Columns

Friday, August 1, 2003

exploring the many destinations of iowa

It is August already, and I wonder how the summer has slipped away. Like so many of you, I make to-do and to-see lists each summer, but before I know it, my good intentions become “thoughts that counted.” Iowa is home to mighty rivers, lush farmland, quiet lakes, and many other attractions, and I encourage all Iowans to take the time to enjoy them this summer. So before the leaves change and fall returns, I want to share some of my favorite Iowa destinations.

On our eastern border flows the continent’s longest waterway, the great Mississippi River. The river’s rich history can be explored at the recently expanded and re-located National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque. The beautiful new facility is an extraordinary showcase of the many wonders of the Mississippi. The museum’s exhibits include five large aquariums, a barge simulator, and a virtual trip down the river in the Journey Theater.

Central Iowa is also home to many attractions. The Dan-D Farms Corn Mazes in Ames and Knoxville are fun for kids and adults alike. Each year the two corn fields are artistically plowed to create an elaborate maze that forms a design when viewed aerially. This year the Knoxville maze is in the shape of the Iowa Flag, and the Ames maze features Cy, the Iowa State University mascot and Herky, the University of Iowa mascot.

Not far from the Dan-D Farms is the Living History Farms in Urbandale, which offers a glimpse into the role that the land has played in Iowa’s past, present, and future. The farm exhibits explore the history of Iowa’s change from prairies to homesteads to modern-day farms. A short drive south from the Living History Farms leads to the famous bridges of Madison County. Though nineteen bridges originally stood, only five remain today. With stories and lore as old as the bridges, these hundred-year-old structures offer a historical and mythical transformation back to the days of wooden bridges. Although no longer usable, the bridges offer a wonderful opportunity for the amateur photographer.

Moving west of Madison County to the bank of the Missouri River is the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge, located near Missouri Valley, is home to a variety of waterfowl and wildlife. Among the highlights of the refuge is the Bertrand, a steamboat excavated from the Missouri River in 1968 after sinking more than one hundred years earlier.

Another great historical attraction in western Iowa is the Lewis and Clark State Park located along the scenic banks of the Missouri River. The park, located on the Blue Lake near Onawa, offers campgrounds, hiking trails, and water sports, and features the only full-size replica of the keelboat “Discovery” on which Lewis and Clark traveled up the Missouri River. Of course, Iowa is home to many more attractions, too numerous to list here. You can create your own getaway by visiting the Iowa Tourism web site (www.traveliowa.com) which includes extensive reports of the many destinations throughout the state. Next time you are thinking of taking a weekend getaway, be sure to consider one of the many attractions right here in our great state of Iowa.