Missouri: The “Show Me” Your Livelihood State

There was a time when I pronounced the state of Missouri as “Misery”. I lived in the state for 4 years total.  The first three were very good years – my final three years of undergraduate studies at College of the Ozarks.  I built upon that season of personal growth...

Iowa: Eye o’ Aaaaaah.

Among the places on my semi-planned itinerary, Iowa was one of the “must visit” states, not for any specific reason other than the simple truth that I had never been there.  In fact, when I crossed the border, it was my 49th state to visit, lacking only Alaska, and...

Nebraska: A return to diapers

I sometimes wonder if those who grow up in mundane landscapes and non-progressive towns are disadvantaged or rather “advantaged” in life.  I mean, does the lack of natural beauty and cultural affluence make one less imaginative, or on the contrary does it make one all...

South Dakota: The good, the bad, and the good bad.

South Dakota sent out a wildlife welcoming party as I crossed the state line as darkness set in.  Deer were lining the highway, and though I was on alert, and though I tried to swerve when I saw the ones getting too close and even closer, I clipped one of them at a...