I just learned that Iowa is the "Life Changing" state. Damn.That's an ambitious slogan. I'll be honest: I've driven through Iowa a number of times, mostly from Colorado to some midwestern state, and the miles of cornfields have never sparked a personal revelation. Mostly, Iowa's speed limit stands out. It's 65-70 mph. After driving more than 75 mph across the entire state of Nebraska, the slowdown is painful.
On our recent road trip from Colorado to Michigan, we hit Iowa at a particularly low point. Eight hours in the car, humid air seeping in, and I was cursing 90% of my CD collection because every song was skipping. (I know, who listens to CD's anymore? One day I will take charge of my music situation.)
So, as it was, at the edge of Iowa we'd been listening to one song, on one of my non-skipping CD's, for something like twenty minutes. Someone in the car yelled NEW SONG! I gripped the wheel and flicked off the radio completely. When I looked up, there was that speed limit sign, staring me down.
Finally, in silence, we turned into our stopover campground, Lake Anita State Park. It was: Dusk. Mosquitoes. Impossibly thick air. We rushed to make a fire with wet wood, half-roasted hot dogs over a tiny flame, set up camp. I grabbed a towel and escaped to the showers.
And then, at dark, the most magical thing happened. Fireflies lit up the campground: Thousands of tiny lights suspended in space. I froze, looking around, blinking, smiling. It was surreal and whimsical and romantic. I've seen a lot of great things on my travels. This was one of the best.
Maybe it was even a little bit life changing, because afterwards I started noticing Iowa: the terraced farm fields, ultra-green landscape, steep cliffs of Dubuque. Stunning views. Little signs caught my attention, pointing to interesting attractions, like the bridges of Madison County, Amana Colonies and Iowa City.
I came home with a new perspective on Iowa. I think I might need to plan a trip there, where I will drive slow, linger, and let the slogan set me straight.
2 comments:
oooh fireflies, they are awesome. I saw many in the midwest growing up but none for decades then we discovered a secret place in Colorado that has them. Have fun on your trip.
Oh, will you share the secret? I'm dying to know!
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