Iowa, the very heartland of America, is a place where the sky is as vast as an open range and the people are as sturdy as the cornstalks that dominate the landscape. A land of endless horizons and a peculiar brand of charm that’s as comforting as a warm bowl of chicken soup, yet as perplexing as a tornado watch.

Sadly, this flat, fertile expanse is devoid of the earth’s fiery embrace. No bubbling hot springs to soothe weary bones after a day wrestling with eight-row planters. It’s a geological oversight, a cosmic joke, perhaps. But fear not, for the lack of geothermal grandeur is offset by a surplus of Midwestern hospitality, which can be equally warming.

Sioux City, a metropolis of sorts in this agrarian expanse, offers a surprising array of intellectual pursuits. Morningside University, a quaint campus nestled amidst the cornfields, and Western Iowa Tech, a bastion of practical knowledge, cater to the region’s yearning minds. And for those who crave a touch of the exotic, South Dakota State University in nearby Sioux Falls offers a tantalizing glimpse beyond the Iowa horizon.

Literary luminaries have emerged from this seemingly prosaic landscape. The University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop has birthed wordsmiths as prolific as a swarm of locusts. Yet, tangible literary landmarks are as scarce as hen’s teeth. Iowa’s literary legacy is more a whisper on the wind than a towering monument.

Iowans are a peculiar breed. Industrious as prairie dogs, they toil from dawn to dusk, their faces etched with a determination as enduring as the land itself. Yet, beneath the veneer of hard-nosed practicality lies a wellspring of friendliness that can be both disarming and overwhelming. It’s like being hugged by a bear – a warm, fuzzy embrace that can leave you slightly confused.

Community is a cornerstone of Iowa life. Folks look out for one another with a vigilance that borders on obsession. Traditions are clung to with the tenacity of a drowning man clutching a piece of driftwood. But this unwavering allegiance to the past can sometimes feel like a straitjacket, stifling individuality and progress. And though driving through Iowa might be a relentless parade of corn, corn, soy beans, Dollar General, corn, corn, corn, Dollar General, soy beans, corn, corn, and corn, the people have their pride as exemplified in their state motto, “Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain”. In fact, several famous figures hail from the Cardinal State. Former presidents (Herbert Hoover), famous actors (Ashton Kutcher), coaches (Fred Hoiberg), and artists (Grant Wood and Donna Fargo) among others.

While Iowa may lack the dramatic topography of other states, the Loess Hills offer a surprising twist to the endless ag. These wind-carved bluffs are a testament to the land’s resilience, standing as silent sentinels against the relentless march of time. And yes… the weather, a capricious force that can transform the state from a winter wonderland to a sweltering inferno in the blink of an eye.

Agriculture is the lifeblood of Iowa, a monoculture of corn and soybeans punctuated by the occasional oasis of a small town. Yet, beneath the seemingly endless expanse of green, a diverse economy is taking root. Biotechnology, manufacturing, and insurance are injecting a touch of cosmopolitanism into this rural realm.

Life in Iowa offers a certain simplicity. The cost of living is as gentle as a summer breeze, and the pace of life is leisurely enough to cultivate a garden or catch a fish. Jobs may not be as plentiful as blades of grass, but the ones that exist often come with a sense of stability and security. And while the threat of tornadoes and blizzards adds a touch of excitement to everyday life, the state’s overall safety record is as solid as a silo.

Amidst the cornfields and small towns, Iowans exude a quiet confidence. Their faces, a canvas of weathered optimism, reflect a people at peace with their surroundings. It’s a quality that is both endearing and enigmatic.

You got your corn fields…
You got your small towns…
In Iowa… you’ll find your playground…
From the Mississippi…
To the Loess Hills Byway…
liberty and rights the Cardinals prize.

Onward through the fog… R.H.