IOWA: THE HAWKEYE STATE
BY CLAY
LARROY
Regardless
of whether you are
traveling to a nearby location for the weekend or taking a
week-long destination vacation, you are always going to benefit from some tips
and ideas on how to make the whole process, more fun and less stressful. Take
time each day to alleviate stress while traveling or
vacationing and you will thank yourself for it when you get back home. With all
the chaos, jet-lag, partying and other excitement of travel comes a whole lot
of stress on your mind and body. By the time most vacations are over, another
one is needed to recover so taking a few minutes each day to rejuvenate will
make it easier for you to resume your normal life when it's all over. When you want to
plan a vacation contact me!
Easy-going Iowa is a classic, Midwest mix of sprawling cornfields,
picturesque prairies and traditional towns, neatly connected by a network of
scenic byways and trails.
Iowa has a veritable pick and mix of road trips. The Mississippi
River winds down the state's eastern border; along its shore, the Great River
Road passes 19th-century river towns, prehistoric Indian mounds, chugging
paddleboats, and rocky cliffs, where you can catch sight of soaring bald eagles
in winter.
Alternatively, you might discover Iowa's Danish and German
heritage on the Western Skies Scenic Byway or drift around the Driftless Area,
a region of Iowa renowned for its limestone bluffs and tree-blanketed valleys.
Or how about a jaunt down Route 6, which winds 5,877km (3,652
miles) from Massachusetts to California? Iowa's chunk boasts its share of
quirky roadside attractions, including the world's oldest ice cream fountain
and a 5m-tall (16ft) gas station man. Iowa's wacky sights don't stop
there. There's also the world's largest bull (Albert, built in 1964), a 4m-tall
(13ft) wine bottle (also a statue, sadly) and the planet's teeniest church.
Pretty Iowa City is North America's only UNESCO City of Literature
and is an essential stop for budding scribes, who can join one of the
University of Iowa's renowned writers' workshop. The Lycra brigade are
also well catered for: the state boasts more than 2,900km (1,800 miles) of bike
trails through native woodlands, wetlands, trestle bridges, open prairies and
farmland. Stop pedaling to pick apples or glug cider at dozens of orchards.
Taste a bit of everything at NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids, a
regenerated industrial site turned buzzing market, stuffed with local produce,
eateries, artists' studios and performance spaces. Or cycle alongside
horse-drawn buggies in Amish and Mennonite communities and bag yourself some
baked treats.
Things
to see and do in Iowa
Amana Colonies
Travel through the Amana
Colonies (www.amanacolonies.com), a cluster of seven villages
of early German immigrants along the Iowa River. Taste German dishes in local
restaurants and tour museums, craft and woodworking shops, wine shops and even
a microbrewery.
Des Moines
While exploring the state
capital Des Moines see the 23 karat gold-leaf dome of the Capitol Building.
Children will enjoy the Science Center of Iowa (www.sciowa.org),
with its great selection of amusements, impressive laser shows and simulated
space shuttle flights.
John Deer Tractor Factory
Join agricultural
enthusiasts on a tour of the John Deer Tractor Factory in Waterloo, then cool
off at the nearby Ice House Museum, where ice was once cut, stored and
distributed.
Loose Hills Scenic Byway
Follow Iowa's two national
scenic byways: the Loose Hills Scenic Byway along the Missouri River in western
Iowa, and the Great River Road along the Mississippi River on Iowa's eastern
border.
Madison County
Drive under the covered
bridges of Madison County (www.madisoncounty.com),
made famous by the book of the same name. Pay tribute to the Duke while
visiting John Wayne's birthplace in Winterset, Madison County.
Maquoketa Caves State Park
Explore caves and trails
at Maquoketa Caves State Park, Iowa's most unique state park. Early Native
American artifacts have been found in the caves. Camping and picnicking
facilities are available.
National Balloon Museum
Head out of town to the
National Balloon Museum in Indianola. Watch the sky fill with colorful hot air
balloons during the National Balloon Classic (www.nationalballoonclassic.com)
in August. Visit Iowa City (www.iowacitycoralville.org),
dominated by the University of Iowa campus. Tour the beautiful Old Capitol
building among the cluster of historic buildings called the Pentacrest. Museums
include the Museum of Natural History and the Medical Museum in the University
of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
REFERENCE SITES:
I'm from Iowa, we don't know
what cool is!
Ashton Kutcher
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