This one tops the list of all the places I never imagined I would even visit… let alone work in… and it’s been a delight.
During the hottest days of summer this year, I found myself in a suburban Atlanta Starbucks. I looked over at my neighbor (as one does) and saw he was reading the Gnostic Gospels. I was impressed and curious. As it turned out, Charlie who worked for Apple and dabbled in making musical arts was from Des Moines, Iowa and just passing through like I was. “If you’re ever in Des Moines,” he said, “I’ll show you around!” I tried to imagine Des Moines and couldn’t. So I just smiled and agreed that yes, if I were ever in Des Moines, we would totally hang out.
So when the call came and I started packing for Des Moines, I was thrilled to already have a friend in the state – a brand new state I’d never been to! – and I knew if Charlie was any indication, I was really going to love the people there. We haven’t met up yet, but it’s in the works.
Des Moines (French for “the moines”, a local t-shirt points out) is consistently noted as one of the best places to live and do business in the United States. It’s possible to cross from one end of downtown to another using the Skywalk system of climate-controlled, glassed-in passages from building to building. There are parks and arts and beautiful buildings. The metro area added 53,000 people between 2010 and 2015. It’s five hours west of Chicago but a world away from the gloomy weather, the traffic, and the crime of that city. And speaking of traffic… three cars at a stoplight in downtown Des Moines pretty much sums up rush hour. I don’t know how they do it.
Although really, I think I do know how they do it. The city is extremely well planned. Excellence in design was a major focus when Des Moines was being planned, and it shows in everything from the city’s bike lanes to its state capitol area. As a result, life seems to flow well here.
So of course, the first order of business was to explore. A new state? Downtown in a new capitol city? So many things to try!
My friend Ardie Campano was in town as a result of hurricane Irma barreling toward Charleston, and we went out to do a little bit of sightseeing. Credit goes to him for all the pictures in this post!
First up, the state capitol building:
Next on the list was High Trestle Trail Bridge. It’s not downtown – it’s a 40-minute drive to the north – but well worth it! The sun was setting as we arrived, casting ethereal lights over the view.
What beautiful days exploring a new state, a new capitol, a new city. And this barely even scratches the surface! There are so many more adventures to have in Iowa.
~ The Dauntless Princess ~