I believe in Iowa. I believe in beautiful sunsets, golden fields, and friendly people. Although the state is often looked down upon for its apparent tedium (it was recently voted the least desirable vacation destination by Outside Magazine), Iowa really does have a lot to offer. Our home prices are low, the state is very picturesque, and there are plenty of activities and events to keep everyone busy.
The biggest benefit of calling Iowa home is the inexpensiveness and simplicity of just about everything! I love going to the grocery store and paying significantly less for a basket of goods than my bigger-state counterparts. A $1 million house is considered excessive in just about every area of the state; only a couple hundred thousand is needed to buy a palatial abode. Beyond prices, Iowans enjoy short commute times, thanks to our (almost) perpetually traffic-free roads. This all sounds boring, but being able to enjoy life to its fullest at a leisurely pace and reasonable price is great!
Although my home state has a reputation for being flat and not particularly attractive, I think otherwise. Many artists use Iowa as their inspiration for paintings, photography, and musical compositions because of its natural beauty and effortless splendor. Throughout Iowa are gorgeous miles of farmland, quant little rows of shops on quiet downtown streets, and even a few bustling cities that have concert halls, architectural gems, and museums galore. You have not lived until you have driven along an Iowa interstate and seen nothing but seemingly infinite fertile fields of green and gold out of your car window. Even though our unpredictable weather is a turnoff to many, where else is it snowy and cold in the morning, only to be sunny and 70 degrees by two o’clock in the afternoon?
Above all, however, are the hidden activities and festivals that are often known only to Iowans. Besides the famous Iowa State Fair, there are great music venues, magnificent holiday parades, and a host of other events to keep even the most reluctant visitor happy. My favorite part of the whole year is the Bix 7 race, held right here in Davenport. Seeing 15,000 runners make their way up the Brady Street hill, wind around scenic Kenwood Boulevard (also known at Bix 7 Boulevard), and then finish in the heart of our downtown is a cherished happening that I anticipate every year. It is experiences like this that make Iowa fun.
As the saying goes, “Is this Heaven? No, it’s Iowa”. Keeping with the stereotype of Iowans, I am pretty stubborn. I am thankful for the good ideals and open mind that my Midwestern upbringing has engrained in me, and I could see settling here for the rest of my life. After a phase of wanting to move far away from here after high school, I have decided that my state has too much going for it to simply leave forever once I reach college age. My great experiences have encouraged me to return here someday. I believe in Iowa.
Brendan Iglehart, 16
