It has rolling hills, for example. It also has important pieces our our national history, such as the Bob Feller Museum, and John Wayne’s birthplace. These and other national treasures are only an exit ramp away, awaiting just the sort of unexpected tourist that you, intrepid Iowa-traveler, have just become. I can only stare in awe at the numerous picturesque burghs, with painted water towers standing proudly, as I fly by at 75 miles per hour.

Iowa bills itself as having “Fields of Opportunities.” No really, check the sign on the way in. And they’re right on both counts. Iowa has fields to spare–as we’ve discovered–and opportunities abound. Iowans are people of the future. Or the futures. Which is probably why any time you stop at a gas station in Iowa, that’s what you’ll hear on the radio. It’s that forward-thinking spirit that has made rural Iowa great.

Iowa also has trees. Although Nebraska may boast of being the home of Arbor Day, they have clearly been usurped. Iowa, in their infinite concern for the future(s), has stolen a note from the Nebraska playbook. For this, I commend them. Trees; what a magnificent idea!

There are so many other great things about the state of Iowa. Like their “Smokestacks and Silos National Heritage Area.” Iowans clearly care about their variegated landscape. Anything over 10 feet tall is grounds for preservation. Even smokestacks. Nothing says “we care about the future(s)” more than preserving pollution conduits for future generations.

So my point is this. Iowa is a precious state that should be treasured. Much more precious than Nebraska, which largely looks like a large, very flat anvil fell on it.

Only 300 miles to Colorado…

Posted on March 15th, 2006 by Lee
Tagged: Roadtrip