But anyone familiar with the region
can tell you Iowa is much more than that.
So what draws folks to the heart of the
Midwest? Maybe it’s the affordable living.
Or the stunning sunrises and sunsets over
the gentle rolling hills of the countryside.
Or perhaps it’s the mantra of Iowa Nice
that greets those passing through.
Iowa has a way of spreading kindness,
as evidenced by the Hawkeye Wave, which
takes place at university football games in
Iowa City. After the first quarter, everyone
in the stadium turns and waves across the
street to the University of Iowa Children’s
Hospital. Inside, patients and their families
wave back. Even the opposing team waves.
Beyond kindness, Iowa holds other
treasures. My wife, Jonah, and I live in Des
Moines, but we are both from Fort Dodge,
in the north-central part of the state. We
enjoy the beauty of the four seasons, and
we appreciate living close to family.
From our perspective, Iowa is flat. But
once you head northeast from Des Moines,
it’s amazing how many hills there are.
Iowa’s entire eastern border is carved
out by the Mississippi River, the second-longest in North America. Last fall, I took
a three-day photography trip to document
and discover the gorgeous eastern region
of the state.
My journey started in Winneshiek
County, home of the small college town
of Decorah. Here, Palisades Park sits on
a bluff east of the Upper Iowa River and
provides a great vantage point from which
to view Decorah. Another must-see spot is
Dunnings Spring Park, which is home to
a 200-foot waterfall—Iowa’s tallest.
I followed River Road along the Upper
Iowa River, then I hopped a bit to the east
to connect with the Driftless Area Scenic
Byway, a 100-mile stretch that zigzags
across Allamakee County. While heading
northeast, I continued to follow the river,
which twists and turns through valleys
carved out of the landscape.
In New Albin, I merged onto the Great
River Road National Scenic Byway. Iowa’s
328-mile section of the byway parallels the
state line. Gigantic bluffs line the length of
the Mississippi River into Wisconsin and
Illinois, and farms dot the countryside.
During the winter months, bald eaglesMany people think Iowa is
just another flyover state.
Roseman Covered
Bridge, built in 1883,
was featured in the
film The Bridges of
Madison County.42 COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018