Now While most people think Iowa looks like this....
...I promise you there is much more to Iowa than initially meets the eye.
1. Sweet corn
I figured I couldn't go far into this list without mentioning Iowa's largest export, so why not start out strong! Sure, you can purchase sweet corn in Minnesota, but in my personal opinion NOTHING compares to Iowa grown. When I was younger, summers meant we could purchase fresh ears of corn at farmer's markets or on the side of the road out of a someone's pick up truck. My mom and grandparents would buy by the dozens and a few nights of the week we'd feast solely on corn on the cob...nothing else. If I haven't convinced you yet that Iowa corn is 'best of the best' then you need visit Iowa and try the peaches and cream variety. Trust me you won't regret it! If you want to take my word on it, think of it this way: we feed corn to our livestock, put it in our gasoline, and our cornfields are known for being 6-foot (or higher) - something you won't find driving around the farms in the 'Bold North."
2. Proximity to friends & family
Up until this point, I've lived MOST of my entire life in Iowa - growing up in the Des Moines area, going to college in Ames, my internship in Council Bluffs (and truthfully Omaha, NE), to living back in Des Moines/West Des Moines prior to Minnesota last year. While Dee's family is spread out over the country, most of mine still do live in central Iowa...Not to mention many friends from college who still claim Iowa to as home.
3. Des Moines Downtown Farmer's Market
I have yet to find a Farmer's market that even remotely compares to DSM's. I mean, it is the #2 ranked best farmer's market in the country from multiple sources...AND has over 300 vendors each weekend May-October (on top of the estimated 25,000 visitors each week)!. St Paul's is only 1-2 sq. ft blocks, while Des Moines takes up the entire downtown Court Avenue. Basically St. Paul's would have to quadruple a few times before it even thinks of comparing in size. Not to mention there's a plethora of bars & restaurants in the area to relax in between vendor browsing!
4. Iowa/Iowa State rivalry
If you live in Iowa, you're either a Cyclone or a Hawkeye - and the sports rivalries between them (Football, basketball, wrestling) are a big deal. In Iowa City you're sure to hear "Black and Yellow" just a few times, then enjoy the tailgating or nightlife scene. In Ames, the song "Cyclone" by Baby Bash plays over and over again, while you tailgate, enjoy some cheap BBQ at Hickory Park restaurant, then enjoy Welch Ave bar scenes (or what's left of it after the giant remodeling)..
When I moved up here I asked U of M students/past grads who the in-state rivalry was, and they looked at me like I was crazy! Apparently UW (Wisconsin) is the main dividing opponent, but I don't get the same fire from students up here as I did back home. Cyclone vs. Hawkeye debates could divide friends, family, even spouses!
5. Cost of Living
This is a big one. Not only is rent/home-ownership more expensive in the cities but daycare & other costs of living are insane! I miss knowing our in-home daycare provider AND not paying an arm & leg for rent.
6. Park Ave Hy-Vee family
Words cannot express how much I miss my old work fam! The inside jokes, noon lunch crew, and always getting into some sort of craziness while on the clock. I mean, I LOVE eating with my residents, but sometimes I do miss eating with coworkers and friends who don't need prompting to finish their meals!
7. Lutheran Church of HOPE
While I've found a decent church I sometimes frequent (or watch live via their phone app) I haven't found a church family as close-knit and amazing as HOPE in Des Moines. I loved the smaller location vs. the mega West Des Moines site, and this is where I met a lot of fellow moms/parents that I connected with. I also miss working in the nursery and the friendships I made after participating in the CORE class/retreats. I'm still so thankful we could baptize Eli into the church family there!
8. Casey's pizza
Don't hate on gas-station pizza...especially if you haven't tried Casey's. Their taco is to DIE for.
...And the sad part is, there are ZERO Casey's gas stations near the cities...sigh...
9. Farm smell
We all know Iowa farms (or just Iowa in general) don't smell the best, so why not own up to it! Especially on I-35 or I-80 driving between cities/towns...that stinky smell always reminds me of home.
10.
Actually, I have no idea why I put this on here...I really don't enjoy the state fair that much, other than corn dogs or walking around the Varied Industries & art buildings. This is truly one thing I can agree that Minnesota has a better version. :)
11. Weather - or some of it :)
Both Iowa and Minnesota have warm, humid summers & freezing cold winters....but on any given winter day Minnesota is a good 10 degrees colder than Iowa. There's also more snow up here, which my Mustang does NOT appreciate. (I mean, I could hardly drive around Iowa's snowstorms)! One thing I do love about Minnesota over Iowa ---> less tornados!
12. Local wineries
Every time I visit Iowa I have to make a bulk purchase of Tassel Ridge wine because it's my favorite & I can't find a brand that compares up here!
13. Election importance
Iowa caucuses are a BIG deal, and every election year candidates make multiple appearances to promote their campaigns. We even get the attention from celebrities who are promoting a particular candidate. I got to meet my high school celebrity crush Ashton Kutcher during the 2008 election campaign at an Obama event on campus.
14. Celebrities
Ashton Kutcher....John Wayne....Shawn Johnson....Tom Arnold....Elijah Wood....Kurt Warner....Chris Soules....Johnny Carson....Jason Momoa....Adam Devine....Seth Rollins...Cloris Leachman...the list could literally go on and on. And who was it that said "No one cool is from Iowa?!"
15. It's a CASSEROLE, not a "hot dish."
Enough said.
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